# Terra Mystica: Fire & Ice ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2014 - **BGG Rating**: 8.4 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 100 min - **Weight**: 3.95 / 5 - **Designers**: Helge Ostertag, Jens Drögemüller - **Artists**: Dennis Lohausen - **Publishers**: Feuerland Spiele, Bard Centrum Gier, Capstone Games, Cranio Creations, Filosofia Éditions, FunBox Jogos, HomoLudicus, MINDOK, テンデイズゲームズ (TendaysGames), White Goblin Games, Z-Man Games - **Categories**: Civilization, Economic, Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy, Territory Building - **Mechanics**: Network and Route Building, Turn Order: Pass Order, Variable Player Powers ## Verdict Essential for those who love the base game and want more tactical variety and 'broken' factions.New factions with incredible powersBreaks the base game monotonyIncreases strategic depthAbilities that change map dynamicsIncreases learning complexityRequires the base game to playHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description If you've already mastered the map of Terra Mystica, get ready, because things just got way more intense with the Fire & Ice expansion. Here, the world expands to make room for new factions that arrive to shake things up and disrupt the strategies of those accustomed to the base game. We're talking about Yetis, who bring brute force, and Ice Maidens, who have an almost religious obsession with their temples. There are also Acolytes, completely focused on cults, and Dragonlords, who don't mess around and can create volcanoes on the map to shape the terrain in their favor. But the real plot twist lies with the Shapeshifters and Riverwalkers. These two factions are true rebels, as they ignore the fundamental rule that each faction must be tied to only one terrain type. This opens up an absurd range of tactical possibilities, forcing everyone to rethink how to position themselves and how to expand. If you thought you had the perfect strategy to win, these new races prove that the board is much more unpredictable than it seems. This expansion isn't just 'more of the same'; it injects new power dynamics and forces players to deal with abilities that break the traditional logic of the game. It's the ideal complement for those who feel the base game has become predictable and want to add layers of complexity and variety. Prepare your resources, plan your expansion, and try not to be incinerated by a volcano or frozen by a maiden, because the fight for territory has just leveled up. ## How to Play Objective of the Game In Terra Mystica: Fire & Ice, players take on the roles of different factions striving to shape the land to their advantage. The goal is to expand your territory, build structures, and gain Victory points through strategic planning and resource management. The game ends after a set number of rounds, and the player with the most Victory points wins. Preparation (Setup) To set up the game: Place the game board in the center of the table. If using the new board, note the additional rules for Ice and Volcano terrain. Shuffle the Final Scoring tiles face-down, draw one, and place it face-up next to the board. This tile will be scored at the end of the game. Each player chooses a faction and takes the corresponding components: Dwellings, Trading houses, Strongholds, Temples, Sanctuaries, Priests, Markers, and Bridges. Place your faction’s starting structures on the board according to the chosen Starting terrain. Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção. Flow of the Game The game is played over several rounds, each consisting of phases: Income Phase: Players gain resources based on their structures and bonuses. Action Phase: Players take turns performing actions such as building structures, transforming terrain, or advancing on cult tracks. Passing: Once a player passes, they can no longer take actions for the round. The game ends after the final scoring phase, where players tally their Victory points based on structures, cult advancements, and the Final Scoring tile. Actions and How to Play Players can perform the following actions during their turn: Build Structures: Place Dwellings, Trading houses, Strongholds, Temples, or Sanctuaries on the board, paying the required resources. Transform Terrain: Use Spades to change terrain types to match your faction’s needs. Note that Ice and Volcano terrain cannot be transformed into other types. Advance on Cult Tracks: Spend resources to move up cult tracks, gaining bonuses and Victory points. Use Special Abilities: Each faction has unique abilities that can be activated during the game. Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção. End of Game and Scoring The game ends after the final scoring phase. Players earn Victory points based on: The number and type of structures built. Advancement on cult tracks. The Final Scoring tile, which awards points for specific criteria such as the greatest distance between structures or the number of settlements. The player with the most Victory points wins. In case of a tie, the tied players share the victory. Tips for Winning Here are some strategies to help you succeed: Focus on Terrain Transformation: Efficiently transforming terrain to match your faction’s needs is key to expanding your territory. Plan for Final Scoring: Keep the Final Scoring tile in mind throughout the game to maximize your points. Leverage Faction Abilities: Each faction has unique strengths—use them to gain an edge over your opponents. ## FAQ ### Do I need the base game to play? Yes, Fire & Ice is an expansion. You must own Terra Mystica to use it. ### Does it make the game much harder? Complexity increases slightly because the new factions have very specific rules and 'break' some of the base game's logic. ### How many players can play with the expansion? The game supports 2 to 5 players, maintaining the original player count. ### How long does a session last? Expect to spend around 100 minutes or more, depending on how analytical your group is. ### Who is this game for? For experienced (expert) gamers who enjoy resource management and heavy territorial disputes. ### Are the new factions balanced? They are powerful and offer new ways to play, but balance is maintained through the interaction between races. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 22.35 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6914328&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4673499&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 31.35 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6865176&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 32.19 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3439765&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 34.12 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1435112&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 34.34 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3401644&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 36.44 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=215802&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 36.51 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3439764&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 36.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=489608&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 37.53 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3924726&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/13242/terra-mystica-fire-ice?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com