Best Terraforming Mars Expansions Ranked: Which to Buy First
Buy Prelude first, then Colonies. Our ranking of every Terraforming Mars expansion — Prelude, Colonies, Venus Next, Turmoil, Hellas & Elysium — and who each one is for.
Terraforming Mars has five major expansions. Some are essential quality-of-life improvements, others add complexity that not everyone wants. Here's the order to buy them.
Buy Prelude first — it solves the slow start problem and is almost universally loved. Colonies is a great second expansion. Venus Next and Turmoil are optional and add significant complexity.
Prelude
The must-have expansionAdds Prelude cards that give you a jumpstart — extra production, resources, or terraforming at the start. The base game's first 2–3 generations can feel slow and samey. Prelude fixes this entirely. Every player immediately has a direction.
Colonies
New resource trade routesAdds colony moons you can trade with for resources. Gives you something productive to do when you can't afford expensive cards. The trade mechanic is simple to learn but adds meaningful decisions every generation.
Venus Next
4th global parameterAdds Venus as a 4th global parameter to terraform. More cards, more paths to victory, but also makes the game longer. Good if your group wants more variety; skip if game length is already a concern.
Turmoil
Political systemAdds a political layer with parties, delegates, and global events. The most complex expansion — it can feel like a second game layered on top. Only for groups that have mastered everything else and want more strategic depth.
Hellas & Elysium
Alternate mapsTwo new Mars maps with different bonus placements and milestones/awards. A simple way to add variety without adding rules complexity. Get this whenever you want fresh geography — no wrong time to add it.