Starting with the SPEAKER in clockwise order, each player lays down one of the system tiles. The order of placement switches counter-clockwise after each player has placed a system, and then clockwise again, etc. until all systems are placed.

Fill each ring completely consecutively.

No SPECIAL SYSTEM may be placed next to another special system unless there are no other choices.

A player cannot place EMPTY SYSTEMS consecutively unless he has no other choice. At this point that player must reveal all his remaining systems.

OPTION :: THE WORMHOLE NEXUS - Place the Wormhole Nexus in the play area.

OPTION :: ARTIFACTS - Starting with the SPEAKER, every player in turn places an Artifact on a planet of his choice. Players may not choose Mecatol Rex, Home Systems and adjacent systems or a planet that is in a system that already contains an Artifact.

OPTION :: DISTANT SUNS - Place domain counters on all planets outside of HOME SYSTEMS.

OPTION :: TERRITORIAL DISTANT SUNS - (easier exploration) - place counters from the low-risk set (found here) on planets in the outer ring as well as those adjacent to HOME SYSTEMS. Then proceed with mixing all counters together and placing them randomly on the remaining planets.

OPTION :: CUSTODIANS OF MECATOL REX - Place the grey counters that represent 3 Fighters+2 Ground Forces on MECATOL REX

OPTION :: FINAL FRONTIER - Place Space Domain Counters in empty systems. Special systems are not empty systems