How to Play

Zoo Vadis

3-7 players 20-40 min 7.5 Board Game Geek Rating

Animals compete for political control of their zoo through negotiation and schemes. Players advance their species through enclosure hierarchies by securing majority voter support from other animals. Only creatures reaching the prestigious Star Exhibit can win, with victory going to whoever accumulated the most laurels from supporters and rivals during their climb to become Zoo Mascot.

Published 2023

Zoo Vadis

Get Ready

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

1
Place the board
Set up the board to match your player count and place a supply of ① Laurel tokens nearby
2
Position Peacocks
Place 1 Peacock on each Peacock space designated for your player count
3
Prepare the Laurel bag
Mix all other Laurels in the bag, then draw and place 1 face-up onto each Laurel space on the board
4
Place the Zoo Keeper
Put the Zoo Keeper Token face-up atop the Laurel token just below the Star Exhibit
5
Distribute player components
Each player takes an Animal Screen, 2 Ability Tiles (placed on their screen), and 6 Animal Figures
6
Give starting Laurels
Each player takes 2 ① Laurel tokens and places them behind their screen
7
Determine first player
Whoever most recently visited a zoo goes first

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

1
Choose one action
Take exactly one of four possible actions: Add an Animal, Advance one of your Animals, Advance a Peacock, or Move the Zoo Keeper
2
Place from supply
Put an animal from your supply onto any empty space in one of the bottom exhibits
3
Verify movement permission
You must either have Majority Support of the exhibit you are leaving, or the Zookeeper token must be on the path you wish to travel
4
Calculate Majority Support
In exhibits with 1/3/5/7 spaces, you need support from 1/2/3/4 animals respectively (majority of spaces, not players)
5
Move your animal
Advance one animal up a path to a free space in the next exhibit
6
Collect the path Laurel
Take the Laurel on the path traveled, then replace it with one drawn from the bag
7
Handle Special Laurels
Use Peacock/Zookeeper Special ② Laurels at end of turn; use Animal Ability Special ② Laurels immediately to recover a used Ability Tile
8
Grant Laurels to supporters
Each other player who supported you receives a ① Laurel from the supply for each animal they contributed
9
Enter Star Exhibit
If entering, place your Animal on the lowest numbered empty star
10
Move without support
Advance a Peacock to an empty space in the next exhibit (no support required)
11
Gain a Laurel
Take a ① Laurel from the supply
12
Note restrictions
Peacocks do not collect Laurels on paths but may advance into the Star Exhibit
13
Relocate the token
Move the Zoo Keeper to atop any other Laurel on the board
14
Use unique powers
Each player has a unique Animal Ability granting certain benefits
15
Assist other players
You may use your power during another player's turn to affect their action if they consent
16
Target restrictions
Animal Abilities can only be used on other players' animals, never your own
17
Combine abilities
Abilities from different players can be combined
18
Track usage
Once used, remove the Ability Tile from your screen and place it behind it
19
Receive compensation
When your ability is used, receive 0/1/2 ① Laurels from the supply as indicated on your tile
20
Trade freely
Players may trade Laurels, promises of votes, movement promises, ability usage promises, or any other promises
21
Honor same-turn promises
Promises redeemable within the same turn must be kept
22
Break future promises
All other promises may be broken or kept at the player's discretion
23
Negotiate anytime
Deals are allowed between any players at all times during the game

Winning

How to claim victory.

1
Trigger game end
The game ends at the conclusion of the turn in which all spaces in the Star Exhibit are filled
2
Determine the winner
The player with an animal in the Star Exhibit who has the most Laurels wins
3
Break ties
If tied, the tied player who reached the Star Exhibit first wins
4
Qualify for victory
Players without an animal in the Star Exhibit cannot win, regardless of Laurel count

watch & Learn

Let the pros teach you with these top videos.

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FULL rules

Looking for the full details? Grab the complete rulebook as a downloadable PDF.

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