Board Game Arena

So in this game [link below], I have already reached Artificial Intelligence of level 5, where I got 4 QIC. There is a special action tile to gain 3 research tokens. But It seems I cannot activate it during my turn. Am I missing something? I got to AI5 this generation.
I'm new to the game.

Game link: https://boardgamearena.com/14/gaiaproje ... =754254168

that's an advanced tech tile you need to get first before you can use it.
build a research lab for example to get that tile, but you'll also need a free federation token to flip (you don't have one currently).

You just need level 4 before you get an advanced tech tile in order to take it.

Hey Ricardo, but I do have a Federation established, and I got one token for 8 VP and 1 QIC. Wouldn't this count as a Federation token?

Also, from what you said, I either need to get 4 QIC or another research lab to claim the special action token of 3 knowledge?

Thanks for answering, just learning the game

Yes, you have a federation token that’s elegible and you also have a basic tech tile that isn’t covered. But as has been said, you can only gain a tech tile, advanced or basic, when you build a research station or an academy. It doesn’t matter if you’re on level 4 or 5 of that track, just level 3 isn’t enough.

Edit: Ok, forget about that and stick to what the others said (though the part about using a research station or an academy is still correct).

green federation tokens - face up - can be used to get an advanced tech tile, or reach level 5 of a track, once used they are then flipped face down to their grey side.

You used your only (currently) federation token to reach level 5 AI.

Thanks for providing some answers, Mr. Rix!

This is a very common rules misunderstanding. So common that it's in the FAQ, which you can find at the bottom of each Gaia Project table in the How to Play section.

You can also find it using this link. See the TECH1 question.
https://boardgamearena.com/bug?id=53783

Of course, RicardoRix's response explains it a lot better than the short FAQ answer.

Thanks all for responding, so basically to use that tech, I need two federation tokens (?). Unless it flips back to green, the next generation/turn. As Rix pointed out, I used it to get to the AI5 tech level, and now it's grey.

Sunalot wrote: ↑12 November 2025, 17:40 Thanks all for responding, so basically to use that tech, I need two federation tokens (?). Unless it flips back to green, the next generation/turn. As Rix pointed out, I used it to get to the AI5 tech level, and now it's grey.

It does not flip back to green at the end of the round

Thanks, interesting, it just means its quite difficult to get that advanced tile then!

It is pretty hard to get an advanced tech tile as you said.

Also if you're on Level 4 research and you have 2 green 'flippable' federation tokens, and let's say you're the highest on that ladder then when you upgrade to a research lab or academy you can take 2 items in one basic turn.

For example let's say you're on Level 4 of the economy track and there's an advanced tech tile you want on the track. Plus you decide it's the right move for you to also advance to level 5 of economy. With the 2 green 'flippable' federation tokens when you upgrade you get both i.e. the advancement plus the advanced tech tile. However you then turn your fed tokens grey and they become unflippable. It actually took me a while to learn that very specific point.