For a spoiler-light first run of The Alters, keep the Technician the story gives you, then create the Scientist early. Add the Miner when metal is slowing construction or progress. There is no universal order for every run: prioritize the Scientist for research and the Miner for metal, then choose later Alters according to your crew’s needs and available capacity.
Recommended Alter order for the base game
- Keep the Technician. He is the first Alter introduced by the story. Guides report that he is 50% more efficient at base maintenance, which can leave Jan more time for exploration and other work. That figure is guide-reported, not a developer-published balance specification.
- Create the Scientist early. Shacknews recommends the Scientist as the first optional Alter, and Gamepressure says he is the only Alter who can work in the Research Lab. Research can be needed to advance the story, so build the lab and assign him there when research is available. Shacknews’ recommended order and Gamepressure’s role guide explain their reasoning.
- Add the Miner when metal is the bottleneck. PCGamesN recommends making the Miner an early pick alongside the Scientist; its guide reports a 50% metal-mining efficiency bonus. If you are short on metal for building, mining capacity may matter more immediately than getting the Scientist first. If research or a mission requirement is holding you up, prioritize the Scientist. PCGamesN’s guide favors bringing both in early.
- Choose later Alters to solve the problem in front of you. Consider the Refiner when enriched metal needs processing, or roles that support food, health, morale, and Workshop output when those needs are pressing. These are situational choices, not mandatory unlocks in a fixed checklist.
The game’s premise is that each Alter has “unique skills and emotional depths,” as described on AMD’s page reproducing 11 bit studios’ description. In practice, a role’s bonus is one consideration: the best assignment can still depend on the immediate shortage. Gamepressure, for example, also suggests using the Technician for mining or Workshop crafting when those resources are the priority.
What each Alter is useful for
The figures below are reported by gameplay guides, not presented as official balance data. Use them as a guide to each role’s reported specialty, rather than assuming that an Alter must always be assigned to that one task.
| Alter | Guide-reported role or bonus | When to consider the role |
|---|---|---|
| Technician | 50% greater base-maintenance efficiency | The first story Alter; helps cover routine base work. |
| Scientist | Only Alter reported to work in the Research Lab; used for mission-related research | Early, especially when research or progression is becoming a blocker. |
| Miner | 50% greater metal-mining efficiency | Early if metal gathering is holding back construction or other progress. |
| Botanist | 100% greenhouse crop-growing efficiency | When greenhouse production and food crops need attention. |
| Refiner | 50% faster enriched-metal processing | A strong Act 2 option when enriched metals need processing. |
| Doctor | Treats Alters eight times faster in the Infirmary; can also prepare food faster | When health management is slowing the crew. |
| Shrink | Supports distressed Alters in the Contemplation Room | When crew stress and distress are prominent concerns. |
| Guard | Disciplines Alters in the Contemplation Room | An alternative crew-management role. |
| Worker | 50% greater Workshop efficiency | When crafting is piling up, particularly later in the game. |
The bonuses and role descriptions in this table are summarized from Gamepressure’s guide and PCGamesN’s guide. Their percentages describe in-game bonuses as those guides report them.
#1 Best Overall
- RANSOM NOTES: The game of hilariously terrible sentences! Players use word magnets to respond to outlandish prompts like “Tell someone you’ve clogged their toilet at a party” with just their limited pool of words
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: 840 high quality word magnets, 6 metal submission cards, 250 prompt cards, and instructions. With 250 absurd prompt cards and a new pool of words every time, this party game has infinite hilarious combinations and feels fresh every time you play
- EASY TO PLAY: Learn to play in under one minute, and even the shyest players will be creating laugh-out-loud word magnet responses right away. Just take a few handfuls of word magnets, flip over a prompt card, and start playing — no long instructions to explain!
- 3-6+ PLAYERS: While the game is made for 3-6 players, it’s equally hilarious when larger groups team up together. 30-90 min play time. Is it appropriate for everyone? Not really. While a majority of prompt cards are certainly suitable for all audiences, there are quite a few that are definitely not. BUT, if you do want to make it family friendly, pulling about 15-30% of the cards should make the game totally PG and playable for all!
- THE PERFECT GIFT: For birthdays, Christmas, Father's Day, or an anytime present for creative people. Bring it to Thanksgiving or your family / friend’s game night.
Why the best order changes between runs
The roster is shaped by progression and available Alter slots. Some Alters branch from another Alter’s timeline, and guides note that a single playthrough may not unlock every Alter. That makes “best” a matter of both operational need and the life paths you want to pursue, rather than a ranking that fits every run.
- For operational needs: Identify whether research, metal, enriched-metal processing, food, health, crafting, or morale is currently restricting the base.
- For story preferences: Choose which alternate lives and relationships you want to explore. PlayStation’s official description says relationships can affect outcomes and endings; it does not establish one objectively best narrative outcome. See PlayStation’s game page.
Do not apply The Last Variable order to the base game
A July 15, 2026 guide from the unofficial Alters Last Variable Wiki recommends Geologist first and Physicist second for that expansion’s specialist crew, with Chemist and Biologist also named. Its reasoning concerns the expansion’s metal economy, base work, and research. It is not a recommendation to put Geologist ahead of Scientist or Miner in the original campaign. The Last Variable is an add-on, and PlayStation’s listing says it is included in the digital Deluxe Edition: PlayStation Store listing. For the expansion-specific advice, see the July 15, 2026 specialist-crew guide.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- A TIMELESS GAME OF STRATEGY: Invented thousands of years ago, Mancala is one of the world’s oldest and most beloved games of counting and strategy
- COMPACT FOLDING DESIGN: The hinged wooden board folds in half for easy storage and portability, making it perfect for family game night at home or fun on the go
- STEM & STEAM SKILL BUILDER: Encourages strategic thinking and reinforces counting and planning skills in an engaging, hands-on way
- DURABLE AND SAFE: Crafted with quality materials and tested to meet rigorous safety standards for worry-free play
- PERFECT FOR ALL AGES: Designed for 2 players, ages 6 and up including kids, teens, and adults alike
Rank #2
- CATCH THE CHAMELEON: A bluffing board game where players must race to catch the chameleon before It's too late
- ONE SECRET WORD: In this board game for adults and family everyone knows the secret word - except for the player with the chameleon card
- DON'T GET CAUGHT: Use hidden codes, carefully chosen words, and a bit of finger-pointing to track down the guilty player... Before the imposter blends in and escapes!
- EASY TO LEARN, QUICK TO PLAY: Like all good family board games, it takes 2 minutes to learn and only 15 minutes to play. Recommended for 3-8 players and ages 12+
- MULTI-AWARD WINNING: "Best Party Game" At UK games expo. "Seal of excellence" From dice tower games. A perfect board game for adults and teenagers
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