Third Option: Global Clandestine Operations (English)

Third Option is a solitaire game played on a mission board where the player selects, deploys, and maneuvers equipment and resources representing U.S. clandestine services, with an emphasis on paramilitary operations against adversaries around the world. A "Phase" system, along with dice, cards, and tokens, is used to develop various missions. The world map is divided into six U.S. Military Central Command Areas of Operations. Within these geographic areas, Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the U.S. intelligence apparatus execute highly covert actions against hostile forces that threaten the national security interests of the United States and its allies. Missions requiring highly covert methods and plausible deniability by the government are carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency's Special Activities Center (SAC), also known as "Third Option." As a player, you take control of the highly secretive Special Activities Center's division to plan and execute missions in dangerous, volatile, and unpredictable areas around the globe. Thorough and detailed planning, reconnaissance, and execution of assigned missions will determine the success of each mission, or the combination of missions that make up an operation. The game is divided into three easy-to-follow phases, clearly identified in the rulebook, flowchart, and mission mat for easy reference.