Wondrous Creatures

To set up Wondrous Creatures, players first place the main game board, which features a hexagonal grid of spaces representing different terrains and resources. Resource tokens (fruit, coral, etc.) are placed on designated spaces, and creature cards are shuffled and placed in a market display. Achievement cards, which show combinations of creature species needed to claim them, are also laid out. Each player receives a set of worker pawns and a starting hand of creature cards.

The primary objective in Wondrous Creatures is to accumulate the most victory points, primarily by collecting creature species and claiming achievement cards. Players aim to build an efficient tableau of creature cards that provide ongoing benefits and end-game scoring opportunities. Trophies are awarded for claiming achievements, and these trophies are a key source of victory points.

A player's turn consists of two main actions: placing a worker and playing cards. When placing a worker, a player chooses an empty space on the hexagonal map. The worker then interacts with adjacent icons, allowing the player to either collect resources (like fruit or coral) or take a creature card from the market that matches one of the adjacent icons. Alternatively, players can spend a net token to activate special effect icons on the map, providing unique benefits. After placing a worker, players can play creature cards from their hand to their personal tableau by paying the required resource costs. These cards form an 'engine' that can provide immediate effects, continuous powers, or end-game scoring bonuses.

Scoring in Wondrous Creatures is multifaceted. Players earn trophies by claiming achievement cards, which require collecting specific combinations of creature species as indicated on the cards. Each trophy contributes to a player's final score. Additionally, many creature cards in a player's tableau offer end-game scoring conditions, often based on the types and numbers of other cards or resources they have accumulated. Players must balance immediate gains with long-term scoring strategies to maximize their points.

The game concludes when the supply of trophies runs out. Once this happens, players finish the current round, and then one final round is played. After the final round, players tally their victory points from claimed achievements, creature cards in their tableau, and any other scoring opportunities. The player with the highest total victory points is declared the winner.