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SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence · Board game rules

How does Solar System Rotation affect game turns?

Quick answer

Solar System Rotation occurs when a player researches a tech or is the first to pass in a round. It shifts the board’s discs, potentially moving probes and granting immediate publicity if they land on comets or specific spaces.

Details

Solar System Rotation is triggered in two scenarios:

  1. Researching a Technology: Whenever a player researches a tech (via main action or card effect), they must rotate the solar system first. This involves rotating discs in a specific order (disc 1 → disc 2 → disc 3, then repeating) [p.16 — ROTATING THE SOLAR SYSTEM].
  2. First Pass in a Round: The first player to pass in a round rotates the solar system at the end of their turn [p.19 — Passing].

Procedure:

  • Rotate the designated disc (based on the rotation counter) one sector counter-clockwise.
  • Probes in cutouts may be pushed into adjacent spaces if the rotation displaces them. If a probe moves into a comet or planet space, the owner gains publicity immediately [p.16 — ROTATING THE SOLAR SYSTEM].
  • The rotation counter advances to track the next disc to rotate.

Impact on Turns:

  • Movement of probes can alter access to planets, sectors, or comets, affecting future actions (e.g., landing, scanning).
  • Winning a sector requires the most markers in its data slot, and rotation might shift probe positions, indirectly influencing sector control [p.13 — Completing a Sector].
  • Publicity gained from probe movement can enable tech research or other actions requiring publicity.

Edge Cases:

  • In Round 5, the rotation token is discarded, but rotation still occurs [p.19 — Passing].
  • Probes in cutouts do not move unless physically displaced by a rotating disc.

Watch out:
If your probe is in a cutout, ensure it isn’t pushed into a space that triggers unwanted effects (e.g., losing movement options). Always check the rotation counter to anticipate which disc will move next.

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