Race for the Galaxy: Xeno Counterstrike is a strategic card game expansion from Rio Grande Games in which galactic empires explore the frontier and carry the war directly to the hostile Xenos.
After repelling the Xeno invasion, the space empires search the frontier for a route to strike back at their enemy. This second expansion in the Xeno Wars arc adds new start worlds, game cards and frontier worlds to Race for the Galaxy. It supports two distinct styles of play. Add its cards to the base game for a frontier game featuring additional worlds and a new Frontier Settle action, or combine it with Xeno Invasion for the larger Counterstrike game. In this extended mode, players first attempt to repel the invasion before launching attacks against Xeno satellite and hive systems. Meanwhile, retaliation cards place growing pressure on every empire. New military options, Anti-Xeno effects and choices between Near and Far Frontier worlds create additional strategic paths. Race for the Galaxy is always required, while Xeno Invasion is necessary only for the complete Counterstrike mode.
How do you play the game?
Play Race for the Galaxy using its familiar simultaneous phases while adding the new start worlds, game cards and frontier decks. The Frontier Settle action lets players explore and establish new worlds. In the Counterstrike game, a successful defense is followed by a conquest stage in which the empires attack Xeno systems.
Why is this game worth playing?
Xeno Counterstrike expands the card game with two play formats, broader strategic choices and an ambitious continuation of the Xeno conflict.
- New start worlds and frontier decks.
- Two distinct ways to use the expansion.
- Additional military and Anti-Xeno strategies.
- Continues the story of Xeno Invasion.
- Designed by Tom Lehmann.
Box contents
- 6 start world cards.
- 5 Frontier/Conquest Settle cards.
- 26 game cards.
- 18 Near Frontier and 28 Far Frontier cards.
- 10 Xeno system and 11 retaliation cards.
- Summary cards, tiles, track sheet and chips.
Specifications
- Publisher: Rio Grande Games.
- Designer: Tom Lehmann.
- Type: Strategic card game expansion.
- Players: 2–4 without Xeno Invasion; up to 5 with Xeno Invasion.
- Playing time: under 30 minutes for the standard format.
- Language: English.
- SKU: RIO683.
- EAN/UPC: 655132006835.
- Requires: Race for the Galaxy.