# Survive: Dolphins & Squids & 5-6 Players...Oh My!

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2015
- **BGG Rating**: 7.5
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-6 (Best with: 6)
- **Duration**: 45-60 min
- **Weight**: 1.70 / 5
- **Designers**: Kevin Nesbitt, Stephen Buonocore
- **Artists**: William Bricker
- **Publishers**: Stronghold Games, asmodee, Lanlalen, Zygomatic
- **Categories**: Adventure, Expansion for Base-game, Nautical
- **Mechanics**: Action Points, Dice Rolling, Modular Board, Secret Unit Deployment

## Verdict
Perfect for those who already love the base game and want to add more layers of chaos and interaction. The increased player count is the highlight!More players mean more funGiant Squid adds real dangerDolphins bring strategic dynamicsFlexibility to use parts separatelyIncreases the game's randomnessRequires the base game to workRECOMMENDED

## Description
You know that panic of watching the island sink while you scramble to save your explorers? 'Survive: Dolphins & Squids & 5-6 Players...Oh My!' takes all that tension from the base game and turns the heat up. This package is essentially a bundle of three mini-expansions that were previously sold separately, now gathered to make your escape from Atlantis even more chaotic and fun.

First, we have the Dolphins and Dive Dice. If you thought the sea creatures were already fast, get ready: the new die brings more unpredictability to the monsters' movement. But don't worry, the dolphins arrive to save the day, acting as allies that can ward off the beasts and give your people an extra chance to survive. It adds a layer of strategy where you try to anticipate danger while using the local wildlife to your advantage.

Then, things get truly terrifying with the arrival of the Giant Squid. Unlike other monsters, this beast isn't satisfied with just those in the water; it can attack explorers both on boats and on dry land. It's the kind of threat that makes everyone rethink where the safest spot is (spoiler: there is no safe spot here).

Finally, for those who always wanted to bring more friends to the table, the 5-6 Players expansion expands the fray. Now, the fight for space in the lifeboats becomes much tighter. Imagine the chaos of six players trying to push each other out of the boat while the island vanishes beneath the waves. It means more interaction, more betrayal, and, of course, much more laughter.

The best part is that you don't have to use everything at once. You can add just the Giant Squid for a more lethal game, or just the dolphins to change the movement dynamics. You decide exactly how much chaos you want in your session!

## How to Play
Objective of the Game  
In Survive: Escape From Atlantis! with the 5-6 Players, Dolphins & Squids mini-expansions, players compete to rescue their People Tokens from the sinking island of Atlantis. The goal is to save as many high-value People Tokens as possible by moving them to safety on surrounding islands before they are eaten by sea creatures or drowned. The winner is the player who rescues the highest total point value of People Tokens by the end of the game.  

Preparation (Setup)  
For 5 Players:  
  
  Each player receives 10 People Tokens but removes one "1" and one "3" point token (8 tokens remain).  
  The starting player and second player each receive 1 Boat Token. The third, fourth, and fifth players receive 2 Boat Tokens each.  
  Place People Tokens and Boat Tokens in turn order, following base game rules.  
  

For 6 Players:  
  
  Each player removes one "1", "2", and "3" point People Token (7 tokens remain).  
  The first four players receive 1 Boat Token each; the fifth and sixth players receive 2 Boat Tokens each.  
  The last two players must place their final People Token on a Land Tile already occupied by another player’s token (not their own color).  
  

Optional Challenge Rule: "Overpopulated!"  
  
  Play with all 10 People Tokens per player.  
  Place a second People Token on occupied Land Tiles (max two per tile, no duplicates of your color).  
  When a Land Tile sinks, affected players gain 1 immediate Movement Point for the displaced token.  
  

Flow of the Game  
The game follows the base rules of Survive: Escape From Atlantis! with these additions:  
  
  Dolphins & Dive Dice: Replace the Creature Die with two blue Dive Dice. Dolphins protect Swimmers from attacks.  
  Giant Squid: Whales and Squids attack each other. Squids can eat People Tokens on land or in boats.  
  Players have fewer turns to rescue tokens in 5-6 player games.  
  

Actions and How to Play  
Dolphins & Dive Dice:  
  
  Roll two blue Dive Dice instead of the Creature Die.  
  First die selects a creature/boat; second die determines movement (1-3 spaces or "D" for diving to any empty space).  
  Dolphins protect one Swimmer per token. Move them together during your turn.  
  

Giant Squid Rules:  
  
  Squids spawn with Whales and attack adjacent People Tokens or boats.  
  When moved, Squids can eat one People Token from a boat or adjacent land.  
  Whales destroy Squids if they collide.  
  

End of Game and Scoring  
The game ends when the volcano tile is revealed. Players tally points from rescued People Tokens:  
  
  Highest total wins. Tiebreaker: Most tokens rescued.  
  If still tied, the player with fewer turns (left of the volcano revealer) wins.  
  Under the "All Equal!" Challenge Rule, highest total point value breaks ties.  
  

Tips to Win  
  
  Prioritize high-value tokens: Focus on rescuing "3" point People Tokens early.  
  Use Dolphins defensively: Position them to shield Swimmers from sharks/serpents.  
  Beware the Squid: Avoid clustering boats or land tokens near its spawn points.  
  

Note: For full details on base rules or expansions, consult the manual.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to play?
Yes! This is a collection of expansions, so you need 'Survive: Escape from Atlantis!' to use these components.

### Can I use only one of the expansions?
Absolutely. You can add just the Giant Squid, just the dolphins, or just the 6-player rule, depending on how much madness you want.

### Does the Giant Squid make the game much harder?
It makes it more dangerous, since it attacks both on land and sea, but that makes the match more exciting.

### How much extra time does this add to the game?
Playtime stays around 45-60 min, though with 6 players, the arguments over who stays in the boat might extend the game slightly.

### Is this recommended for someone who has never played Survive?
I suggest starting with the base game first. Once you've mastered the island escape, add these elements to spice things up.

### Are the rules complex?
Not at all; they are simple additions that don't change the core of the game, just add new threats and allies.

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