Game Objective

In Twilight Imperium, you take on the role of a galactic emperor vying for control of the galaxy. Your goal is to be the first player to reach 10 Victory Points (VP) by completing objectives, expanding your empire, and outmaneuvering your rivals. In the solo variant, you'll compete against two AI "BOT" players controlled by automated rules. The first to hit 10 VP claims the throne of Mecatol Rex and wins the game!

Setup (Solo Variant)

Follow these steps to prepare for a solo game against two bots:

1. Choose Your Faction: Select any faction except The Arborec, The Nekro Virus, or The Yssaril Tribes (these are excluded for bots). Gather your faction sheet, plastic units, and command tokens.
2. Set Up Bots: Choose two factions for the bots (colors of your choice). Each bot gets its own faction sheet, units, and command tokens. Note: Bots do not use Action Cards or Objective Cards.
3. Prepare Technology Decks: For each bot, create a 9-card Technology Deck containing all faction-specific Unit Upgrade cards (if any) plus generic Unit Upgrades for missing units. Shuffle and place face down.
4. Map Setup: Set up a three-player game using the preset map or a custom layout. Distribute starting units and planets as per the standard rules, but remove these Agenda Cards from the deck: Classified document leaks, Colonial redistribution, Compensated disarmament, Demilitarized zone, Judicial abolishment, Miscount disclosed, Representative government, Seed of an empire. Promissory Note cards are not used in this variant.
5. Initial Resources: Place starting units on home systems. Bots place Ground Forces and Structures evenly; tie-break by highest Resource value planet. Place three command tokens in each bot's Fleet Pool and three in their Tactic Pool.

Once setup is complete, determine the first player (usually the Speaker) and begin the Strategy Phase.

The Game Turn

Each game round consists of three phases: Strategy, Action, and Status. Here's how they work:

Strategy Phase

In turn order (starting with the Speaker), each player—including bots—selects two Strategy Cards. Bots choose randomly using a die roll with these priorities:

• If the rolled number matches an available Strategy Card, the bot takes it.
• If not, the bot picks the card with the most Trade Goods on it (treat '0' as zero).
• If still tied, choose the highest-numbered strategy.
• If the bot is the Speaker, it ignores the Politics strategy.

Action Phase

Starting with the first player, each participant takes actions in turn. Players may use a Strategic Action from their Strategy Card or a Tactical Action (like moving, producing, or trading). Bots act automatically based on their current command token count and a die roll. Key bot behaviors:

• Bots never gain/use Objective or Action Cards.
• Bots have a Tactic Pool and Fleet Pool (3 tokens each initially).
• Bots collect Trade Goods and Commodities normally and can transact with players.
• Bots use random selection for unclear decisions.

Bot Action Determination: After their first Strategic Action, roll a die and consult the charts in the manual to see what action a bot takes (Offensive, Expansion, Production, or Strategic). If a bot cannot perform the rolled action, it tries the next one in order: Offensive → Expansion → Production → Strategic. If none are possible, it passes.

Status Phase

At the end of the round:

• Each bot scores 1 Victory Point if it controls all planets in its home system (Winnu's "Blood Ties" works normally; Clan of Saar is exempt due to "Nomadic").
• Bots gain 2 command tokens: if Fleet Pool has fewer than 5, 1 goes there and the rest to Tactic Pool; otherwise both to Tactic Pool.
• Planets are readied and ships repaired as usual.
• Players do NOT draw an Action Card by default. If you have the "Neural Motivator" technology, you may draw 1 card.

End of Game & Scoring

The game ends immediately when any player (you or a bot) reaches 10 Victory Points. Victory Points are earned by:

• Completing Public and Secret Objectives (players only; bots do not have these).
• Bots scoring 1 VP each Status Phase by controlling their home system.
• Special bot actions: e.g., Imperial strategy may score 1 VP if conditions are met.

No final scoring tally—the instant a player hits 10 VP, they win!

Tips to Win

New to the galaxy? Keep these tactics in mind:

1. Control Mecatol Rex Early: Bots prioritize systems closest to Mecatol Rex. If you can secure the throne world, you'll deny them easy VP and gain a strategic advantage.
2. Manage Command Tokens Wisely: Bots with 3+ tokens often go Offensive or Expansion. Use this predictability to fortify your borders or launch counter-strikes when they're weak.
3. Exploit Bot Limitations: Bots never retreat from combat and always use abilities that benefit them most. Lure them into traps with inferior forces, then reinforce with your own fleet.

Remember: bots "cheat" intentionally—they're designed to challenge you. Adapt, expand, and may the dice be with you!