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Overview
Aresia is a Mars colonization game for 2–4 players. Build habitats, domes, and pipelines across the Martian surface. Collect resources, trade at the bank, and use mission cards to gain an edge. First to
10 Victory Points wins.
The Board
19 hex tiles produce 5 resource types. Each hex has a number token (2–12). When the dice match a hex's number, all adjacent habitats/domes collect that resource. The Crater produces nothing.
Resources
- 🧱 Iron — red terrain, used for pipelines and habitats.
- 🔮 Silicon — purple terrain, used for domes and mission cards.
- 🌿 Biomass — green terrain, used for habitats, domes, and mission cards.
- 💧 Water — blue terrain, used for habitats and mission cards.
- ☀ Solar — yellow terrain, used for pipelines and habitats.
Structures
- Habitat (1 Iron + 1 Solar + 1 Biomass + 1 Water) — 1 VP. Placed at intersections. Collects 1 resource from each adjacent hex when its number is rolled.
- Dome (2 Biomass + 3 Silicon) — 2 VP. Upgrades a habitat. Collects 2 resources instead of 1.
- Pipeline (1 Iron + 1 Solar) — Placed on edges between intersections. Extends your network.
Mission Cards
Cost: 1 Biomass + 1 Silicon + 1 Water. Draw a random card:
- Rover — Move the Dust Storm and steal a resource. 3+ rovers = Largest Fleet (2 VP).
- Supply Drop — Take any 2 resources from the bank.
- Pipeline Surge — Build 2 free pipelines immediately.
- Monopoly — Name a resource; all opponents give you theirs.
- Hidden VP — Worth 1 VP at game end.
Dust Storm (Rolling 7)
Anyone with more than 7 resources must discard half (rounded down). The active player moves the Dust Storm to any hex and steals 1 resource from an adjacent player. The stormed hex produces nothing until the storm moves.
Trading
Trade 4 of one resource for 1 of any other at the bank. Launch pads (ports) on the board edge give better ratios (3:1 any, or 2:1 specific).
Victory
First to
10 VP wins. VP sources: Habitats (1), Domes (2), Longest Pipeline ≥5 (2 VP), Largest Fleet ≥3 rovers (2 VP), Hidden VP cards (1 each).
About Aresia
Aresia is an original strategy game about colonizing the Red Frontier. Place outposts, harvest resources, and balance terraforming against profitable extraction. Two-to-four player turn-based, with asymmetric starting positions.
How to play
Each turn: collect resources from your outposts, build new structures, attempt one terraforming or extraction action. Terraforming improves long-term yield; extraction gives instant points but degrades the planet. End-game scoring rewards a balance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I win Aresia?
Highest score at game end — points from outposts, terraforming progress, and extracted resources, minus a penalty for ecological damage.
Should I prioritize terraforming or extraction?
Both. Pure terraforming runs out of points before mid-game; pure extraction triggers heavy penalties. Most strong runs do 60/40 either way depending on starting region.
Is Aresia based on Terraforming Mars?
Independent design with similar themes. Aresia's extraction-vs-terraforming tension and asymmetric starts diverge from the published commercial games.
What's the player count?
Designed for 2–4. Solo play uses an automa stand-in for a second player.
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