Gaia Project rules: how to play and how to score

Gaia Project quick rules

The goal

Each faction builds mines on planets, upgrades them, advances in six research areas and connects its planets into federations. The game lasts six rounds; you start at 10 points, and the most points wins.

A round

Four phases: income, the Gaia phase, where power in the Gaia area returns and Gaia projects complete, then actions, one per turn until everyone has passed, and finally clean-up.

The power cycle

Your faction board has three power areas. To charge, move a token from area one to area two, or from two to three when area one is empty. You only spend tokens from area three, which go back to area one.

Build a mine

A mine costs two credits and one ore. The planet must be empty, within your range, which depends on Navigation and grows by two spaces per Q.I.C., and habitable: your home type is, other types need terraforming steps paid in ore, and a Gaia Planet costs one Q.I.C.

Gaia projects

On a Transdim Planet, place a Gaiaformer and move six, four or three power to your Gaia area, depending on your research level. The planet becomes a Gaia Planet next round, reserved for its owner.

Upgrade a structure

Mine, then trading station, then planetary institute or research lab, then academy. A trading station costs less near an opponent. Each research lab and academy gives a tech tile, which also advances you in research.

Neighbors and power

When a player builds or upgrades, each opponent with a structure within two spaces may charge power according to that structure’s power value, paying that power minus one in victory points.

Federations

Connected planets whose structures are worth at least seven form a federation: mine 1, trading station and research lab 2, institute and academy 3. Satellites connect planets, for one discarded power each. You take a federation token and its points.

Research and other actions

A research level costs four knowledge; level five also requires flipping a federation token. The research board offers power actions, each once per round, and free actions are allowed during your turn.

Passing

Return your round booster and take another; some score points when returned. The first player to pass becomes first player next round. The round scoring tile gives points each time someone does what it shows.

Game end and scoring

After round six, each final scoring tile gives 18, 12 or 6 points by ranking, ties shared. Add 4 points per level 3, 4 and 5 reached in research, and 1 point per 3 resources left. On a tie, the victory is shared.

Beginner mistakes

Forgetting the 10 starting points; building without offering power to neighbors; starting a Gaia project in the last round, which never completes; forming a federation with too many planets; spending power outside area three.

How to score Gaia Project

VP track

Your space after round six: your 10 starting points and everything scored during the game.

Final scoring tiles

For each of the two tiles: 18 points for first, 12 for second, 6 for third; tied players share the points of their places.

Research levels

4 points per level 3, 4 and 5 reached, in every area: enter the number of levels, the app multiplies.

Remaining resources

Credits, knowledge and ore combined: 1 point per 3.

Worked example

Emma ends on space 142 of the VP track. She is first on one final scoring tile and third on the other: 18 + 6 = 24 points. She reached 5 levels 3, 4 or 5 in research, for 20 points, and has 7 resources left, for 2 points. Total: 142 + 24 + 20 + 2 = 188 points.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting that the VP track starts at 10.
• Giving 18 points to two players tied for first: they share 18 + 12, so 15 each.
• Scoring 4 points per level from level 1: only levels 3, 4 and 5 score.
• Forgetting the neutral player solo or with 2: it takes a place in the final scoring rankings.

How to set up Gaia Project

Setup takes about twenty minutes. For your first game, use the galaxy, factions and mines shown in the rulebook.