I'm scheduling a session to have a go at playing Twilight Imperium for the first time. There'll be three of us, and we'll be using the base game (i.e. not SE) without any optional rules. I've read through the rules several times, but will obviously need to resort to them once in a while. Could anyone give me a realistic idea of how much time I should set aside for the game?

Thanks

3 players in a learning game I would expect no less than 5 hours and that includes setup. I would not worry to much about playing a full game though as a learning game is mostly for all the players to see how the mechanics of the game play out. Just remember with the base set the power of the Imperial card and the Initiative card work together like a clock in the game. It is best to take Initiative then Imperial next to keep them going around. If you let 1 player take it more than once without it going around then they are more apt to win the game.

If you want to play a slightly shorter game, you may consider playing to one or two less points, also. As mentioned, it's a learning game, and so getting the hang of the mechanics is the important thing. If you decide beforehand to play to less points, it still gives you something to work for as a goal, whereas ending early because you are out of time can leave a bit of a sour taste in some new players mouths. Even if it's not the full point spread, at least it would be "definitive".

I, too, am planning a first game. Looks like it will be a 5 or 6 player game. Should be fun as we are all experienced wargamers. Our only problem is table space; probably use a 6' by 4' board.

oldthrashbarg said:

Even though you say you are not using any optional rules, I would suggest you modify the Imperial SC to only give 1 VP or it is way overpowered.

I disagree. I would say for your first game, play the rules exactly as written. If nothing else, it will give you a better gauge for which to judge variants later.

I'm not saying Beren is WRONG about Imperial (though I'm in the tiny minority that never had a problem with Imperial), but I'd recommend playing a game as written first just to have a baseline.

I agree - for your first ever game, don't modify it. Otherwise, you have no idea whether the variants are better or not!

I've never had a problem with Imperial either. As long as it gets passed around and not hogged by one player, I don't think it's that bad. If it is getting hogged by one player, then that's everyone fault for not taking it from him once in a while. =P

Doctor: A 5 or 6 player game where no one has played before will likely run into the 10 hour range. More likely you'll end up calling it on time (which is how most of our games of TI end, even when we're all experienced!)