Space Empires: Replicators (English)

Space Empires: Replicators, the second expansion in the Space Empires series, adds a number of features to the base game, starting with the Replicators. Von-Neumann machines ("Replicators") are self-replicating machines that behave, research, and reproduce differently from other empires, while having their own empire advantages. Replicators can be used by a fifth player, as an opponent in cooperative games or as an educational empire for new players, as the player does not need to fill out a production sheet or track technology on their ships.

Space Empires: Replicators also includes hexa-sized terrain tiles for planets, asteroids, nebulae, and other permanent terrain effects. When an exploration marker reveals a terrain effect that remains on the map, the exploration marker is removed and replaced with a tile, giving the map a nice visual effect. (By removing the explore marker, this also creates more space in the hexes because now all the hexa represents terrain.) For epic games, the backs of some of these tiles can be used to connect two space empire boards.

A new deep space terrain is included in this expansion, with the Galactic Capital (which comes with its own storyline), Regional Map, Gravitational Anomaly, Space Pirates, and The Fold in Space.

Each player also receives their own (random) resource deck at the start of the game. Everyone starts with a hand of three cards and draws a new one each turn. These cards can be used as an event or turned over for CP. Cards impact battles, exploration, the economy — almost every aspect of the game; they can add unpredictable twists and turns and impact your Strategy. More powerful resource cards require you to discard an additional card to play them.

New ships are included in Space Empires: Replicators, with these ships requiring new technology—Advanced Construction—to research. There are three levels of advanced construction, and it cannot be researched until the economic phase after your empire has built a BC ship or larger. So, they won't be available until the middle of the game at the earliest. Vessels opened by Advanced Construction include:

Battle Carriers (BV), which are large carriers capable of fighting well, carry six fighters and are equipped with anti-sensor (mine-immune) hulls. Fighter 4s can also be researched and built.
Advanced Destroyers (DDX) which can mount 2 attack, 2 defense and come with heavy warheads (automatically hit on a 1 or 2).
Advanced Raiders (RX) who can mount 3 attack, 3 defense and transport a ground unit!

All advanced ships can also be equipped with Fast technology (similar to BCs) if Fast 2 is sought. These changes do not impact the early and mid game, but make DD and R relevant in the late game. Raiders and Fighters are often curveballs that, once the opponent reacts to them, lose their power. This gives players another chance to throw a curveball later in the game.