Overview
Required Experience
This tournament is intended for players who already know Terraforming Mars and understand the core rules. It is not designed as a beginner teaching event.
Tables
Player Count
Games are intended to be played with four players whenever possible. If the total attendance does not divide evenly into four-player tables, some tables may have three players.
Format
Rounds and Maps
The event uses three rounds, played on Tharsis, Elysium, and Hellas. The base game and Prelude 1 are used. Special promotional cards may also be included if announced by the organizers.
To be eligible for the final standings and prizes, players are expected to participate in all three rounds.
Setup
Drafting and Corporations
Drafting is used during the event, except for the opening hand of ten cards. A house rule is also used for corporation selection: players choose from three corporations instead of two.
Scoring
Tournament Points
Players receive tournament points based on their finishing position at the table.
1st place
5 points
2nd place
3 points
3rd place
2 points
4th place
1 point
Tournament points are added across all rounds.
Ties
Tie-breakers
For tied victory points in a game, tie-breakers are resolved by checking money first, then production values in this order: money, steel, titanium, plants, energy, and heat.
For tied tournament rankings, opponent strength is considered first. After that, average victory points per generation across the event are used.
Three Players
Three-player Table Handling
If a three-player game is necessary, a virtual fourth player is used for point calculations, based on the event average described by the original tournament format.
If a player leaves the tournament before completing all three games, their remaining result may also be treated using the tournament average system.
Pairings
Table Assignment
Round one pairings are random. In rounds two and three, organizers aim to seat players with others of a similar current level based on earlier results.
Prizes
Prize Support
Top finishers receive the main prizes, while organizers may provide something for the wider field as well. Entry fees support prizes and venue costs, and tournaments are volunteer-run.
Timing
Round Length
A round can last up to 2.5 hours. Fifteen minutes before the end, organizers may announce that players can finish only the current generation. A final warning may follow at five minutes.
When time is called, the game ends immediately and scoring is based on the current board state. No extra production round or final greenery placement is performed after the stop.
Arrival
Late Arrival
Please arrive on time. A late arrival may result in losing your place to someone on the waiting list, because the event schedule needs to stay tight to complete all rounds.
Cancellation
Withdrawing
If you cannot attend, let the organizers know as early as possible. According to the referenced format, refunds may be available when cancellation happens at least 14 days before the event.
Media
Photo and Video
Photos or video recordings may be made during the event for promotional use. Organizers should handle tagging and personal mentions respectfully and only with permission when appropriate.