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== Turn Structure ==
==Turn Structure==
Each round of the game represents one generation of development and colonization on Mars. At the start of each round, the first player token moves to the next player.


In every generation players perform the following steps:
Each round represents a generation of Mars's development & colonization. At the start of each round, the "first player token" moves to the next player. Each generation, players perform the following steps:


'''1) Research:''' draw four cards and add any number of them into your hand. Pay 3 M€ for each one added and discard the rest. There is no hand limit.
<ol class="bulletlist" style="margin:1em 0;padding-inline-start:40px;">
 
  <li>'''Research''': Draw 4 cards. Add any number of them to your hand for 3 M€ each, then discard the rest. (No hand limit.)</li>
'''2) Actions:''' take 1-2 actions from the list below or pass. If you pass, you will not play again for the rest of the round. Continue in turn order until all players have passed.
  <li>'''Actions''':  Take 1-2 actions from the list below. Continue in turn order until all players have passed.</li>
 
  <ul class="bulletlist" style="padding-inline-start:40px;">
'''3) Production:''' first convert all unspent energy into heat, then all players simultaneously produce resources and M€ according to their production values. Players also get M€ equal to their Terraform Rating. (Note that M€ production values may be negative.)
    <li>Play a card from your hand.</li>
 
    <li>Execute a ''standard project''.</li>
=== Actions ===
    <li>Claim a milestone.</li>
1) Play a card from your hand
    <li>Fund an award.</li>
 
    <li>Use a Blue Card action (each may be used once per generation).</li>
2) Use a standard project
    <li>Spend 8 plants to place a greenery tile. (This increases the oxygen level and your Terraform Rating).</li>
 
    <li>Spend 8 heat to increase the temperature by 1 degree. (This also increases your Terraform Rating).</li>
3) Claim a milestone
    <li>Pass. If you pass, you will not be able to take any more actions for the round. Usually, you do this when you cannot take further actions. When all players have passed, the round ends.</li>
 
  </ul>
4) Fund an award
  <li>'''Production''': Convert unspent energy into heat. All players gain resources according to their production values and M€ equal to their Terraform Rating + M€ production value.</li>
 
</ol>
5) Use an action on a blue card (each blue card may be used once per generation)
 
6) Convert 8 plants into a greenery tile (increasing the oxygen level and your Terraform Rating)
 
7) Convert 8 heat into a temperature increase (increasing your Terraform Rating)


==== Playing Cards ====
==== Playing Cards ====
Some cards have requirements in order to play them, such as:
- Global parameters (oceans, oxygen, temperature) must be above or below a certain level
- You must have enough tags of a given type already in play (like Science)
- You must be able to produce a specific resource (like Titanium)
Cards have a base cost which must be paid in M€. This cost can be reduced by other card effects. You can also spend resources in lieu of M€ if the card has certain tags:


'''1 Steel = 2 M€''' to pay for any '''Building''' card (brown building icon)
To play a card, you must pay its cost in M€. (Other cards may be able to reduce this cost.) In some cases, resources can be spent instead of M€.


'''1 Titanium = 3 M€''' to pay for any '''Space''' card (gold sunburst icon)
<ul class="bulletlist" style="margin:1em 0;padding-inline-start:40px;">
  <li>1 Steel = 2 M€ to pay for any ''Building'' card (brown building icon)</li>
  <li>1 Titanium = 3 M€ to pay for any ''Space'' card (gold sunburst icon)</li>
</ul>


Carry out all of the card's effects, gain resources, and increase/decrease production values as directed. If a change to a production value is indicated with a red border, you can choose to apply it to another player or to no one at all. (These are usually negative effects.)
Some cards have requirements, such as:


After you play the card, it moves to one of three areas on your board depending on their color. You can change how these areas are arranged by clicking on the "three bars" icon in the header.
<ul class="bulletlist" style="margin:1em 0;padding-inline-start:40px;">
  <li>Global parameters (# of oceans, oxygen, temperature must be above or below a certain level)</li>
  <li># of Tags of a given type in play. Tags appear on the top of played cards in your tableau. (BGA also displays them in numbers.)</li>
  <li>Ability to produce a specific resource (like titanium).</li>
</ul>


'''- Red cards''' have no further effects and are automatically hidden. They do not contribute tags to your overall totals but may be worth points at the end of the game.
Once the cost is paid, then you gain the benefits and effects of the card (e.g., gain resources, increase/decrease production values). If a production value change has a red border (usually a negative effect), you can apply it to another player or no one.  


'''- Green cards''' have no further effects, but remain in play to contribute their tags. They may be worth points at the end of the game.
After the card is played, it moves to one of three areas on your board. (You can change how these areas are arranged by clicking on the "three bars" icon.)


'''- Blue cards''' have either an ongoing passive effect or an action you can take on your turn. BGA sorts them into two piles for your convenience.
<ul class="bulletlist" style="margin:1em 0;padding-inline-start:40px;">
  <li>'''Red cards''' have one-time effects. They do not contribute tags so they are automatically hidden, but may be worth VP.</li>
  <li>'''Green cards''' have one-time effects, but their tags add to your tableau (which can help you play other cards) and may be worth VP.</li>
  <li>'''Blue cards''' have either an ongoing passive effect or an action you can take on your turn.</li>
</ul>


==== Standard Projects ====
==== Standard Projects ====
You always have the following options on your turn regardless of what's in your hand or on your board. Don't forget them! Each standard project takes one action on your turn.


Note that you can also raise temperature or place greenery by spending heat or plants instead of M€.
Standard projects are always available as an action. Most involve placing tiles on the Mars board. If a tile is placed in a hex with resource icons, the player gains those resources. You also gain 2M€ per Ocean tile adjacent to the placed tile.


'''Sell patents:''' discard any number of cards and gain that many M€.
You can also raise the temperature by spending heat or plants instead of M€.


'''Power plant (11 M€):''' increase Energy production one step.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
!| Name || Cost || Description || Notes
|-
| '''Sell Patents''' || Discard a card || Each discarded card gains you 1 M€. ||
|-
| '''Power Plant''' || 11 M€ || Increase your energy production by one step. ||
|-
| '''Asteroid''' || 14 M€ || Increase temperature by 1 degree. Increase your TR by 1. ||
|-
| '''Aquifer''' || 18 M€ || Place 1 Ocean tile. Increase your TR by 1. || Oceans do not belong to any player.
|-
| '''Greenery''' || 23 M€ || Place 1 Greenery tile, which raises the oxygen level by 1%. Increase your TR by 1. || Greenery tiles must be placed next to another tile you own.
|-
| '''City''' || 25 M€ || Place 1 City tile. Increase your M€ production by 1. || Cities may not be placed adjacent to each other (except for Noctis City, which is placed on its reserved hex, and ''Urbanized Area'', which must be placed next to 2 City tiles.)
|}


'''Asteroid (14 M€):''' increase temperature one step (and gain one TR).
==== Milestones and Awards ====
 
'''Aquifer (18 M€):''' place an ocean tile (and gain one TR). Note that oceans don't belong to the player who placed them, unlike other tiles.


'''Greenery (23 M€):''' place a greenery tile (raising the oxygen level and gaining one TR). If possible you must place it next to a tile you already own.
Milestones and awards are the competitive aspect of ''Terraforming Mars''. The first player to meet a certain milestone gains its benefits. Awards are given at the end of the game.


'''City (25 M€):''' place a city tile and gain one M€ production. Cities may not be placed adjacent to each other. (Exception: Noctis City may be placed into its reserved spot even if there is already an adjacent city there.)
Pay 8 M€ to claim a Milestone for which you have met the requirements. Each milestone is worth 5 VP, but only 3 milestones may be claimed per game. The Milestones available depend on the map.


If you place a tile, remember to gain any placement bonuses depicted in the space you cover up!
For Awards, the first Award funded costs 8 M€, the next costs 14 M€, and the last costs 20 M€. Only three Awards may be funded per game. When scoring, BGA checks each funded award and gives VP to the first and second-place players that meet its criteria. The player who funded the award receives no special consideration.


==== Milestones and Awards ====
==Game End and Scoring ==
Milestones and awards place you in direct competition with other players. With milestones you race to be the first to meet a certain condition; with awards you compete to have the most in a specific category at the end of the game.


===== '''Milestones''' =====
The game ends when the oxygen level reaches 14%, 9 Ocean tiles are on the map, and the temperature is 8˚C. The current generation/round ends. All players have one final turn to convert extra plants into one or more greenery tiles.
As an action, you may pay 8 M€ and claim a '''milestone''' if you meet its requirements. It is worth 5 VP at the end of the game. Only three milestones may be claimed per game.


* '''Terraformer:''' have 35+ Terraform Rating (TR)
{| class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
* '''Mayor:''' own 3+ cities
!| Source || Description
* '''Gardener:''' own 3+ greenery tiles
|-
* '''Builder:''' have 8+ building tags in play
| '''Terraform Rating''' || Gain VP equal to your Terrform Rating.
* '''Planner:''' have 16+ cards currently in hand
|-
| '''Greenery Tiles''' || Gain VP for each Greenery Tile you own.
|-
| '''City Tiles''' || Gain VP for each ''Greenery Tile adjacent to a City Tile'' you own. The owner of the Greenery Tile does not matter. The capital city also scores 1 VP for each adjacent Ocean tile.
|-
| '''Awards''' || 5 VP to the winner and 2 VP to second place. The award must be funded for it to count. (In a two-player game, second place is not awarded.)
|-
| '''Milestones''' || Gain 5 VP for each Milestone you claim.
|-
| '''Played cards''' || Gain 1 VP for each card that indicates its VP worth.
|}


===== Awards =====
On a tie, the player with the most M€ wins.
As an action, you may pay some amount of M€ and fund an '''award'''. The first award funded costs 8 M€, the next costs 14 M€, and the last costs 20 M€. Only three awards may be funded per game. At the end of the game, check each funded award. The first and second place player in each category score VP (see Game End section). The player who funded the award receives no special consideration.


* '''Landlord:''' most tiles in play of any type(s)
==Variants==
* '''Banker:''' highest M€ production
* '''Scientist:''' most science tags in play
* '''Thermalist:''' most unspent heat resource cubes
* '''Miner:''' most unspent steel and titanium resource cubes (combined)


== Game End ==
====Solo====
Game ends when there is enough oxygen to breathe (14%), oceans enough to allow Earth-like weather (9 aquifers), and the temperature is well above freezing (+8˚C).


The winner is the player with most VPs at the end of the game. VPs come from:
To win, you must reach the goals for each global parameter (temperature, Ocean tiles, and oxygen level).


* '''Terraform Rating (TR).''' Each time you raise a global parameter (oceans, oxygen, temperature) your TR increases. Score VPs equal to your TR at the end of the game.
<ul class="bulletlist" style="margin:1em 0;padding-inline-start:40px;">
* '''Greenery.''' Score 1 VP for each greenery tile you own.
  <li>Always uses the Corporate Era setup. (All Corporate Era cards are included.) </li>
* '''Cities.''' Each city scores 1 VP for each greenery tile adjacent to a city you own, regardless of who owns the greenery. The capital city card also scores 1 VP for each adjacent ocean.
  <li>Before the game starts, 2 neutral City tiles are placed on the map, each with an adjacent greenery tile. These tiles do not increase the oxygen level. </li>
* '''Awards (must be funded).''' 5 VPs to the winner, 2 VPs to second place. If players tie for first, they all get the bonus and no second place is awarded. If multiple players tie for second, they all get the bonus. In a two player game, no second place is awarded.
  <li>Starting Terraform Rating is 14 instead of 20. You do not have extra production of resources.</li>
* '''Claimed milestones.''' Each claimed milestone is worth 5 VPs at the end of the game. Only 3 of the 5 milestones may be claimed.
  <li>Awards and Milestones are not used.</li>
* '''VPs on played cards.''' First, count all VPs on cards that collect resources. Then gather all of your remaining cards (including all your played events!) and count your VPs. If you have Jovian cards, these may have to be counted separately. (To identify this look for the number, or an effect like X VP / Y number of resources, marked inside the planet Mars Icon)
  <li>You can steal from a neutral opponent or reduce its resources and production.</li>
  <li>The game ends after 14 generations (rounds), regardless of whether the temperature, ocean tiles, or oxygen levels meet their goals.
</ul>


== Limitations of digital adaptation ==
====Options====


* Cannot choose order of come into play effects of project cards (with some exceptions)
<ul class="bulletlist" style="margin:1em 0;padding-inline-start:40px;">
* When order of effect choosen - cannot Draw cards before resolving other complex effects
  <li>'''Draft Enabled''': Cards are drafted among all players during the Research phase instead of bought.</li>
* Cannot undo single action (Undo will undo 2 actions or until after last Draw)
  <li>'''Beginner Corporations''': Beginner Corporations start with 42 M€ and receive 10 cards without needing to spend money. (Recommended for beginner players only)</li>
  <li>'''Corporate Era''': Choose a corporation card at the beginning. Each gives a different benefit. All productions start at 0.</li>
  <li>'''Prelude Expansion''': Includes Prelude cards (player chooses 2 out of 4), extra project cards, and extra corporations.</li>
  <li>'''Colonies Expansion''': Includes Colony tiles with fleets, extra project cards, and extra corporations.</li>
  <li>'''Map'''
    <ul class="bulletlist" style="padding-inline-start:40px;">
      <li>''Tharsis'': Base map, focuses on urban development and oxygen production</li>
      <li>''Elysium'': Large ocean area and unique placement bonuses</li>
      <li>''Hellas'': Depicts the south pole and relies on heat and water</li>
      <li>''Vastitas Borealis'': Features frozen carbon dioxide that can increase temperature</li>
      <li>''Amazonis Planitia'': Large map designed for 4-5 players with higher Milestone requirements</li>
    </ul></li>
  <li>'''Realtime Scoring''': Player's scores are shown during the game.</li>
  <li>'''Multi-step undo support (Experimental)''': Allows player to undo actions one-by-one, instead of restarting the Actions phase</li>
</ul>

Latest revision as of 18:58, 11 February 2026

Turn Structure

Each round represents a generation of Mars's development & colonization. At the start of each round, the "first player token" moves to the next player. Each generation, players perform the following steps:

  1. Research: Draw 4 cards. Add any number of them to your hand for 3 M€ each, then discard the rest. (No hand limit.)
  2. Actions: Take 1-2 actions from the list below. Continue in turn order until all players have passed.
    • Play a card from your hand.
    • Execute a standard project.
    • Claim a milestone.
    • Fund an award.
    • Use a Blue Card action (each may be used once per generation).
    • Spend 8 plants to place a greenery tile. (This increases the oxygen level and your Terraform Rating).
    • Spend 8 heat to increase the temperature by 1 degree. (This also increases your Terraform Rating).
    • Pass. If you pass, you will not be able to take any more actions for the round. Usually, you do this when you cannot take further actions. When all players have passed, the round ends.
  3. Production: Convert unspent energy into heat. All players gain resources according to their production values and M€ equal to their Terraform Rating + M€ production value.

Playing Cards

To play a card, you must pay its cost in M€. (Other cards may be able to reduce this cost.) In some cases, resources can be spent instead of M€.

  • 1 Steel = 2 M€ to pay for any Building card (brown building icon)
  • 1 Titanium = 3 M€ to pay for any Space card (gold sunburst icon)

Some cards have requirements, such as:

  • Global parameters (# of oceans, oxygen, temperature must be above or below a certain level)
  • # of Tags of a given type in play. Tags appear on the top of played cards in your tableau. (BGA also displays them in numbers.)
  • Ability to produce a specific resource (like titanium).

Once the cost is paid, then you gain the benefits and effects of the card (e.g., gain resources, increase/decrease production values). If a production value change has a red border (usually a negative effect), you can apply it to another player or no one.

After the card is played, it moves to one of three areas on your board. (You can change how these areas are arranged by clicking on the "three bars" icon.)

  • Red cards have one-time effects. They do not contribute tags so they are automatically hidden, but may be worth VP.
  • Green cards have one-time effects, but their tags add to your tableau (which can help you play other cards) and may be worth VP.
  • Blue cards have either an ongoing passive effect or an action you can take on your turn.

Standard Projects

Standard projects are always available as an action. Most involve placing tiles on the Mars board. If a tile is placed in a hex with resource icons, the player gains those resources. You also gain 2M€ per Ocean tile adjacent to the placed tile.

You can also raise the temperature by spending heat or plants instead of M€.

Name Cost Description Notes
Sell Patents Discard a card Each discarded card gains you 1 M€.
Power Plant 11 M€ Increase your energy production by one step.
Asteroid 14 M€ Increase temperature by 1 degree. Increase your TR by 1.
Aquifer 18 M€ Place 1 Ocean tile. Increase your TR by 1. Oceans do not belong to any player.
Greenery 23 M€ Place 1 Greenery tile, which raises the oxygen level by 1%. Increase your TR by 1. Greenery tiles must be placed next to another tile you own.
City 25 M€ Place 1 City tile. Increase your M€ production by 1. Cities may not be placed adjacent to each other (except for Noctis City, which is placed on its reserved hex, and Urbanized Area, which must be placed next to 2 City tiles.)

Milestones and Awards

Milestones and awards are the competitive aspect of Terraforming Mars. The first player to meet a certain milestone gains its benefits. Awards are given at the end of the game.

Pay 8 M€ to claim a Milestone for which you have met the requirements. Each milestone is worth 5 VP, but only 3 milestones may be claimed per game. The Milestones available depend on the map.

For Awards, the first Award funded costs 8 M€, the next costs 14 M€, and the last costs 20 M€. Only three Awards may be funded per game. When scoring, BGA checks each funded award and gives VP to the first and second-place players that meet its criteria. The player who funded the award receives no special consideration.

Game End and Scoring

The game ends when the oxygen level reaches 14%, 9 Ocean tiles are on the map, and the temperature is 8˚C. The current generation/round ends. All players have one final turn to convert extra plants into one or more greenery tiles.

Source Description
Terraform Rating Gain VP equal to your Terrform Rating.
Greenery Tiles Gain VP for each Greenery Tile you own.
City Tiles Gain VP for each Greenery Tile adjacent to a City Tile you own. The owner of the Greenery Tile does not matter. The capital city also scores 1 VP for each adjacent Ocean tile.
Awards 5 VP to the winner and 2 VP to second place. The award must be funded for it to count. (In a two-player game, second place is not awarded.)
Milestones Gain 5 VP for each Milestone you claim.
Played cards Gain 1 VP for each card that indicates its VP worth.

On a tie, the player with the most M€ wins.

Variants

Solo

To win, you must reach the goals for each global parameter (temperature, Ocean tiles, and oxygen level).

  • Always uses the Corporate Era setup. (All Corporate Era cards are included.)
  • Before the game starts, 2 neutral City tiles are placed on the map, each with an adjacent greenery tile. These tiles do not increase the oxygen level.
  • Starting Terraform Rating is 14 instead of 20. You do not have extra production of resources.
  • Awards and Milestones are not used.
  • You can steal from a neutral opponent or reduce its resources and production.
  • The game ends after 14 generations (rounds), regardless of whether the temperature, ocean tiles, or oxygen levels meet their goals.

Options

  • Draft Enabled: Cards are drafted among all players during the Research phase instead of bought.
  • Beginner Corporations: Beginner Corporations start with 42 M€ and receive 10 cards without needing to spend money. (Recommended for beginner players only)
  • Corporate Era: Choose a corporation card at the beginning. Each gives a different benefit. All productions start at 0.
  • Prelude Expansion: Includes Prelude cards (player chooses 2 out of 4), extra project cards, and extra corporations.
  • Colonies Expansion: Includes Colony tiles with fleets, extra project cards, and extra corporations.
  • Map
    • Tharsis: Base map, focuses on urban development and oxygen production
    • Elysium: Large ocean area and unique placement bonuses
    • Hellas: Depicts the south pole and relies on heat and water
    • Vastitas Borealis: Features frozen carbon dioxide that can increase temperature
    • Amazonis Planitia: Large map designed for 4-5 players with higher Milestone requirements
  • Realtime Scoring: Player's scores are shown during the game.
  • Multi-step undo support (Experimental): Allows player to undo actions one-by-one, instead of restarting the Actions phase