Prelude is an expansion for Terraforming Mars that adds new player boards (prelude cards) and a new starting point for players. It allows for more variety in the early game and offers players additional paths to develop their corporation and start their terraforming journey.
Prelude is the first major expansion for Terraforming Mars (designed by Jacob Fryxelius, published by FryxGames). Unlike larger expansions that add new boards or mechanics, Prelude sits directly on top of the base game — cutting down setup time, accelerating early production, and giving each player a unique, powerful start.
Players: 1–5 (best with 3–4)
Playtime added: ~10–15 minutes (but speeds up the rest of the game by 30+ minutes)
Complexity: Low — adds almost no new rules overhead
To print the Terraforming Mars: Prelude expansion for a print-and-play (PnP) experience, you should aim for paper that matches the standard "bridge" or "poker" card feel. Recommended Paper & Cardstock For a professional feel, use the following specifications:
Weight: Use 250 to 300 GSM (approx. 100lb to 110lb) cardstock. Most home printers can handle up to 200 GSM; if your printer jams, you may need to use lighter paper and a backing.
Finish: Linen finish cardstock (300 GSM) is the closest match to the official high-quality dual-layer black core paper used by the publisher. terraforming mars prelude print
Alternative (Sleeve Method): Print on standard 20lb to 24lb office paper, cut them out, and slide them into a card sleeve in front of a spare playing card or "magic land" card to provide the necessary thickness and rigidity. Card Dimensions for Printing
Ensure your print settings are set to "Actual Size" (100% scale) to maintain the correct dimensions: Terraforming Mars: Prelude Expansion Card Sleeve Kit
Terraforming Mars: Prelude expansion is widely regarded by the community as an "essential" addition that addresses the base game's slow buildup. By introducing unique starting conditions, it jumpstarts the terraforming process and provides players with an immediate strategic direction. Scot Scoop News Expansion Overview
This expansion focuses on the "prelude" to the main game, allowing players to customize their corporations with powerful early-game boosts. Frontline Gaming Core Purpose
: To accelerate the early game (saving roughly 1–3 generations) and enhance corporation asymmetry. Prelude is an expansion for Terraforming Mars that
: Reduces typical game length, often fitting into a 90–120 minute window. Integration
: Seamlessly combines with the base game and all other expansions like Venus Next Scot Scoop News Component List (48 Cards Total) The expansion is purely card-based, containing: 35 Prelude Cards
: The main feature. Players receive four at the start and keep two to play for free after choosing their corporation. 5 New Corporation Cards : Includes unique starts like (free awards) and Robinson Industries (variable production boosts). 7 New Project Cards
: Cards thematically tied to the early stages of Mars' transformation. 1 Solo Summary Card : Details the updated solo mode parameters. The Opinionated Gamers New Gameplay Mechanics Terraforming Mars: Prelude (Expansion Review by Chris Wray) 31 Aug 2018 —
In board game printing and fan-made expansions, "solid paper" typically refers to heavyweight cardstock or solid paperboard (such as ESKA board To print the Terraforming Mars: Prelude expansion for
) that provides higher durability and a "premium" feel compared to standard thin paper. For a game like Terraforming Mars: Prelude, players often seek "solid paper" prints to avoid common quality issues reported with certain print runs, such as thin cards that "bend like paper" or washed-out colors. Key Context for "Solid Paper" Prints
In the base game of Terraforming Mars, the first few generations (rounds) can be agonizingly slow. You spend turns playing a card that gives you 1 plant production, passing, and waiting. You have no money to play the big, exciting cards until your engine is built, but you can’t build your engine without money.
Prelude solves this by accelerating the start. It introduces two main components:
This is the expansion's greatest achievement. In the base game, Generation 1 and 2 are often about resource accumulation with little board presence. With Prelude, the board changes immediately. You see cities, oceans, and greenery tiles placed before the first generation even begins. It creates an immediate sense of progress and makes the game visually and mechanically engaging from turn one.
A famous error in the second print run of Prelude involved the "Eccentric Sponsor" card. The printed card was missing the crucial "Earth" tag icon, making the card functionally confusing for new players. FryxGames released official errata and replacement stickers. If you are buying a used copy, check for this card (Card #P34). Most modern prints have corrected this.
Stronghold Games typically operates on an 8–12 month reprint cycle. Because Prelude is the best-selling expansion, it is rarely out of print for more than six months. However, due to global supply chain issues (paper shortages, shipping container costs), there have been prolonged droughts in 2021 and 2023 where copies sold for $80+ on the secondary market.
Current Status (As of this article): Prelude is generally in stock at major retailers like Amazon, Miniature Market, and Game Nerdz, but regional shortages still occur. Always check the "Print Status" on the official FryxGames forum before paying inflated eBay prices.