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- BGG #14,656
- BGG rating
- 8.5
The Legend of Zelda: Clockwork Realm
- 2–4 players
- 45–180 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #15,337
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Pax Expanse
2019
Rules assistance for Pax Expanse
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–4 players
- 90–240 min
- 12+
- Complexity 3.6/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Pax Expanse
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Pax Expanse is a board game released in 2019 for 3–4 players, 90–240 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Chris J Davis and its main mechanics are Area Movement, Area Majority / Influence, and Open Drafting.
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About the game
Pax Expanse is a retheme of Pax Pamir (designed by Cole Wehrle) to The Expanse universe, covering the first three seasons of the TV show. Most of the core mechanisms are identical to Pax Pamir, though some have been tweaked to fit more appropriately to the Expanse setting. In the game, 3-4 players act as powerful puppetmasters acting behind the scenes of the Solar System, manipulating the three main factions to their own advantage: The United Nations, the Mars Congressional Republic and the Outer Planets Alliance. All while mysterious events are occurring due to the arrival of the extraterrestrial Protomolecule. Gameplay is mostly in the form of area control. However, each area of the board can be controlled in two different ways (often simultaneously): a faction can control a region by having the most fleets and transports there, whereas a player can control a region by having the most supporters and fleets of a faction they are loyal to present. Four scoring phases occur throughout the course of the game, and the method of scoring is determined by whether any one of the three factions is in dominance when the scoring occurs. If so, then players loyal to the dominant faction will score victory points. If not, then players score victory points based on their individual power and presence on the board. Players can increase their power and abilities by purchasing asset cards from a communal market using influence, the game's currency. Each asset grants its controller particular actions and abilities, and at any particular time one of the four types of cards - Military, Subterfuge, Political or Economic - will be able to perform their actions for free based on the current political climate. Players must acquire the most powerful assets, ally themselves with the ascendant factions, and make deals with other players to secure their positions on the board and score the most victory points when the scoring phases occur. After four scoring phases, the player with the most victory points is the winner! Cole Wehrle (designer of the original Pax Pamir) has indicated that he has no objection to the files for this game being shared on BGG. —description from the designer
Designers
Publishers
- (Web published)
Questions and answers
Pax Expanse supports 3–4 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 Pax Expanse is 90–240 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 Pax Expanse for ages 12 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.
Pax Expanse has a complexity rating of 3.6 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Pax Expanse belongs to these categories: Movies / TV / Radio theme, Print & Play, and Political. Its main mechanics are Area Movement, Area Majority / Influence, and Open Drafting. 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 Pax Expanse are: Chris J Davis. 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 Pax Expanse as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.