Race for the Galaxy: Xeno Counterstrike

Description

--- **TLDR** Xeno Counterstrike expands Race for the Galaxy with frontier worlds, longer games, and counterstrike mode for epic economic or military victories (25+ words: 22). Key mechanics include: - *Frontier expansion* Over 40 frontier worlds in separate decks with unique risk/reward settling. - *Extended end conditions* 15+ tableau cards or 15 VPs/player in base mode for longer play. - *Counterstrike variant* Starts with Xeno invasion, flips to empire counterattack; ends via 30 VPs economic or military victory over Xenos, no tableau limit (up to 25 cards). - *Compatibility* Playable with base RFTG; needs Xeno Invasion for 5-player and counterstrike. - *Dynamic late-game* Leads shift as large worlds settle, engines peak, and devs deploy. Xeno Counterstrike, sequel to Xeno Invasion and third arc of Race for the Galaxy expansions, delves into the starry rift frontier and border zone between galactic empires and Xeno hive worlds. It introduces over 40 frontier worlds across separate decks, settled via a novel risk/reward system that balloons empire sizes, pushing end conditions to 15+ tableau cards or 15 VPs per player in the common pool—ideal for players seeking 1-2 extra rounds where leads fluctuate amid final frontier settlements, economic engines, and 6-dev world plays. Standalone compatible with the base game, it fully unlocks fifth-player support and the counterstrike game (requiring Xeno Invasion), which initiates as a Xeno invasion that, post-repulsion, reverses into galactic empires assaulting Xeno home systems. This epic conquest mode discards tableau-size triggers, persisting until economic victory exhausts 30 VPs/player or military triumph over Xenos, often yielding 25-card tableaus. ---