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Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy box image

Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy

Eclipse 2011 is a strategy board game where players lead their civilizations to explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate in a galaxy filled with alien races, technologies, and ancient relics.

7.83 / 10
BGG Rating
14+
age
2011
published year
2 - 6
player count
2 - 6
Recommended player count
60 - 180 mins
play time

How Complex is Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy?

3.7 / 5

Eclipse 2011 has a moderate complexity, with many rules and components to learn, but offers a rewarding and immersive experience for experienced gamers.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy?

2.5 / 5

Luck plays a moderate role in Eclipse 2011, as players draw random tiles and roll dice during combat, but strategic decisions and resource management have a greater impact on the game's outcome.

How much Player Interaction does Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy offer?

3.5 / 5

Eclipse 2011 offers moderate player interaction, as players can engage in combat, negotiate alliances, and compete for resources and control of sectors, but can also focus on their own development and expansion.

How much Replayability does Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy offer?

4 / 5

Eclipse 2011 offers high replayability due to the random setup of the galaxy, diverse alien races, and various technology and upgrade options, leading to different strategies and outcomes each game.

Why you should play Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy

Deep and Engaging Gameplay

Eclipse 2011 is a complex and strategic game that offers a deep and engaging gameplay experience. Players must manage resources, build their fleets, explore the galaxy, and engage in epic space battles.

Customizable Ships

One of the unique features of Eclipse 2011 is the ability to customize your ships with different weapons, shields, engines, and other components. This allows players to tailor their fleets to their playstyle and strategy.

Multiple Paths to Victory

Eclipse 2011 offers multiple paths to victory, including military conquest, technological advancement, and economic dominance. This means that players can pursue different strategies and still have a chance to win.

Replayability

With a variety of different alien races, technologies, and randomized galaxy setups, Eclipse 2011 offers a high level of replayability. No two games are ever the same, and players can continue to discover new strategies and tactics with each playthrough.

Well-Designed Components

Eclipse 2011 features high-quality components, including detailed miniatures, sturdy player boards, and thick cardboard tiles. The game also includes a well-written rulebook and helpful player aids to make learning and playing the game easier.

Solo Play Option

Eclipse 2011 includes a solo play option, allowing players to enjoy the game even when they don't have a group to play with. The solo mode offers a challenging and engaging experience that will keep players coming back for more.

Expansion Options

Eclipse 2011 has several expansion options that add new races, technologies, and gameplay mechanics to the game. These expansions can further enhance the replayability and depth of the game, making it a great investment for board game enthusiasts.

Why you should avoid Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy

Lengthy Playtime

Eclipse 2011 is a complex and strategic game that can take several hours to play, especially with a full complement of players. This may not be appealing to players who prefer shorter, more casual games.

Steep Learning Curve

Eclipse 2011 has a lot of rules and mechanics to learn, which can make it difficult for new players to get into the game. It may take several playthroughs before players feel comfortable with the game's systems.

High Price Point

Eclipse 2011 is a relatively expensive game, especially when compared to other board games on the market. This may not be appealing to players who are looking for a more budget-friendly option.

Heavy Strategy Focus

Eclipse 2011 is a game that requires a lot of strategic thinking and planning. This may not be appealing to players who prefer more casual or luck-based games.

Limited Player Interaction

While Eclipse 2011 does feature space battles and other forms of conflict, there is relatively little direct player interaction in the game. This may not be appealing to players who enjoy games with a high level of player interaction and negotiation.

Where to find the Rules of Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy.

Focus on exploration

In the early game, it's important to explore as much of the galaxy as possible to find new planets and resources. This will give you a better chance of finding good planets to colonize and resources to build your fleet.

Balance your resources

Eclipse is a game of resource management, so it's important to balance your resources carefully. Make sure you have enough resources to build your fleet, but don't neglect your economy or research.

Build a strong fleet

Your fleet is your main tool for conquering the galaxy, so it's important to build a strong one. Make sure you have a good mix of ships, including some with long-range weapons and some with short-range weapons.

Focus on technology

Technology is a key part of Eclipse, so make sure you're investing in it. Focus on technologies that will give you an advantage in combat or resource management.

Play to your strengths

Each player has a unique race with its own strengths and weaknesses. Make sure you're playing to your race's strengths and using them to your advantage.

Be flexible

Eclipse is a game that requires you to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances. Don't be afraid to change your strategy if things aren't going well.

Keep an eye on your opponents

Finally, it's important to keep an eye on your opponents and their strategies. Try to anticipate their moves and counter them before they become a threat.

Advanced Strategies for Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy

Focus on diplomacy

As you become more experienced with Eclipse, you'll realize that diplomacy can be just as important as combat. Try to form alliances with other players and negotiate favorable trade deals.

Use the monoliths

Monoliths are powerful structures that can give you a significant advantage in the game. Make sure you're using them to their full potential and defending them from other players.

Plan ahead

Eclipse is a game that requires you to plan ahead and anticipate your opponents' moves. Try to think several turns ahead and have a backup plan in case things don't go as expected.

Use your influence wisely

Influence is a valuable resource in Eclipse, so make sure you're using it wisely. Use your influence to gain control of important sectors of the galaxy and to sway other players to your side.

Build a diverse fleet

As you become more experienced with Eclipse, you'll realize that having a diverse fleet is important. Make sure you have a mix of ships with different weapons and abilities to counter your opponents' strategies.

Focus on victory points

Victory points are the key to winning Eclipse, so make sure you're focusing on them. Try to gain victory points through a variety of means, including conquering planets, completing research, and building monoliths.

Be aggressive when necessary

Finally, don't be afraid to be aggressive when necessary. Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense, so don't hesitate to attack your opponents if it will give you an advantage.

Mechanics

Tile Placement
Modular Board
Variable Player Powers
Hexagon Grid
Dice Rolling
Variable Phase Order
Grid Movement
Player Elimination
Map Addition

Categories

Civilization
Science Fiction
Wargame
Fighting
Miniatures
Space Exploration