How Does Terraforming Rating (TR) Work in Terraforming Mars?
TR is your income AND your score. Here's how it works and why it's the most important number in the game.
Terraforming Rating is the single most important number in Terraforming Mars.
It's your income, it's part of your final score, and it's how you win. Yet
many new players underestimate it.
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Quick Answer
Your Terraforming Rating (TR) starts at 20. It goes up when you raise a global parameter (temperature, oxygen, or oceans). TR serves double duty: it's your M€ income each generation AND it counts as victory points at game end.
How TR Works
Income
TR = M€ Per Generation
During the production phase, you receive M€ equal to your TR plus your M€ production.
A TR of 25 with M€ production of 10 means you get 35 M€ each generation.
Scoring
TR = Victory Points
At game end, your TR counts directly as VP. If you end the game at TR 35,
that's 35 victory points just from TR — before adding greenery tiles, city tiles,
awards, milestones, and card VP.
How to Raise
Terraform to Earn TR
Every time you raise temperature (1 step), oxygen (1%), or place an ocean tile,
your TR goes up by 1. Some cards also directly increase TR.
TR Earning Actions
Action
TR Gained
Cost
Raise temperature 1 step
+1
8 heat
Raise oxygen 1%
+1
Place a greenery tile (8 plants)
Place ocean tile
+1
Various (standard project: 18 M€)
Some project cards
+1 to +3
Varies by card
Common Questions
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"Can TR go down?"
Rarely. A few cards and the Turmoil expansion can lower TR. In the base game, TR almost always only goes up.
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"Should I prioritize TR over card VP?"
Usually yes, early on. TR gains compound — each TR point earns you M€ every remaining generation. Early TR is like compound interest. Late-game, card VP might be more efficient.