Q&A and Tips - Alien Adventure Game

Click for common questions and answers about the game

There are three things you control that can mean the difference between winning and losing Cogno:

1. Time machine token: The big mistake most players make is forgetting about their time machine token until the end of the game. It's useful at the end of the game to keep someone from rolling exactly six and winning, or to help you re-roll for exactly six. But sometimes the game is won by a key move earlier in the game. Let's say you have three fuel cells, you're pretty far on the board, and all of a sudden you get sent to the parallel universe or get sent way back on the board. Think about using your token to avoid the Parallel Universe or avoid getting sent backwards. Or, when another player gets a great roll that puts them way ahead in the game, it might be an opportunity to keep them from getting ahead.
2. Backward and forwards movement: Over time you will see how powerful this can be.. here are just a couple of ways to use it.
   1. As you pass spaces, always think about how you might benefit by going backwards on your next roll to hit that space… or maybe you could slow down another player by hitting a space you just passed. The Challenge space holds the power to bring a player far ahead all the way back. The Black Hole is a great way to move far ahead, if you're willing to risk a trip to the Parallel Universe.
   2. Another strategy is to go backwards and forwards to get more fuel cells and gear. Try stocking up on gear and fuel cells before getting along too far in the game. See what happens! Every game is different, but being able to move backwards at the right time can be a big advantage.
   3. Pay close attention to where you are heading-for instance, the top of the space elevator says "If you rolled a 2, trade places with the player on your right". See where the player on your right is. If he/she is not too far on the board, you really don't want to trade places, do you? In that case, if you're two spaces away from that space, I advise going backwards down the space elevator for one roll and then approaching again. Hopefully the next time up the elevator you'll be one or three spaces away from the top of the elevator instead of two spaces away. There are other places where you need to watch what's ahead, so keep your eye out.
3. Answering Chaos Questions: You can win Cogno even if you totally guess every answer to the Chaos questions. But a little thought will increase your odds of answering correctly. On multiple choice questions, think through the answer choices… usually you can eliminate at least two answers that just don't make sense. Also, if you really want to nail them, read and reread the questions and the explanations in the Book of Y. If you begin to understand the explanations in the Book of Y, you can piece together answers for lots of questions about the universe…even questions that aren't in the game!
4. If someone has three fuel cells and you have none or 1 fuel cell, try to get to the space in the Time Tunnel that causes players with 3 fuel cells to give you 2 of them. Players can protect themselves from this space by getting more than three fuel cells.

Q&A

Question: When can I roll again during the same turn?
Answer: After rolling and making a move, you may roll again during the same turn only if: a) a board space tells you to; b) you successfully answer a Chaos Card question; c) you survive a planet; or d) you land on the Space Station.

Question: What if, before I roll, I forget to say which way I intend to move?
Answer: Then you must move in the same direction you moved on your last roll. You must declare before you roll if you are going to change direction.

Question: What if I land on a planet or space another player already occupies?
Answer: Players may share the same planet or space.

Question: When I have a choice to follow one of two paths (like a fork in the road) do I need to say which path I'll follow BEFORE I roll?
Answer: No. As long as you are not reversing direction, you may roll before deciding which path you'll take.

Question: What if other players are instructed to give me fuel cells but it makes me end up with more than three fuel cells?
Answer: Keep three fuel cells with your alien and keep the rest in front of you in a pile in case you need them later.

Question: What if I go backwards early in the game and bump back into the Home Planet?
Answer: Stop there, wait until your next turn, and then roll to leave the Home Planet again.

Question: Do I need an exact roll to land on the Space Station?
Answer: No. For example, you could be at the top of the Space Elevator, roll a 3, and land on the Space Station.

Question: When I land on the Space Station and I don't have at least three fuel cells, can I roll again to go backwards or do I stop and wait until my next turn?
Answer: You can roll again right away.

Question: If another player lands on the "Challenge" space and I answer the question correctly, do I get a fuel cell?
Answer: No. You only win fuel cells when you land on a Chaos space.

Question: Is my alien "HiG" or MyG"?
Answer: All aliens are "MyG" (my gravity), meaning they can survive planets with gravity like their home planet. No alien can survive "HiG" (high gravity) without a "Gravity Deflector" Gear Card.

Question: Can I collect more than three fuel cells?
Answer: Yes. Once you have three on your alien, keep the rest in front of you in case your alien loses any.

Question: If I am invincible (meaning I have all four pieces of Gear) and I land on the top space in the Space Elevator, and the player to my right is in the Parallel Universe, what happens?
Answer: You stay at the top of the Space Elevator and the player to your right joins you there.

Question: Can I have more than one of the same piece of gear?
Answer: No. If you win a piece of gear you already have, you don't get that extra piece of gear.

Question: In the Time Tunnel, if someone else lands on the space that says "Any players with three fuel cells give you two of them", what happens if I have more than three fuel cells?
Answer: You don't have to give up any of your fuel cells unless you have exactly three. So, it is sometimes smart to get four fuel cells to protect yourself from that board space.

Question: If I use a gear card, do I need to turn it in, or can I keep it?
Answer: You may reuse Gear Cards over and over. You only lose them if a board space tells you so.

Question: If I'm invincible (this happens when you have all four pieces of Gear), can I lose Gear and lose my invincibility?
Answer: Yes. Certain board spaces can take away your Gear even if you are invincible.

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