Terraforming Mars - Promo Card 1
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Eight oceans cover the planet. Someone plays the Penguin card. Everyone looks at each other: on Mars. Penguins. And it works.
WHAT IT IS
A promo card that brings animal life to the Red Planet
Terraforming Mars - Promo Card 1 (originally Penguins Promo Card) is a promotional card for the base game designed by Jacob Fryxelius, author and artist of the complete series. Cataloged as Promo 212, it introduces an unexpected animal species into the Martian ecosystem: penguins.
The card functions as an accumulator: each action allows you to add an animal, and each animal is worth 1 victory point at the end of the game. The requirement is simple but binding: at least 8 oceans must be on the board before you can play it. It's a card that rewards those who build Mars' water infrastructure.
What they say abroad
"Penguins Requirements: 8 oceans minimum Action: Place 1 animal on this card VPs: 1 VP per 1 animal on this card Promo card 212"
— FryxGames
Terraforming Mars - Promo Card 1 (Terraforming Mars: Penguins Promo Card)
Terraforming Mars has an official and well-established solo mode. The Penguin card works identically: you play against the generation timer and accumulate animals for the final score. The experience is complete; it only loses the competitive drafting of multiplayer.
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews, and play sessionsWhat's in the promo
One card, four key elements
Ocean requirement
At least 8 oceans must be on the board to play it. This gate makes it useless in games with little water.
Animal action
Each time you activate the card, add an animal token. Simple, repeatable, costs no resources.
1 VP per animal
At the end of the game, each animal on the card is worth 1 victory point. Pure accumulator, no multipliers.
Fryxelius Art
Illustrated by Jacob Fryxelius himself in the iconic style of the series: stylized, functional, immediately recognizable.
Recommended sleeves 1 card in 1 size ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting your cards with transparent sleeves to make them last longer.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 63.5 × 88.8 mm | 1 |
| Total cards | 1 |
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How the card works
Three-step mechanic
A promotional card with a requirement, repeatable action, and point conversion. Nothing complex.
Before playing it, you must have at least 8 oceans on the board. If there aren't any, you can't even pay for it.
You pay the standard cost (if provided by the basic rules for action cards) and place it in your play area. It is now active.
Each time you activate the card's action (turn after turn), place an animal token on it. There are no limits.
At the end of the game, count the animals on the card. Each is worth 1 victory point. Add them to your total.
⏱️Your first gameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What changes with the Penguin card
Not the rules. The experience.
You draft it
It comes in among the starting cards or in a later draft. You look at the board: 3 oceans. Too early. You keep it anyway, hoping.
Someone places the fifth ocean
The game progresses, the oceans rise. You already have two animal cards in your tableau. The Penguin card starts to look like a good idea.
Eighth ocean: go
Someone completes the eighth ocean. You play the card. It costs little, doesn't require specific tags. It's on the table, it starts accumulating.
Repeated actions
Every turn you have free actions, you add an animal. It's not explosive, but it's consistent. Others see the tokens grow.
Final count
End of game: 6 animals on the card, 6 points. It didn't win by itself, but it contributed. And everyone remembers the penguins on Mars.
🐸What to know beforehandThree honest things, from friends▼
What to know beforehand
Three things to consider
Not trivial ocean requirement
Eight oceans are a lot. In fast games or with few players, you might never get there. The card remains in hand, useless.
Slow accumulation
1 animal per action, 1 point per animal. It's not an explosive engine. If you play it late, you'll get 2-3 points. You need to play it early (as soon as possible) to maximize.
Single card
It's a promo. It doesn't revolutionize the meta, it doesn't open up new strategies. It fits into existing animal builds as an additional option. Realistic expectation.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How the game changes
When to play it
The Penguin card doesn't win on its own, but it integrates well into certain strategies.
Ideal scenarios
- You already have other animal cards and want to maximize total animals
- The game has many oceans (4+ players or ocean-centric strategies)
- You draw it early and manage to play it by mid-game
When to ignore it
- Oceans don't reach 8 (fast game, few players, different focus)
- You draw it too late and don't have turns to accumulate on it
- Your strategy doesn't have room for repeatable action cards
A promo that not everyone needs, but for Terraforming Mars fans with an animal focus, it gives an extra option. And penguins on Mars is an image that sticks.
💬Frequently asked questionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Terraforming Mars - Promo Card 1 (Terraforming Mars: Penguins Promo Card)
Is it compatible with all Terraforming Mars expansions?
Yes. The card follows the standard rules of the base game and integrates with any expansion (Venus, Colonies, Prelude, etc.). There are no mechanical conflicts.
Can I play it if the oceans drop below 8 after I've played it?
Once played, it remains active. The ocean requirement is only checked when playing the card, not afterwards.
What mechanics does Terraforming Mars - Promo Card 1 use?
The card uses standard Terraforming Mars mechanics: terraforming requirement (oceans), repeatable action to accumulate resources (animals), and point conversion. Nothing new, all already present in the base game.
Is it worth buying if I already have the base game?
It depends. If you are a collector or if you often play animal builds, it adds variety. If you play casually and are not interested in promos, you can skip it without losing anything essential.
Is it available in Italian?
Yes, this edition is in Italian, published by Ghenos Games. The card has localized text and integrates with the Italian base game.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
Terraforming Mars - Promo Card 1, originally Terraforming Mars: Penguins Promo Card, is a promotional card for 1-5 players aged 10 and up, with games lasting 90-120 minutes. Designed by Jacob Fryxelius and published by Ghenos Games, the card introduces an animal accumulation mechanic conditioned by an ocean requirement (minimum 8 on the board). Each action adds an animal, and each animal is worth 1 victory point. It integrates with all expansions in the series and works well in animal strategies. Italian edition available on FroGames.it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
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📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
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