Cosmic Encounter

Colonise the Galaxy

The core set includes fifty alien races, each with its own history and powers. You may be the leader of the genteel and thieving Filches, sensitive and oozing Amoebas, sneaky, infesting Parasites, or self-sacrificing Kamikazes. Your powers may enable you to quickly travel through space, prevent your defeated ships from falling into the Warp, or let you to look at another player's hand before you decide your next move. Each alien has individual strategic tools and a specific play style that shapes all of its encounters.

Make Friends - and Enemies

Destiny decides the location of every attempted colony. It may be in the system of a dire foe or long-term ally. You can ask other players to support you, but be careful! Even your allies have their own agendas. Will their participation mean that they advance, while you struggle behind? Or are you cunning enough to use the alliance for your own benefit?

When all the ships have reached their destination, you may decide whether to fight, negotiate, or morph and mimic whatever your opponent does. Alien powers and Reinforcement, Artifact, and Flare cards can also be played at this time to affect the outcome of the encounter. Finally, you and your opponent resolve the outcome. You may win and get to establish your colony, or you may be defeated and have your ships sent into the Warp. You may win a battle and still lose ships or cards, you may gain more through negotiation than you would have through fighting, or negotiations may fail with dire consequences for both parties.

The Infinite Cosmos

Cosmic Encounter offers you and your fellow aliens several variants for gameplay. Should you desire, a game can be shortened or lengthened by requiring fewer or more colonies. Tech cards can be integrated, which give each player a specific objective. Once accomplished, the Tech card becomes a useful asset that you can use later in the game. Players could also choose to conceal their alien powers until the moment they are used, or rotate which alien races they control and become a new alien every round.

With its numerous alien races, Flare cards, Artifact cards, and gameplay variants, Cosmic Encounter truly offers an infinity of gaming experiences. It is easy-to-learn for younger or less experienced players, but has enough variety and strategic complexity to engross even the most experienced board gamers.