Terraforming Mars expansions
Terraforming Mars: Prelude vs Terraforming Mars: Colonies
Short answer: buy Terraforming Mars: Prelude first. Both rankings we read put it first. It cuts the slow opening rounds and adds almost no rules.
Pick Terraforming Mars: Colonies first instead if this sounds more like your table: The usual second buy. It adds some rules, so get used to the base game first.
| Question | Terraforming Mars: Prelude | Terraforming Mars: Colonies |
|---|---|---|
| Our label | Buy this first | Worth it |
| Buy order | #1 for Terraforming Mars | #2 for Terraforming Mars |
| What it adds | Prelude cards that give each player a head start, plus 5 new corporations and 7 project cards. | Colony tiles for moons you can settle and trade with, plus new cards and corporations. |
| What it fixes | Cuts the slow early rounds. | Gives you something useful to do when the card market is dry. |
| Type | Expansion | Expansion |
| Players | 1–5 players | 1–5 players |
| Rules load | About the same rules load | Adds more rules |
| Best for | — | — |
| You need first | Just the base game | Just the base game |
| Price guide | Under $20 | $20–$40 |
| More | Terraforming Mars: Prelude details | Terraforming Mars: Colonies details |