Exploration

**Exploration** is a new mechanic introduced in the Prophecy of Kings Expansion for Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition and enables players to gain further rewards for expanding and reaching new systems.

## Exploring Planets

When a player takes control of a planet that is not already controlled by another player, they Explore that planet.

Exploring a planet involves drawing 1 card from the Exploration Deck corresponding to that planet's trait (Hazardous, Industrial, or Cultural) and immediately resolving that card's effect. The card is then discarded unless it is a Relic Fragment, has an ATTACH ability or specifically instructs to be placed in the play area.

* A planet with no trait cannot be explored

* If a player gains control of multiple planets at the same time, they choose the order in which they explore those planets, drawing and resolving each planet’s exploration card before exploring the next planet.

* A planet that has been explored may be explored again through the use of the Technology Scanlink Drone Network or other abilities.

## Exploring Planetless Systems

During game setup, Frontier Tokens are placed on all systems that do not contain planets (e.g. Planetless Anomalies, Wormholes and Empty Space).

* A frontier token is placed in the Creuss Gate System
* Hyperlane Tiles do not count as systems

If a player has the technology Dark Energy Tap, after they perform a tactical action in a system that contains a frontier token, if they have 1 or more ships in that system, they may explore that token.

* In some cases, an ability may instruct a player to explore a frontier token. In such cases, they may do so even if they do not have 'Dark Energy Tap'.

Exploring a planetless system involves drawing a card from the Frontier Deck.

After a frontier token is explored, it is discarded and returned to the supply.

## List of Exploration and Frontier Cards

    There are a total of 60 exploration cards (20 Cultural, 20 Industrial, 20 Hazardous), and 20 frontier cards.

Each deck is identified by the corresponding symbol on its back (shown in the image).

### Hazardous Exploration Cards

Note: The **Core Mine**, **Expedition**, and **Volatile Fuel Source** cards all have the format "If you have at least 1 mech on this planet or if you remove 1 infantry from this planet [do X]." To reduce ambiguity, the cards should say "If you have at least one mech on this planet, [do X]. Otherwise, you may choose to remove one infantry from this planet, place it in your reinforcements, and then [do X]."

### Frontier Cards

#### Codex III: Vigil

 **Entropic Field** | 1
 **Keleres Ship** | 2
 **Major Entropic Field** | 1
 **Minor Entropic Field** | 1

## Relic Fragments and Relics

Some exploration and frontier cards are relic fragments. Relic Fragments are divided into 3 types: industrial, hazardous, and cultural - corresponding to the planet trait where they were explored.

Relic Fragments drawn from the Frontier Deck are called 'Unknown Relic Fragments' and can act as any type as needed

When a player draws a relic fragment, they place it face up in their play area.

If a player has 3 Relic Fragments of the same type, they may purge them to gain 1 relic (i.e. draw 1 Relic Card from the Relic Deck).

Relics have either very powerful, single use abilities, less powerful passive abilities, or reward victory points (with conditions).

Relic Fragments can be traded to other players as part of a transaction, however relics cannot be traded.

### Prophecy of Kings Relics

These 10 Relics were introduced in the Prophecy of Kings expansion

 **Shard of the Throne** | When you gain this card, gain 1 victory point. When you lose this card, lose 1 victory point.
 **The Crown of Emphidia** | After you perform a tactical action, you may exhaust this card to explore 1 planet you control
 **The Prophet's Tears** | When you research a technology, you may exhaust this card to ignore 1 prerequisite or draw 1 action card.

### Codex II Relics

These 3 Relics were introduced in the Codex Volume II: Affinity

 **Nano-Forge** | ACTION: Attach this card to a non-legendary, non-home planet you control; its resource and influence values are increased by 2 and it is a legendary planet.

## Gallery

The Legendary Planet Mirage, placed by use of the Mirage Frontier CardThe Ion Storm Two sided Alpha/Beta Wormhole TokensA gamma wormhole tokenThe Destroyed Planet Token