Mastering Wingspan: A Beginner's Guide

Wingspan Tutorial: A Beginner's Guide

Are you just beginning to play Wingspan? Here's what you need to know to start playing this popular engine-building board game.

Game Setup

To begin, each player receives a player mat which represents their personal aviary.
Players also receive a set of action cubes they'll use throughout the game.
Additionally, everyone gets a starting hand of bird cards and some food tokens.
The bird feeder die tower is filled with dice, and the goal board is set up.

Gameplay Basics

Players take turns performing one of four actions: playing a bird, gaining food, laying eggs, or drawing new bird cards.
Each action allows players to develop their aviary and score points.

Playing a Bird

To play a bird card, you must have the required food cost and available space in the appropriate habitat on your player mat.
Playing birds activates their abilities, which can provide various benefits, such as gaining more food or drawing additional cards.

Gaining Food

The gain food action lets you select dice from the bird feeder.
The dice faces determine the type of food you receive.
Food is essential for playing bird cards.

Laying Eggs

Laying eggs helps you score points at the end of the round.
You place eggs on the bird cards in your aviary's habitats.

Drawing Bird Cards

Drawing bird cards expands your options and allows you to find the best birds to add to your aviary.
You can draw cards from the bird feeder or the deck.

End Game

The game ends after four rounds.
Players then calculate their final scores based on birds played, bonus cards, eggs, food caches, and other factors.
The player with the highest score wins.