Hello. I just picked this game up with its expansion and this weekend I'll be playing my first game.

Now two questions, like this tread suggest, are:

1) What are the most commonly missed rules to look for?

2) Which optional rules (from the rulebooks) would be great to start with? Or which ones truly make the game?

first of all welcome to twilight imperium

missed rules are always because people dotn read the entire sentance.

so race ability, and when to use action cards are common. Battle sequence is common too- especially with avanced defence turrets and Mentak ability. also ability to claim oen objective unless by buracracy strategy in SE( 2 max thsi way)

options that help are the ones with all the objectives open. and limit your victory points to 7 to get your feet wet.

take away races that are complex- xxcha, saar, yassiril, nallu, Muatt, winu, universities, yin....others

leave: SOL, LIZZIX, NORR, letnev, hacan, ...add from above depening on players but keep them plain jane

make sure you get a game guide from boardgamegeek.com with the cards and technology for SE

make sure you use SE cards and SE objectives- they are more useful and more aggresive.

have fun. and visit the TI3wiki.org for more information and tactics

also copy thegame guide for each player - makes it quicker. I still use them and i played for 10+ games

dont forget technology discounts.

make sure you know how to set up the map. and in what order.

also give every one 2 secret objectives - works well for early games to give players hope and at leats a choice.

when in playing maybe make # on posit it notes to signify order of play.

game guide- am am referign to a tech tree for every player and summary of cards 1-8 from SE

Choosing exactly what set of Strategy Cards you use in the most important decision. There are two most popular options here:
- use all the cards given in the SE expansion as they are
- use the cards from the base game, but replace any card with the "II" replacement, except for War:
(Initiative, Diplomacy II , Politics, Logistics, Trade II , War, Technology II , Imperial II )

Distant Suns is probably the most popular optional rule, though make sure you use the Territorial option from the expansion, otherwise the opening game is a bit too random.

Artifacts, Wormhole Nexus, Tactical Retreats, and Custodians of Meticol Rex (all from SE) are generally accepted as improving the play experience.

Whether or not you use Age of Empire (base game option) is a subject of heated debate, and people tend to be passionate about which they choose. I won't venture into this one, but only say that it's going to be an important choice.

Ditto on "the Long Game" option.

Generally, people seem down on Shock Troops, Race-specific Technologies and Facilities (all from SE). Too random, too expensive, and bleh, respectively. Leave them out unless you have a compelling reason.

DO NOT use Simulated Early Turns (from SE) if this is your first time playing. Those first few turns are essential to learning the flow of the game.

As for Leaders (base game) and Space Mines (SE) they add to the complexity and slow down the game, and it's probably not worth it the first few times you play. Add them in later once you've gotten the flow down, if they seem that appealing.

Sabotage Runs? Sure, but only if you use Star Wars quotes while you're doing it. "Stay on target." "You're coming in too fast!" "Stay on target." "Three marks at two ten!" "They came... from... behind!" "Argghhh!"
Oh, and realize that unlike Star Wars, this isn't going to work. (2% chance per Fighter.)

As for houserules, there is one that is the most important of all: promise everyone that at some preset time, you'll break for pizza. Nothing kills a good game of TI3 like a sugar crash. And it will happen.

Enjoy!!

the most commonly missed rules I have seen are usually some of the Racial abilities most poeple forget to use. The Yssaril AC peak, The Jolnar Reroll ability are two that are most forgotten about. Always handy to have some game cheat sheets handy for players if they have not played much.

Thank you, all, for helping in the right direction! I can't wait to use your suggestions this weekend!