Third Option is a solitaire game played on a mission mat where the player selects, deploys, and maneuvers teams and assets representing U.S. clandestine services with an emphasis on paramilitary operations against adversaries around the world.
A “Phase” system is used along with dice, cards, and counters to play out varied missions.
The world map is divided into the six Areas of Operations for the United States Military Central Command. Within these geographical areas, the Special Operations Command known as SOCOM, and the U.S. Intelligence apparatus execute highly covert actions against hostile forces who threaten the national security interests of the United States and its allies.
Missions that require the use of highly covert methods and plausible deniability by the government are carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency, Special Activities Center (SAC) also known as the “Third Option”.
As the player, you take control of the highly secretive Special Activities Center division in order to plan and execute missions in dangerous, volatile, and unpredictable areas across the globe.
The careful and detailed planning, reconnaissance, and execution of missions assigned will determine the success of the individual missions and/or a combination of missions to make up operations.
Gameplay is divided into three easy-to-follow Phases clearly identified in the rulebook, flowchart, and Mission Mat for easy reference.