Terraforming Mars - Promo Kit 3
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Open the deck, read Pharmacy Union. Then AstroDrill. Then you look at the others and realize: this game will be different from all the rest.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
The cards you've never seen on Mars
Terraforming Mars - Promo Kit 3 collects 18 project cards, 2 corporations, and 3 replacement cards revealed during the Big Box Kickstarter campaign. Designed by Jacob Fryxelius, this promo set brings new strategies and never-before-seen combinations to the base game.
Pharmacy Union focuses on production, AstroDrill digs deep into Mars, while projects like Magnetic Shield, Meat Industry, and Potatoes open up alternative development paths. Three cards (Deimos Down, Great Dam, Magnetic Field Generators) replace existing cards, adding tile placement mechanics — but you need the Big Box tiles to use them.
What they say abroad
"A set of 18 project cards, 2 corporation cards and 3 modified replacement cards that were revealed as daily milestones during Terraforming Mars: Big Box Kickstarter campaign."
— FryxGames
Kit 3 is not just a handful of cards: it's an opportunity to discover parts of Mars you never knew existed. The first games with these corporations force you to rethink everything.
— FroGames
Terraforming Mars - Promo Kit 3 (Terraforming Mars: Big Box Promos)
Terraforming Mars has official solo rules, and these promos integrate perfectly: add the cards to your project deck and the corporations to the initial selection pool. The experience is complete, but of course you lose the drafting and competition dynamics for milestones that make multiplayer more tense.
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews, and play sessionsWhat's in the kit
23 cards that change Mars
2 Corporations
Pharmacy Union and AstroDrill: two completely new ways to start the game. The first focuses on production and resource control, the second digs into the Martian subsoil for long-term advantages.
18 New Projects
Magnetic Shield, Meat Industry, Potatoes, Jovian Embassy, and 14 other never-before-seen projects. Fresh strategies, unexpected combos, development paths that didn't exist in the base game.
3 Replacement Cards
Deimos Down, Great Dam, and Magnetic Field Generators replace existing cards, adding tile placement. Please note: you need the Big Box tiles to use them, otherwise they remain out of the deck.
Perfect Integration
Shuffle the cards into your project deck, add the corporations to the initial pool, and play. No additional rules, no complications: they fit in as if they had always been there.
Recommended Sleeves 23 cards in 1 size ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting your cards with clear sleeves to make them last a long time.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 63.5 × 88.8 mm | 23 |
| Total cards | 23 |
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How to play
Integration into the game flow
The promos do not change the rules: they fit into the normal flow of Terraforming Mars.
Shuffle the 18 project cards into the main deck. Add Pharmacy Union and AstroDrill to the initial corporation pool. The 3 replacement cards should ONLY be used if you have the Big Box tiles; otherwise, leave them out.
During the draft and card purchasing phase, the promos appear mixed with the others. No distinction, no special rules: they are projects like all others, with their costs and requirements.
You play promos like any other card: pay the cost, apply the effects, place resources. Some (like Magnetic Shield or Meat Industry) open up development paths that were marginal in the base game.
Normal point counting. Promos give victory points, tags, and resources exactly like the base cards. The only difference is that you've played a game no one else has ever seen before.
⏱️Your first gameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Discovering the new corporations
Setup as always, but this time Pharmacy Union is in the pool. You read it twice: +1 production on any resource per standard action. You look at AstroDrill: bonus on cards with Construction tag. You choose and already know this game will be different.
The first promo cards in the draft
You turn two: you draw Magnetic Shield. It costs a lot but protects you from solar storms and gives you victory points. You'd never seen it before. You pass it, then you find it again on the next round. Someone discarded it. You take it: it's yours.
The combo that didn't exist
You have Meat Industry and Potatoes in hand. In the base game, you would never have focused on that type of production, but here it works: you need them to power the Pharmacy Union engine. You play both in the same turn. The others look at you puzzled.
The Jovian Embassy moment
Someone plays Jovian Embassy: a Jupiter tag that gives you political advantages and points. It's a card that wasn't in the base game. It changes the balance of the table: those who had focused on Jupiter now have an extra reason, those who didn't regret it.
End of game, new questions
You count the points. Pharmacy Union won by a narrow margin thanks to constant production. You look at the promo cards still in the deck: you've only seen some of them. You play again immediately to discover the others.
🐸Good to know beforehandThree honest things, from friends▼
Good to know beforehand
Three things to know
The 3 replacement cards are unusable without the Big Box
Deimos Down, Great Dam, and Magnetic Field Generators require specific tiles included in the Big Box but not present in this promo kit. If you don't have the Big Box, these three cards remain out of play. The other 20 work perfectly with any edition of Terraforming Mars.
Not for beginners
This kit assumes you already know Terraforming Mars well: the promo cards do not explain basic mechanics, tags, or symbols. If it's your first time on Mars, play a few games with the base game first. Then come back here.
Variability grows exponentially
23 extra cards mean thousands of new combinations. The first few games with these promos will force you to re-evaluate strategies you took for granted. Expect to lose the first few times: you are learning a new game within the game you already knew.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
Victory and defeat
The victory conditions remain identical to the base game: you win with the highest score at the end of terraforming.
Victory
- Highest final score (Terraforming Rating + points from cards + milestones + awards + cities and forests)
- Exploiting new corporations for more efficient production engines than normal
- Building combos with promo cards that others don't expect
How to fall behind
- Ignoring synergies between promos and base cards (each promo is designed to open specific paths)
- Playing Pharmacy Union or AstroDrill as generic corporations, without exploiting their unique bonuses
- Wasting time trying to use the 3 replacement cards without having the necessary tiles
This is not an expansion that adds rules: it's an expansion that adds discoveries. Every game with these cards is a game you will remember.
💬Frequently Asked QuestionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about Terraforming Mars - Promo Kit 3 (Terraforming Mars: Big Box Promos)
Can I use this kit without the Terraforming Mars Big Box?
Yes, 20 out of 23 cards work perfectly with any edition of Terraforming Mars (base, Prelude, various expansions). The only three unusable cards without the Big Box are Deimos Down, Great Dam, and Magnetic Field Generators, because they require specific tiles included only in the Big Box. The other 18 project cards and 2 corporations integrate seamlessly.
What mechanics does Terraforming Mars - Promo Kit 3 use?
Same system as the base game: hand management, open drafting, tile placement (for the 3 replacement cards, if you have the tiles), variable player powers (the two new corporations), set collection (collecting tags and resources). No additional mechanics: the promos expand strategic possibilities without complicating the rules.
Are the new corporations balanced compared to those in the base game?
Pharmacy Union and AstroDrill were tested during the Kickstarter campaign and balanced to be competitive but not dominant. Pharmacy Union is strong in long production setups, AstroDrill rewards those who invest in infrastructure and mining. Neither is objectively stronger than the best base corporations (like Tharsis or Ecoline), but they open up different playstyles.
Can I mix these promos with expansions (Prelude, Colonies, Venus Next)?
Absolutely yes. The promo cards are designed to integrate with all official expansions of Terraforming Mars. Some cards (like Jovian Embassy) have synergies with specific expansions (e.g., Colonies for Jupiter tags), but they still work without them. The only limitation is the 3 replacement cards, which require the Big Box tiles.
Is it available in Italian?
Yes, this Ghenos Games edition includes cards in Italian with translated texts and original iconography. All references to tags, resources, and mechanics follow the nomenclature of the Italian edition of Terraforming Mars published by Ghenos Games.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
Terraforming Mars - Promo Kit 3 (originally Terraforming Mars: Big Box Promos) is an expansion that collects 18 project cards, 2 corporations, and 3 replacement cards revealed during the Big Box Kickstarter campaign. Designed by Jacob Fryxelius and published by Ghenos Games, this promo set for 1-5 players (ages 12+, duration 120 minutes) integrates perfectly with any edition of Terraforming Mars, expanding strategic possibilities without adding complexity. The mechanics remain those of the base game (hand management, drafting, tile placement), but the new corporations (Pharmacy Union and AstroDrill) and unprecedented projects (Magnetic Shield, Meat Industry, Potatoes, Jovian Embassy) open up previously unexplored development paths. 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?
The photos on the website often come from BoardGameGeek and are intended to give you an idea of the game. They may vary slightly from the version you receive. The content declared by the publisher is always binding.
📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
We always strive to provide the correct content, but minor variations are possible due to reprints or updates. The information comes directly from the publishers. If you have any questions, please contact us!
⏳How do pre-orders work?
Pre-order the game before release, payment is immediate, and the game is reserved for you. As soon as it arrives, we'll ship it right away! If there are any delays, we'll update you promptly.
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