Contents
Oceans Game Rules
So, you’re interested in learning how to play the game of Oceans? Great! I’m here to guide you through the rules and strategies so that you can dive right in.
Components: To play Oceans, you’ll need a game board, player boards, fish tokens, population tokens, trait cards, scenario cards, and a deck of card dividers. Game Setup: Start by placing the game board in the center of the table. Each player gets a player board. Shuffle the trait cards and place them facedown. Then, deal two cards to each player, and place the remaining cards to create a draw deck. Shuffle the scenario cards and place one faceup. Set the fish tokens and population tokens nearby. Objective: The goal of Oceans is to score the most points by evolving your species and adapting to the changing environment over the course of the game. Gameplay: Now, it’s time to begin! Players take turns in clockwise order. On your turn, you can take one of the following actions: Draw a card, play a card, use a trait, feed, or reproduce. Drawing Cards: If you choose to draw a card, simply draw one card from the draw deck. You can only have a maximum of five cards in your hand. Playing Cards: To play a card from your hand, you must pay its cost in population tokens. Place the card in front of you, following the rules and instructions on the card. Some cards have immediate effects, while others have ongoing effects. Using Traits: Traits are abilities that can enhance your species or interact with other players’ species. Each trait has its own requirements and conditions. Choose wisely when to use them! Feeding: Feeding is an important part of the game. To feed, you must consume fish from the ocean. Calculate the amount of fish your species needs, taking into account any traits or special effects. You may also choose to let your species go hungry to score predator points. Reproducing: Reproduction allows you to increase your population and create new species. You can reproduce once per turn, under certain conditions. Place a new species card next to an existing species card, and assign it a population token. End of Round: After each player has taken their turn, the round ends. Check if any species have gone extinct or if any scenario cards have triggered. Adjust the fish supply and draw a new scenario card, and then start the next round. End of Game: The game ends when the fish supply runs out. Players tally their points and score for their species’ traits, populations, and predator points. The player with the highest score wins! Remember: Oceans is a game of adaptation and survival in a constantly changing environment. Be ready to evolve and strategize to stay one step ahead. Have fun exploring the depths of the ocean and discovering its wonders!
- With 200 Population Tokens, you’ll have plenty to work with.
- 24 Species Boards to help you keep track of everything.
- A single Reef where all the action takes place.
- An expansive Ocean to explore and thrive in.
- 25 Scenario Cards to add some spice to your game.
- 120 Surface Cards for even more possibilities.
- 89 Deep Cards to keep you engaged and guessing.
- The powerful Cambrian Explosion Card for game-changing moves.
- 4 Player Screens to keep your plans secret.
- 4 Bonus Tokens for extra strategy options.
- Don’t forget the all-important Instructions to get started.
Setting Up the Game
Reef Variant: When I created Oceans, I designed it to be played without Scenario cards and without the Deep. But if you or anyone at the table has never played Oceans before, I recommend trying out the Reef Variant first. You’ll get a taste of the game’s essence before diving into the depths!
To set up the game:
- Place the Reef and Ocean board in the middle of the play area. Make sure the species boards are nearby.
- Put the Cambrian Explosion card with the “Reef Variant” side face-down in the first Ocean zone.
Reef Variant: Instead, put the “Reef Variant” side face-up.
Reef Variant: Instead, use the Abundance and Fertile cards in place of two random Scenario cards.
In this fun game, we’re going to dive into the deep sea and explore the wonders of the ocean. So grab your snorkel and let’s get started!
First things first, we need to set up the game. Shuffle the Surface deck and deal six cards to each player. Make sure the deck is placed face-down next to the Reef, ready for action.
Now it’s time to explore the secrets of the deep. Shuffle the Deep deck and then take two random cards from it. Place these cards face-up to form the Gene Pool. This will be our collection of genes that we can use to create all sorts of marvelous creatures.
Reef Variant: If you’re playing the Reef variant of the game, you can skip this step and jump right into the action.
Now that everything is set up, we’re ready to dive into the deep sea and discover the incredible creatures that await us. Are you ready to embark on this exciting adventure? Let’s go!
Here’s what you need to do to prepare for the game:
1. Put the 60 reserve population tokens in the “reserve” zip-lock bag. We’ll use these tokens in the last round of the game.
2. Create a supply of population tokens based on the number of players. Start with 60 population tokens and add an additional 20 tokens for each player. Any extra population tokens can be put back in the box.
Here’s how many tokens you’ll need for each player count:
- For 2 players: use 100 tokens in total. You can find them here #image.jpg
- For 3 players: use 120 tokens in total. You can find them here #image.jpg
- For 4 players: use 140 tokens in total. You can find them here #image.jpg
First, I need to divide the population tokens into 4 equal piles. I place each pile in one of the 4 locations: the Reef and the 3 Ocean zones. It doesn’t have to be exactly equal.
Next, I reveal the top card from the Surface deck and put it face-up to create the discard pile. I look at the Migrate number on the bottom left of the card. I then move that number of population from both the Reef and the 1st Ocean zone into the 3rd Ocean zone.
Now, I give each player a Player Screen. This will help keep their actions hidden from the other players.
The start player is determined by who can hold their breath the longest. Each player receives a Bonus Token based on their place in turn order. The token is placed behind their Player Screen and will be scored at the end of the game.
| 2 players | 4 points | 0 points | ||
| 3 players | 6 points | 4 points | 0 points | |
| 4 players | 7 points | 6 points | 4 points | 0 points |
When it comes to determining the points scored in a game, the number of players involved plays a crucial role. Understanding the scoring system is essential for all participants. If you’re feeling a bit confused, don’t worry! Let me break it down for you in simpler terms.
Here’s how the points are awarded based on the number of players involved:
– For a game with only 2 players, the winning player gets 4 points, while the other player receives 0 points.
– If there are 3 players, the winner earns 6 points. The second-place player gets 4 points, and the third-place player receives 0 points.
– In a game with 4 players, the winner earns 7 points. The second-place player gets 6 points, the third-place player receives 4 points, and the player in last place receives 0 points.
By following these guidelines, you can easily calculate and keep track of the points in any game scenario. Remember that the number of players involved determines the points distributed among the participants. So, whether you’re playing with one friend or a larger group, this system ensures a fair and balanced game. Enjoy playing!
What is the Aim of the Game?
Hey there! Welcome to Oceans, a game where life can be tough but exciting. In this ever-changing world, food is hard to find, and danger is always lurking. The objective is simple: make sure your species survive and thrive in this challenging ecosystem.
How can you achieve this? Well, you have a few options. You can send your species to forage from the Reef #image.jpg or attack other species #image.jpg to gather resources. Alternatively, you can passively gain advantages from the Ocean #image.jpg. The choice is yours. Adapt and evolve your species to increase their chances of survival.
Remember, at the end of the game, your score will be determined by the number of population tokens you’ve accumulated throughout the game. So, the more tokens, the better!
This booklet explains the core rules of Oceans. But be ready for some modifications along the way. You see, scenario cards will override the core rules and impact every species in the game. This adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to each playthrough.
Trait cards have the power to change the game. They can override the core rules and Scenario cards, but keep in mind that they only affect the species they’re played on. Almost all traits have an implied “This species” at the beginning of their description.
Now, let’s talk about how the game is played. It’s a turn-based game, and we take turns in a clockwise order, starting with the player who goes first. Each player’s turn is divided into four phases.
Phase 1 is all about playing cards. In this phase, you can play one card, or if the Cambrian Explosion has started, you can play two cards instead.
Phase 2 is the feeding phase. You get to choose one of your species to feed. Make sure you pick wisely!
Phase 3 is the aging phase. In this phase, all of your species get older. It’s a natural part of the game.
Phase 4 is the drawing cards phase. Here, you discard any excess cards and draw enough new ones to bring your hand back up to six cards.
That’s the basic structure of each turn. Now you’re ready to dive into the world of Evolution! Good luck, and may the best species win!
Hey there! During this phase, you can play 1 Surface card if the Cambrian Explosion hasn’t started yet. Once it kicks off, you’ll be able to play 2 cards, either Surface or Deep. These cards can be used to evolve your species or migrate population.
By the way, you have the freedom to remove traits from your species at any time during this phase. Surface cards go face-up in the discard pile, while Deep cards are permanently removed from the game. Take a moment to double-check and reevaluate things affected by the trait that’s no longer in play – think Overpopulation and maximum trait count, among others!
Time to evolve: Most of your cards will be employed as traits to evolve one of your species. You can either play a trait on a brand new species or on an existing one.
Playing a trait on a new species:
- A species can only forage or attack if it would take at least 1 population.
- I can’t forage or attack unless there’s an open space on my species board. I also can’t have more population than open spaces on my species board.
- If the space with the fishbones is the only available space on my species board, I can put a population token there.
- If I can, I have to use my entire forage or attack value. I can’t choose to use less to avoid having too many individuals.
- All of my species age, even if only one of them feeds each turn!
- First, you have to pay the cost of the Deep card that you want to play. To do this, you need to move a number of population from your score pile to either the Reef or any one Ocean zone. The number of population you move should be equal to the migrate number specified on the card.
- Next, you need to place the Deep trait on a new or existing species. This trait will help your species evolve and adapt to its environment.
- Score 1 point for each population in your score pile.
- Score 1 point for each population on your surviving species.
- Score the points listed on your Bonus Token.
Let me show you how to play the game. First, grab a free species board from the supply and position it so that the fish are facing away from you. You can add a new species on either side of your existing species or in between any two of your existing species.
Next, place the trait along the dark-blue border on the left side of the species board. This will activate the trait and put the species into play.
If you want to add a trait to an existing species, simply place the trait along the dark-blue border on the left side of the species board. Now the trait is active.
Remember, a species can have multiple copies of the same trait, and the effects of the traits add up. However, the maximum number of traits on any species is 3, unless a card specifically allows for more.
For more details about the 12 Surface traits, you can refer to the Reference Guide. Enjoy the game!
Migrate: Instead of evolving using a card, sometimes you’ll use a card to migrate population.
You can migrate a number of population tokens equal to the migrate number on the bottom left of the card you play.
Choose where you want to move the population – either the Reef or an Ocean zone. Discard one card from your hand and move population from one board location to the chosen one.
If the migrate number is more than the available population, only move what you have available.
Phase 2: Feeding
Pick one of your species to feed. It can either forage to take population from the Reef, or attack to take population from another species.
Important Feeding Rules
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Finding Food: Look at the green icons on a species’ traits to determine how much food it can find. Add up the total number of green icons and move that many population from the Reef to the species’ board.
If a species doesn’t have any green icons on its trait cards, it can still find one unit of food.
If a species has forage icons, it will always look for food. But what if a species doesn’t have any forage icons? Will it still search for food? That’s an interesting question. You see, foraging is a vital behavior for many species. It’s how they find food and survive. However, having forage icons is not the only factor that determines whether a species will forage or not. There are other things to consider too.
For example, a species may have other ways to obtain food. They might have special adaptations that allow them to eat a certain type of food. In that case, they wouldn’t need to forage as much, if at all. They could rely on their unique abilities to get the nutrients they need.
Another factor to consider is the availability of food. If there is an abundant supply of food in the environment, a species might not need to forage. They could simply take advantage of the abundance and feast without having to search for anything.
On the other hand, if there is a scarcity of food, a species will be more likely to forage, even if it doesn’t have any forage icons. When food is scarce, animals have to work harder to find it. They have to explore their surroundings and use their senses to detect any potential food sources.
So, in conclusion, while having forage icons is an important factor that influences a species’ foraging behavior, it is not the only one. Other factors, such as alternative food sources and the availability of food, also play a role in determining whether a species will forage or not. Nature is full of surprises, and it’s always fascinating to explore the different ways in which animals find and obtain their food.
Attacking: You get to choose which species you want to attack, even if it’s your own! Just add up the red icons on the traits of the species you’re targeting. That total gives you the attack value.
Once you have the attack value, you take that many population tokens from the target’s species board and move them over to your own species board. If a species doesn’t have any red icons on its trait cards, it automatically has an attack value of 1.
When a species has attack icons, it may choose to attack or not during the feeding phase.
During the feeding phase, a few things can occur.
Aging: Phase 3
If the Cambrian Explosion hasn’t started, I remove 1 population from all the species I control. These populations are put behind my player screen in my score pile. If the Cambrian Explosion has started, I put 2 populations from each species I control into my score pile. If I cannot score the full amount, I score all my populations.
A species goes extinct if it’s unable to age fully. When this happens, all traits of that species are discarded, and the species board is returned to the communal supply.
In the game, there’s an important rule to remember. If your species population reaches zero on another player’s turn, don’t worry – you won’t go extinct just yet. You’ll get a chance to feed your species during your next turn before the aging phase begins.
Now, let’s go through the fourth phase of the game, which involves drawing cards. Pay close attention to these steps:
1. You have the option to draw one Deep card. There are two ways to do this:
– Draw the top face-up card from a Gene Pool pile. If a pile is empty, flip the top card from the Deep deck to create a new pile.
– Alternatively, draw three cards from the Deep deck. Choose one to keep in your hand, and place the remaining two face-up on the Gene Pool piles.
2. If you wish, you can discard any number of Surface cards from your hand. Remember, though, you can’t discard Deep cards.
That’s it for this phase. Keep these rules in mind as you continue playing the game. Good luck!
I’ll start by drawing 6 cards from the Surface deck, which includes both Surface and Deep cards. If the Surface deck becomes empty, I’ll reshuffle the discarded cards to form a new deck.
Once I have completed my turn, it’s your turn to play. You are the next player to the left of me.
Now, let’s talk about some important concepts in this game.
Defensive Traits:
These are special abilities that can help protect your creatures and make them more resilient. Defensive traits provide various benefits, such as increasing health or reducing damage taken. They can turn the tide of a battle and give you an advantage.
There you have it! I’ve explained the process of drawing cards and the importance of defensive traits in the game. Now you’re ready to dive into the world of Surface and explore its exciting gameplay.
Did you know that there are certain traits that can protect a species from being attacked? These traits are known as defensive traits and they come with black textboxes. Some defensive traits even have a shell icon, which indicates that they can provide additional protection. When a species has a shell icon, it means that the number of population taken from an attack will be reduced by the number displayed in the shell icon.
It’s important to note that these defensive traits don’t actually reduce the attack value of the attacking species. Instead, they simply decrease the number of population that the attacking species can take.
When I attack a species, that species takes 8 fewer population compared to my attack value. It’s like a little advantage for me in the battle!
Arrows Close By
In the vast world of the oceans, all creatures coexist in the same surroundings. It’s like a never-ending game, where each player’s leftmost species is right next to the next player’s rightmost species. And something interesting happens when these species interact with each other, especially when it comes to feeding.
Take a look at the arrow icon you see at the bottom of a trait. It points towards the species that is right beside it. This means that the feeding of a species can trigger certain traits in the species adjacent to it.
Gains
When I think about the word “gains,” what immediately comes to mind is progress, growth, and accomplishment. It’s that feeling of moving forward, of reaching new heights and achieving personal goals. It’s a word that encapsulates all the positive outcomes that we strive for in life.
Gains can be both tangible and intangible. Tangible gains are the ones we can measure, like acquiring new skills, increasing our knowledge, or earning more money. These are the concrete results of our efforts, the things that we can point to and say, “Yes, I accomplished that.”
Intangible gains, on the other hand, are the ones that are harder to quantify but just as important. These are the emotional gains, the personal growth, and the sense of fulfillment that come from pursuing our passions and living a life that aligns with our values. They are the moments of joy, the deep connections with others, and the inner peace that comes from living authentically.
One of the key things to remember about gains is that they are not always linear. Sometimes, progress can feel like two steps forward and one step back. There may be setbacks along the way, challenges to overcome, and moments of doubt. But it’s important to keep pushing forward, to keep striving for those gains, because the journey itself is part of the reward.
Gains also come in different forms and sizes. Some gains are small victories that add up over time, while others are monumental achievements that change the course of our lives. Both types of gains are valuable and worth celebrating.
So, if you’re looking for gains in your own life, here’s my advice: embrace the journey, set meaningful goals, and be open to the possibilities that lie ahead. Remember that gains are not just about the end result, but about the growth and progress that happen along the way. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and take risks, because that’s often where the biggest gains are found.
In conclusion, gains are the positive outcomes that we strive for in life. They can be both tangible and intangible, and they come in different forms and sizes. Whether big or small, every gain brings us closer to becoming the best version of ourselves. So, keep pushing forward, keep striving for those gains, and embrace the journey. The gains are waiting for you.
When a species eats, it can cause another species to gain body parts, even if it belongs to someone else. If a species gains body parts, it gets them from the first ocean zone.
If the first ocean zone doesn’t have any body parts (or runs out of them), then the species takes them from the second ocean zone. And if the second ocean zone doesn’t have any either, then the species takes them from the third ocean zone.
If the third ocean zone doesn’t have any body parts left, then we put 60 “reserve” body parts in the third ocean zone. This way, every time a species triggers a trait, it can take the right amount of body parts.
Feeding Example:
Let’s say you have two species in play – a Tentacled species on the left and a Filter Feeder on the right. If the Tentacled species decides to attack the Filter Feeder, it will take away 1 population from the Filter Feeder’s species board.
Now, here’s the interesting part. The species in the middle has a Symbiotic trait which means they have a special ability. They will gain 1 extra population from this trait alone. But that’s not all! This species also has two Bottom Feeder traits, and for each one, they gain a whopping 2 more population, making it a total of 5 population gained.
But what happens if the Tentacled species decides to attack again? Well, it’s not good news for the Filter Feeder because it will lose another population. On the other hand, the species in the middle will gain another 5 population. This may seem great, except it’s too much population which leads to overpopulation.
Overpopulation
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After I finish feeding, I need to address any consequences caused by the feeding. Next, I have to check if there is overpopulation.
Overpopulation happens when a species has a population token on the space with the fishbones. If any species overpopulates, it will lose some population until only 5 remain on its species board. The owner of the species can choose to place the lost population either in the Reef or in any one Ocean zone.
If a species overpopulates during its own feeding, it won’t be able to feed again this turn, even if it has a trait like Tentacled that would normally allow it to do so. However, triggering another species to overpopulate won’t end my feeding.
The check for overpopulation is done by looking for tokens on the fishbones. If there is a token, that species will overpopulate.
Scenario Cards
For a creature to survive in its ecosystem, it needs to adapt. This adaptation is necessary not just to compete with other species, but also to respond to different environmental opportunities and threats. These influences are represented by Scenario cards.
There are two types of Scenario cards: Blue and Purple. Blue Scenario cards have ongoing effects, while Purple Scenario cards trigger events. Blue Scenario cards remain active as long as there are no creatures in the Ocean zone.
Purple Scenario cards, on the other hand, are triggered whenever the Ocean zone becomes empty. This can happen multiple times in a game if creatures are migrated or moved back to the Ocean zone due to a Deep card cost.
When all the creatures in the Ocean zone have disappeared, special cards called Scenario cards come into play. Before activating a Scenario card, you need to resolve any effects or benefits triggered by the absence of creatures, such as gaining points or overpopulating the zones.
Icons on Scenario Cards
Scenario cards are created to give the game a different flavor. Some Scenarios make it harder for your species to survive, while others encourage more aggressive gameplay between players.
We have included icons on each Scenario card to help you customize your game. During setup, make sure to remove any Scenario cards that might make the game less enjoyable for your group.
When you see scenario cards with the teeth icon, it means things are going to get intense. These cards are designed to amp up the excitement – they add a dash of aggression to the game. But it’s not all negative, because sometimes a little bit of intensity and challenge can be fun.
Scenario cards: Exploring complexity
Hey there! Have you seen those scenario cards with the diamond icon? They’re pretty cool, but they can be a bit trickier than the others. Let me explain.
Imagine you’re playing a game, and you come across a scenario card with a diamond icon. This card is special because it adds an extra layer of complexity to the game. Don’t worry, though – it’s not as intimidating as it sounds!
When you draw a scenario card with a diamond icon, it means that you’re entering a more challenging part of the game. These cards often introduce new rules or special conditions that you need to consider. But hey, that’s what makes it exciting! It adds a twist to the game and keeps things interesting.
Now, don’t let this complexity discourage you. Remember, the whole point of playing games is to have fun and push yourself a little. Scenario cards with the diamond icon are just another way to do that.
So, the next time you come across one of these cards, embrace the challenge. Take your time to read and understand the new rules or conditions. Think about how they might affect your strategy and adapt accordingly. And most importantly, have fun with it!
Remember, these scenario cards with the diamond icon are there to elevate your gaming experience. They add an element of surprise and make you think outside the box. So, embrace the complexity and enjoy the journey!
When you see a scenario card with the lightning icon, that means it’s an event.
The Cambrian Explosion
The Cambrian Explosion was an incredible time in Earth’s past. It happened more than 500 million years ago and lasted for about 25 million years. During this period, a whole bunch of new species came into existence.
Scientists aren’t exactly sure what caused the Cambrian Explosion, but they think it might have had something to do with a rise in the levels of oxygen in the ocean.
The Cambrian Explosion starts when the 1st Ocean zone becomes empty. It keeps going until the end of the game. You’ll know it’s happening because the Cambrian Explosion card will be taken out of the 1st Ocean zone. That card will stay out, reminding us that the Cambrian Explosion is always active.
If the Cambrian Explosion starts during your turn while you’re playing cards, you can play an extra card right away (either Surface or Deep). But if it starts after your turn, you can’t go back to playing cards and play another one.
When the Cambrian Explosion happened, things got a little crazy. I mean, picture this: instead of playing just one card per turn, you get to play two. It’s like doubling your fun!
And that’s not all. When it comes to scoring points, you get two population instead of just one. It’s like a big boost!
But wait, there’s more! In addition to regular Surface cards, you can also play Deep cards. These cards are extra special, but they come with a cost. It’s a risk, but the rewards can be amazing.
The Deep
Underneath the surface, there’s a whole other world waiting to be explored. It’s a place filled with strange and mysterious creatures. Giant predators, glowing wonders, and beautiful beings that seem too fantastic to be real.
But here’s the crazy part: they are real! The Deep represents the magic of scientific discovery. The cards in this deck range from actual marine biology to awe-inspiring fantasies. It’s a wild journey, and you’re invited to join!
Every card in the Deep is special. They are unique, powerful, and can help you evolve your species. But be careful, because using them comes at a cost. These cards can be used for evolution or population migration, giving you even more strategic options.
If you want to make a species evolve, here’s what you need to do:
When it comes to migrating population, things are a bit different:
If you want to use a Deep card to migrate population, you don’t have to pay a cost. All you have to do is play the card, and then you can remove it from the game.
Your Game, Your Way
The Deep is unlike any other game out there. It allows you to customize it to your liking, without compromising its balance.
After each game, feel free to eliminate any Deep cards that you didn’t enjoy. And if there are cards that you absolutely love, go ahead and add them to the deck, even multiple copies if you want!
Over time, you can create your own unique version of Oceans that is tailored to your game group’s preferences. It will be a testament to all the amazing adventures you’ve had in the Deep!
The Finale
The last round of the game begins as soon as every Ocean zone is completely devoid of population. Place the 60 population tokens from the “reserve” zip-lock bag into the 3rd Ocean zone and continue playing as usual.
The game comes to an end when the final player in the turn order completes their turn, regardless of whether there is still population in the Reef.
Time to Score:
The player with the highest score wins.
In the event of a tie, the player who has the most trait cards on their species wins. If there is still a tie, the first person to get a job on a fishing boat in Alaska is declared the winner!