
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,336
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Imperius
- 2–4 players
- 20–45 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2018

2017
Rules assistance for Solstice
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Solstice is a board game released in 2017 for 2–4 players, 20–45 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Grant Rodiek and its main mechanics are Secret Unit Deployment and Open Drafting.
The ruling house of the empire is in decline and in their weakness an opportunity presents itself. The throne is within the grasp of any rival faction bold and cunning enough to grab power for themselves. However, this is a nuanced conflict, one where diplomacy cuts just as sharply as the weapons of an army, but half as so as the assassin’s blade. There are wheels within wheels and machinations beyond your view. Players represent powerful houses, each seeking to be in ascent of the throne. Every player has the same six cards, which provide Strength, Favor, Victory Points, and bonuses. Unfortunately, the path forward is shrouded in fog, forcing players to manage the uncertainty of the times. Every round, players draft a hand of cards, choosing a mix of their cards, their opponents’, and powerful Events. The key is building a viable strategy with your own cards and events, while denying key cards from your opponents. Then, cards are played face down one at a time to the Planets. Limited information about each card is disclosed. Players are forced to make decisions with imperfect information gained during the draft and by reading your opponents. Finally, the cards are revealed and resolved. In most cases, players want to be the Strongest or Favored faction to score Victory Points.
Solstice 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 Solstice is 20–45 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 Solstice 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.
Solstice has a complexity rating of 2.5 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.
Solstice belongs to these categories: Card Game and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Secret Unit Deployment 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 Solstice are: Grant Rodiek. 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 Solstice 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.