From the publisher’s rulebook

Who goes first in Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition?

Stronghold English base game

All players start together. Each player simultaneously chooses a phase card and places it face down; once everyone has chosen, reveal the cards and resolve the selected phases together.

Source & edition

Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition: English rulebookStronghold Games / Indie Game Studios · Gameplay; Planning step; Game overview · Checked 2026-09-26Printed page references: 10, 20
PDF page 10 PDF page 20

Image: © Stronghold Games · Stronghold Games

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<blockquote class="whogoesfirst-rule" cite="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/terraforming-mars-ares-stronghold-en/">
  <p><strong>Who goes first in Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition?</strong> All players start together. Each player simultaneously chooses a phase card and places it face down; once everyone has chosen, reveal the cards and resolve the selected phases together.</p>
  <p>Source: <a href="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/terraforming-mars-ares-stronghold-en/">Official starting rule on Who Goes First?</a> (Stronghold English base game)</p>
</blockquote>

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