Cosmic Encounter: Cosmic Incursion

Cosmic Encounter: Cosmic Incursion is the first official expansion for Fantasy Flight Games' version of Cosmic Encounter, released in 2010. It introduces 20 new alien races, some reprints of classic favorites and others never seen before, like the nostalgic Sniveler. Each race retains its asymmetric power, ensuring no two games feel the same. The biggest upgrade is the ability to add a sixth player, making the galaxy even more crowded and negotiations more intense. Besides the new races, the set adds Cosmic Quake cards that can dramatically shift the game’s direction, and a Reward deck with bonuses that spice up the experience. Core mechanics—hand management, negotiation, and temporary alliances—remain, now with more options and room for bluffing. The goal stays classic: be the first to colonize five enemy colonies, leveraging your species' unique power and a good dose of diplomatic talk. Playtime is roughly 60 minutes and the complexity stays low (BGG weight 2.7), making it friendly for both veterans and newcomers to the Cosmic Encounter universe. In short, Cosmic Incursion expands the chaos, fun, and strategy without steepening the learning curve.