Race for the Galaxy expansions
Alien Artifacts vs Xeno Invasion
Short answer: buy Alien Artifacts first. A one-box add-on that just gives more of the base game. Many skip the Orb game.
Pick Xeno Invasion first instead if this sounds more like your table: Well liked for new strategies. Some players skip the invasion module.
| Question | Alien Artifacts | Xeno Invasion |
|---|---|---|
| Our label | Worth it | Worth it |
| Buy order | #2 for Race for the Galaxy | #3 for Race for the Galaxy |
| What it adds | 46 new cards, a 5th player, and an optional Alien Orb mini-game to explore. | New cards and an optional Invasion game where players fight off alien waves. |
| What it fixes | More cards help balance different strategies. | Some players find it the most balanced set with room for many strategies. |
| Type | Expansion | Expansion |
| Players | 2–5 players | 2–5 players |
| Rules load | — | — |
| Best for | — | — |
| You need first | Just the base game | Just the base game |
| Price guide | — | — |
| More | Alien Artifacts details | Xeno Invasion details |