Assassins

Assassins are an optional rule variant for Twilight Imperium (First Edition) 
== Purchasing Assassins ==
Assassin units are bought during the 'Purchase Units' Phase for 20 Credits. They are placed next to the player chart instead of at a Spacedock.
If multiple players wish to purchase assassins, they proceed in order from highest to lowest influence
There are 6 Assassins available. No player may hold more than 3 at a time
== Using Assassins ==
Assassins may perform attacks immediately before the Political Phase, during the Assassin Phase. Players announce which assassin will attempt to assassinate which players. Multiple assassins can be allocated to 1 target.
Any players attempting assassination lose 10 influence (to minimum of 0) for 2 turns and are unable to purchase an assassin for the following turn
After all players have had a chance to allocate assassins, the outcome is determined by rolling a dice for each assassin. A race that has been successfully assassinated this turn still rolls; however Assassination Successful becomes Unsuccessful
* 1-4: Assassination Successful
** The assassinated player loses all Action Cards, may not vote this turn and receives -2 to all offensive attacks during the next "Individual Turns" Phase
* 5-9: Assassination Unsuccessful
* 10: Assassin Betrays Master
** The player who played the assassin is assassinated instead
After the above is resolved, the assassin is discarded and may be purchased again by any player during the Purchase Units Phase
== Bodyguards ==
Before another player rolls the die for an attempted assassination, a player may play one of their own assassins as a bodyguard 
Bodyguards add +1 to the assassination roll