# On Mars: Upgrade Pack ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2020 - **BGG Rating**: 8.1 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-4 - **Duration**: 90-150 min - **Weight**: 4.00 / 5 - **Designers**: Vital Lacerda - **Artists**: Ian O'Toole - **Publishers**: Angry Lion Games, Eagle-Gryphon Games, Lavka Games - **Categories**: City Building, Economic, Expansion for Base-game, Exploration, Science Fiction, Territory Building - **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, Hand Management, Point to Point Movement, Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game, Tile Placement, Variable Phase Order ## Verdict If you love the Mars universe and crave more challenges, this upgrade will leave you speechless.More contracts that boost strategyPrivate goals that spark rivalriesExtra board that eases organizationNot ideal for beginnersSlightly steeper learning curveHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description The On Mars Upgrade Pack delivers a bundle of extras that lands straight onto your table, like a video‑game DLC. Born from a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, it lets you add more contract cards, private goals, and even an extra blueprint board. Instead of sticking with the basic set, the pack offers 12 new contract cards that broaden alliance and negotiation options, plus 6 private goal cards that add a strategic layer of “what I want and what others don’t know.” The extra blueprint board helps keep your building pieces organized, making it easier to see where each module will go. For players familiar with the base game, the pack works as a supplement that keeps the hand‑management and point‑to‑point movement mechanics intact while adding more contract and goal variety. If you enjoy exploring new scenarios and want to boost replayability, this upgrade is a great way to deepen the Mars universe. On the flip side, newcomers may find the extra components raise the complexity and learning curve. In short, the On Mars Upgrade Pack is a lightweight expansion that offers more options without radically changing the original experience, ideal for those who already own the game and seek more challenges. ## How to Play Objective of the Game The On Mars: Upgrade Pack expands your game with additional ways to earn points and achieve personal goals. Players are trying to complete various Contracts and Private Goals to earn OP (Orbital Points) by the end of the game. The game introduces new types of contracts and an additional Blueprint Board to manage your Blueprint cards, enhancing strategic depth. Preparation (Setup) Blueprint Board: Place this board to one side of the main board. This is the Blueprints display. The lower left corner of this board has a reminder of how the cards are refreshed when the Colony levels up. New Earth Contracts: The Upgrade Pack includes 12 additional Contract cards, featuring 2 new types (6 of each). During setup, separate all Contracts into 4 piles based on their type. Choose 2 piles at random (or by choice) to be included in the game, and return the other 2 to the box. Mini Private Goals Expansion: Shuffle the 6 Private Goal Expansion cards and give 1 card at random to each player along with their normal 3 starting Private Goals. Each player now begins the game with 4 Private Goal cards in total. Flow of the Game Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção. Ações e Como Jogar Blueprint Contracts These Contracts earn you 9 OP or -4 OP at the end of the game if you have 3 Blueprints of the same type of Building (example: 3 Blueprints that upgrade Greenhouses). Having the cards is enough to complete this Contract; the Advanced Building markers do not need to have been placed on the map. Complex Control Contracts These Contracts earn you 12 OP or -6 OP at the end of the game if you have 2 Advanced Buildings in the same Complex of the depicted type, size 3 or greater. Mini Private Goals Expansion Each player starts the game with 4 Private Goal cards. As per the normal rules, you can still only complete one of these goals during the game. Example Private Goal Goal: Complete the goal by having Tech Tiles on all of the highlighted spaces of your Lab. Reward: Get 9 OP. Fim de Jogo e Pontuação At the end of the game, Blueprint Contracts are scored: you earn 9 OP if you have 3 Blueprints of the same type of Building, or lose 4 OP if you do not meet this condition. Complex Control Contracts are also scored: you earn 12 OP if you have 2 Advanced Buildings in the same Complex of the depicted type, size 3 or greater, or lose 6 OP if you do not meet this condition. Players also score points from their completed Private Goals, with each player only being able to complete one Private Goal during the game. Dicas para Vencer Focus on acquiring 3 Blueprints of the same Building type to fulfill Blueprint Contracts for a significant 9 OP bonus, as simply having the cards is sufficient. Strategically develop Advanced Buildings within a single Complex to a size of 3 or greater to aim for the 12 OP reward from Complex Control Contracts. ## FAQ ### How many players can play with the Upgrade Pack? It works with 1 to 4 players, just like the base game, but may require more attention when there are more players due to the increased number of contracts and private goals. ### What is the average playtime with the pack? The time stays around 90 to 150 minutes, depending on how many contract and private goal cards are in play. ### Does the pack increase game complexity? Yes, adding cards and private goals brings more strategic decisions, but the core mechanics stay the same, so players familiar with the base game won’t struggle. ### What components are included in the pack? 12 contract cards, 6 private goal cards, and an extra blueprint board. ### Can the pack be used with other On Mars expansions? Yes, it’s compatible with other expansions and supplements, letting you combine them for an even richer experience. ### Is the pack required to play the base game? No, the base game runs perfectly fine without the pack; it’s just a supplement for those who want more variety. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 22.95 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=7081837&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/36243/on-mars-upgrade-pack?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com