How to Play Twilight Imperium 4th Edition

TIME STAMPS BELOW
RULES ERROR: Page 13 of the Learn to Play guide states fighters do not block movement for other players. However the Living Rules Reference has updated that rule to state ALL ships block opponent movement.
Put down that Learn to Play guide and let us teach you everything you need to know to play one of the most epic games ever created!
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00:00 - Intro
01:35 - Using the Learn to Play Guide
02:01 - Units
02:51 - Systems and Planets
04:05 - Setup
11:03 - Playing the Game
11:30 - Strategy Phase
13:29 - Action Phase
- 14:34 - Tactical Action
- 14:51 - Activation Step
- 15:27 - Movement Step
- 19:10 - Wormholes
- 19:24 - Anomalies
- 20:10 - Space Cannon Offense
- 20:35 - Space Combat
- 23:48 - Invasion Step
- 25:39 - Production Step
- 28:03 - Strategic Action
- 29:09 - Component Action
- 29:31 - Command Sheet
30:32 - Status Phase
32:12 - Agenda Phase
- 32:24 - Custodian Token
- 33:18 - Galactic Council
36:42 - Additional Rules
- 36:42 - Action Cards
- 37:29 - Trade Goods & Commodities
- 38:23 - Neighbors, Transactions, & Deals
- 40:23 - Technology
- 41:49 - Researching Technology
- 42:45 - Technology Specialties
- 43:13 - Planet Traits
- 43:31 - Unit Abilities
- 43:31 - Planetary Shield
- 43:45 - Sustain Damage
- 44:10 - Production
- 44:23 - Anti-Fighter Barrage
- 44:48 - Bombardment
- 45:08 - Space Cannon
- 45:38 - Promissory Notes
47:04 - Winning the Game
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DISCLOSURE - Twilight Imperium 4th Edition was purchased with personal funds.

[@paulbrown5937]

I've been waiting for a long time for a flawless rules explanation but I hate to say it you made a single mistake :( Fighters DO block movement, your explanation was how it worked in TI3. Otherwise great job!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Oh wow this is interesting. So I built my video primarily from the Learn to Play guide. On page 13 it indicates players CAN move through a system that only contains another player’s fighters. But looking at the Living Rules Reference it looks like that Rule was changed after printing and now ALL ships block movement like you said. Thanks so much for catching this, Paul! I’ll be sure to make a note of it at the top of the description.

[@marcoponts8942]

@@BoredOnlineBoardOffline What is a living rules reference? Aren't the rules just what is printed in the rule book?

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Some companies are creating “Living Rules” where they can clarify and tweak the rules after the game is published. Here is the one for TI4. images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/f2/68/f2680fb2-1e32-4f2f-90ad-687fd64befde/ti4_living_rules_reference_v1_2.pdf

[@bryanstringer800]

A better question is when would fighters ever be alone in a system as they cannot exceed capacity? P. 14 HTP guide. Is this some faction specific ability?

@@bryanstringer800 the unit technology fighter level 2 allows them to exist regardless of capacity

[@TabletopToolbox]

I'm finally getting to play this game tomorrow, and the RTFM videos just weren't helping me. This video was SO clear, so easy to follow and extremely helpful. Great job.

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Really very happy you found the video so helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@soulside]

This video deserves more views. It’s the clearest and most concise explanation of the rules on KZbin. This is coming from a person who has never played TI. Thank you for your time and effort.

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Thanks so much, soulside! I really appreciate that!

[@andrewstratford8351]

I agree!

[@Deliveryboxx]

You are the hidden gem of board game tutorials. Great job!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

That’s high praise! Thanks, Adam!

[@erickcarjes2738]

Already played this game a couple of times and was looking for some refreshing about the rules. Best video ever. Totally deserve more views!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Thanks so much, Erick! Really happy it helped!

[@andrewstratford8351]

This was soooooo clearly explained. I'm turning to you for rules explanations going forward! Great work!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Thanks, Andrew! Very happy it was helpful!

[@sheltonalves7019]

This is such a great video I come back to time and time again. Wish there was one you did for Prophecy of Kings expansion!

[@brentsmelser]

This has been the best explanation of any video I have seen for this game. Well done!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Thanks, Brent! Really appreciate the compliment and thanks for watching!

[@felixdornano64]

Very thoroughly explained. Thank you, such a time saver !

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Thank you, Felix! Very happy you found it helpful!

[@aaronchapa1117]

Thank God for this video. Literally the only one I could follow

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Very happy it was so helpful, aaron!

[@austindurgin3637]

Best TI4 video explanation out there. Well done!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Thanks so much, Austin!

[@Nordvind78]

Great video,going to play TI4 today for the first time. I will be using this video as we play. Thanx for putting this up :)

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

I’m glad you found this helpful and I hope you enjoy TI4!

[@123karpov]

Once again, an outstanding rules video! You're in the same league as Rodney from Watch It Played

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Wow that’s high praise!! Thanks so much, Warren!

[@bgarnreiter89]

Incredible job, thank you so very much!!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

You’re welcome, Brandon!

[@dinbabwa452]

Great video! The joke about the speaker was ... Cringe. But again we are here for the excellent explanation so well done!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Trust me. It was hilarious 4 years ago.

[@ShastaDoktorG]

Best HTP Ive seen so far. Looking forward to my first game.

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Thanks, Shasta! Hope you have a great time with your first play. It really is an experience all it’s own.

[@michaellawrie903]

Super clear. Thank you!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

You’re welcome!

[@darkone311]

Thank you for such a great job.

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Really happy you enjoyed it, darkone311, and thanks for watching!

[@kpaxchaos]

Best rules explain, ty man

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Thanks, Marian! Really glad it was helpful!

[@davidchisnall9126]

Best TI explanation video watched so far. First game in an hour and a half! Now we're ready!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

I hope the game is going well! I’m assuming it’s still going on right now since you posted this just 5 hours ago. How many people did you manage to pull together for it? I only managed a 3 player game for my first session but it was still a blast!

[@davidchisnall9126]

@@BoredOnlineBoardOffline We're playing in a reoccurring Monday session, a couple hours at a time. 6 players - we got most of the way through turn 1. Win!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Oh that’s a great way to do it! I’m guessing someone has the space to leave it set up. WAY back in the day I played a game of Risk in a similar way.

[@davidchisnall9126]

@@BoredOnlineBoardOffline We're playing on TTS, so can save it and leave it - but we know each other IRL, so fingers crossed, no one will flake halfway through! 😇

[@epicon6]

Thank you so much for making this for human beings. All other tutorials i found were too annoying to watch and full of nerd dad jokes.

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

That may be my new motto, “Detailed How to Play videos for human beings.” 😁 Seriously though, very happy you found it helpful, Epicon!

[@jupiterfalls8751]

Been debating on getting this game for a while now due to the complexity of it i wasnt sure id ever even play it but after this video im convinced i can do this thank you much god speed good sir.

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Glad the video was helpful, jupiter! Have you played yet?

[@jupiterfalls8751]

@BoredOnlineBoardOffline yes I did and lost lol

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

@jupiterfalls8751 I’ve never won either! But I’ve loved every play of it!

[@greginfla7211]

Really good, even better than RTFM or Harsh

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

That’s high praise! Thanks so much!

[@charlizerosenblad1624]

Great video! But cant a ship move through/into an asteroid field if it has a specific card? I saw that in another video so I'm just wondering!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Yeah there are definitely specific abilities that allow for that.

[@Chabster]

Better than harsh rules :)

[@paulbrown5937]

Here's hoping for a PoK expansion update!

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Unfortunately I don’t actually own the game (borrowed the copy in order to make this vid). But maybe one day!

[@humunug]

Hello. Can I activate system with my space dock move my ships there and then produce units there too?

[@agentdrake8955]

Humunug Yes. Any time you perform a tactical action (activate a system and do stuff) you perform *all* steps of the action, in order.

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Thanks for answering this, Andrew! And sorry I completely missed replying to your question Humunug! Appreciate both of you watching!

[@anthonyrivera4547]

Hello if anyone can help answer this its b much appreciated. Can a player move or build then use a strategy card ?

[@TheDazmaz]

No. On you turn, you can perform 1 tactical action, or 1 strategic action, or 1 component action, or pass.

[@anthonyrivera4547]

@@TheDazmaz thanks been playing all week so i figured it out lol

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Thanks for answering that one, Dazmaz. Hope you're enjoying the game, Anthony!

[@lugo8824]

Can a ship move through a system that already has your activation token in order to reach its destination?

[@JoeDoc]

yes

[@Chabster]

You missed on very important piece of status: STEP 4-REMOVE COMMAND TOKENS: Each player removes all of their command tokens from the game board. Each player returns each removed token to their reinforcements.

[@Magikarpz4Lyf]

31:25

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Nathan Farthing thanks! I was pretty positive it was in there but haven’t had a chance to find it.

[@inCTRL96]

great tutorial thanks. how comes you alway said 'she can choose' etc. ? if its about inclusivity surely 'they' is the word?

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

These days I use “they” more often than not but I like to mix it up too.

[@inCTRL96]

@@BoredOnlineBoardOffline thats fair enough I was just a bit confused. Not that women can’t play obviously but i’d imagine they make up

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

I don’t know about all that. In my experience the number of women in the hobby is significantly under estimated and women who enjoy heavy/lengthy games even more so.

[@inCTRL96]

@Tarlia Remo oh my bad, I thought anyone could use it

[@inCTRL96]

@Tarlia Remo fascinating

[@MrMaul80]

Why do they have to make games so complicated?

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

This is definitely one of the more complicated ones. Fortunately there’s an enormous range of complexity these days for every theme and genre you could want!

[@myhearn]

You can't move ships through a system with fighters in it, you got that bit wrong

[@BoredOnlineBoardOffline]

Yeah this is the result of the rules changing after the initial printing. In the rulebook I used to script the video you were allowed to move through systems with fighters. However, it was later changed in the Living Rules Reference. Good catch, Mafoon!