Terraforming Mars expansions
Terraforming Mars: Prelude vs Terraforming Mars: Hellas & Elysium
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: Hellas & Elysium first instead if this sounds more like your table: New maps, no new rules. Buy it once the base map feels worn out.
| Question | Terraforming Mars: Prelude | Terraforming Mars: Hellas & Elysium |
|---|---|---|
| Our label | Buy this first | Worth it |
| Buy order | #1 for Terraforming Mars | #3 for Terraforming Mars |
| What it adds | Prelude cards that give each player a head start, plus 5 new corporations and 7 project cards. | A double-sided board with two new Mars maps, each with its own milestones and awards. |
| What it fixes | Cuts the slow early rounds. | Freshens up the board once the base map feels familiar. |
| Type | Expansion | Expansion |
| Players | 1–5 players | 1–5 players |
| Rules load | About the same rules load | About the same rules load |
| Best for | — | — |
| You need first | Just the base game | Just the base game |
| Price guide | Under $20 | Under $20 |
| More | Terraforming Mars: Prelude details | Terraforming Mars: Hellas & Elysium details |