Learn SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Learn the game in 5 short steps. Everything links to the full rules.
Welcome to SETI
You run a space agency in the search for alien life. In five rounds you launch probes to the
planets, scan nearby stars and analyze the data — and every find is a 
life trace.
Three traces under a hidden alien board reveal that species.
The agency with the most 
victory points wins. 1–4 players (solo against a rival),
40–160 minutes. The setup checklist adapts to your player count.
One main action a turn
On your turn take one main action — launch, orbit, land, scan, analyze, play a card, research a tech or pass — and any number of free actions: place data, discard a card for its corner, buy a move or a card, exchange two resources for one. Costs are printed on your player board.
Everyone keeps taking turns until they pass; then income arrives. Rounds and turns
Probes and planets
Launch a probe for 2 credits, fly it with 
energy (1 per space), then
orbit a planet for income or 
land on it for a
yellow trace. The solar system rotates whenever someone researches a tech or
first passes — plan where the planets will be. Probes
Signals and data
Scanning marks 
signals in sectors and takes their 
data.
Most markers in a completed sector wins it — often a 
purple trace. Fill your
computer with data, then 
analyze for a 
blue trace.
Signals and data · Life traces
Milestones and the end
At 25, 50 and 70 points you claim a value on a 
gold scoring tile; at the end it is
multiplied by your sets of techs, income, missions, traces or wins. Add end-of-game cards and any
alien scoring after round 5. Most points wins.
Build income early, then turn it into traces and sets. Scoring · Tips