- BGG rating
- 8.2
Rules assistance for High Frontier Colonization
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 180 min
- 12+
- Complexity 4.4/5
Rules assistant for High Frontier Colonization
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
High Frontier Colonization is an expansion for High Frontier released in 2013 for 2–5 players, 180 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Phil Eklund and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Auction / Bidding, and Point to Point Movement.
About the game
High Frontier Colonization, an expansion to both the first and second editions of High Frontier, includes all the elements of the first edition expansion (now out of print), but adds maps, cards, and playing pieces. The thriving space infrastructure has hundreds of specialists working in space colonies orbiting Earth. These provide services such as antimatter manufacture, beamed solar energy, cycler satellites, space telescopes, the space elevator, and of course the local tax office. New Bernal, Colonist, Freighter, and GW Thruster modules allow you to move your base of operations further afield in the High Frontier. The promoted side of the cards in the last two modules include new paths to victory called Futures.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Sierra Madre Games
Questions and answers
High Frontier Colonization supports 2–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for High Frontier Colonization is 180 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists High Frontier Colonization for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
High Frontier Colonization has a complexity rating of 4.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a heavy game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
High Frontier Colonization belongs to these categories: Economic, Science Fiction, and Industry / Manufacturing. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Auction / Bidding, and Point to Point Movement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of High Frontier Colonization are: Phil Eklund. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists High Frontier Colonization as an expansion for High Frontier. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need High Frontier to use it. Check that your edition of High Frontier is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.