# Imperial Settlers: 3 Is a Magic Number ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2016 - **BGG Rating**: 7.5 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 2) - **Duration**: 60 min - **Weight**: 2.83 / 5 - **Designers**: Ignacy Trzewiczek - **Artists**: Denis Martynets, Rafał Szyma, Tomasz Jedruszek - **Publishers**: Edge Entertainment, Pegasus Spiele, Pendragon Game Studio, Portal Games, Rexhry, White Goblin Games, Zvezda - **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game ## Verdict The perfect spice for players looking to deepen their-empire building-strategy with color synergies!Engaging SET mechanicAdds meaningful drafting choicesGreat-solo-mode supportEnhances faction identitiesRequires the base gameAdds slight complexityRECOMMENDED ## Description If you're already a seasoned empire builder in Imperial Settlers, get ready to level up your strategy! '3 Is a Magic Number' is the second Empire Pack in the series, and it brings a game-changing-rule to your table: the SET mechanic. This isn't just about adding more-of-the-same; it's about shifting how you value every single card in your hand. By building three cards of the same color, you trigger powerful effects and score points, making the drafting phase much more tactical and competitive. This expansion is packed with variety, featuring new cards for the common deck, unique additions for all five factions, and even two new cards specifically for the solo mode. It adds a layer of decision-making that forces you to balance immediate-term-gain against long-term color synergy. It's the perfect way to breathe fresh life into your sessions, turning a familiar routine into a high-stakes puzzle of color management and timing. If you want to make your empire-building more complex and rewarding, this pack is exactly what your collection needs. ## How to Play Objective of the Game This expansion, "3 Is a Magic Number," is not a stand-alone game and requires the Imperial Settlers base game to play. The objective of the game, as with the base game, involves building your empire. This expansion introduces new Faction cards and Common cards to enhance gameplay and deck construction options. Preparation (Setup) Contents 67 cards: 10 Atlantean cards, 10 Barbarian cards, 10 Japanese cards, 10 Roman cards, 10 Egyptian cards, 13 Common cards, 2 Virtual player Faction cards, 2 Attack cards. Building a Faction Deck Each Faction card has the number of its copies indicated in the bottom right of its central image. There are cards which come with 3 copies, 2 copies or a single copy. Formats of Play OPEN: You may mix any Common and Faction cards from any expansions with the corresponding cards from the Imperial Settlers base game. STANDARD: This is the only format allowed at tournaments. You only use the Common cards from the Imperial Settlers base game. Choose one Expansion and build your Faction deck. Single Player Game Setup This expansion introduces 2 Virtual player Faction cards for the Virtual player. During the setup of the solo game, draw 1 random Virtual player Faction card for the Virtual player. This card will change the rules of the solo game. NOTE: When playing the solo variant of Imperial Settlers with the Egyptians or Japanese as the Virtual Player's faction, add 2 Attack cards with a shield symbol on them. Fluxo do Jogo Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção. Ações e Como Jogar Cards Clarifications Welcome Expedition: You don't gain 1 worker when placing card as a Foundation. Interrogation Master: You don't gain 1 worker when placing card as a Foundation. Cherry Orchard: If you have 3 PINK and 6 RED in your Empire when using the Action, you'll receive 3 workers for them. Scoring Features (Caesar's Pantry Example) When a Feature like Caesar's Pantry scores for new SETS of Locations, you must complete a new SET to trigger the bonus. If you already have a SET (e.g., 3 RED Locations) when you play Caesar's Pantry, you do not score for that existing SET. You should mark Caesar's Pantry with a face down Common card to show that you must complete a second SET before you can score with Caesar's Pantry. If a Location that was part of a SET is Razed, you will need to play another Location of that color to complete the SET again and potentially score the Feature bonus for a new SET. Virtual Player Rules (Solo Game) The Japanese (Virtual Player): After revealing an Attack card, first check if you have a Deal providing the Good. If so, remove the Deal and place it on the Virtual player's Collection pile. Then proceed with the standard Attack rules. Attack card placement is not affected by the Deal being discarded – it always goes on top. At the end of the game, Deal cards in the Virtual player's Collection pile are counted as two Location cards. The Egyptians (Virtual Player): After revealing the Attack card, first check if you have a Faction with the matching color. If so, put a blockade symbol on this Faction card. The blocked Faction is considered to not be in play during the next round. Then proceed with the standard Attack rules. Blocked Locations A blocked Location doesn't produce, provide feature bonuses, and you cannot use its action. It cannot be used as a foundation, and its color is not counted. They do not count as Location in your Empire for that round. A building blocked during the final round does not count for VP. Attack card placement is not affected by a Blockade – it always goes on top. If you have more than one Location with the matching color, choose a Location to be blocked using the standard Attack rules. Blockade symbols are discarded to the Virtual player's Collection pile during the Cleanup phase. At the end of the game, Blockade symbols are counted as two Location cards. Fim de Jogo e Pontuação Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção. Dicas para Vencer Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção. ## FAQ ### Do I need the base game? Yes, this is an expansion and requires the base Imperial Settlers game to play. ### What is the main new mechanic? The SET mechanic, where building three cards of the same color triggers special-effects and points. ### Is it harder than the base game? It adds a layer of strategic depth, but the core-loop remains very familiar. ### Does it work for solo players? Absolutely! It includes new-cards specifically for the solo mode. ### How many players does it support? 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