# Tiny Epic Galaxies: Beyond the Black – Deluxe Edition

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2017
- **BGG Rating**: 7.8
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 1-5
- **Duration**: 30-45 min
- **Weight**: 2.33 / 5
- **Designers**: Scott Almes
- **Artists**: Benjamin Shulman, Naomi Robinson
- **Publishers**: Gamelyn Games, Devir
- **Categories**: Dice, Expansion for Base-game, Science Fiction, Space Exploration
- **Mechanics**: Action Queue, Area Majority / Influence, Dice Rolling, Push Your Luck, Set Collection

## Verdict
Essential for those who already enjoy the base game and want more layers of strategy and risk. The pilot system changes the dice management dynamic.New ships add great depthIntelligent pilot hiring systemRisk exploration adds great tensionDeluxe components are top-notchHeavy language dependenceIncreases table complexityHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
If you thought you had already mastered the galaxy in the base game, get ready, because Beyond the Black is here to push the boundaries of known space. This Deluxe edition isn't just a visual upgrade; it significantly expands the strategic depth of the game, including the Drones mini-expansion and new challenges for those willing to venture beyond the 'void'.

The biggest addition is the introduction of four new ship types, acting as upgrades for your original fleet. But having the best tech is useless without someone to fly it! You'll need to hire specialized pilots, each with unique special abilities. The game creates an interesting balance: the more versatile a pilot is (trained in multiple ships), the weaker their special ability becomes. To hire them, you spend unused dice from your actions, turning what would be 'waste' into victory points and tactical advantages. Pilots are shuffled into a deck and splayed out much like the planets.

Additionally, for those who love a thrill, the expansion introduces a 'press-your-luck' mechanic for deep space exploration. You can venture far beyond the safe planets in search of rare materials or valuable dwarf planets. The catch? Space is treacherous. Black holes, supernovas, and solar storms can ruin your plans. However, every foray generates exploration badges. At the end of the game, the player with the most badges of each type earns generous bonus victory points.

To round out the package, the Deluxe edition adds new planets and exciting secret missions, ensuring that every session has different objectives and unexpected twists. It's the perfect dose of extra complexity for those who love the 4X experience but don't want to spend five hours in a single session.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to play?
Yes, this is an expansion. You need Tiny Epic Galaxies to use this content.

### Does the game take much longer with the expansion?
Playtime increases slightly due to the new options, but it still stays within the 30-45 minute range.

### Is it hard to learn?
If you already know the base game, the new pilot and exploration rules are intuitive but add more decision-making to your turn.

### What's included in the Deluxe edition?
Besides the Beyond the Black content, it includes the Drones mini-expansion and upgraded components.

### Who is this game for?
For sci-fi fans and players who enjoy 4X games (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate) in a compact format.