How To Play: Terra Nova

After playing Terra Nova with my mates (and losing more than I like to admit), I found that mastering factions, grabbing key spots on the map, and not wasting resources are vital. Learn the rules, plan ahead, and remember—search 'How To Play terra nova' if you get stuck. Have fun!

Terra Nova - Terra Nova, Capstone Games, 2022 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Overview

If you’ve ever lost a game of Terra Nova and blamed your pet for distracting you, you’re not alone—I’ve been there. This guide will show you How To Play Terra Nova with a quick outline of the rules and the sneakiest (and most clever) ways to win. I’ve played countless times with my friends, so you’ll get honest tips that actually work, and maybe a few laughs along the way.

What’s in the box

  • 1 Game Board
  • 5 Faction Boards
  • 5 Player Aid Cards
  • 40 Workers
  • 35 Houses
  • 15 Trading Posts
  • 5 Fortresses
  • 10 Special Action Tokens
  • 36 Terrain Tiles
  • 14 Scoring Tiles
  • 50 Coin Tokens
  • 1 Starting Player Marker
  • 1 Round Marker
  • 1 Rulebook

How To Play Terra Nova: Rules Summary

Setup
  1. Lay out the map board in the middle of your table. Remember, coffee stains add authenticity.
  2. Every player picks a color and grabs the matching tokens and markers. (Arguments over color choice are encouraged!)
  3. Take turns placing your first settlements on the board, following the starting positions marked on the map. Don’t get too cozy just yet!
  4. Shuffle and hand out the scoring tiles and bonus tiles according to the manual. Sometimes the rules come in handy!
  5. Everyone grabs their starting resources. Double check you’re not getting shortchanged by sneaky players.
Gameplay
  1. On your turn, choose an action: Expand a settlement, upgrade a building, or grab more resources. Easy choices, hard decisions.
  2. Pay the right number of resources for each action. Counting on your fingers is totally legal.
  3. Use your faction’s special ability when you want to impress your friends. (Or annoy them. It depends.)
  4. Keep an eye on the available bonus tiles each round. They often rescue you from bad decisions.
  5. Turns go around clockwise. No skipping, unless someone runs off for snacks.
Winning
  1. The game ends after the final round or when all tiles run out. No sudden death matches, sorry.
  2. Add up your points from buildings, bonuses, and area control. Use a calculator or a clever friend.
  3. The player with the highest score wins. Victory dances are optional, but encouraged.
Special Rules & Conditions
  1. You can only expand into territories matching your current ability. No magical jumps!
  2. Block your opponents by cleverly placing your settlements. It’s legal, but they may grumble.
  3. Certain scoring rounds have unique rules—read those tiles out loud to avoid shocking surprises.
  4. Remember, friendly banter and minor distractions are part of the fun, not official rules. Or are they?

I’ve played Terra Nova with friends who are both cunning and easily distracted, and these rules always set us straight. Now you know How To Play terra nova before the chips start flying!

Best Terra Nova Strategies

Master Your Faction: Unlocking Secret Powers in Terra Nova

Know Your Strengths

Each faction in Terra Nova comes with unique special abilities. First, read your faction card. Then, plan your strategy around your power. For example, the Engineers get cheaper upgrades, so you want to build fast and often.

  1. Use your ability every turn, even if it’s small.
  2. Playtest a few rounds to spot hidden combos.
  3. Talk to your friends to guess their strengths and avoid easy traps.
Adapt on the Fly

If someone blocks your main strategy, switch things up! Try using your faction’s special move in a new way. Now, watch your friends panic!

  1. Keep an eye on what’s working and what’s not.
  2. Never stick to one plan if the board changes.
Counter Other Factions

You can win by knowing the enemy. For instance, if you spot a Water Guild player hoarding resources, block river routes. Force them to spend more.

  1. Notice opponents’ tricks early.
  2. Be annoying in the nicest way possible!

How To Play terra nova gets a lot easier when you lean into your faction’s weirdness. Trust me, my friends still complain about my Engineer shenanigans.

Rule The Board: Map Control and Expansion in Terra Nova

Start Strong, Spread Fast

Kicking off, you want to snag the best spots fast. My group always races for river or mountain tiles since they’re gold for expansion. Don’t wait around—grab space before your friends trap you in a corner.

  1. Snag high-value territories early
  2. Expand toward choke points
Block and Box

Next, I always eye my rivals. You can block their paths, making them pay a premium to expand. This move drives them nuts, but hey, it works!

  1. Build next to opponents to slow them down
  2. Use obstacles to limit their growth
Connect for Bonuses

Finally, link your settlements for juicy bonuses. Set your sights on connecting areas, because bigger networks are worth more. Just remember, everyone else wants the same thing, so act quick!

  1. Connect settlements for end-game points
  2. Expand over varied terrain for flexibility

Mastering Your Stuff: Resource Management in Terra Nova

Plan Ahead Like a Psychic
  1. Count your resources before every turn. Always know what you’ll need for the next step.
  2. Store some resources for emergencies, because you know your friends will throw a wrench in your plans.
Don’t Waste, Don’t Want
  1. Upgrade only when it gives you a clear edge, instead of just because you can.
  2. Spend resources on actions that put you closer to victory. Avoid random upgrades that sound cool but do nothing.
Trade (But Not Your Dignity)
  1. Barter with your friends if the game allows, but don’t let them sense your desperation!
  2. Remember, two-for-one trades can bite you later, so be stingy when you need to be.

Early on, I tried hoarding everything like a dragon. Later, I learned that smart spending always beats sitting on piles of useless stuff. Every resource you use should get you closer to winning. How To Play terra nova well means staying sharp with your resources, and never letting the tank run empty when you need to pounce!

Master the Map, Master the Fun!

So, there you have it—my best tips after way too many late nights playing Terra Nova (and way too much pizza). If you want to win, keep an eye on your resources, don’t ignore your faction’s weird powers, and always watch the map like a hawk. My buddy Greg once tried to build in a corner by himself and spent the whole game mumbling—don’t be like Greg. Learn the rules, try new tactics, and most of all, have fun ruining your friends’ plans. That’s what board gaming is really about, right?

If you ever get stuck, just ask yourself: What would Greg not do? Good luck and may your settlements always be one step ahead!

And don’t forget, if you get lost, searching ‘How To Play terra nova’ might just save your game night.

Want to know what we think of Terra Nova? Read our detailed review of Terra Nova here

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.