- BGG rank
- BGG #177
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Roll for the Galaxy
- 2–5 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2014
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Rules assistance for Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 45 min
- 13+
- Complexity 2.9/5
Rules assistant for Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts is an expansion for Race for the Galaxy released in 2013 for 2–5 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Thomas Lehmann and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Tile Placement.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,597
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Last Light
- 2–4 players
- 45–75 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,250
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Jump Drive
- 2–4 players
- 10–30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,164
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Imperium: The Contention
- 1–6 players
- 30–120 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,025
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Hegemonic
- 2–6 players
- 180 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 2013
- BGG rank
- BGG #9
- BGG rating
- 8.3
Terraforming Mars
- 1–5 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #78
- BGG rating
- 8.5
Voidfall
- 1–4 players
- 90–240 min
- Complexity 4.6/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #189
- BGG rating
- 7.6
It's a Wonderful World
- 1–5 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,534
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Impulse
- 2–6 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2013
- BGG rank
- BGG #8,774
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Yashima: Legend of the Kami Masters
- 2–4 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2015
- BGG rank
- BGG #168
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Planet Unknown
- 1–6 players
- 60–80 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,083
- BGG rating
- 6.5
The City
- 2–5 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 2011
About the game
Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts is the fourth expansion for Race for the Galaxy and is incompatible with earlier expansions for that game, instead taking the game in a new direction. Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts consists of two parts: 46 new cards including five new start worlds to add to the base set, plus a set of action cards and start hand for a fifth player. These can be used without the orb cards. 49 cards used to represent the Alien Orb which players jointly map and explore, gaining artifact tokens of various types that provide powers and VPs. There are also five new Explore action cards used in the orb game (instead of gaining an additional card or greater card selection). The orb game is optional and provides a new RFTG experience, as players have to balance how much effort and actions they wish to put into exploring the orb versus developing their empires.
Editions
- Race for the Galaxy: Alien ArtifactsenRio Grande Games2013
- Race for the Galaxy: Artefatti AlieniitGiochix.it2014
- Race for the Galaxy: Artefacts AliensfrYstari Games2013
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Pegasus Spiele
- Rio Grande Games
- Ystari Games
- Giochix.it
Questions and answers
Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts 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 Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts is 45 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 Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts for ages 13 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.
Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts has a complexity rating of 2.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light 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.
Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts belongs to these categories: Card Game, Economic, and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Tile Placement. 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 Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts are: Thomas Lehmann. 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 Race for the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts as an expansion for Race for the Galaxy. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Race for the Galaxy to use it. Check that your edition of Race for the Galaxy is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.