Ark Nova expansions
Ark Nova: Marine Worlds vs Ark Nova: Zoo Map Pack 2
| Question | Ark Nova: Marine Worlds | Ark Nova: Zoo Map Pack 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Our label | Buy this first | Worth it |
| Buy order | #1 for Ark Nova | #2 for Ark Nova |
| What it adds | Sea animals that live in new aquarium enclosures built next to water, reef-dweller chain abilities, a fourth university, 20 alternate action cards (swap in 2 at setup), new sponsors, conservation projects, bonus tiles and final scoring cards, plus shaped wooden track markers. | Five new zoo-map layouts: four double-sided boards with the Tournament 1 map on one side (so all 4 players can share it) and Artificial Intelligence, Caves, Drawing Board and Lagoon on the other, with a reference sheet for the new map abilities. |
| What it fixes | Base-game card rows can clog with cards nobody wants; wave icons on sea cards flush the display, and the alternate action cards make each player's engine feel different. | Gives experienced players fresh opening puzzles once the 8 base-game maps feel solved, and adds a shared map so everyone starts on equal footing. |
| Type | Expansion | Mini expansion |
| Players | 1–4 players | 1–4 players |
| Rules load | Adds more rules | About the same rules load |
| Best for | Best for experienced groups | Best for experienced groups |
| What you need | Just the base game | Needs the base game. Works with or without Marine Worlds. |
| Price guide | $20–$40 | Under $20 |
| More | Ark Nova: Marine Worlds details | Ark Nova: Zoo Map Pack 2 details |