The usual first pick. Great solo robot, and it opens up the rest of the first arc.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: A 5th player, new cards, bonus goals, and a solo mode against a robot player.
Fixes: Gives military a better chance against the ship-goods strategy.
A one-box add-on that just gives more of the base game. Many skip the Orb game.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: 46 new cards, a 5th player, and an optional Alien Orb mini-game to explore.
Fixes: More cards help balance different strategies.
Well liked for new strategies. Some players skip the invasion module.
Needs: Just the base game
Adds: New cards and an optional Invasion game where players fight off alien waves.
Fixes: Some players find it the most balanced set with room for many strategies.
Get it if you want 6-player games or more fighting between players.
Needs: The Gathering Storm first
Adds: A 6th player, more cards and goals, optional takeovers of rival worlds, and a 2-player scenario.
For groups who have played the first arc a lot. Some find the deck gets too big.
Needs: The Gathering Storm and Rebel vs Imperium first
Adds: Prestige points, a once-per-game search action, more cards and goals, and bigger takeovers.
Buy Race for the Galaxy base game:Amazon (opens in a new tab)Rio Grande Games (opens in a new tab)Miniature Market (opens in a new tab)
The Gathering Storm. The usual first pick. Great solo robot, and it opens up the rest of the first arc.
Our verdict: buy this first. It adds: A 5th player, new cards, bonus goals, and a solo mode against a robot player.
Yes. Rebel vs Imperium needs The Gathering Storm first.
We’d buy The Gathering Storm first. See the side-by-side comparison for what each adds and needs.
Same publisher
Rankings are our editorial picks, built from the reviews linked on each expansion page. Last checked 2026-09-27.