The Ultimate Ark Nova Strategy Guide 

Awesome guide!!! 10/10 thanks for putting this together you’re a legend

For my gaming journey ark nova has been perfect. Arrived at our groups gaming table just as i was getting into heavier euros, then arrived on BGA in alpha a month later.

Much appreciated! Definitely earned a sub here! Thanks!

Generally, good guide. The only part I would not agree with is the timing / priority of upgrading cards actions. I see a lot of high ranked players (and it complies a bit with my own playstyle after over 100 games under my belt): Asociation ranked on 2nd place. The main provision of this upgrade is to spend money for an additional conservation point - money that most of the time is needed for other stuff. Doubling the action with for example take a uni and a partner zoo or 2 reps is also not that strong as you burn through your workers - and if you are out of workers that card is useless. The only time it make sense to upgrade it earlier is if you go the route of partner zoos and try to get a third partner zoo. Otherwise, I think that a lot has changed regarding the value of association action cards upgrade (i.e. around 90% of the time I don't upgrade it if I go via the uni's route in the beginning)

I was surprised to see animals 4th! I really like the easy Rep gain post upgrade. Thank you for this video!

Great video man! Loved it

Thank you for the guide!!

A few thoughts: You didn't really comment as much as I think you could have on the conservation rewards on the board, and where conservation points are awarded from filling up partnerships and universities. Most of the maps with "broken" placement bonuses, like Research Institute, doesn't give conservation points for completing the track you get the bonus for. I find often people don't factor in that, yes, you do get a free university, but universities are also worth a bit less on that board. Observation tower isn't as bad as you say. Playing a sponsor for money as income is very strong, one of the strongest in the game. As well, the two appeal for flipping a pen can apply multiple times if you release into the wild and play another animal into the pen. I agree it's generally weaker than others, but it has real strengths in the right hands. Don't agree on Outdoor Areas being that strong. Larger pens is nice, but it's ultimately only 4 money saved on building enclosures for four animals, and ultimately you're not being cost efficient for covering your map, which makes it harder to get points off of the *many* good sponsors that award points for covering the map. The thing about competitive ark nova is its a race, and in competitive games usually barely possible to cover your entire map at all, so space efficiency just doesn't matter a whole lot. You mention that it's usually not worth it to get the seven tickets for covering the map, and in most situations I agree, but there are times to pursue it. Particularly with the Ice Cream board. If you do a cost/tickets analysis on this game, you'll realize the average cost/point ratio for animals is somewhere around 2.4. Pavilions are a ratio of 2. You don't get icons for Pavilions, of course, but pavilions are usually always worth building. If you get Engineer, or you're playing the expansion and get a modified build action that lets you place additional pavilions, along with sponsors that place buildings, map covering is very legitimate and high scoring. One thing not mentioned about approaching endgame, knowing how to identify when it's coming is super important for planning actions. If one person's markers have traveled half of the distance around the map to each other, the game is *not* 50% over. Points accelerate as the game goes, so don't think that someone with 1/3rd of the distance to go is multiple breaks out, it may be a few. This may be personal preference, but I never get the 5 income, I prefer the instant 12. One, you usually get it late in the game and you need at least two breaks for the 5 income to beat 12. Second, money now is always worth more in ark nova than money later. If you get the 12 and are able to buy more kiosks and pavilions, you'll end up making more over those breaks anyway. Second, the X tokens are usually better than the snap, particularly if it's your third conservation project or so. The Xs are extremely valuable, they can let you get a last second conservation in or possibly send multiple workers to get conservation points from partnerships and universities on top. Rhinos are better than elephants, if herbivores isn't in the game. If you get a rhino early, pivot into herbivores and use your rhino to get the herbivore base, or possible habitat/species diversity. That's 5 conservation points plus whatever other bonuses, whereas an elephant is max 4, and often you won't even get the 4 because you won't draw two good conservation projects. Rhino is more consistent. It's better. You should pretty much always keep conservation projects from your opening draft, as its always easier to get animals to do a project than it is to get a project that fits your animals. I feel all of the "gain 2 appeal when you play X" sponsor cards are stronger than many of the ones listed. Penguin Pool or Meerkat Den can generate 10+ appeal over a game, and the ability to cover up spaces quickly is valuable. Good guide, mostly correct, appreciate the content

Nice guide!

Pet peeve: you don't "sponsor" conservation projects -- you support them. Saying "sponsor" is confusing for new players who conclude (quite reasonably) that the sponsor action must have something to do with "sponsoring" a project.

This is great. Been getting into Ark Nova more and more. BUT, where is the Dune Imperium content?!?! Your commentary is the best!

About to play my first game async on BGA so just starting but wanted a clarification: you love a second worker early, but also suggested the early card flip from 2 conservation points. Do you always pick the card flip over the worker?

Very good video thank you very much! A quick question about the elephants: If I own the associated partner zoo, do I get a discount of 6 because the elephants have two symbols of it?

Thanks!

I disagree on Park Restaurant. The early income can be incredible, and I like the corner building spots as they allow you to be flexible in the late game. Water and Rock adjacencies are rarely a problem on that map, and the Conservation bonus of an Avairy or Reptile House is essentially an extra action and 10 money.

13:13 why is there no rock icon or water icon to the Aviary for the birds then? I though eg Eagle needed to be a 5 standard enclosure next to water OR Aviary with no adjacency requirements

I've only played Ark Nova 3-4 times and have only played the starter/basic maps, but wouldn't it make more sense to draw your starting 8 cards, auction off maps, and then discard down to 4 cards?

Hurray 🎉

Controversial high ranking on Hollywood hills! You are a braver man than me. Better hope BGG isn't finding out about this, or they might call the feds😬

I wish I had this guide months ago when I started playing Ark Nova. Interesting to see all the strategy/analysis videos popping up as the game becomes more popular.

I always upgrade Sponsors first or second; being able to break 5 and gain 10 money can be super helpful (especially if you can combine it with a x2 token). Also being able to play sponsor cards straight from the display shouldn't be underestimated - not only does it save an action (you don't have to play cards/snap it first, and THEN play sponsors), but it can mean getting them before someone else (i.e. you have 2 chances to be able to get it because both cards and sponsors action card have chances to be high enough strength, and not just cards alone). Edit: Also being able to play sponsors at +1 strength higher than the action strength is more efficient, just like your argument for upgrading build early, especially if you can play 2 sponsors at once.

Can anyone explain the skills of the "side entrance" card? Still don't get it though

You keep using the term "turn 1." Is this all of the actions leading up to the first break? i.e. you say that Archaeologist can give you triple university on "Turn 1."

Special enclosures remove the adjacent necessity of water/rock ... that's kind of the whole point.

Interesting tips but most of this game is tactical and situational. It's an exercise in doing the best you can with what you're given. Also, not sure how much I can take advice from someone who thinks draw is pronounced drawl!

you speack a lot too fast for non english soeaking native :)

the map balance looks so atrocious ... that's what turns me off from this game

Forget Ark Nova. Too busy, too Euro-gamey (solitaire with friends) I'm waiting for The Flood!