On Mars Strategy: Shuttle Timing, Tech & Colony Growth
Editorial analysis: On Mars rewards synchronized planning. A good technology is weak if the workers, blueprints and shuttle timing needed to use it are on the wrong side of the planet.
Plan two turns ahead around shuttle movement
Before committing to an orbit or colony action, identify what you need to do before the next good travel window.
Develop life support with follow-up actions ready
Building infrastructure is strongest when it unlocks a useful action, contract or scoring opportunity immediately afterward.
Use technologies repeatedly
Early technology is worth more when several later actions benefit from it. Late upgrades need a direct scoring payoff.
Keep bots where construction demand exists
Bots are most valuable near areas where you expect repeated building activity.
Scientists should fit advanced-building access
Recruit scientists whose expertise matches buildings and scoring routes you can realistically exploit.
Endgame: convert infrastructure into points
Once the colony is near completion, stop investing in slow setup and finish contracts, objectives and direct scoring actions.