How To Play: Impulse

Overview

If you’ve ever tried to explain Impulse to your friends and got a bunch of blank stares, this guide is for you. I’ve played Impulse more times than I care to admit (my brain hurts just thinking about it), so I know what I’m talking about. Here, you’ll find a quick outline of the rules and—more important—the sneaky strategies you’ll need if you want to win. How To Play impulse is about to get a whole lot easier.

What’s in the box

• 108 cards
• 16 ship tokens
• 8 player mats
• 4 score markers
• 1 rulebook

How To Play Impulse: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Place the main board in the middle of your table. Try not to spill your drink on it. I learned that the hard way.
2. Shuffle the cards and deal each player their starting hand. If you get a weird look from someone, remind them the rules say so.
3. Give everyone their matching ships and player markers. This is a game, not a car dealership, so no swapping colors!
4. Choose the first player by who last made an impulse purchase. Or just roll a die if you value fairness.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, play a card to the impulse row (not to be confused with your sudden urge to buy more games).
2. Carry out up to two commands from the cards in the impulse row, in order. Do not skip just because you aren’t sure if it’s your best move. Trust me, every move counts.
3. Draw new cards at the end of your turn, so you always have options. Unless you like flying by the seat of your pants, which my group apparently does.
4. Keep an eye on your opponents. They get sneaky, fast, and love to mess up your plans. If you want to win, plan ahead.

Winning

1. The first player to score 20 points from cards and bonuses wins. Simple, right? The challenge is getting there before everyone else.
2. If there’s a tie (it happens more than you’d think), break it by counting who took fewer turns. Fair’s fair, even when it stings.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Some cards break the usual rules. When in doubt, follow the card text. If all else fails, call an emergency pizza break for mediation.
2. Watch out for sabotage! Players can send your ships flying or block your best moves. If you’re up for chaos, you’ll love it.
3. Don’t forget, if you’re ever stuck, you can always ask the table for help. Just be ready for lots of laughter and zero useful answers.

After a few rounds, even my most strategy-averse friend started to plot moves like a chess master. Hopefully, this helps you get started with How To Play impulse. Good luck, and remember: always read the card text, and never trust the guy to your left.

Best Impulse Strategies

The Magic of Card Synergy and Timing in Impulse

It took me a few games to notice, but nailing card synergy is where you start to win in Impulse. My friend Sara kept trashing me by timing combos perfectly, so I started copying her tricks. Below you’ll find my best tips for making your cards work together. Remember, learning How To Play impulse is much easier when you spot these combos.

Pair Cards That Feed Each Other

1. Use card abilities that draw more cards before those that let you play extra cards.
2. Chain actions so one reveals cards and another uses them right away.

Watch the Turn Order

1. Play strong effects after weaker ones for big finishing moves.
2. Avoid wasting your best combo when someone else can mess it up before your next turn.

Test Combos in Early Rounds

1. Experiment in the first rounds to spot new synergies.
2. Don’t get stuck with a card that does nothing just because it looked cool at first.

Mastering Command Sequence Order in Impulse

Why Order Matters

Imagine baking a cake and putting the icing on before it’s baked. That’s what out-of-order commands feel like in Impulse. If you want to win, you must play your commands in the smartest way possible. Here’s how I do it (after losing badly my first game):

Optimize Early Actions

1. Start with commands that set up later turns. For example, play a command that draws cards before you need to choose one.
2. Pick an action that lets you scout future moves. This saves you headaches later.

Chain Your Combos

1. Connect commands that work together. I once played a command to move, then another to attack, and surprised everyone!
2. Never waste a combo. Always ask, “Does this play feed the next?”

React to Opponents

1. Always watch what your friends do. Sometimes, this means waiting to see their next move before you finish your sequence.
2. Have a backup plan in case their move messes up your own sequence.

So, the secret is simple: plan ahead but stay flexible. Don’t be like me and forget the Command sequence order. When you do it right, you’ll win more games and maybe, just maybe, your friends won’t call you the chaos gremlin.

By the way, if you’re still wondering How To Play impulse, trust me—figuring out command order is half the battle.

Stay Sharp: Outsmarting Your Opponents in Impulse

Watch What They Play

1. Always keep an eye on the cards your friends put in the impulse row. You never know when someone will set up a sneaky combo.

2. Note which cards they save or discard. Their stalling may hint at a big move brewing.

Block Their Plans

1. After spotting their strategy, use command cards to mess things up. For example, if you see a mining spree ready, grab that mineral before they do.

2. React fast. If you wait too long, they’ll pull off their combo before you know it.

Adapt and Flip the Script

1. Change your own plan when an opponent’s move ruins things. Next round, try to capitalize on the new impulse row.

2. Sometimes, helping a weaker player can slow down the runaway leader. Just don’t let them catch up too much!

After a few games, I started noticing my buddy Mark was always two steps ahead until I paid closer attention to his plays. Now, I win more often because I react quickly. If you want to master How To Play impulse and win, never ignore your crafty friends!

Blast Off to Victory: Final Thoughts and Last Laughs

Well, there you have it, brave space captains—my best tips after surviving many rounds of Impulse (and a few too many cups of coffee). If anyone tells you they win every time, they probably play solo and cheat. Remember, in How To Play impulse, watch your opponents, plan your combos, and don’t sweat the occasional galaxy-sized mistake. My group once launched a fleet right into a dead end because Dave got distracted by pizza—hey, it happens! Just have fun, try new tactics, and enjoy the chaos. May your turns be clever, and your impulse strong!

Want to know what we think of Impulse? Read our detailed review of Impulse here