How to Play Oikos

Game Objective

In Oikos, you control a native Brazilian species, each with unique mechanics. The goal is to be the species with the most victory points at the end of the game. Each species scores differently during the rounds, and there is also a final score based on the collected resources (meat, egg, fruit, and seed). In case of a tie, the winner is the one with the most remaining resources or, if the tie persists, the species with the highest population value.

Setup

1. Assemble the initial forest with the 9 special cards (with compass rose) in a 3x3 grid.
2. Each player chooses or draws a species, taking their board, animal pieces, and 5 markers (1 of each resource + star).
3. Mandatory rule: include exactly 1 predator (such as the jaguar). Complete with mid-tier species.
4. In 2-3 player games, each player chooses a support species (uses pieces but does not collect resources).
5. Distribute 6 forest cards to each player (except for species like the jaguar).
6. Place the initial pieces in the forest, following the ascending order of population. Collect resources from the occupied locations.

Game Flow

The game lasts 5 rounds. Each round follows this order:

1. Players take turns in order, starting with the species with the highest population down to the lowest.
2. Support species are activated during the turn of the player who controls them.
3. Each species follows the steps listed on their own board, in the exact order.
4. At the end of the 5th round, each player will have 1 unused card.

Actions and How to Play

General Actions

• Expand the forest: Add a card from your hand, aligning the rivers with adjacent cards.
• Reduce the forest: Remove an unoccupied card (without isolating parts of the forest).

Key Terms

• Move: Reposition pieces, collecting the resource from the destination. Types of movement: straight jump, diagonal, curved, or adjacent.
• Remove (predators): Take pieces from other species (except other predators).
• Hide: Lay pieces down (immune to removal until moved).

Consult the manual for details on specific actions for each species.

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends after the 5th round. The final score includes:

• Resource majority: For each resource (except seed), the player with the most markers gains 1 point (spending all of that resource).
• Seeds: Spend 2 to gain 1 point (as many times as possible).
• Extra scores specific to each species (see boards).

In games with 4+ players, the limit is 20 points. Tiebreakers: most remaining resources or highest population.

Tips to Win

• Predators (like the jaguar): Remove pieces in meat locations to gain 2 meats per action.
• Collector species (like the maned wolf): Focus on diversifying resources and avoid losing pieces to predators.
• Area control (like the capuchin monkey): Spread pieces in at least 2 locations of each habitat (forest, field, river).