# Zooloretto: Skunk

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2015
- **BGG Rating**: 6.3
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 45 min
- **Weight**: 2.00 / 5
- **Designers**: Michael Schacht
- **Artists**: Design/Main
- **Publishers**: ABACUSSPIELE, Frosted Games
- **Categories**: Animals, Expansion for Base-game
- **Mechanics**: Set Collection, Tile Placement

## Verdict
If you enjoy Zooloretto and want to add a strategic twist with a touch of 'all or nothing', this expansion is a find!Unique special action per gameTension in tile biddingExpands the base gameEasy to integrateAction occurs onceCan be situationalFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
Hey board game fans! Ready to spice up your Zooloretto? Here comes Zooloretto: Skunk, an expansion that adds a dash of daring and strategy to your zoo. This little gem originally came as a treat from the 2015 Brettspiel Adventskalender and also showed up as a promo at Spiel 2016. If you enjoy the base game and want to add an extra layer of decision-making, this one's for you!

The main highlight here is the arrival of the skunk. The first player to complete their 6-space enclosure gets this critter as a bonus – and believe me, it can be quite lucrative! But the game doesn't stop there. Once per game, you have the chance to use a special action: spend 2 coins to clear your barn of all animals of a specific type. It sounds simple, but the trick is that the coins you spent land on the skunk enclosure, becoming a lure. Other players, in turn order, can choose to pay 1 coin to grab one of these cleared tiles and add it to their own zoo. Any tiles left unclaimed are removed from the game. This move can turn the tables, forcing opponents to spend resources or letting you get ahead. Remember that the coins in the skunk enclosure don't count towards the final score; the focus is on the strategic action they provide. Zooloretto: Skunk doesn't radically change the game, but it adds moments of tension and important decisions, especially for those who already master the basic rules and are looking for an extra challenge.

## How to Play
Game Objective
The objective of the game is to combine the Zooloretto: Skunk expansion with the Zooloretto base game. Players are trying to manage their zoos, and the expansion adds a new dynamic with the Skunk Enclosure and a special animal discard and purchase action. The victory condition follows the base game rules, with the addition that coins in the Skunk Enclosure do not count towards the final score.

Preparation (Setup)

    The Skunk Enclosure is placed face up in the center of the table.
    All other setup rules from the Zooloretto base game apply.


Gameplay Flow
All rules from the Zooloretto base game apply, with the following changes:

    The first player to fill their 6-space Enclosure receives the Skunk Enclosure as a bonus.
    They take the Skunk Enclosure from the center of the table and place it below their Zoo Board, near their Barn.
    The Skunk Enclosure remains with this player until the end of the game.
    No other Tiles can be placed in the Skunk Enclosure.


Actions and How to Play
In addition to the base game actions, the owner of the Skunk Enclosure can perform one additional action, a single time during the game:

    Animal Discard and Purchase Action: Once per game, before or after their usual action, the owner of the Skunk Enclosure can pay 2 Coins to discard all Tiles of one animal type from their Barn.
    The 2 Coins are placed in the Skunk Enclosure and remain there until the end of the game.
    Then, in turn order (clockwise), each other player can pay 1 Coin to the bank to purchase one of the discarded Tiles and add it to their zoo.
    Any Tiles that were not purchased are removed from the game.


End of Game and Scoring
The game ends according to the rules of the Zooloretto base game.
In scoring:

    The Coins that are in the Skunk Enclosure are not considered during the final scoring.
    All other scoring criteria from the base game apply.


Tips for Winning

    The Skunk Enclosure is a bonus for the first player to fill their 6-space Enclosure, so focusing on quickly filling a large enclosure can be advantageous.
    The special action of the Skunk Enclosure allows the owner to get rid of unwanted animals from their Barn, which can be useful for optimizing their zoo.
    When using the discard action, consider which animals you are discarding, as other players may purchase them. This can be a way to influence opponents' zoos or to get rid of animals that won't score well for you.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game Zooloretto to play?
Yes, absolutely! Zooloretto: Skunk is an expansion and requires the base game Zooloretto to be played.

### How many players can enjoy this expansion?
The expansion maintains the player count of the base game, which is for 2 to 5 players.

### Does the expansion significantly increase the game's complexity?
No, the complexity remains low. The expansion's main mechanic is a special action that can be used once per game, adding a tactical layer without overwhelming the rules.

### How long does it take to play with the expansion?
The playtime remains the same as the base game, around 45 minutes, as the expansion introduces a specific, single-use mechanic.

### Is it worth it for casual Zooloretto players?
If you enjoy having more options and interesting decision points, then yes! The skunk action can create fun and competitive situations.

### How does scoring work with the skunk?
The coins that go into the skunk enclosure do not count towards the final score. Their value lies in the strategic action they enable during the game.