FAQ
144 answered questions112 official
Rules questions from the BoardGameGeek forum. Answers marked Official were confirmed by Eagle-Gryphon Games or the designers.
Common mistakes
- Counting Colonists without refilling Living Quarters from the bottom — return and rearrange everyone before reading the highest occupied slot. Ruling · Rule
- Ignoring Lacerda’s Mission contributions — his actions advance Missions (with Crystals) from the first deck pass; the card’s letter adds a move from the second pass. Ruling · Rule
- Using Crystals the turn you gain them — every Crystal goes below the Depot and moves up only at the start of your next turn. Ruling · Rule
- Sending Colonists to build a Complex with a Tech nobody has — Colonists only add levels to a Tech already in play. Ruling · Rule
- Building for free from a Discovery tile — you pay the normal cost; only the free-cost icon waives it. Ruling · Rule
- Taking back Miners — Colonists on Mines return only when someone upgrades that Mine, never at game end. Ruling · Rule
Showing 144 of 144
Are the starting LSS buildings placed face up or face down? Official
Place each player's first Shelter close to that player, then shuffle the four LSS buildings, place them face down at random and flip them face up.
Source: BGG thread
What do the green dots on some hexes of the main board mean?
They are setup markings: they show where the starting Shelters and the starting Mine go.
Source: BGG thread
Does anyone ever put a Colonist on the starting Mine? Official
No. The starting Mine was already there when you arrived, and a Colonist is the cost of constructing a Mine. It can still be upgraded with an Advanced Building.
Source: BGG thread
How do I tell short Missions from long ones?
By the card backs: the long Missions show a full red circle. The setup picture shows the suggested first game, 2 short and 1 long.
Source: BGG thread
Does the storage limit apply to all resources together or to each type?
To each type separately: you may store as many of each Resource as your Shelters plus one.
Source: BGG thread
When the players decide whether to travel, do they decide together or one at a time? Official
One at a time, in turn order. The first player decides, moves, chooses a Turn Order space and takes its benefit; then the next player decides.
Source: BGG thread
Does the Shuttle still move if nobody travels? Official
Yes, it keeps to its schedule whether or not anyone rides it.
Source: BGG thread
Is travelling with the Shuttle mandatory? Official
No. During the Shuttle phase you may choose to travel; you don't have to.
Source: BGG thread
If I don't travel, do I keep my Turn Order space and take its benefit again?
You keep the space, but you don't take its benefit again; you only stand your Player marker up.
Source: BGG thread
If I don't travel, do I retrieve any Colonists?
No. You retrieve Colonists from your Working Area and from the side you arrive on only when you travel.
Source: BGG thread
When I travel, do I take my Colonists with me? Official
No. You travel alone and, when you land, you call back the Colonists on the side you landed on (plus those in your Working Area).
Source: BGG thread
Can I use a Ship from my Hangar to travel even when the Shuttle isn't travelling? Official
Yes. During the Shuttle phase you may discard one of your own Ships to travel, whatever the Shuttle does.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use my own Ships in the final round? Official
No. The game ends before the Shuttle phase of the final round.
Source: BGG thread
Does the Shuttle travel once more when the Colony reaches level 4? Official
No. Reaching level 4 happens at the end of the turn of the player who caused it, before any Shuttle phase, and from then on the Shuttle doesn't move.
Source: BGG thread
Is the Landing Pod my whole turn, or can I still take an Executive action? Official
The Landing Pod is your Main action, so you can still take an Executive action.
Source: BGG thread
With the Landing Pod, do I get the benefit of the Turn Order space I pick? Official
Yes, when you cover it with your marker. You don't place a Discovery tile: the pod doesn't scan the surface.
Source: BGG thread
Can I take an Executive action at the moment I choose a starting Turn Order space?
No. At setup you only claim the space and its benefit; Executive actions start once the game starts.
Source: BGG thread
What happens to turn order when every player stays in Orbit?
It stays as it was in the previous round; nobody chooses a new space.
Source: BGG thread
Are Turn Order benefits mandatory? Official
No. Every benefit you cover is optional.
Source: BGG thread
Is the Turn Order benefit "gain 1 Tech tile" free?
No. You pay its normal cost unless the free-cost icon is shown.
Source: BGG thread
Can every Turn Order benefit be boosted? Official
No. You can only boost actions that show a teal Colonist or a Crystal at the bottom.
Source: BGG thread
When do Crystals I gain become available? Official
Any Crystal you gain, at any time, goes below your Depot. Right before you take your action in the Colonization phase, move those Crystals up: from then on they are available.
Source: BGG thread
Are Crystals from my Turn Order space available on my next turn? Official
Yes. Choosing a Turn Order space is not part of your turn, so those Crystals move up at the start of your next turn.
Source: BGG thread
Does a Crystal from the Resupply action go into the Depot or below it? Official
Below the Depot, like every Crystal you gain. If you have a Contract that needs Crystals, you may place it on the Contract straight away instead.
Source: BGG thread
I gain a Crystal in the Shuttle phase but my Depot is full. Do I lose it? Official
Yes, unless you place it on an Earth Contract that requires Crystals. Once on a Contract it can't be moved or used.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use other resources the same turn I gain them? Official
Yes. Only Crystals must wait for your next turn; any other Resource can be spent at once, even to boost the action that gave it to you.
Source: BGG thread
Can I decide to boost an action after its benefit has given me the resource to pay for it? Official
Yes. For example, learn a Tech, place it on the Warehouse benefit, take the Battery and use it to boost the action for a second Tech.
Source: BGG thread
Can Minerals replace any resource? Official
Yes, for building, learning Tech and hiring Scientists — but not for Earth Contracts, and never as Crystals. The Geologist is the exception: you can't hire it with Minerals.
Source: BGG thread
Can the Trade market give me Minerals?
No, you can't gain Minerals through the trade.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use a resource that exceeds my storage limit before discarding it?
No. You must be able to store a resource before you use it in the next step.
Source: BGG thread
Can a Bot or Rover end its move on a space with another wooden piece?
No. Pieces may pass through each other, but only one wooden piece can be on a hex at the end of the move. Bots and Rovers may end on Buildings, but not on Advanced Buildings.
Source: BGG thread
Must I use every movement point?
No. Movement is "up to": you may move fewer hexes, with or without the Rover Tech.
Source: BGG thread
Can I give my Bots' movement points to my Rover?
No. The action gives 2 points to Bots and 2 to the Rover; Rover Tech adds only Rover movement.
Source: BGG thread
Can my Rover stop on a tile and leave it there?
No. If it ends its movement on a tile, take it and resolve it at once — provided you can use at least part of it.
Source: BGG thread
Can my Rover keep moving after picking up a tile?
No. A Rover picks up a tile only where it ends its movement.
Source: BGG thread
Can I take two Discovery or Research tiles in one turn? Official
Yes, with two separate actions: one tile with your Main action and one with your Executive action. Boosting the movement doesn't count as a second action.
Source: BGG thread
With Recycling Bots, can each Bot take a tile, and can they use Rover Tech? Official
One Bot only may land on a tile and use it like a Rover; if several end on tiles, choose one and destroy the others. They are still Bots, so they can't use Rover Tech, but you can spend Crystals to move further. Tiles they take count for Missions.
Source: BGG thread
Does a Research tile destroyed by a Bot count for the Research tile Mission? Official
No. Only tiles you take and use count.
Source: BGG thread
Where can I place a new Building? Official
Either adjacent to a Building of the same type (a Complex, which needs Tech of at least the new size minus one) or exactly 2 hexes away from one and not adjacent to another of that type. A single Building 2 hexes away needs no Tech.
Source: BGG thread
Can I have two separate Complexes of the same type? Official
Yes. Joining them later with one Building can make one big Complex.
Source: BGG thread
Are all players' Shelters the same building type?
No. Each player's Shelters are their own type: you build only from your own Shelters, and they never join an opponent's into a Complex.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use another player's Shelter Tech to build my Shelters? Official
No, that's forbidden.
Source: BGG thread
Can a building type become impossible to build? Official
Yes. If no legal hex is left for it, nobody can build that type for the rest of the game.
Source: BGG thread
When does displacement happen while constructing? Official
First check that you can build; if you can, move the piece away and then place the tile. If you can't build, nothing is displaced.
Source: BGG thread
After displacement, must my Bot still be next to the new Building?
No. Adjacency is checked before building; where the Bot ends up afterwards doesn't matter.
Source: BGG thread
Where does a displaced piece go? Official
To the closest available hex — an empty hex or a Building with no piece on it — chosen by its owner. It need not be adjacent.
Source: BGG thread
Can a displaced piece land on a Crystal or a tile and collect it? Official
No. A hex with a Crystal or tile is not empty, so a displaced piece can't go there, and displacement never collects anything.
Source: BGG thread
What if a Building would put a Crystal on a hex with a Bot or Rover? Official
You just don't place that Crystal.
Source: BGG thread
Can I build or upgrade on top of a Crystal? Official
You can construct on a Crystal (return it to the supply), but you can't upgrade on one — a Building never has a Crystal on it.
Source: BGG thread
Does a Discovery tile that builds a Building make it free? Official
No. You pay the normal cost; only tiles and cards with the free-cost icon waive it, and no Discovery tile has that icon. Treat the missing "paying normal costs" on one tile as errata.
Source: BGG thread
What does the free-cost icon look like? Official
The four building types with a line through them. It appears on Research tiles and Private Goal cards (Rules Reference pp. 3 and 6).
Source: BGG thread
Do I place a Colonist on the action slot when a Discovery tile builds for me? Official
No. Sending a Colonist is the cost of taking the action on the board, not of the Building.
Source: BGG thread
What happens to another player's Colonist when I upgrade their Mine?
It goes back to its owner's Living Quarters, or to their supply if there is no room. Miners return only this way — never at game end.
Source: BGG thread
Can several Buildings in one Complex hold Advanced Buildings?
Yes. Each Building tile can be upgraded once with its own Blueprint, by any player.
Source: BGG thread
Can I upgrade a Building in another player's Complex?
Yes. Complexes have no owner. You need a Blueprint, the Mineral, the Tech and a Bot in range — but you can't upgrade another player's Shelter.
Source: BGG thread
Does an upgraded Mine still produce? Official
No. The Advanced Building marker replaces the Colonist, so it no longer gives you a Mineral during production (Rulebook p. 16, Upgrade a Building, step 3).
Source: BGG thread
Can I use an Advanced Building's action while I'm in Orbit? Official
Yes. Advanced Buildings work from anywhere; that is their real power.
Source: BGG thread
Does an Advanced Building's build action need me to place a Colonist on the board? Official
No. Executive actions are taken on your Player board, not on the main board.
Source: BGG thread
When an Advanced Building builds for me, do I pay the building costs? Official
Yes, if there are any. Only the free-cost icon waives them.
Source: BGG thread
Can I send Colonists to my Working Area to build a Complex when nobody has that Tech? Official
No. Each Colonist counts as one level of a Tech that is already in play. With no Tech in play you can still build a single Building, but not a Complex.
Source: BGG thread
If the Tech level is already high enough, must I still send Colonists? Official
No. Colonists are only needed to make up the missing levels.
Source: BGG thread
When I boost another player's Tech with Colonists, do they still get an Oxygen? Official
Yes. Using their Tech gives them the usual Oxygen.
Source: BGG thread
Does the Command Center make me pay Oxygen to the owner of the best Rover Tech? Official
No. You never pay other players when you use Advanced Buildings.
Source: BGG thread
How does Automated Production work? Official
Each of your Mines and Advanced Buildings produces once; each Colonist you send to your Working Area makes one of them produce once more — the same building or a different one.
Source: BGG thread
Does Eco Resort retrieve Colonists from both sides? Official
No. Choose Orbit or the Colony and retrieve the Colonists from the action slots on that side.
Source: BGG thread
Does the Private Ship Advanced Building ignore the Colony level, and can it use Tech? Official
It doesn't ignore the Colony level. It can use Tech, if that Tech is in play.
Source: BGG thread
When do I choose the Discovery tile for Radar? Official
When you upgrade the Building, before anyone uses its action. That tile is its action for the rest of the game.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use Tech with the 3-Crystal Upgrade Executive action on my Player board? Official
Yes. You can always use Tech when it relates to the action.
Source: BGG thread
Does the Upgrade Tech work on free upgrades from Private Goals and the Laboratory? Official
Yes. Every Upgrade a Building icon can be boosted by the Upgrade Tech: with level 3 and a "2 free upgrades" reward, the first two are free and the others cost a Mineral each.
Source: BGG thread
Do I pay 2 Crystals the first time I place a Scientist? Official
No. A Scientist replaces the 2 Crystals: pay with one or the other.
Source: BGG thread
Can I pay 2 Crystals to use another player's Advanced Building?
No. The only way to use someone else's Advanced Building is to put your own Scientist on it.
Source: BGG thread
Once my Scientist is on a building, who can use it for free? Official
Both the building's owner and the Scientist's owner. The Scientist moves only to another Advanced Building of its type, when its owner uses that building's action.
Source: BGG thread
Does a Scientist make the whole action free?
No. It replaces the 2-Crystal fee only; any cost printed in the action itself is still paid.
Source: BGG thread
Can I hire a Scientist without a matching Advanced Building?
Yes. It still scores at game end and denies it to others.
Source: BGG thread
Do I pay the extra cost if another player already has a Colonist on Hire a Scientist? Official
Yes. It shows a red Colonist, so you pay for the others there as usual.
Source: BGG thread
Two players have the same Tech. Whose do I use? Official
You choose. Only one Tech tile per action: they don't add up.
Source: BGG thread
When does the owner of a Tech I used decide between Oxygen and developing it? Official
At the end of your turn, as the last thing in it: you finish, the owner decides, then the Colony update happens.
Source: BGG thread
My Tech was used twice in one turn. Can I develop it twice? Official
Yes. For each use, develop it or keep the Oxygen.
Source: BGG thread
In what order do I develop several of my Techs that were used? Official
In the order they were used.
Source: BGG thread
Two players' Techs were used in one turn. Who decides first? Official
Follow turn order.
Source: BGG thread
Can I develop another player's Tech tile? Official
No. Only the owner develops it, with the Oxygen they receive when you use it.
Source: BGG thread
Can I own two Tech tiles of the same type?
No, one of each type.
Source: BGG thread
When an opponent boosts Welcome a Ship and uses my Colonist Tech on both Ships, how many Oxygen do I get? Official
Two: one per use of the Tech.
Source: BGG thread
Can I always use Tech with Executive actions, Discovery tiles and Blueprints? Official
Yes. Whenever an action matches a Tech, you may use that Tech.
Source: BGG thread
Are Laboratory benefits mandatory? Official
No. They are all optional.
Source: BGG thread
Must I learn a new Tech in the leftmost column even if a space further right is free? Official
Yes. New Tech goes into the leftmost column.
Source: BGG thread
Does a Research tile also waive the Crystal for pushing a Tech to its top level? Official
Yes. With the free-cost icon you don't pay the Crystals either.
Source: BGG thread
Must a new Building be part of a Complex to move its LSS marker? Official
No. Each LSS marker shows how many of that Building are on the board, Complex or not.
Source: BGG thread
Are Mines LSS buildings?
No. They don't move the LSS or give LSS bonuses, but they do score in the Progress area.
Source: BGG thread
When does the Colony level up? Official
Right after the turn of the player who caused it, once the owner of any used Tech has decided.
Source: BGG thread
With an LSS reward, do I score first or take the bonus first? Official
Score first, then take the bonus.
Source: BGG thread
Which number does "OP equal to the level of your most-developed Tech" use? Official
The level at the top of the column (up to 6). The number at the bottom is game-end scoring.
Source: BGG thread
Which Colonists count for the LSS reward "1 OP per Colonist"? Official
Only those in your Living Quarters at that moment.
Source: BGG thread
How many Ships can I have when the Colony levels up? Official
One per Colony level: 1 at level 1, 2 at level 2, and so on. The number next to the Ship on the LSS chart is the reminder.
Source: BGG thread
Does each Colony level from 3 move the Remaining Missions marker? Official
Yes. At level 3 and again at level 4, move the marker one space right; if it reaches 0, the end is triggered.
Source: BGG thread
When can I fulfil an Earth Contract? Official
As soon as you meet it, at the beginning or end of any player's turn, in player order. It must still be met at game end.
Source: BGG thread
Is a Contract's Complex size or Advanced Building count exact or a minimum? Official
A minimum. Any Advanced Building marker on the Complex counts, even another player's.
Source: BGG thread
Can one upgraded Building satisfy two upgrade Contracts? Official
Yes, the same Buildings can count for several.
Source: BGG thread
Can I take back resources I placed on a Delivery Contract? Official
No. They are bound to the Contract.
Source: BGG thread
Can I put a Crystal on a Delivery Contract the moment I gain it? Official
Yes. It bypasses your Player board.
Source: BGG thread
Can a Private Goal card stand in for a Crystal on a Delivery Contract? Official
No. You need real Crystals.
Source: BGG thread
For Contracts showing three Blueprints, do I give the Blueprints up? Official
No. You just need to have three Blueprints of that type.
Source: BGG thread
When is the Contract display refilled? Official
At the end of the turn, after a Scientist or a Contract is taken. The display always has 6 cards while the deck lasts.
Source: BGG thread
If I boost an action to get 3 Blueprints, how far does the Mission marker move? Official
Three spaces, and you get the Crystals for each.
Source: BGG thread
My boosted action would complete a Mission with more than one step. Do I get the Crystals for each step? Official
No. You get Crystals only for the steps that were still open.
Source: BGG thread
Does a Blueprint from a Turn Order space count toward the Blueprint Mission? Official
Yes.
Source: BGG thread
Can I complete a Private Goal in the middle of an action? Official
No. Finish each action before starting another: you may reveal it between your Main and Executive action, but not mid-action.
Source: BGG thread
How many Private Goal cards can I discard for Crystals in a turn? Official
As many as you like, at any time during your turn. A card discarded after completing its goal can't also be used as a Crystal.
Source: BGG thread
For "7 Colonists in your Living Quarters", do they have to be there at once? Official
Yes, as the card says.
Source: BGG thread
If a First Colonist B card's task is already done when drawn, does it count? Official
No. You must complete it again.
Source: BGG thread
At final scoring, do I rearrange Colonists already in my Living Quarters? Official
Yes. Return Colonists from the side you end on and from your Working Area, then refill the Living Quarters from the bottom up before reading the highest occupied slot. One Colonist in a section scores it, but every section below must be full.
Source: BGG thread
What happens to Colonists with no room in my Living Quarters? Official
They go back to the general supply and can return later as new Colonists. You can't score them.
Source: BGG thread
Do unbuilt Blueprints cost points?
Yes. Each unbuilt Level 1 Blueprint costs 3 OP and each unbuilt Level 3 Blueprint costs 5 OP (Rulebook p. 21).
Source: BGG thread
Does Lacerda advance Missions whenever his action completes a Mission? Official
Yes. His actions contribute to Missions as usual and he gains the Crystals. From the second pass through his deck, each card also moves the Mission marker it shows.
Source: BGG thread
Does Lacerda always use available Technology when his action requires it? Official
Yes. If he uses your Tech you get an Oxygen as usual, and if you use his, he always develops it.
Source: BGG thread
Does Lacerda score negative points for unbuilt Blueprints? Official
No. This was ruled after the rulebook was printed.
Source: BGG thread
What does Lacerda get when the Colony levels up? Official
A Shelter, a Ship and a Bot. The two rulebook paragraphs (pp. 22–23) describe the same event.
Source: BGG thread
Does the X on a Solo card stop the Mission marker from moving? Official
No. The X only means Lacerda doesn't travel.
Source: BGG thread
Lacerda's action is to take a Blueprint, but none matches his Scientists. What does he do? Official
He still takes one, using the tie-breaks; he moves his Rover only if no Blueprint is available.
Source: BGG thread
Does Lacerda use his Scientists on Advanced Buildings? Official
No. He takes no Executive actions; his Scientists only score. He hires two, then takes Contracts.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use Lacerda's Scientists on my Advanced Buildings? Official
No.
Source: BGG thread
When does Lacerda spend Crystals? Official
Only to pay for placing Colonists and to move his Rover further. He never boosts other actions, and he saves Crystals when Tech can do the job.
Source: BGG thread
Does Lacerda's Rover move if it can't reach a tile? Official
Yes, toward the closest useful tile, without spending Crystals that wouldn't get it there.
Source: BGG thread
What if there are no tiles left for Lacerda's Rover? Official
Skip Lacerda's turn.
Source: BGG thread
Does Lacerda place a Colonist when he builds on arrival or when the Colony levels up? Official
No, only when he takes the Build action.
Source: BGG thread
Does Lacerda's Bot move after every Building? Official
Yes, including Buildings from Discovery tiles.
Source: BGG thread
How do Lacerda's Colonists ever leave the action slots? Official
Like any player's: when a slot is full and he has the majority. He never retrieves them by travelling.
Source: BGG thread
Does Lacerda take the benefit when his R&D lands on a bonus space? Official
Yes, except Resources, which are useless to him.
Source: BGG thread
Does the Solo goal "4 Shelters built" count the starting Shelter? Official
Yes. You need 4 Shelters on the board in total.
Source: BGG thread
Should the solo game use short or long Missions? Official
As you wish.
Source: BGG thread
What are the official rule changes for Chapter 1? Official
In 2-vs-1 return one Sabotage token to the box. The Aliens start with the Shelter Tech in the empty space of the leftmost column. A Sabotage token covers an action space on the Alien board; as a free action the Alien Commander may pay 2 Crystals at any time to remove one (it stays beside the board until reset). Abduction returns a human Scientist and its card to the display, sends any Contract on that space back to the deck, and the humans lose every point that Scientist gave them.
Source: BGG thread
Does Alien Infection move one Colonist of each player, or several of one player? Official
One of each player.
Source: BGG thread
Does an Alien Trooper destroy items it passes over?
Yes. A Trooper that enters a hex with a Discovery tile, Research tile or Crystal destroys it.
Source: BGG thread
Who chooses where a Trooper displaced by a Sentry Bot goes?
The Alien player, following the normal displacement rule.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use a Mineral instead of Medicine in Chapter 2? Official
No. Medicines are not Resources and Minerals can't replace them.
Source: BGG thread
Does a Mine whose worker is infected still produce in Chapter 2?
No. An infected Colonist only spreads disease, so that Mine doesn't produce; you still get the full Minerals when building or extending its Complex.
Source: BGG thread
Which Colonists are "currently active" for the Chapter 2 loss condition? Official
Those in the game; Colonists beside your board don't count.
Source: BGG thread
Does a blacked-out Building shrink its Complex for the LSS in Chapter 3?
No.
Source: BGG thread
In Chapter 4, does a Sabotage card on one matching letter add cubes to every card with that letter?
No. Add one cube only, to the leftmost empty space of the leftmost card with that letter.
Source: BGG thread
In Chapter 4, can Hacked Tech undo a completed "level 9 Tech" goal? Official
Yes. You need to develop that Tech again.
Source: BGG thread
How does Chapter 4 end and score? Official
Move the Mission cube to the end and score as normal; the Missions just don't trigger the end. You win only if you completed 4 of the 5 goals.
Source: BGG thread
In Chapter 4, do I set up one Player board or two? Official
Only yours.
Source: BGG thread
In Chapter 4, do I follow the two-player rules for extra Colonists on an action? Official
Yes. Follow the core rules unless the chapter says otherwise.
Source: BGG thread
Which card does the Beacon replace?
Blueprint 16, Builder Drone AI600.
Source: BGG thread