Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

Lautapelit.fi, Arclight Games, CrowD Games · Board game · 2020
2–6 · best 4 60–200 min Weight 3.7/5
8.9 rating Ludopedia
8.4 rating BGG
How to Play Buy · from US$ 128.51
8.9 rating Ludopedia
8.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

Anyone who loves dense 4X space strategy with incredible replay value will fall in love. The variety of species and turn-based combat make every session feel fresh.

Highlights
  • Incredibly deep
  • Multiple victory paths
  • Beautiful miniatures
  • High replayability
  • Satisfying combat
Keep in mind
  • Long sessions for some
  • Steep learning curve
  • Downtime between turns
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
Access Rules Guide

About the game

What you do in a play session

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy is the upgrade the 2011 original deserved. You take command of a spacefaring civilization and compete with rivals for galactic dominance — exploring star systems, advancing technology, building fleets, and waging war when the time is right. All on a hexagonal board where every tile matters.

The beauty of the game is that there's no single path to victory. You can focus on research, territorial expansion, dirty diplomacy, or simply go all-out aggressive. The trick is understanding your species' strengths and weaknesses and playing to them while keeping an eye on what your opponents are scheming.

This second edition arrived with a fresh visual design (it's gorgeous, I won't lie), a full line of ship miniatures, new miniatures for ancients, GCDS, orbitals, custom combat dice, plastic inlays, and finely tuned gameplay. The heart of Eclipse remains: hexagons, area influence, regional impulses, and that strategic chaos that makes every session feel unique.

The game is dense, long, and demands focus. But for fans of deep 4X space strategy, it's become a modern classic. Grab a beer, sit with your trusted gaming crew, and get ready for a night of interstellar warfare.

Expansions

Published additional content

13 items

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

12 videos

Rules manual

Official PDF file

Rules manual — Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy English · PDF
Download Manual

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–6 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC
6 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Control Boards Components: Game Trayz Inside Components: Map (Interplanetary or Interstellar scale) Components: Miniatures Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: Steam Game: Eclipse (Lautapelit.fi) Mechanism: 4X Misc: Made by Panda Players: Games with expansions that change player count
Publisher Lautapelit.fi, Arclight Games, CrowD Games, Maldito Games, Matagot, MeepleBR
Designer Touko Tahkokallio
Artist Jere Kasanen, Jukka Rajaniemi, Noah Adelman, Sampo Sikiö

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

22,353owners
9,132wishlist
972want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
Do I need the original Eclipse to play?
No. Second Dawn is a complete reimplemention with new and updated components. You don't need anything from the 2011 game.
How many players does it work well with?
It works with 2-6 players, but the most praised experience is with 3-5. With 2 it can feel a bit lonely, and with 6 the table gets very crowded.
How long does a game last?
Between 60 and 200 minutes. Games of 2-3 hours are most common, but it depends a lot on the group's pace and player experience.
Is it hard to learn?
It has a considerable learning curve, especially on the first play. The combat rules and action order can be confusing at first, but it clicks after a couple sessions.
Are the components worth the investment?
Very much so. Miniatures, custom dice, and plastic inlays give a premium feel. The visual upgrade in the second edition is a huge jump from the original.
Is there a digital version?
Yes, it's available on Steam with AI and online multiplayer.

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