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Wingspan box image

Wingspan

Wingspan is a competitive, engine-building board game for 1-5 players. Players collect bird cards, lay eggs, gather food, and attract birds to their habitats to score points. Beautifully illustrated and educational.

8.05 / 10
BGG Rating
10+
age
2019
published year
1 - 5
player count
1 - 4
Recommended player count
40 - 70 mins
play time

How Complex is Wingspan?

2.46 / 5

Wingspan has moderate complexity. The rulebook is well-organized, and gameplay is intuitive, but the engine-building mechanics and bird card abilities require strategic planning.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Wingspan?

3 / 5

Luck plays a moderate role in Wingspan. The initial bird card draw and dice rolls for food availability can impact early game strategy, but skilled play can mitigate luck.

How much Player Interaction does Wingspan offer?

2.5 / 5

Wingspan has limited direct player interaction, but players can compete for limited resources and end-of-round goals. Bonus cards can also impact other players' strategies.

How much Replayability does Wingspan offer?

4.5 / 5

Wingspan offers high replayability due to the variety of bird cards, bonus cards, and end-of-round goals. Randomized setup and variable player powers add to the replay value.

Why you should play Wingspan

Unique Theme

Wingspan is a board game that focuses on birds and their habitats. It's a refreshing change from the usual themes of board games and offers a unique experience for players.

Beautiful Artwork

The game features stunning artwork of various bird species, which adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of the game.

Engaging Gameplay

Wingspan is a strategic game that requires players to plan their moves carefully. It's easy to learn but difficult to master, making it a great game for both beginners and experienced players.

Educational Value

The game includes information about the different bird species and their habitats, which can be a great way to learn about nature and conservation.

Replayability

With over 170 unique bird cards and different strategies to explore, Wingspan offers a high level of replayability. Players can try out different combinations of birds and habitats to see what works best for them.

Why you should avoid Wingspan

Theme

While the unique theme of Wingspan can be a draw for some players, it may not be appealing to others who prefer more traditional board game themes.

Complexity

While the game is easy to learn, it can be complex and overwhelming for some players, especially those who are new to board games.

Luck-based

While the game requires strategy and planning, there is also a significant element of luck involved, as players draw bird cards randomly from the deck. Some players may find this frustrating or unfair.

Overall, Wingspan is a great game for those who enjoy strategic gameplay and appreciate the unique theme and artwork. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer simpler or more traditional board games, or those who dislike luck-based gameplay.

Where to find the Rules of Wingspan

Check the rules of Wingspan in a PDF file.

You can also find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Wingspan files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for Wingspan

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Wingspan.

Focus on building an engine

Wingspan is a game about building an efficient engine that generates points over time. To do this, you'll want to focus on acquiring birds that work well together and provide you with a steady stream of resources and points.

Pay attention to the bird powers

Each bird in Wingspan has a unique power that can be used to your advantage. Make sure to read the powers carefully and plan your moves accordingly.

Balance your actions

In Wingspan, you have three actions per turn. It's important to balance these actions between playing birds, gaining food, and laying eggs. Don't neglect any of these actions, as they are all important for building your engine.

Plan ahead

Wingspan is a game that rewards long-term planning. Try to anticipate what birds you'll need in the future and plan your moves accordingly. This will help you build a more efficient engine and generate more points over time.

Don't forget about end-game scoring

In addition to the points you generate throughout the game, there are also end-game scoring opportunities. Make sure to keep these in mind as you play, as they can be a significant source of points.

Adapt to your opponents

Finally, remember that Wingspan is a game that requires you to adapt to your opponents. Pay attention to what they're doing and adjust your strategy accordingly. Don't be afraid to change your plans if it means generating more points or blocking your opponents.

Advanced Strategies for Wingspan

Focus on diversity

As you become more familiar with the game, you'll start to notice that certain birds work well together and can generate a lot of points. However, it's important to not get too focused on a single strategy. Instead, try to diversify your bird collection and build an engine that can generate points in multiple ways.

Pay attention to the bonus cards

In addition to the end-game scoring opportunities, there are also bonus cards that can be earned throughout the game. These cards can provide significant point boosts, so make sure to pay attention to them and plan your moves accordingly.

Use the bird feeder strategically

The bird feeder is a powerful tool that can help you acquire the birds you need. However, it's important to use it strategically. Don't waste actions on the bird feeder if you don't need to, but also don't be afraid to use it to acquire a bird that will help you build your engine.

Plan for the end-game

As you become more familiar with the game, you'll start to get a better sense of how many points you'll need to win. Use this knowledge to plan your moves accordingly and make sure you're generating enough points to stay competitive.

Block your opponents

As you become more experienced with the game, you'll start to notice when your opponents are building powerful engines. Don't be afraid to block them by taking the birds or resources they need. However, make sure to do this strategically and don't waste actions on blocking if it won't benefit you in the long run.

Take risks

Finally, don't be afraid to take risks as you become more familiar with the game. Sometimes, taking a chance on a bird or a strategy can pay off big time. Just make sure to weigh the risks and rewards carefully before making any big moves.

Mechanics

Set Collection
Hand Management
Open Drafting
Dice Rolling
Action Queue
Solo / Solitaire Game
Turn Order: Progressive
Once-Per-Game Abilities
End Game Bonuses
Contracts

Categories

Card Game
Animals
Educational