Cosmic Encounter

Objective of the Game

The objective of Cosmic Encounter is to be the first player to establish five colonies on foreign planets. Players assume the roles of alien races, each with unique abilities that enrich and diversify the gameplay.

Setup

1. Each player receives a set of five planets of a color and 20 ships, which are initially spread evenly across the player's planets.
2. Every player draws an alien race card that describes special abilities and methods of play for that character.
3. The Destiny deck is shuffled and placed nearby, alongside the Attack deck and Reinforcement deck.
4. Each player draws 8 cards from the Attack deck as a starting hand.

Gameplay

The game is played in rounds, with each player taking the following phases in their turn:

1. Destiny Phase

The active player draws the top card from the Destiny deck, determining which player or planet must be attacked.

2. Planning Phase

The active player decides how many of their ships to commit to the battle by placing them on the target.

3. Alliance Phase

The active player can invite other players as allies to support them in the attack. Defensive players can also recruit allies.

4. Battle Phase

• Both the attacker and defender play an Attack card from their hand face down. These are revealed simultaneously.
• The value of the card is added to the number of participating ships.
• The side with the higher total wins the encounter.

5. Reinforcement Phase

Regardless of the battle's outcome, the played cards are discarded, and each player replenishes their hand back to the starting number.

Special Rules

• Alien Abilities: Each alien race has unique abilities that can impact the game at various stages as noted on their card.

• Negotiation Option: Instead of an attack card, players can play a negotiation card. If both parties negotiate, they have one minute to reach an agreement.

Tips and Strategies

• Leverage Diplomacy: Effective alliance management is crucial for winning attacks and defenses.
• Utilize Abilities: The strategic use of alien abilities can significantly alter the course of the game, so know your race's strength well.
• Stay Flexible: Since the game heavily relies on player interaction, adaptability is key.

Cosmic Encounter is renowned for its high replay value thanks to its myriad alien abilities and dynamic player interactions.