How To Play: Aliens
Aliens is a tense, hilarious game where teamwork, resource care, and sharp wit matter. My friends and I yelled, laughed, and sometimes blamed Dave for everything. To master 'How To Play aliens', focus on team moves, manage your gear, and watch those sneaky aliens. Quick tips win the day!

Overview
If you ever wanted to scream “Get away from her, you… ALIEN!” while shoving dice across the table, this is the game for you. My friends and I battled bug-eyed monsters, and honestly, I almost peed myself laughing (and a little from fear). This guide gives an outline of the game rules plus the best strategies for winning. Stick around if you want aliens to run scared from your crew.
What’s in the box
- 1 Game Board
- 6 Character Miniatures
- 16 Xenomorph Miniatures
- 3 Mission Booklets
- 1 Rulebook
- 20 Door Tokens
- 12 Computer Tokens
- 36 Motion Tracker Cards
- 20 Equipment Cards
- 30 Endurance Cards
- 1 Turn Tracker
- 30 Dice (yellow, blue, red, black)
- 60 Tokens (various)
- 6 Player Reference Cards
How To Play Aliens: Rules Summary
Setup
- Place the game board in the middle of the table. Make sure no one spills their drink on it — that’s a rookie mistake.
- Each player picks a character token. If you want to play the Marine, claim it fast because everyone fights for that one.
- Shuffle the alien, equipment, and event decks. I once let my friend Dave shuffle and he bent a card, so choose wisely.
- Deal out starting equipment cards to each player. Don’t complain if you get a flashlight — someone has to be the light-bringer.
- Place alien tokens on their spaces. Don’t worry, they look scarier than they are. At first.
Gameplay
- Players take turns in clockwise order. Try not to argue about who goes first — the youngest player works if all else fails.
- On your turn, move your character up to their speed limit. Remember, you can’t walk through walls unless you’re an actual alien.
- Next, pick an action: search a room, attack an alien, trade with a buddy, or use an item. No hoarding — share your medkits!
- Draw an event card at the end of your turn. Brace yourself — sometimes good things happen, but usually aliens show up at the worst time.
- After all players go, the aliens take their turn. This is when things get wild — watch your back!
Winning
- Complete your mission objectives. These change every game, so check your mission cards. Mine once told me to save the cat. Seems fair.
- If any human makes it to the escape point with all required items, you win. Even if you limp there with one hit point and no dignity.
- If the aliens eat everyone before this happens, they win. And you’ll be giving your best alien hiss impression all night.
Special Rules & Conditions
- If someone gets infected, don’t ignore them. Play the infection deck and hope for the best. (Hint: it’s rarely the best.)
- Aliens get stronger as the game goes on. You might want to work together, even if your friend keeps stealing your gear.
- Some event cards change the rules. Read them out loud, no cheating. Yes, Trevor, that means you.
Now you know How To Play Aliens. Read these rules, grab your squad, and get ready to run from slimy space monsters. Just remember: teamwork matters and don’t shoot the medic!
Best Aliens Strategies
Unleash Victory With Teamwork And Communication
I once played Aliens with my chatty cousin and my quiet neighbor. Guess who survived? The chatty one! Teamwork and clear talk win the day. Here’s how to sharpen your skills:
Share The Game Plan
- Set goals together before moving a piece.
- Tell teammates what your next step is.
- Ask for help if you feel stuck.
Keep Everyone In The Loop
- Check in after each action, even if you’re just moving a space.
- Let others know if you spot something odd (like the aliens acting fishy).
Use Short Codes
- Make up quick words for common moves.
- Save time and avoid confusion in the heat of the game.
If you want to master How To Play aliens, speak up and listen! These simple tips work wonders.
Survive and Thrive: Resource Management in Aliens
Keep Supplies Stocked
Without ammo and medkits, you’ll end up as alien chow. Always check what you have before heading out.
- Track inventory each round.
- Share supplies if one player runs low.
- Plan routes near supply zones.
Use Items Wisely
Don’t waste grenades on a single alien, even if it’s ugly. Conserve resources for tough spots.
- Save heavy gear for emergencies.
- Swap unused items between players.
Balance Exploration and Safety
While it’s tempting to grab every item, sometimes you gotta run. Remember how to play aliens often means knowing when to retreat.
- Weigh risk before grabbing new gear.
- Retreat if aliens swarm an area.
Mastering Alien Movement Prediction: Outsmart the Invaders!
Read the Alien Patterns
If you want to win, you must watch the aliens like a hawk. I once stared so hard at a plastic figure, my friends thought I was possessed. Patterns matter here.
- Track where aliens moved last round.
- Notice if they target players or rooms.
- Share findings with your team—maybe with wild hand signals.
Plan for Surprises
Aliens love messing up plans. Therefore, always expect a curveball. In my last game, a sneaky alien went left when I bet my chips on right.
- Stand near exits or cover points.
- Keep backup plans handy, because chaos arrives quick.
Use Distraction Tactics
Sometimes, you need to lure aliens. Yell at the board (it works, I swear). This trick often buys you a turn or two.
- Send a player as bait (volunteer wisely).
- Drop items to draw alien attention away from objectives.
Now you know How To Play aliens like a pro. Always predict, prepare, and prank those plastic nightmares!
Final Thoughts From the Alien Bunker
So, there you go—my top advice for not ending up as alien chow. Teamwork keeps your crewmates alive (and maybe even your friendships). Watch your resources like a hawk, or you’ll be throwing empty boxes at xenomorphs. And never predict aliens by flipping a coin, trust your gut and learn their tricks! If you ever forget how to escape, just Google ‘How To Play aliens’—I won’t judge you. Now get out there and show those aliens who’s boss, soldier!
Want to know what we think of Aliens? Read our detailed review of Aliens here
