How to Play

Ark Nova

1-4 players 90-150 min 8.5 Board Game Geek Rating

Players manage modern zoos using five rotating action cards with variable power levels. Build enclosures, house animals, and support conservation projects worldwide using 255 unique cards featuring animals, specialists, and facilities. Each card provides special abilities to boost your zoo's appeal and scientific reputation. Victory comes from accumulating the most conservation points.

Published 2021

Ark Nova

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

1
Place Break Token
Put the Break Token on the start space of the Break Track corresponding to the number of players
2
Place Bonus Tiles
Place a random Bonus Tile faceup on each of the 4 Bonus spaces on the Game Board
3
Place Additional Bonus Tile
Place 1 additional random bonus tile face up next to the Appeal icon adjacent to the 15 space of the Reputation track
4
Prepare Zoo Cards Deck
Shuffle the Zoo Cards into a facedown deck and place on the Game Board, then draw 6 Cards and place face down on the Display in the center spaces
5
Place Token Organizers
Place the 2 Token Organizers next to the Game Board
6
Set Up Association Board
Place the New Association Board, leaving room for a row of Cards above and below
7
Place Partner Zoos and Universities
Place 1 Partner Zoo for each Continent, and 1 University of each kind on the spaces provided on the Association Board
8
Place Generic University
Place the new generic University in its place on the Association board and the other Universities next to the Association board
9
Prepare Conservation Projects
Shuffle the Base Conservation Project Cards into a facedown deck, then draw 3 Cards and place faceup below the Association Board (4 Players: draw 4 Cards)
10
2-Player Blocking
Use 6 Player Tokens in an unused color to block: the left level on the left Card, middle level on the middle Card, and right level on the right Card, then block the 3 spaces in the left column of the Donation Area
11
Prepare Final Scoring Cards
Shuffle the Final Scoring Cards into a facedown deck
12
Determine Start Player
Randomly determine a start player, play order is clockwise from this player
13
Choose Player Color
Each player chooses a color
14
Select Zoo Map
Take 2 random Zoo Maps, choose 1 of the advanced sides (1-8) and discard the other
15
Place Counters
Place 3 Counters on the Appeal Track according to turn order (1st player on '0', 2nd player on '1', etc.), and on the first spaces of the Conservation and Reputation Tracks
16
Take Player Tokens
Take 25 Player Tokens and place 7 on the designated spaces on the left of your Zoo Map
17
Take Association Workers
Take 4 Association Workers, place 1 on your Notepad, and 3 lying down below that
18
Take Final Scoring Cards
Take 2 Final Scoring Cards and keep hidden from other players
19
Take Starting Zoo Cards
Take 8 Zoo Cards, add 4 to your hand and discard the other 4 faceup
20
Take Starting Money
Take 25 Money
21
Distribute Standard Action Cards
Give 5 Standard Action cards (marked 0) to each player
22
Draft Alternative Actions
Shuffle the 20 Alternative Action cards (marked 1 through 4) and randomly deal 3 to each player
23
Arrange Action Cards
Put the set of 5 action Cards (side I up) under the Zoo Map, 'ANIMALS' in the slot, and the others in a random order
24
Reveal Display Cards
Turn the 6 Zoo Cards on the Game Board Display faceup

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

1
Choose Action Card
Select 1 of your 5 Action Cards displayed below your Zoo Map
2
Perform Action
Execute the Action with a Strength equal to its current numbered position (1-5)
3
Boost Action Strength
Optionally use X Tokens to increase the Strength of the Action by 1 per Token before performing the Action
4
Move Action Card
Move the used Card to position 1 and shift the other Cards to the right
5
Discard Special Tokens
If the Card had a Venom, Constriction, and/or Multiplier Token on it, discard the Token(s)
6
Execute After Effects
Resolve any "After Finishing..." effects triggered this turn
7
Refill Display
Move Cards from higher numbered Folders down to fill empty spaces, then refill from the draw deck
8
Wave Icon Effect
Each time you refill the layout and add a card with a Wave icon, discard the card from folder 1 and refill the layout
9
Skip Action Option
If you cannot or do not want to take any Actions, move any Action Card to position 1 and gain 1 X Token
10
Token Limit
You may never have more than 5 X Tokens at any one time
11
Game State Requirement
You must always do something that changes the game state on your turn
12
Play Animal Cards
Play 1 or 2 Animal Cards according to the size of your Action Strength
13
Pay Cost
Pay the cost, reduced by 3 Money per Continent Icon if you have a matching Partner Zoo
14
Check Restrictions
You may not play any Animal Cards with a special icon on Side I
15
Meet Requirements
You must meet the Card Requirements shown in the top-left of the Card
16
Place in Standard Enclosure
Flip an empty Standard Enclosure to its Occupied side for standard Animals
17
Place in Special Enclosure
Place the indicated number of Player Tokens in the Special Enclosure if applicable
18
Petting Zoo Animals
Must be placed in a Petting Zoo Special Enclosure
19
Reptiles and Birds
Can be accommodated either in a Standard Enclosure or in their corresponding Special Enclosure
20
Place Animal Card
Place the Animal Card next to your Zoo Map
21
Gain Track Bonuses
Increase your position on the Appeal, Conservation, and Reputation Tracks according to the Card
22
Execute Card Effects
Execute any additional effects triggered by playing the Card
23
Play Special Animals
You may play Animal Cards with a special icon
24
Reputation Bonus
If your Action Strength is 5, you first may increase your Reputation by 1
25
Display Access
You may play Animal Cards from the Display up to your Reputation Range
26
Pay Display Cost
If playing from the Display, pay an amount equal to the number on the Folder in addition to the Animal cost
27
Flock Animals
Play a Flock Animal without flipping a Standard Enclosure if you already have 1 Other Herbivore requiring at least the same size Enclosure or larger
28
Lose Appeal
Lose the Appeal depicted in the lower-right of that Animal Card (do not lose Conservation or Reputation)
29
Remove from Special Enclosure First
If releasing an Animal that can be placed in a Special Enclosure, remove the corresponding number of Player Tokens from the Special Enclosure first
30
Flip Standard Enclosure
If you cannot remove from Special Enclosure, flip the smallest possible occupied Standard Enclosure that meets all enclosure requirements
31
Discard Card
Discard the corresponding Animal Card
32
Pouch Rule
Cards under a Pouch Animal have no function; if released, put them on the discard pile without losing Appeal earned
33
Build One Building
Build 1 Building with a size up to your Action Strength
34
Pay Construction Cost
Pay 2 Money per space covered
35
Restricted Spaces
You cannot build on spaces with a special icon on Side I
36
Standard Enclosure
Build size 1-5 enclosures to accommodate Animals, build empty side up
37
Kiosk
Grants Income every Break; there must be at least 2 spaces between each Kiosk
38
Pavilion
Immediately increase your Appeal by 1
39
Petting Zoo
Used to accommodate Petting Zoo Animals only (you can build only 1)
40
Small and Large Aquarium
Must be built adjacent to at least 1 Water space; you can only have a maximum of 1 of each
41
Move Animals to Aquarium
When building your first Aquarium, you may immediately move eligible Animals already in your Zoo to that Aquarium
42
Second Aquarium Restriction
If you build your second Aquarium, you cannot move any Animals into it
43
Build Multiple Buildings
Build 1 or more different Buildings with a total size up to your Action Strength
44
Build on Special Spaces
You may build on spaces with a special icon
45
Large Bird Aviary
Accommodates some types of Birds (can build only 1)
46
Reptile House
Accommodates any type of Reptile (can build only 1)
47
Move to Special Enclosures
When building Special Enclosures, you may immediately move Animals from Standard Enclosures to them
48
Adjacency Requirement
Your first Building must border at least 1 edge of your Zoo Map; each subsequent Building must touch an existing Building
49
Map Boundaries
Buildings may not extend beyond the edge of your Zoo Map
50
Terrain Restrictions
You cannot build on Rock or Water spaces on your Zoo Map
51
Cover Bonuses
If you cover a space with a Bonus, receive the Bonus immediately
52
Full Map Bonus
Once you've covered every space on your Zoo Map, gain 7 Appeal
53
Advance Break Token
Move the Break Token 2 spaces
54
Draw Cards
Draw the number of Zoo Cards from the draw deck according to the Action Strength
55
Discard Requirement
Discard 1 Card if applicable according to the Action Strength
56
Snapping Option
If your Action Strength is 5, you may instead gain any 1 Zoo Card from the Display
57
Advance Break Token
Move the Break Token 2 spaces
58
Draw from Deck or Display
Draw Zoo Cards either from the draw deck or from the Display up to your Reputation Range
59
Snapping Option
If your Action Strength is 3 or more, you may gain any 1 Zoo Card from the Display
60
Play Sponsor Card
Play 1 Sponsor Card from your hand with a value equal to or lower than your Action Strength
61
Meet Requirements
You must meet the requirements shown in the top-left of the Card
62
Restriction
You may not play any Sponsor Cards with a special icon on Side I
63
Execute Effects
Execute any instant effect and/or the recurring effect of the Card
64
Place Card
Place the Card next to your Zoo Map
65
Alternative Option
You may instead advance the Break Token a number of steps equal to your Action Strength and gain Money equal to your Action Strength
66
Play Multiple Sponsors
Play 1 or more Sponsor Cards with a total value equal to or lower than your Action Strength + 1
67
Play from Display
You may play Sponsor Cards from the Display up to your Reputation Range, paying the Folder cost
68
Special Icon Allowed
You may play Sponsor Cards with a special icon
69
Unique Buildings
If a Sponsor Card allows you to Build a Unique Building, you must Build it in order to play the Card
70
Alternative Bonus
Instead gain Money equal to your Action Strength x2
71
Worker Requirement
You must have at least 1 Active Association Worker on your Notepad
72
Choose Task
Choose 1 Task on the Association Board with a value equal to or lower than your Action Strength
73
Move Worker
Move 1 Worker from your Notepad to that Task
74
Repeat Task
If you already have 1 Worker on this Task, you must move 2 to perform it
75
Task Limit
You may only perform each Task twice before Workers are reset during a Break
76
Multiple Tasks
Choose 1 or more Tasks with a combined total value equal to or lower than your Action Strength
77
Donation Option
You may also make 1 Donation to an Animal Welfare Program in addition to Tasks
78
Pay Donation
Pay the smallest visible amount of Money in the Donation Area
79
Place Donation Token
Cover the space with 1 of your Player Tokens
80
Full Donation Area
If all spaces are covered, pay 12 Money without placing a token
81
Gain Conservation
Advance 1 on the Conservation Track for donating
82
Reputation Task
Increase your Reputation by 2
83
Partner Zoo Task
Pick a Partner Zoo you don't have and place it on the lowest empty Partner Zoo space on your Zoo Map
84
University Task
Choose a University you don't have and place it on the lowest empty University space on your Zoo Map
85
Partner Zoo Limit
You may only establish partnerships with a maximum of 4 Partner Zoos
86
Side II Requirement
You must upgrade to Side II to gain a 3rd and 4th Partner Zoo
87
Task Bonuses
If the space shows a Bonus, gain it immediately
88
Availability Check
The generic University must still be on the Association board
89
Ownership Limit
You may own a maximum of 1 of the new Universities
90
Set Aside Generic
Set the generic University aside; it becomes available again at the next Break
91
Choose University
Choose 1 of the 6 new Universities available
92
Draw Card
Reveal cards from the deck until you find one with that Animal icon, keep that card and place remaining cards back in order
93
Hand Limit University
One University increases your hand limit to 5
94
Play and Support
Play a Conservation Project Card from your hand and support it (only if you can immediately support it)
95
Create Space
Move any Conservation Project Cards above the Association Board to the right
96
Card Limit
There can only be up to 2/3/4 Cards above the Association Board according to player count
97
Discard Excess
Discard the rightmost Card if exceeding the limit, returning any Player Tokens to their owners
98
Support Requirement
You must place Support on the Card you just played
99
Side II Display Access
You may play a Conservation Project Card from the Display up to your Reputation Range, paying the Folder cost
100
Place Token
Place 1 Player Token from the left-side of your Zoo Map on an unclaimed condition you can fulfill
101
One Support Per Project
You may only support 1 condition on each Conservation Project
102
Gain Revealed Bonus
Gain the Bonus revealed by moving the Player Token
103
Advance Tracks
Advance on the Conservation and/or Reputation Tracks according to the Project Card
104
Trigger All Effects
Whenever you play a Reef Dweller, activate the effects of all Reef Dwellers in your Zoo including the one just played
105
Choose Order
You can choose the order in which you resolve Reef effects and bonus abilities
106
Red Enclosure Size
If the Standard Enclosure size is in dark red, this Animal can only live in an Aquarium
107
Size Indicator
The dark red number only indicates the Animal's size (large or small)
108
Distribute Cubes
You can distribute this Animal's cubes between the 2 Aquariums
109
No Mixed Distribution
You cannot distribute cubes between Aquariums and Reptile Houses
110
Reintroduce Choice
If you reintroduce one of these Animals to the wild, choose to remove cubes from either the Reptile House or the Aquariums, but not both
111
Trigger Break
If the Break Token reaches the end of the Break Track, gain 1 X Token, then a Break takes place after the current turn
112
Discard to Hand Limit
Discard down to your hand limit (3, or 5 with the University)
113
Discard Action Tokens
Discard any special Tokens on your Action Cards
114
Return Workers
Return all your Association Workers from the Association Board back to your Notepad
115
Replenish Association Board
Replenish Partner Zoos and Universities so exactly 1 of each is available
116
Discard Bottom Cards
Discard the 2 bottom Cards of the Display (Folders 1 and 2), move remaining Cards down and replenish
117
Collect Income
In turn order, gain income according to your Appeal Track position
118
Kiosk Income
Gain 1 Money for each Unique Building, Special Enclosure, Occupied Standard Enclosure, and Pavilion adjacent to each of your Kiosks
119
Card Income
Collect all Income indicated by Income icons on Sponsor Cards and revealed Bonuses
120
Reset Break Token
Return the Break Token to the start space
121
Immediate Bonuses
If you advance your Reputation or Appeal Counters to or past

Winning

How to claim victory.

Victory conditions coming soon

We're working on adding win conditions for this game.

View the official rulebook

watch & Learn

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