Game in a Nutshell - Ark Nova (how to play + solo)

"Game in a Nutshell" is a series of videos designed to teach the board games. In this video we're going to learn how to play Ark Nova.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask in the comments below. We highly appreciate your views, feedbacks and subscriptions.
Help support the channel on Patreon: / nithrania
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Facebook page: / nithrania
Email: berec(at)mox(dot)com
Index:
00:00 Intro
00:29 Setup
05:13 Gameplay
08:36 Action: Cards
09:49 Snapping
10:32 Reputation Range
11:11 Action: Build
13:29 Upgraded Action
15:21 Action: Animals
16:02 Check Conditions
17:09 Your Zoo
17:29 Pay the Cost
17:58 Fill Empty Enclosure
19:11 Execute Effects
19:59 Special Enclosures
20:53 Upgraded Action
21:35 Action: Association
22:26 Increase Reputation
23:13 Gain a partner Zoo Token
24:15 Gain a University Token
24:38 Conservation Projects
26:52 Play the Project Card
27:58 Upgraded Action
29:57 Action: Sponsor
31:19 Upgraded Action
31:48 Action: X-Token
32:24 Break
34:20 End of the Game
35:47 Solo Game
37:35 Most Frequent Keywords

[@SteveKlemish]

So far I’ve watched three “how to play “videos for Ark Nova. this is the best I have seen. You explain things very well and very succinctly and I very much appreciate it. I will be looking out for more of your videos in the future. Keep up the great work!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much Steve. ☺️

[@bigsucculenta1]

Perhaps the other 3 laid the foundation in which this one pulled it all together?

[@natedigger1]

Fully agree! This video has been the best by far.

[@bryanep]

Same for me, this is my 3rd how to play ark nova video, and this one does the best. Minor rules are explained quickly and without so much added words or being repetitive.

[@mohamadhosseins.n303]

At 8:20, when discussing determining the winner, the difference between two numbers isn't mathematically equal to their sum. For example, (78,70) has a difference of 8, while (80,74) has a difference of 6, so the player with the positive difference of 8 wins. But if calculate their sum 70+78=148 and 80+74=154 the other player is the winner.

[@69robtaylor]

Fantastic job. Best rules teacher on you tube

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you Rob. ☺️

[@craigmassey8071]

This is a fantastic examples of teaching the game - clear and concise without any unnecessary nonsense. Well done!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much. :)

[@JasonEllingsworth]

yeah and the audio and video are good. A few were just god awful or distracting in other ways.

[@richardtrout]

Wow, this is an outstanding rules teach for Ark Nova. If you don't like reading rules, this should be your first choice. Berec with so many rules in Ark Nova, you have organised the flow of the rules so clearly for me, and caught so many smaller points without me becoming too overwhelmed. Legend!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you very much Richard. ☺️

[@MrNotfiman]

I have to say this channel is invaluable if you want clear, concise and in-depth rules explanations. Keep up the fantastic work.

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you ☺️.

[@jenniferschlickbernd6280]

I’ve played several times but I still watched!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you Jennifer. :)

[@Coyotek4]

Minor thing: 31:30 ... the total sponsor value of all cards must be less than or equal to *one more than* the level of the action. So in the example shown, one could play sponsor cards with a total value of 5 (one more than the current level of 4). [EDIT: I'm not the first to mention this, but it doesn't hurt to repeat so I'll keep what I posted here.]

[@jmarac]

There are other videos for Ark Nova that have playthroughs and those are good to watch. But for just straight rules explanation this is the best video I've seen. It is clear and concise. Very good job. I have liked and subscribed :-)

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much. ☺️

[@christophweber7887]

the fun doesn't start with playing the game, the fun starts with watching this video! as always super clean. A joy to watch

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. ☺️

[@KatoGrinsihara]

A very good tutorial, as usual 6:01 mostly overlooked: The rules say that you can choose any card for X action. So also the card in slot 1. Building action: You can also build smaller enclosures than the strength of the action indicates 18:45 The animal action does not have to be upgraded to place animals in a special enclosure. In addition, the water or rock requirements also apply to the special enclosures.

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

18:45 - True, apologies. You need Build action upgraded to build those special enclosures.

[@Seawolf159]

This is the best video covering the most. The only thing i saw you get wrong was the upgraded sponsor action. You said your strength was X, but the card says your strength is X+1.

[@tabbyp4754]

This is an amazing "How To Play" video. I love that you give examples for the "what happens in this kind of situation" situations, too. Very clear, very concise, I can see everything clearly, and even the "keywords" at the end is a great addition. You've gained a new subscriber!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you very much. ☺️

[@CG_Hali]

Played twice yesterday and still have so many questions. Stupid KZbin hadn't recommended your channel at all when I typed 'Ark Nova solo'. Glad I typed 'Ark Nova how to play' this morning and found your (as always) amazing video!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you once again. :)

[@sorentextor5]

And again: a perfect rules explanation! I love all of your videos!!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much. ☺️

[@kornelije.h]

Another great one in the right moment! You are reading my mind. :)

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

😄

[@davidkiss835]

Just got Ark Nova today, so naturally my first stop was your "How to play" video and I was not disappointed! Excellent teach! 👌

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. ☺️

[@Mozgito]

Oh god, what a game )) And some people tell me that Terraforming Mars is hard, lol. And even it's complicated I still want it. Thanks for such a good review!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. :)

[@beakerkell]

Thanks for the solo instructions at the end, I was wondering about a few points before!

[@bskick]

I feel like I could play the game immediately after watching this video, awesome explanations!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. ☺️

[@jakub_hricov]

26:00 you can choose pre-printed 5 money even when there are still tokens to choose from.

[@murphydaveelte]

This is an excellent explanation of the game - very clear and concise, great job!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@florjangjolaj4436]

This was so excellent! Just learned about your channel, loving it!

[@tonydaniel7727]

Best explainer for Ark Nova I’ve seen so far

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much. :)

[@honzokid]

I usually struggle to follow instructional videos from people with a strong accent (or even one that differs slightly from my own) but this is brilliant! My game arrives tomorrow and I feel like I'm ready to go!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much. ☺️

[@erinstileski7261]

This is the best how to play I've seen for Ark Nova. Very detailed and easy to understand. Thanks for such a good teach.

[@michaelbudden4799]

This video arrived a day too late for my son and me! We had to make do with an inferior video and our own reading of the rules. This excellent tutorial would’ve made it much easier! Watching it today has nonetheless really helped solidify our understanding of this fun but meaty new game. Thank you, Branislav.

[@UniformSierraMike]

I agree with earlier comment. Have been trying to get my head around the game rules for some time. This is by far the best how to play. Thanks

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you very much. ☺️

[@comanaut9566]

Just discovered your channel! Your clear and concise teaches are fantastic and have helped me learn both Bitoku and Ark Nova this past week. Thank you. 🙏

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

You're more than welcome. :)

[@ILmaddog]

Best Ark Nova tutorial i have watched. Good job.

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. ☺️

[@Stormzbowler]

What a great and thorough explanation!

[@mod_noise]

Another thanks for the video, great rules structuring with valuable explanations and examples! It would be still a pleasure to explain some more unusual sponsor cards, but still the video is quite informative to show to your friends before the first game. Thank you again! 🇺🇦 🤝 🇵🇱

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. The video is already quite long, I ididn't want to make it even longer by explaining some non-standard cards and effects.

[@mod_noise]

@@nithrania-gameinanutshell I assure you that you did everything right, and this explanation will not be superfluous.

[@wouter2647]

Thanks again, I used to watch: watch it played, but you do it even better and you do alot of videos. Keep it going, you're the man :)

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you very much. ☺️

[@leahpicard7904]

Great playthrough! This is at the top of my wish list

[@jakub_hricov]

31:30 total value must be lower or equal than strenght of the action + 1

[@Shadrackc]

Find your instruction videos the best in the game. Great job. Keep it up.

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much, Alan. ☺️

[@soenketrzaska]

This is by far the best tutorial of this game on the internet! Bravo! 👏👏👏👏👏👌

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much. ☺️

[@sergiojuan217]

You are very good at this! So glad you keep making videos

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. :)

[@French1321]

Great Video! Best one I have seen for this game. Thank you very much!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much. 🙂

[@Coyotek4]

I already know the rules, but I still wanted to watch this (and relearned something I overlooked before). Wonderful videos!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you ☺️.

[@knitlobe1305]

Very good and clear tutorial. Thank you very much!!

[@dsquaredgames9286]

Fantastic job! About to play for the first time as we just got our copy today!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much. ☺️

[@YraGhore]

Exceptional as usual

[@CrankyxPants]

Excellent instruction! Very clear and logical

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. :)

[@dsweet5273]

Yet another exceptional rules teach! Thanks Branislav!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you! :)

[@pedrorabelo6045]

Love your tutorials!

[@SpelleJelle]

Wow thanx! My copy will arrive today and this tutorial will help me a lot! Best one i had found on the internet! Thanx again!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. :)

[@mohre5911]

Awesome teach!!!!!!! Thank you so much. I love your good structured presentation. Greetings from Berlin.

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Vielen Dank! :)

[@Stewsie111]

Excellent video as always, thank you

[@BoardInTheHouseBGAplayer]

Thanks for this! Very professional and informative! 👏 👏 👏

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. :)

[@evahajdu1421]

Keep up the good work. Very well explained.

[@Imperaldra]

Thank you soooo much for the Tutorial 😍

[@revcr]

Very good how to play. Accent is refreshing!

[@davidf925]

Excellent teach especially this soon from the release of the game. Thank you !

[@flemmingdinhmadsen]

Very good quality video and explanation. Thanks a lot.

[@anggitaputri3123]

Just got my copy of this amazing board game today. As a non english speaker my weakness is to listen other people speaks and catch what their meaning is. KZbin algorithm apparently didnt do a very good job reccomending a how to play video to me. I watched like four or five videos before I catched yours and still didnt understand how to play this game. One of them video was owned by quite a famous board game youtuber (I dont want to name names), his channel is very popular in board game section but his weakness is he speaks too fast hence non english speaker like me face a trouble to understand, lemme give you a clue: his video use table top application or something (not using the real physical one) when explaining this video lol). I still left in the dark until some reviewers in Board Game Geek reccomends your Channel. I finished watching your channel and your perfect explanation and pronounciation makes me easily understand the game completely. Jeez why KZbin didnt introduce your videos to me earlier. The game itself is amazing, in my opinion this games is combination of some of my most favourite board games that is Terraforming Mars, A Feast for Odin, and Scythe, and also Im always a fans of old PC games Zoo Tycoon series and Planet Zoo hence I fall in love to this game instantly. The only complaint I have was the animals. Im from Indonesia, the country that has the largest number of species of mammals in the world. When I read about this game I was very curious to see the animals to see whether they lists dozens of animals that is originated from my country Indonesia, instead I can only find two : Sumatran Tiger and Komodo Dragon. Yes they are also two more animals that is Indonesian in origin that is Proboscis Monkey and Northern Casowary, but they didnt put their habitat before the name (it should be Bornean Proboscis and New Guinean Casowary). And the designer missed to put the animal that can only be found in Indonesia like Babirusa, Anoa (Pygmy Cow) and Orangutan. Seriously no cute Orangutan here? Either the designer forgot to put it or he prepared it in incoming expansion, I hope so. But aside of that this is the best board game I ever played (never thought that there will be a better game than Terraforming Mars before), and you succesfully helping me to understand the game. Thank you and good job my dear Sir 👍. Greetings from Surabaya Indonesia 🇮🇩, please forgive my broken english, english is my third language and I hope you understand what I say lol. edit: I just become your newest subscriber ☺️

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much for your kind words ☺️🙏, and don't worry about your English, I understand everything! 🙂 I don't understand the YT algorithms, but I'm glad you found my video. 🙂 I don't know about the choices of the designers, but I agree that it is also ony my best games I've ever played. So thank you again, and warm greetings to Surabaya Indonesia! ☺️

[@ozkalarayici1310]

best video for ark nova, keep up the good work

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much. ☺️

[@Excuse711]

amazing video! subscribed!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. :)

[@jedigreg4636]

It's like Civilization A New Dawn and Terraforming Mars mixed together.

[@Greggiexplore]

Wow, I like how you explain board games, subscribed. Coming back for sure!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you very much! ☺️

[@paweldyduch1925]

Grat video !! Great rules explain !! Respect !!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. ☺️

[@obiezeoputa7748]

As always great rule explanation

[@economicboardgames]

Very well done, great video teach. Thank you

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. :)

[@DeoFavento]

Fantastic stuff

[@Moxnzl]

Just saying thanks! Found that super helpful :)

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you. :)

[@patrickvalo8822]

Veery nice teach good job!

[@MJ-ko1nw]

Great and clear explanation. Thanks for your efforts!! What I think would make the explanation even better is if you would briefly mention in the beginning what the goal of the game is and how to win, to better understand the big picture from the beginning. Thanks!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Wow. First, thank you for the nice comment. :) Second - you are absolutely right, but I thought that brief description is there! 😄 At least it's in the script so I 'm afraid I must have accidentaly deleted it during the editing. I didn't notice until now that you have mentioned it in the comment. 🙂 I see it in my script at the start of the "Gameplay" chapter, but it's not in the video, my bad! Have to be more careful next time. 😇 Anyway, thank you very much for the comment! ☺️

[@tomterrific7883]

This is not the place, but how about a How To for Now or Never? You are the BEST!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you very much for the kind words. ☺️ Now or Never is not a type of game I enjoy, unfortunately, therefore I don't cover such games on the channel.

[@jakub_hricov]

34:40 all players, if that happens during break

[@hunorheim2766]

Game of the year!

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Agree. 😊

[@tommylo9520]

Thank you for teaching. I have a question regarding solo mode. In your video when a new round starts out the top left token from solo tile to the donation, there is a yellow token already put in the smallest number (2). Is it the set up for solo that player have to donation starting from 5 dollars?

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Yes, that's a solo setup, you start from 5.

[@mestrahd]

Once again, top notch. One thing I took issue with though, was you said the score was "mathematically the sum of Appeal and Conservation". This is definitely not true, especially if you look at the extremes. Maxing Appeal + 1 Conservation = 114, but Maxing Conservation + 1 appeal = 42.

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Oh, apologies, I wasn't clear enough - I meant it's a mathematical sum in APPEAL points. If you get 40 conservation points, you basically get 108 appeal points. That's how I meant it.

[@mestrahd]

@@nithrania-gameinanutshell Ah ok. Thank you for the clarification. I wasn't thinking of scoring it like that. I scored the difference. So the winner had 17 points, for example.

[@vitezica]

Very good explanation of the game! I really enjoyed. I 've some doubts about Venom, Hypnose and two others tokens.. if a player have a hypnose token on his card , can he/she also has a permission to play or he is blocked until break happened? If you may explain to me all four tokens. Thank you very much.. I am a beginner in this game.

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

OK, brief description: Venom - no effect on the action card but if you have any venom token at the end of your turn, you pay 2 money. If you use an action card with the venom token, discard it and you don't pay 2 money. Hypnosis - you play one action (from slot 1 or 2 or 3) from the affected player. You "hypnose" them and they perform one action for you. Then THEIR card is moved to their slot 1. This is a one-time effect. Constriction - reduces the Strength of the action card by 2. So, in slot 3, the STR would be only 1. Discard token after you use the action with that card. Pilfering - one time effect, take 5 money or 1 card from the affected player. In general, all these tokens are removed during the coffee break.

[@Totihno]

Great video. Just one comment. I Believe that a at 31:33 playing sponsor cards with the upgraded action allows to play more than one sponsor card but the sum on these must be equal or lower than the strength of the action + 1

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Correct! I had to re-read your comment several times to notice what's wrong in the video 😄, and then I realized I said it has to be equal to the strength of the action only (without the "+1" bonus). :) Thank you for spotting it!

[@johnrochester1419]

Great video. When I’m playing solo mode and I take the break action and I move my token to the right side and then place the top most token onto the lowest donation spot of the association track, does this mean that I am now left with less turns before the break action and then each subsequent round I’ll be left with even less turns?

[@CG_Hali]

Yes, that's the whole point. You get diminishing return turns: 7,6,5,4,3,2. You can't use the last action when there's only one cube left though as mentioned at 37:22 Cheers!

[@CG_Hali]

I would add to the solo mode: 1- that the multi-player rule that tells you to refill the Association Board's continents and university tokens is skipped cause you are never allowed to take the same token twice. :) I found the rule confusing at first because the solo mode doesn't mention any modification to it. 2-the AI never covers the last 12 Donation space. 3-Association Board: It was not super clear if in solo you can only play 2 Conservation card for the whole game or can slide them off and play more. 'There can be up to 2 Conservation Project cards above the Association board.' is all they say in the solo rules. So thanks for confirming you can play more than 2. There is no downside or upside to sliding it off since it's only one player though so I found it weird.

[@highstakes3449]

Hey i have a question , in solo mode at 36:58 you place the cube in donation board, you only place it and do nothing or after place the cube you must perform donation action? (Pay money to gain conservation point) , thanks

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Hello, this is a "dummy player" cube, so you just place it there and do nothing. This dummy player simply blocks the spaces on the association board.

[@filipcamerman3473]

Branislav, off topic question: where did you get that awesome looking world map behind you?

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Hi Filip, had to search through my email archive, but here it is: mapycz.cz Hope it helps. :)

[@filipcamerman3473]

@@nithrania-gameinanutshell thanks Branislav!

[@edwintabianto5824]

Doing x token action.. Can i choose a card from slot 1? In other words, I do not change my card position at all

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Yes, of course!

[@arielfoltyn6399]

I have a question. The situation is the following: Player A triggered the end of game by gaining appeal, which made his appeal counter go past his conservation counter. That means that players B and C each get one more turn. At this point, the Break Token was two spaces away from the last space on the Break Track. Now, what happens if, for example, player B triggered break? Because if the break triggers the Break income can actually change players points (which Player A may not have counted) with Conservation Points and also with the 2-tile enclosure that you can get as income to completely fill your Zoo and gain 7 appeal. And the second problem is that in this situation player C will receive a large amount of cash on his last turn (and the last turn of the whole game). In this arrangement, he will be able, for example, to play as the only one of all players, several animals for the zoo. The other players will be disadvantaged in this arrangement because they will not be able to use these money. So should we trigger a break when the endgame starts or not? Thank you in advance for your answer :)

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Your example is correct! :) The break happens normally, so anyone who triggers the break gives advantage to other players... so keep that in mind! 😄

[@rasmusforlorn7767]

What happens if I manage to obtain two 2X tokens? Will I be able to execute the action four times?

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

No, you have to use them on different turns.

[@rasmusforlorn7767]

Are you sure that when releasing an animal, you can also flip an enclosure bigger than the animal size if there is none of the exact size available?

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Yes. The "size" of an animal is a *minimal* size of an enclosure it can occupy. So you can use that minimal size or bigger size. Therefore you can flip the same or bigger size back to "unused" side.

[@mbison602]

Do you have to pay for special buildings based on their size?

[@kornelije.h]

You have to. It's printed on the action card.

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Kornelije is right, you have to pay. :)

[@sedlak87]

You explained the X token twice 😉

[@Fractus]

I literally searched "Ark Nova how to play" and this video was nowhere to be seen. Just tons of annoying personality review or thoughts videos. I just watched a 40minute video before this that didn't even cover everything. Anyway, this video was very well done. Sucks that the KZbin algorithm is doing you a disservice.

[@nithrania-gameinanutshell]

Thank you so much. ☺️ I really don't understand how they work. When I type the same search it shows approx. as 3rd in the list. My friend doing the same search - no where to be find. 😕

[@nickmozzetti327]

in russia, ark nova learns how to play you