FAQ
82 answered questions68 official
Rules questions from the BoardGameGeek forum. Answers marked Official were confirmed by Feuerland Spiele or the designers.
Common mistakes
- An upgrade gained during an action only works from your next action. Ruling · Rule
- A third partner zoo, and building on the upgrade spaces, always need the upgraded Action card — even through a bonus. Ruling · Rule
- Releasing an animal frees the smallest occupied enclosure that could have held it. Ruling · Rule
- Only the player who plays a Release into the Wild card gets its reputation bonus. Ruling · Rule
- The upgraded Animals action needs an animal you really play; its reputation point alone is not an action. Ruling · Rule
- The "play a Sponsor" bonus only plays from your hand, never from the display. Ruling · Rule
- [Marine] An aquarium needs water next to it, but it is not itself a water space for other buildings or animals. Ruling · Rule
- A donation comes last in the upgraded Association action, and only after at least one task. Ruling · Rule
Showing 82 of 82
If I upgrade an Action card during an action, can I use the upgraded side straight away? Official
No. The upgraded side works from your next action. For conditions, though (a card that needs the upgraded card), it counts as upgraded at once.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Can I use a bonus I gain partway through an action later in that same action? Official
Yes. Only the action's type and strength are fixed at the start. Example: an upgraded Association action at strength 5 with 1 active worker can first take 2 reputation, reach a bonus that hires a worker, and then use that worker for a partner zoo.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Can I take the X-token action with a card that carries a Venom token, to get rid of the token?
Yes, unless you already hold 5 X-tokens: then the X-token action is not allowed. (Official — publisher confirmed: Feuerland FAQ)
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Is the X-token action worth taking, or only a last resort? Official
It is an important action. When you are stuck it gets you out of the situation, and even for experts it is sometimes the best move to set up the next big turn.
Source: BGG thread
In what order do things happen at the end of an action? Official
Do the action and everything it triggers in the order you like; then use a Multiplier token if you want to; then put the Action card in slot 1; then resolve every "after finishing" effect, such as Determination's extra action.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use X-tokens on a bonus action an animal gives me (Sun Bear: "Action: Association")? Official
Yes. A bonus action is an action like any other: X-tokens and a Multiplier on that card both work.
Source: BGG thread
Does using a Multiplier token on the Sponsors action when the first use triggers a break stop the second use? Official
No. Finish your whole turn first; the break happens afterwards. Example from the designer: strength 5 + 2 X-tokens on upgraded Sponsors gives 14 money, the second use at strength 5 gives 10, and you take 1 X-token for reaching the break.
Source: BGG thread
With the Sponsors alternative (move the Break token X spaces, take X money), may I move it fewer spaces? Official
No. You move it the full X spaces and take X money (twice that when upgraded); the break cannot be avoided this way.
Source: BGG thread
Can I take the X-token action with the card already in slot 1? Official
Yes. It stays in slot 1. The point of the action is to free a blocked card, not to farm X-tokens, which is why it is not allowed once you hold 5.
Source: BGG thread
Do all players put their Action cards in the same random order at setup? Official
No. Each player shuffles their own 4 cards; only the Animals card always starts in slot 1.
Source: BGG thread
Can I do the same action on two turns in a row?
Yes; nothing forbids it. What you cannot do is take no action: every action must really happen (at least 1 animal, 1 building…).
Source: BGG thread
Does strength above 5 do anything?
Only where the card has a use for it: Cards and Animals give nothing more past 5, Build and Association only on side II (bigger or more buildings, more tasks), and Sponsors always (more levels or more money).
Source: BGG thread
By how much does a partner zoo lower an animal's cost? Official
By 3 money per matching continent icon on the card: normally 3, and 6 on the rare cards with two of the same continent icon. The conditions on the left of a card never count as icons, for this or anything else.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
My building touches 1 space of a 2-space water area. Is it next to 1 or 2 water spaces? Official
Only 1. Each water or rock space counts once, however big its area is.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Do the water and rock pictures printed on enclosures and unique buildings count as water or rock spaces? Official
No.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
When I build the Reptile House or Large Bird Aviary, may I move all matching animals into it, or only one? Official
All of them, one at a time, choosing for each.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Which enclosure do I flip back to empty when I move an animal to a special enclosure or release it? Official
The smallest occupied enclosure that meets all the animal's requirements, water and rock included. If none does, the smallest occupied one that is at least big enough; if not even that exists, flip none. This replaces the different wording in the first two printings.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Can I take the Animals action with no empty enclosure?
Yes, as long as you really play an animal during the action — some can be played without an empty enclosure (a flock animal, for example, or one that goes into a special enclosure). The upgraded action at strength 5 cannot be taken just for its reputation point.
Source: BGG thread
With the upgraded Animals action and no playable animal, can I take the reputation and then draw a card in hope of one? Official
No. If no animal in your hand or reputation range is playable, you cannot draw blind from the deck, because that could leave you with an illegal action. If you do draw, you must play an animal.
Source: BGG thread
May I use the upgraded Animals action when it is the +1 reputation that brings a playable animal into range? Official
Yes. Take the reputation first; your range for the action is then already bigger.
Source: BGG thread
Flock: what does "share the enclosure of a herbivore" mean? Official
If you already have a herbivore whose enclosure need is at least the size shown, you may play the flock animal without flipping an empty enclosure.
Source: BGG thread
Does a partner zoo's discount also cut the extra folder cost of the upgraded Animals action? Official
Yes. Add the folder cost to the card's cost, then apply every discount. The total stops at 0: a discount never pays you money.
Source: BGG thread
When I play two animals with one action, can the money or cards from the first pay for the second? Official
Yes. Only the strength and the side are fixed when the action starts. Money, cards (for example from Hunter) and workers you gain partway through can be used later in the same action.
Source: BGG thread
With upgraded Build, can I place a building that only becomes legal once the next one is built? Official
No. You build one building after the other and each must be legal when it is placed.
Source: BGG thread
Map A: where does my first building go? Official
The enclosure and kiosk printed at the start of Map A count as your first buildings, so build next to them. Unique buildings from Sponsors follow the same adjacency rule, unless their card says otherwise (Side Entrance).
Source: BGG thread
If the release rule finds no enclosure to flip, can I still support the project? Official
Yes. You just don't flip any enclosure. The order is: tokens on a special enclosure that could hold the animal; else the smallest standard enclosure that fits it with its water and rock needs; else the smallest that fits by size only; else nothing.
Source: BGG thread
A card's condition shows 3 Africa icons. Where can they be? Official
Anywhere in your zoo: played Animal and Sponsor cards and your partner zoos all count. The card's own icons do not count for its own condition.
Source: BGG thread
When I release an animal, do I lose the appeal before or after I gain the conservation points? Official
Before.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Can releasing an animal cost me points from projects I supported earlier?
No. The only loss is the appeal printed on the released animal. Earlier projects, conservation points, reputation and appeal from abilities all stay.
Source: BGG thread
Does the enclosure I free when releasing an animal have to meet its water and rock needs?
Yes: it must be an enclosure that could have held that animal (see the errata above).
Source: BGG thread
Who gets the reputation bonus on a Release into the Wild card?
Only the player who plays the card from hand (or display) and supports it at once. Supporting a Release project already on the table never gives that bonus.
Source: BGG thread
Do I gain the 5 and 8 conservation-track bonuses if I reach them during final scoring? Official
No. Those bonuses are only gained during the game.
Source: BGG thread
Can I score more than 41 conservation points or 113 appeal? Official
No: the tracks end there.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
To support a project, can I first take the bonus under a player token and then use it to meet the condition? Official
No. Put the token on a condition you already meet, then take the reward and the uncovered bonus in either order.
Source: BGG thread
May I support the same conservation project twice? Official
No. Each player supports each project once (one Sponsor card is the exception). If you have no player tokens left on your map, you cannot support projects.
Source: BGG thread
Do partner zoos and universities from a bonus come from the general supply or the Association board? Official
From the Association board: choose one that is available there.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Can a bonus give me a third partner zoo before I upgrade the Association card? Official
No. The requirement is printed on your zoo map, so it applies however you get the partner zoo (bonus tile, Map 8 Hollywood Hills, …). In the same way you can never build on the upgrade spaces before upgrading Build, even with a bonus or a Sponsor card.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Can I use a worker I gain during an Association action in the same action? Official
Yes. For example, a third partner zoo frees a new worker that you may place on a second, different task with upgraded Association.
Source: BGG thread
Can I donate first and then use a worker I gained from it? Official
No. The donation is the last part of the upgraded Association action. You must do at least one task before you may donate.
Source: BGG thread
I may hire a worker, but all of mine are already out. Do I get anything instead? Official
No. Plan ahead: if you know a worker is coming (from the Reputation track, say), take another bonus elsewhere.
Source: BGG thread
Does an effect that pays "each time a research icon is played" pay once per icon or once per card? Official
Per icon. A card or university with 2 icons pays twice, and partner zoos and universities count like cards.
Source: BGG thread
Can the "play a Sponsor card" bonus take a Sponsor from the display? Official
No, only from your hand — even with the upgraded Sponsors card.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Where does the Multiplier token from the bonus tile go?
Straight onto one of your Action cards; it is not kept in your supply. (Official — publisher confirmed: Feuerland FAQ) Use it as the Multiplier ability says (Glossary p. 3).
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
WAZA Small Animal Program (228): must I play another small animal from hand to take a small animal from the display? Official
No. You may take the small animal from the display either way.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Polar Bear Exhibit (251) gives me appeal on another player's turn and my counters meet. Who gets the extra turn?
The game end can only be triggered at the end of your own turn or in a break. (Official — publisher confirmed: Feuerland FAQ) So you wait until one of those happens, then trigger it — unless someone else triggers it first.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Native Farm Animals (260): do water and rock spaces count as empty border spaces? Official
No, only building spaces do — including the upgrade spaces you cannot build on yet. (Official — publisher confirmed: Feuerland FAQ)
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Designer Zoo (final scoring 012): are the mirrored unique buildings 248 and 252 the same shape?
No. Tiles can only be turned on the map, never flipped, so mirror images count as different shapes.
Source: BGG thread
When a bonus lets me play a Sponsor by paying money, does my Sponsors card's slot matter? Official
No. You pay the money and play the card through the bonus, not through the action. You still have to meet the card's conditions.
Source: BGG thread
Do Final Scoring cards have icons? Official
No. They never count for icon effects or projects.
Source: BGG thread
Do Final Scoring cards count towards the hand limit?
No. They are kept apart from your hand.
Source: BGG thread
Boost puts an Action card from the middle into slot 1 or 5. How do the others move? Official
Into slot 1: the cards that were left of it move one slot right. Into slot 5: the cards that were right of it move one slot left.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
We don't like the interactive abilities (Venom, Pilfering…). Must we remove those cards? Official
No. Play the solo effect in the blue strip instead.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
With Hypnosis, what if the Action card I use carries a token? Official
Constriction and Venom tokens on it affect you too, and are discarded afterwards. You cannot use a Multiplier token on it.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Japanese Macaque pilfers from the player with the most conservation points. What if several are tied? Official
You choose among them. A player needs at least 1 conservation point to count as having the most.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
When an effect lets me snap, can I take the top card of the deck instead? Official
No: snapping always takes a card from the display. Effects that pull cards out of the middle of the row are meant to keep the display moving.
Source: BGG thread
Indian Rhinoceros (432): do I draw a random Base Conservation Project or choose one?
You choose.
Source: BGG thread
Pilfering: must the victim give money, or can they choose a card? Official
The victim chooses. With less than 5 money they must give a card; with no cards they give 5 money (or all they have).
Source: BGG thread
Scavenging, Hunter, Perception: are the cards I look at added to my hand? Official
No. Only the one card you keep goes to your hand, so a "play a Sponsor from hand" bonus cannot use the others.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use the solo text of an interactive animal in a multiplayer game? Official
Yes. The solo text is an official variant for groups that don't like Venom, Constriction, Hypnosis and Pilfering.
Source: BGG thread
When several players gain a card during a break, is the display refilled between them? Official
Yes, after each player.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
The game end was triggered, then a break happens during the last turns. Is the break played?
Yes. A break always takes place after the turn that triggered it. If the game end is triggered during a break, everyone takes one more turn and then the game ends.
Source: BGG thread
Is a final score of 0 a win? Official
Yes. If nobody scores above 0, the best score still wins.
Source: BGG thread
What is the black track numbered 5 to 37 round the board? Official
Your income in each break, read off next to your Appeal counter.
Source: BGG thread
Is the number of cards in hand, money and workers public? Official
Yes. The discard pile is meant to stay hidden: don't search it, and you may keep it face down.
Source: BGG thread
What happens if the deck runs out?
Shuffle the discard pile to make a new deck. It is very rare.
Source: BGG thread
Zoo map A: can I build next to the kiosk printed on the map? Official
Yes: it counts as already built. Put a kiosk tile on it as a reminder.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
What is a border space? Official
A space of your zoo map that has no neighbouring space on at least one of its 6 sides. (Official — publisher confirmed: Feuerland FAQ)
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Zoo map 2 (Outdoor Areas): can I ignore the +2 size when releasing or moving an animal? Official
No. A standard enclosure next to the Outdoor Areas counts as 2 spaces larger for every purpose.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Zoo map 5 (Park Restaurant): can its bonus build a special enclosure before I upgrade Build, and both of them? Official
You may build 1 of the 2 pictured special enclosures for free, even before upgrading Build.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Map 7: in a break, can I place the enclosure from my income first, cover a kiosk bonus with it, and only then take kiosk income? Official
Yes. You choose the order of your income effects.
Source: BGG thread
In a solo break, which break steps do I perform? Official
Steps 1–5. Only step 6, returning the Break token, is skipped.
Source: Ark Nova FAQ on BGG
Solo: do I move one cube or two when I use a Multiplier? Official
One. A Multiplier repeats the action within the same turn; it is not an extra turn.
Source: BGG thread
Solo: who triggers the breaks? Official
They come automatically from the solo track; you never move the Break token yourself.
Source: BGG thread
Do aquariums count as water spaces for other buildings or animals? Official
No. An aquarium needs to be built next to water and its water icon counts as a water icon in your zoo (for the Aquatic project or the Aquarium Sponsor), but it is not a water space on the map.
Source: BGG thread
Reputation track: I am on 15 and gain 2 reputation while the extra Bonus tile is still there. What do I get? Official
Gain both steps: trade one of them for the Bonus tile; the other becomes appeal as usual past 15.
Source: BGG thread
Mark: what if another player's Rescue Station (map 10) digs the card I marked? Official
They take it and you get 2 money. A marked card that leaves the display any other way than being discarded, even played by you, pays you 2 money; a discarded one goes to your hand.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use the Marine Worlds replacement cards without the rest of the expansion? Official
Yes. It works, especially the Final Scoring cards; research gets a little harder and big animals, water, rock and Sponsors a little easier.
Source: BGG thread
Covering the whole zoo map twice (after Cut Down), do I get the 7 appeal again? Official
Yes. It is not a placement bonus, so you gain it each time you cover every building space. Card 280 Reconstruction is the exception: no second 7 appeal with it.
Source: BGG thread
The alternate Build card lets me build on 1 water space for 2 money. With Diversity Researcher, do I get 2 money for every water or rock space I cover? Official
No. You get the 2 money only once per action.
Source: BGG thread
Hunter in the Marine Worlds icon overview says "draw". Has it changed? Official
No. It works as in the base game: reveal X cards and keep 1 animal.
Source: BGG thread
Specialized Species Zoo: must a Base Conservation Project of the chosen category be in play? Official
No. Choose any animal category icon you did not support a Base Conservation Project with.
Source: BGG thread
Map 12 (Artificial Intelligence): if my card's slot strength is hidden, does an X-token jump to the next visible number? Official
No. Take the next visible strength to the right as the base, then each X-token adds 1.
Source: BGG thread