- BGG rank
- BGG #1,288
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Empires of the Void II
- 2–5 players
- 90–180 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 2018
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Rules assistance for Empires of the Void: Key to the Universe
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- 13+
- Complexity 2.7/5
Rules assistant for Empires of the Void: Key to the Universe
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Empires of the Void: Key to the Universe is an expansion for Empires of the Void released in 2012 for 2–4 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Ryan Laukat and its main mechanics are Trading, Dice Rolling, and Area Majority / Influence.
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About the game
On every inhabited world in the known galaxy, the Tolmek appeared, a race of pan-dimensional beings of immense power. Everywhere their message was the same: "We are dying and must choose a successor." The Tolmek are the keepers of the Key to the Universe, a powerful artifact that holds the secrets of their power. They will give this Key to the race that proves themselves most capable and worthy. The Tolmek are watching. Will you inherit the Key to the Universe? The small expansion Empires of the Void: Key to the Universe is designed to make the game more fun and balanced. Players now have a fourth action each round that can be used to perform new actions. One of the new actions is called Enslave, which increases the income of conquered planets. Also included are technology boards, which replace tech tokens and have a number of new technologies that open up new paths to victory. Four additional alien races provide more choices for players. Key to the Universe also has a new, revised rulebook for Empires of the Void that makes the game easier to learn and more clearly explains how to play. Key to the Universe, currently in beta-testing, is available as a free downloadable, print-and-play expansion here: http://www.redravengames.com/empires-of-the-void-key-to-the-universe/
Designers
Publishers
- Red Raven Games
Questions and answers
Empires of the Void: Key to the Universe supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Empires of the Void: Key to the Universe is 120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Empires of the Void: Key to the Universe for ages 13 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Empires of the Void: Key to the Universe has a complexity rating of 2.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Empires of the Void: Key to the Universe belongs to these categories: Science Fiction, Expansion for Base-game, and Civilization. Its main mechanics are Trading, Dice Rolling, and Area Majority / Influence. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Empires of the Void: Key to the Universe are: Ryan Laukat. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Empires of the Void: Key to the Universe as an expansion for Empires of the Void. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Empires of the Void to use it. Check that your edition of Empires of the Void is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.