- BGG rank
- BGG #10,796
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Universal Rule
- 3–5 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #20,198
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Universal Rule: Second Wave
2018
Rules assistance for Universal Rule: Second Wave
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–5 players
- 30–45 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.5/5
Rules assistant for Universal Rule: Second Wave
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Universal Rule: Second Wave is a board game released in 2018 for 3–5 players, 30–45 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Chip Beauvais and its main mechanics are Hand Management.
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About the game
The balance of power continues to shape the Pocket Universe. The discovery of a second wave of planets brought on alternate methods of domination. With the overarching themes of duplicity (doubling effects), magnitude (size of your galaxy), and all-out attacking, the war over control of the galaxy has escalated to a new level. Universal Rule: Second Wave is a standalone expansion to Universal Rule. It can be played in one of the following ways: Play Second Wave all by itself. Randomize 17 Planet cards and 1 Edge card. Choose your favorite combination of 17 Planet cards and 1 Edge card. In Universal Rule: Second Wave, players battle for control of the universe in this pocket-sized 4X style game. You can colonize new planets, explore new areas on those planets, gain credits based off of the resources that the planet produces, or attempt to destroy other planets that threaten your existence. Other players can follow, but at a cost. The first player to show their true dominance through victory points wins the game. Includes 3 expansions released in 2017 Board Game of the Month Club $10+ packages: Jul 2017: Duplicity (cards that double things) Sep 2017: Magnitude (cards that make things bigger) Nov 2017: Attack! Attack! (cards that emphasize attack) Edge: Escalating Edge Planets: Ocuchines Panthia Ascore Steqater Outis Pharamme Galvacil Kothar Innollica Sietynas Mannisoni Picscius VI Wachu Antedock Zeffe Fixtau Pospars
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Button Shy
Questions and answers
Universal Rule: Second Wave supports 3–5 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 Universal Rule: Second Wave is 30–45 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 Universal Rule: Second Wave for ages 8 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.
Universal Rule: Second Wave has a complexity rating of 1.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
Universal Rule: Second Wave belongs to these categories: Card Game, Print & Play, and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Hand Management. 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 Universal Rule: Second Wave are: Chip Beauvais. 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 Universal Rule: Second Wave 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.