Components of Terraforming Mars:

• 1 game board (depicting Mars)
• 5 corporation cards
• 208 project cards
• 17 solo cards
• 200 player markers (in 5 colors)
• 200 resource cubes (copper, silver, gold)
• 3 game board markers (temperature, oxygen, and generation)
• 9 ocean tiles
• 60 greenery/city tiles
• Various tokens (including forest, city, special tiles, and others)
• 1 first player token
• Rulebook

Setup:

1. Game Board: Place the game board in the center of the table.
2. Corporation Cards: Each player receives two corporation cards and chooses one to play, discarding the other.
3. Player Markers and Cubes: Each player chooses a color, takes the corresponding markers, and places them on the board’s parameter tracks.
4. Project Cards: Shuffle the project cards and deal 10 to each player. Players choose which cards to keep, discarding the rest.
5. Starting Resources: Each player gains starting resources based on their chosen corporation card.
6. Initial Setup: Place the temperature, oxygen, and generation markers on the game board.

Objective:

The goal is to score the most points by the end of the game, achieved through terraforming Mars and completing various projects.

Gameplay:

Generations: The game is played over a series of generations. Each generation consists of four phases:

I. Research Phase: Draw 4 project cards, and each player may buy any number of these cards for 3 megacredits (MC) each.

II. Action Phase: Players take turns performing one or two actions until all players pass. Actions can include multiple steps like playing a card from your hand or using a standard project.

III. Production Phase: Players generate resources based on their production levels.

IV. End of Generation: The first player token moves clockwise, and a new generation begins.

Actions and Projects:

• Playing Cards: Pay the cost and follow the instructions on the card. Cards can provide immediate benefits, ongoing effects, or additional actions.
• Standard Projects: Use basic actions available to all players, such as building cities, forests, and other developments.
• Milestones and Awards: Achieve specific goals and fund awards for end-game scoring.

Resources:

• Megacredits (MC): Currency used to play cards and perform actions.
• Steel and Titanium: Used to reduce the cost of building cards.
• Plants: Can be converted into greenery tiles to increase oxygen.
• Energy: Used for various actions and converted into heat at the end of each generation.
• Heat: Can be used to raise the temperature of Mars.

Winning the Game:

• The game ends when Mars has been fully terraformed: 9 ocean tiles are placed, the temperature reaches +8°C, and the oxygen level reaches 14%.
• Players tally their points, which are earned from:
  Terraforming Rating (TR), Victory Points (VP) from cards, Greenery and city tiles on the board and milestones & awards.
• The player with the highest score wins.

Special Rules:

• Solo Mode: Play against the game itself with a specific set of rules and objectives.
• Corporate Era: Adds additional cards and rules for a longer, more complex game.
• Draft Variant: Adds a card drafting phase to increase strategic planning.

Optional Rules:

• House Rules: Players can add their own variations for unique challenges.
• Expansion Packs: Various expansions (e.g., Prelude, Colonies, Turmoil) add new elements and strategies to the game.

These rules provide a basic framework for playing Terraforming Mars, making it an engaging and strategic game for players. The excitement of Terraforming Mars comes from the complex interplay of resource management, project planning, and competitive strategy to transform the planet and achieve victory.