# Zooloretto: Octopus

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2010
- **BGG Rating**: 6.6
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 45 min
- **Weight**: 1.57 / 5
- **Designers**: Michael Schacht
- **Artists**: Design/Main
- **Publishers**: ABACUSSPIELE
- **Categories**: Animals, Expansion for Base-game
- **Mechanics**: Set Collection, Tile Placement

## Verdict
If you already love Zooloretto or Aquaretto, the Octopus comes as a fun little add‑on that tweaks the game without overhauling it.Adds risk and predictionEasy to integrateMinimal componentsBenefit only for first finisherDoesn’t change core flowRECOMMENDED

## Description
Zooloretto: Octopus arrives as a generous freebie from Abacus at Essen 2010, aimed at players already fond of Zooloretto or Aquaretto. The concept is straightforward: keep the base‑game rules, but watch the sixth space of your enclosure or the sixth tile in your basin. The first player to fill it claims the Octopus enclosure, which stays beside your zoo (or aquarium) board until the end of the game. The bonus grants four coins taken from the bank, but with a strategic twist – you must predict who will have the most points at game end. If you’re right, nothing happens; if you’re wrong, you return two coins and, for each coin you can’t repay, you lose one point. The Octopus enclosure cannot receive any more tiles, acting as a “coin vault” for extra points. When combined with other expansions like Grizzly or Polar Bear, the order of selecting the 6‑space enclosures can be chosen freely, opening further tactical options. In Aquaretto mode, besides the four coins you also receive the usual extra coin the base game provides. Component‑wise, the expansion adds only the small Octopus board and the extra coins, leaving the original box untouched. Its low weight (1.57/5) and the unchanged 45‑minute playtime keep the game flowing. In short, Octopus is a bite‑size module that adds a prediction‑and‑risk layer without disrupting zoo management, perfect for anyone wanting to spice up an already familiar session.

## FAQ
### How many players can use the expansion?
It works with 2 to 5 players, exactly like the base game.

### Does the Octopus change the game length?
The average playtime stays around 45 minutes, as the expansion adds only a few actions.

### Do I need extra components besides the Octopus board?
No. Only the small Octopus board and the extra coins are included.

### Can I combine the Octopus with other expansions?
Yes, it mixes well with Grizzly, Polar Bear and similar expansions; the order of choosing the 6‑space enclosures becomes free.

### What if I can’t repay the coins?
Each unpaid coin costs you one point in the final scoring.