Buy the patched version. If you cannot find it, buy opaque card sleeves. Do not pay full price for a first-run copy, as you will eventually resent the marked cards.
Because the expansion is so vital, nearly every serious TFM owner buys it. And that is where the printing problem started. When Prelude first shipped (circa 2018), players immediately noticed three distinct categories of errors. These are the issues the "patch" was designed to fix. Error #1: The Back-Color Mismatch (The "Marked Cards" Disaster) The most egregious error involved card stock. The base game Terraforming Mars used a specific shade of blue-grey for its card backs. The first printing of Prelude used a slightly darker, more saturated blue-grey. terraforming mars prelude print patched
The first print run of Prelude was a rare misstep for an otherwise fantastic expansion. Fortunately, the publisher did the right thing by releasing a physical patch kit and fixing the factory printing for all subsequent runs. Buy the patched version
Prelude fixes this by giving each player two at the start of the game. These cards provide immediate resources: MC, steel, titanium, plants, heat, or direct terraforming steps (raising temperature or ocean levels). Because the expansion is so vital, nearly every
If you are deep into the hobby of board gaming, you know that Terraforming Mars (TFM) is a modern classic. With over 50 expansions, promo cards, and big-box organizers, the ecosystem is vast. However, one of the most frequently searched, discussed, and debated topics in the community revolves around a specific 15-card expansion: .
Specifically, the search query has become a rite of passage for new players and collectors alike. What does "print patched" mean? Was the game broken? Do you need to throw away your old cards?