How to Play Terraforming Mars: The Ultimate Guide

Gather ’round, future terraformers! Ready to turn that dusty red rock into a lush, breathable paradise? In Terraforming Mars, you and your friends compete as giant corporations to make the Red Planet habitable. It’s a game of strategy, resource management, and a little bit of friendly rivalry. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to get started!

1. Objetivo do Jogo / Game Objective

The big picture? You’re here to terraform Mars! That means raising the planet’s temperature, oxygen level, and ocean coverage to Earth-like conditions. Along the way, you’ll build cities, plant forests, and launch ambitious projects to score Victory Points (PVs). The game ends when all three global parameters hit their targets, and the player with the most PVs wins!

2. Preparação (Setup) / Setup

Setting up is half the fun! Here’s your quick-start checklist:

• Centralize the Game Board: Place it on the table. Put the 9 ocean tiles in their reserved spot, and set the temperature, oxygen, and generation markers at their starting positions.
• Gather Resources: Put all resource cubes (copper = 1, silver = 5, gold = 10) and player markers within everyone’s reach.
• Shuffle the Project Deck: Remove any Corporate Era cards (marked with a red/white icon) if playing the standard game. Place the deck and a discard pile nearby.
• Choose Colors: Each player picks a color, takes the matching player markers, and a player board. Place one marker on the “1” of each production track (M€, steel, titanium, plants, energy, heat) and another on the starting Terraforming Rating (TR) of 20 on the main board.
• Deal Cards: New players get 1 Beginner Corporation; others get 2 random corporations and 10 project cards.
• Select Corporations & Cards: In player order, reveal your chosen corporation, collect starting resources, and pay 3 M€ for each project card you keep (discard the rest face down). The first generation then begins immediately with the first player’s action!

3. O Turno de Jogo / The Game Turn

Each generation (round) has four phases:

A) Order Phase / Order Phase

The first player marker moves clockwise, and the generation marker ticks up. (Skipped in the very first generation.)

B) Research Phase / Research Phase

Each player draws 4 new project cards and may buy any number for 3 M€ each. Unbought cards are discarded face down.

C) Action Phase / Action Phase

This is where the magic happens! Players take turns doing 1 or 2 actions (in any combination) until everyone passes. Available actions include:

• Play a Card: Pay its cost, meet any requirements, and resolve its effects. Cards come in three types: Automated (green, no ongoing effect), Event (red, one-time effect), and Active (blue, ongoing effect or action you can use once per gen).
• Use a Standard Project: Six powerful actions are always available, like Asteroid (14 M€ to raise temperature), Aquifer (18 M€ to place an ocean tile), or City (25 M€ to place a city tile and boost M€ production).
• Claim a Milestone: Pay 8 M€ to grab a 5 VP bonus for achievements like having 3 cities (Mayor) or 3 greenery tiles (Gardener). Only 3 milestones can be claimed per game!
• Fund an Award: Pay 8 M€ (first), 14 M€ (second), or 20 M€ (third) to create a 5 VP prize for the player who leads in categories like Thermalist (most heat) or Banker (most M€ production) at game end.
• Use a Blue Card Action: Many blue cards have a special action you can use once per generation (place your marker on it to remember).
• Convert Plants to Greenery: Spend 8 plant resources to place a greenery tile, which raises oxygen and your TR! Must be placed next to one of your existing tiles if possible.
• Convert Heat to Temperature: Spend 8 heat resources to raise the global temperature (and your TR).

D) Production Phase / Production Phase

All players produce resources simultaneously! First, convert all energy to heat. Then, gain new resources: M€ income = your TR + M€ production (can be negative but not below -5). Also collect any other produced resources (steel, titanium, plants, heat). Finally, remove markers from used blue card actions so they’re ready next gen.

4. Fim de Jogo e Pontuação / End of Game & Scoring

The game ends after the generation in which all three global parameters reach their goals: Temperature hits +8°C, Oxygen reaches 14%, and all 9 Ocean tiles are placed. After the production phase, players get one final chance to convert plants into greenery tiles (no oxygen boost, just placement bonuses). Then, tally up your score:

1. Terraforming Rating (TR): Your base score. Move your marker forward as you add more VPs.
2. Awards: 5 VPs for first place, 2 for second (except in a 2-player game). Ties are friendly—multiple players can share the prize!
3. Milestones: Each claimed milestone is worth 5 VPs.
4. Game Board Tiles: Each greenery tile is 1 VP. Each city tile is worth 1 VP for every adjacent greenery tile (regardless of owner).
5. Cards: Count VPs from resource tokens on cards first, then add VPs printed on all your played cards (including events!). Jovian cards may need separate counting.

The player with the highest total wins! Ties go to the player with the most M€.

5. Dicas para Vencer / Tips to Win

New to the Red Planet? Keep these strategies in mind:

1. Focus on Global Parameters Early: Raising temperature, oxygen, or placing oceans gives you immediate TR boosts (which increase your income) and often comes with handy bonus steps (like extra heat production when temperature rises). Don’t ignore them!
2. Race for Milestones & Awards: Those 5 VP milestones and awards are huge! Try to plan a strategy that naturally qualifies you for one or two (like building several cities for Mayor or collecting heat for Thermalist). Funding an award early can also secure easy VPs if you’re already leading.
3. Combo Your Cards: Look for card synergies! Many blue active cards have actions that combo with resources you’re already producing. For example, a card that gives you M€ per titanium production pairs perfectly with space cards you can pay for with titanium. Build an engine, not just a one-time play.

Now you’re ready to command your corporation and shape a new world! Remember: Mars isn’t going to terraform itself. Good luck, and may your TR soar!