The Terraforming Mars Survival Guide will help new players with tips to survive their first few games and to avoid being crushed by other corporations. Terraforming Mars is a resource management engine building game from Fryxgames where each player plays a corporation on a mission to terraform Mars. Follow these tips to become more competitive.
Starting Cards
When first starting a game of Terraforming Mars, you’ll draw and pick from 10 cards for your opening hand. Your target should be four to six cards which is enough to start turn one. Holding onto a couple of speculative expensive cards if they fit a theme is fine, but too many will eat your early economy.
Because this is the most intimidating step of the game, we’ve created a “Thinking through the initial draft” video linked below.
Resource Production
Your first mission should be to set up production first. You need a source of money (megabucks, steel, titanium), a way to build oxygen (plant production is easiest), power or heat. Your starting cards should focus on adding production and making production better.
Corporation
Don’t take the beginner corporation, even for your first game. Having a full opening hand of 10 cards produces an overwhelming amount of choice. The lack of focus for your game makes decision paralysis a reality.
Instead, focus on cards that synergize with your corporation. That should be a primary building direction, and will greatly reduce the number of decisions you’ll have to make.
Milestones & Awards
Milestones and awards are one of the most overlooked aspects of Terraforming Mars for new players. Do not forget them. They are a massive amount of points, and should be an early focus goal. They’re not required for winning, but they go a long way toward ensuring victory.
Action Cards
Action (blue cards) are incredibly powerful. Do not underestimate the progress created by taking an action every turn. Before you play one of these cards, ensure you’re able to pay for the action.
The cards can be used for:
- Points generation
- Resource production or conversion
- Card draw
- Oxygen advancement
- Passive bonuses
Card Draw
You’re limited to four cards to draw per turn by base. Extra card draw becomes an incredibly powerful hidden resource. This grows in need as the game progresses and your economy outpaces your ability to draw cards. With a properly built economy, your late game becomes buying most of the cards, playing most of the cards, and dumping the remaining
If the Terraforming Mars Survival Guide helped you avoid being crushed in your first few games, check out the video version.
If you enjoyed Terraforming Mars, pick up your own copy of the game from your friendly local game store or click the link below.
More Resources
Fryxgames Terraforming Mars Homepage
