Factions of the Imperium
Faction Playstyle & Complexity Grid| Faction | Difficulty | Playstyles | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hacan | moderate | Economic, Political | Details |
| Sol | straightforward | Military, Expansion | Details |
| Letnev | moderate | Military, Defensive, Economic | Details |
| Xxcha | moderate | Political, Defensive | Details |
| Jol-Nar | moderate | Technology | Details |
| Sardakk | straightforward | Military | Details |
| L1Z1X | moderate | Military, Economic | Details |
| Naalu | complex | Military, Control | Details |
| Mentak | moderate | Economic, Military, Control | Details |
| Yssaril | advanced | Control | Details |
| Winnu | moderate | Political, Control | Details |
| Muaat | advanced | Military, Economic | Details |
| Yin | moderate | Military, Expansion | Details |
| Saar | moderate | Expansion, Economic | Details |
| Creuss | complex | Expansion, Control | Details |
| Arborec | advanced | Expansion, Economic | Details |
| Nekro | complex | Technology, Military | Details |
| Ul | moderate | Defensive, Economic | Details |
| Empyrean | advanced | Exploration, Technology, Economic | Details |
| Naaz-Rokha | moderate | Exploration, Technology, Economic | Details |
| Argent | moderate | Defensive, Military, Expansion | Details |
| Vuil'raith | advanced | Expansion, Military | Details |
| Nomad | complex | Military, Control | Details |
| Mahact | complex | Political, Control | Details |
Faction Details
Click on any faction name to see its details.
The Emirates of Hacan
moderate
The Emirates of HacanMasters of trade and commerce, the lion-like Hacan facilitate the flow of goods and wealth across the galaxy from their desert homeworlds, believing that all conflicts can be resolved if the price is right
Playstyle Keywords
- Economic Powerhouse
- Trade Masters
- Diplomatic
- Deal-Making
Why You Might Like Them
- You love making deals and having more money (Trade Goods) than anyone else
- You can trade with players even if they aren't your neighbors
- Your faction abilities make action cards and transactions more flexible for you
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 4
The Federation of Sol
straightforward
The Federation of SolThe resilient and numerous humans of Jord, driven by a manifest destiny to explore and colonize, aiming to lead the galaxy under their determined expansionist vision
Playstyle Keywords
- Versatile Infantry
- Strong Ground Game
- Orbital Drops
- Resourceful
Why You Might Like Them
- You enjoy having strong, versatile infantry that can quickly reinforce your positions from orbit
- You gain extra Command Tokens, giving you more actions or a larger fleet
- You like playing a faction that feels adaptable and can establish a wide presence
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 6
The Barony of Letnev
moderate
The Barony of LetnevHailing from the dark, starless world of Arc Prime, the disdainful and militaristic Letnev command vast armadas, believing in strength and discipline to achieve their ambition of galactic dominance
Playstyle Keywords
- Powerful Fleets
- Durable Ships
- Military Might
- Resource Intensive
Why You Might Like Them
- You want your fleets to be incredibly hard to destroy, with abilities that prevent ships from being easily wiped out
- You enjoy a faction that can bring overwhelming firepower to key battles
- You don't mind a slower economic start if it means your warships are superior
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 8
The Xxcha Kingdom
moderate
The Xxcha KingdomAncient, reptilian diplomats, the Xxcha value peace and negotiation above all. Once unprepared for war, they now wield formidable defensive capabilities and potent political influence, seeking a peaceful galaxy under their wise rule
Playstyle Keywords
- Diplomatic
- Political Power
- Defensive
- Strong PDS
- Agenda Phase Masters
Why You Might Like Them
- You love influencing the Agenda Phase, canceling troublesome agendas or forcing your will
- Your PDS (Planetary Defense Systems) are exceptionally good at protecting your territory
- You enjoy abilities that can de-escalate conflicts or force opponents to reconsider attacks
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 10
The Universities of Jol-Nar
moderate
The Universities of Jol-NarThe brilliant, aquatic Hylar of Jol and Nar are unparalleled masters of technology. Their aloof and sometimes arrogant nature belies a civilization whose scientific advancements form the bedrock of the galaxy's technological progress
Playstyle Keywords
- Tech Supremacy
- Weak Combat Units (initially)
- Research Focused
- Versatile through Tech
Why You Might Like Them
- You start with four technologies and can research new ones more easily than other factions
- Your units are initially fragile in combat (they hit less often), but you can quickly acquire powerful unit upgrades and other game-changing technologies
- You love having a technological solution to almost any problem the galaxy throws at you
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 12
The Sardakk N’orr
straightforward
The Sardakk N’orrFrom the harsh, oceanless world of Quinarra, the insectile N'orr are a civilization built on relentless aggression and military might, viewing all others as inferior and ready to swarm across the stars in the name of their Queen Mother
Playstyle Keywords
- Aggressive
- Strong Combat Units
- Military Swarm
- Straightforward Warfare
Why You Might Like Them
- Your units are inherently better in combat, getting a +1 bonus to all combat rolls
- You enjoy overwhelming opponents with sheer military force and aggressive tactics
- You prefer a direct path to victory through combat prowess rather than relying on complex schemes
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 14
The L1Z1X Mindnet
moderate
The L1Z1X MindnetClaiming to be the cybernetically altered remnants of the ancient Lazax emperors, the L1Z1X have returned from unknown space. Grisly and calculating, their powerful dreadnoughts and capacity for assimilation make them a terrifying force
Playstyle Keywords
- Powerful Dreadnoughts
- Assimilation (Ground Combat)
- Strong Space Fleets
- Resource Intensive
Why You Might Like Them
- You start with upgraded Dreadnoughts and can build potent space fleets
- Your "Harrow" ability allows your ships to bombard planets after ground combat rounds, grinding down defenders
- You enjoy playing a faction with a dark, imperial legacy and powerful, iconic capital ships
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 16
The Naalu Collective
complex
The Naalu CollectiveEnigmatic and telepathic, the serpentine Naalu are masters of foresight and deception. From their beautiful homeworld Druaa, they manipulate the minds of others, always aiming to strike first and ensure their dominance through subtlety and deadly grace
Playstyle Keywords
- Always First (Initiative 0)
- Stealthy Fighters
- Glass Cannon
- Mind Games
Why You Might Like Them
- You always act first in initiative order due to your "0" token, giving you immense tactical flexibility
- Your fighters are exceptionally good and can be supported by your flagship's ability to use them as ground forces during invasions
- You enjoy a high-risk, high-reward playstyle focused on striking precisely when and where your opponent least expects it
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 18
The Mentak Coalition
moderate
The Mentak CoalitionDescendants of convicts, exiles, and revolutionaries from the penal colony of Moll Primus, the Mentak Coalition are cunning pirates and raiders. They strike from the shadows, plundering the wealth of the galaxy and fighting for the respect they believe they deserve
Playstyle Keywords
- Piracy
- Ambush
- Stealing Trade Goods
- Cruiser Focused
Why You Might Like Them
- You enjoy disrupting your opponents' economies by stealing their Trade Goods when they spend resources
- Your ships can "Ambush" opponents before space combat begins, getting in free shots
- You like a faction that excels at hit-and-run tactics and can profit from others' wealth
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 20
The Yssaril Tribes
advanced
The Yssaril TribesMasters of stealth and information, the chameleon-like Yssaril operate from the shadows of their swampy homeworld. Their powerful Guild of Spies makes them formidable in espionage, assassination, and manipulating galactic events through covert operations
Playstyle Keywords
- Action Card Masters
- Stealthy
- Information Control
- Flexible
Why You Might Like Them
- You love having a hand full of Action Cards and the ability to get more easily, giving you many tactical options
- Your units can "Stall" actions, giving you more control over the timing of your turn
- You enjoy a playstyle based on cunning, opportunism, and always having a trick up your sleeve
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 22
The Winnu
moderate
The WinnuBelieving themselves the true inheritors of the fallen Lazax Empire, the Winnu are traditionalists obsessed with Mecatol Rex. Righteous and ambitious, they aim to claim the Imperial Throne by any means necessary, seeing it as their birthright
Playstyle Keywords
- Mecatol Rex Focused
- Objective Control
- Versatile Flagship
- Political
Why You Might Like Them
- Your entire game can revolve around capturing and holding Mecatol Rex, with abilities that make this easier
- You can claim objectives even if you don't control your home system (as long as you control Mecatol Rex)
- You enjoy a faction with a clear, central goal and abilities that directly support achieving it
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 24
The Embers of Muaat
advanced
The Embers of MuaatOnce slaves to the Jol-Nar, the fiery Gashlai of Muaat now command the awesome power of War Suns. Grim and determined, they seek to burn their mark on the galaxy, ensuring they will never be subjugated again
Playstyle Keywords
- War Suns
- Star Forge
- Heat Dependent
- Powerful but Slow
Why You Might Like Them
- You start with a War Sun or the technology to build them, giving you immense firepower from the early game
- You can create new systems (Supernovas) or gain resources from them
- You enjoy playing a faction with a powerful, iconic super-unit that can dominate the battlefield
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 26
The Yin Brotherhood
moderate
The Yin BrotherhoodThe zealous, cloned humanoids of the Yin Brotherhood are devout worshippers of the 'Yin' (their original egg). Marked by the Greyfire mutagen, their fanatical devotion translates into a fearsome willingness to sacrifice themselves in battle, converting their own into martyrs for the cause
Playstyle Keywords
- Sacrifice
- Indoctrination (Convert Enemy Infantry)
- Unit Swarm
- Fanatical
Why You Might Like Them
- You can sacrifice your own units (Destroyers/Cruisers or Infantry) to directly damage enemy ships or convert enemy infantry to your side
- You enjoy a faction that can quickly build up a large number of infantry and overwhelm opponents through numbers and unwavering faith
- Your flagship is particularly good at converting enemy ground forces
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 28
The Clan of Saar
moderate
The Clan of SaarA nomadic race once scattered and persecuted, the Saar have answered 'Ragh's Call' to gather in the Jorun asteroid field. Their ability to move their Space Docks and produce on the go makes them a relentless, ever-expanding force that can thrive without traditional homeworlds
Playstyle Keywords
- Nomadic
- Mobile Space Docks
- Resource Scavenging
- Aggressive Expansion
Why You Might Like Them
- Your Space Docks ("Floating Factories") can move and produce units in systems without planets, allowing you to be incredibly mobile and opportunistic
- You gain resources when you take planets, fueling your constant expansion
- You enjoy a faction that doesn't get tied down to one place and can appear anywhere on the map
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 30
The Ghosts of Creuss
complex
The Ghosts of CreussEthereal beings of energy and light from beyond the Shaleri Passage, the enigmatic Ghosts of Creuss manipulate wormholes with arcane science. Their home system exists off the main map, connected only by a Delta wormhole, making them masters of surprise appearances and dimensional travel
Playstyle Keywords
- Wormhole Masters
- Surprise Attacks
- Mobility
- Fragile but Elusive
Why You Might Like Them
- You control wormholes like no one else, able to place new ones or move existing ones, giving your fleets unparalleled strategic mobility
- Your home system is off-board, making it harder to directly attack
- You enjoy playing a faction that can strike from unexpected angles and keep opponents guessing
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 32
The Arborec
advanced
The ArborecA symbiotic collective of vegetative and fungal matter from the world of Nestphar, the Arborec are a slowly spreading, all-consuming biomass. Their units produce more units, allowing them to grow and expand relentlessly across the galaxy like a living tide
Playstyle Keywords
- Unit Proliferation (Ground Forces)
- Spreading Infestation
- Slow but Inexorable
- Production Focused
Why You Might Like Them
- Your ground forces (Letani Warriors) can produce more ground forces, allowing you to build up massive armies on multiple fronts
- You excel at taking and holding territory through sheer numbers
- You enjoy a unique playstyle focused on continuous growth and a slow, inevitable expansion
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 34
The Nekro Virus
complex
The Nekro VirusA terrifying cybernetic consciousness born from a corrupted L1Z1X experiment, the Nekro Virus seeks to assimilate all technology and eradicate all organic life. They cannot research tech normally but instead copy it from destroyed enemy units, becoming an ever-evolving mechanical plague
Playstyle Keywords
- Tech Assimilation
- Anti-Organic
- Aggressive
- No Politics
- Unique Flagship
Why You Might Like Them
- You cannot perform the secondary of the Technology strategy card or vote in the Agenda phase, offering a very different play experience
- You gain technologies by destroying enemy units, making you a reactive and adaptive threat
- Your flagship, The Alastor, allows your infantry to participate in space combat, making your invasions incredibly potent
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 36
The Titans of Ul
moderate
The Titans of UlAncient bio-mechanical constructs created by the Mahact, the Titans have awakened from millennia of slumber. Freed from their former masters, these massive beings cultivate their Dyson sphere homeworld, Elysium, and seek to bring order and permanence to a chaotic galaxy
Playstyle Keywords
- Defensive
- Production Powerhouse
- Specialized Cruisers
- Geoforming
Why You Might Like Them
- You can place unique PDS-like structures (Sleepers) that can awaken into powerful ground forces or provide production
- Your cruisers (Helios) are excellent exploration and defensive units
- You have abilities that allow you to gain resources from empty space or improve planets
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 38
The Empyrean
advanced
The EmpyreanEnigmatic beings who have observed the galaxy from the void for eons, the Empyrean now step forward, believing that only a truly neutral arbitrator can prevent the coming galactic storm and guide the cosmos to a more enlightened state
Playstyle Keywords
- Mysterious
- Exploration Focused
- Nebula Control
- Deal-Making
Why You Might Like Them
- You can explore frontier tokens without needing specific tech
- You have abilities that interact with anomalies and nebulae, potentially making them beneficial for you
- Your promissory note and abilities encourage temporary alliances and mutual benefit
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 40
The Naaz-Rokha Alliance
moderate
The Naaz-Rokha AllianceA unique alliance between the technologically gifted Naaz and the warrior Rokha, these two species have overcome centuries of exploitation to forge a harmonious and powerful society. They now wield advanced entropic field technology, ready to prove their cooperative model can lead the galaxy
Playstyle Keywords
- Exploration Masters
- Tech-Flexible
- Efficient Production
- Strong Flagship
Why You Might Like Them
- You excel at exploration, able to explore multiple times or gain extra benefits
- Your ability to gain tech from exploration makes you very adaptable
- Your flagship, "The Viszla," is a powerful exploration and combat vessel
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 42
The Argent Flight
moderate
The Argent FlightMillennia ago, the avian Shikrai pledged to guard against the return of the Mahact. Now, as their ancient foes resurface, the Argent Flight emerges from their hidden sanctuary in the Atharal Gas Torus, their swift destroyers and unwavering resolve ready to lead a crusade for galactic peace
Playstyle Keywords
- Elite Destroyers
- Strong PDS
- Anti-Fighter
- Defensive Expansion
Why You Might Like Them
- Your destroyers start upgraded, are more mobile, and can carry fighters, making them exceptionally versatile
- You have abilities that enhance your PDS units and make your territory difficult to assault
- You excel at controlling your slice of space and can effectively counter fighter-heavy strategies
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 44
The Vuil'raith Cabal
advanced
The Vuil'raith CabalHorrific beings from a chaotic dimension beyond the Acheron rift, the Vuil'raith Cabal are a tide of flesh and nightmare. They seek to consume, corrupt, and merge the galaxy into their own hellish reality, led by ever-shifting demon-lords
Playstyle Keywords
- Aggressive Expansion
- Unique "Capture" Mechanic
- Dimensional Rifts
- Terrifying
Why You Might Like Them
- You can assimilate and "capture" enemy ground forces, turning them into your own powerful infantry
- Your Space Docks ("Dimensional Rifts") are cheaper and can be placed more easily, allowing for rapid, widespread production
- You enjoy an aggressive, snowballing playstyle focused on consuming your enemies and spreading across the board
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 46
The Nomad
complex
The NomadA mysterious and incredibly wealthy individual (or organization) of unknown origin, the Nomad manipulates events from their mobile fortress, Space Station Sumerian. With seemingly prescient knowledge and vast mercenary armies, they aim to prevent a prophesied dark future by seizing control of the galaxy
Playstyle Keywords
- Powerful Flagship (Mobile Fortress)
- Agent Focused
- Temporal Shenanigans
- Mercenary Armies
Why You Might Like Them
- Your flagship, "The Memoria," is incredibly versatile, acting as a mobile production center and a powerful combat vessel that can gain abilities from destroyed ships
- You have three unique Agents, giving you more flexibility with agent actions than any other faction
- You enjoy a faction with a sense of mystery, deep pockets, and the ability to manipulate time and space with unique technologies
Faction Sheet
Full Faction Guide
Guide to the Imperium p. 48
The Mahact Gene-Sorcerers
complex
The Mahact Gene-SorcerersThe dreaded gene-sorcerers of galactic antiquity, the Mahact kings once terrorized the cosmos with their biotech-magic and internecine wars. Awakened from millennia of stasis on their wandering world of Ixth, they return to reclaim their former empire, their arrogance matched only by their terrifying power
Playstyle Keywords
- Powerful Leaders
- Stealing Abilities (Commanders)
- Ancient Power
- Imperial Decree
Why You Might Like Them
- Your leaders are incredibly potent from the start
- You can gain the abilities of other players' Commanders by placing their command tokens on your faction sheet
- You enjoy playing a powerful, "villainous" faction with a deep history and abilities that directly impact other players' key assets
Faction Sheet
