Ark Nova Action Card Strength & X-Token Rules
Ark Nova’s five Action cards constantly rotate through slots 1 to 5. The slot number determines the action’s base strength when you use it.
How action strength works
Slot 1 is the weakest position and slot 5 is the strongest. Choose one Action card and perform its action using the strength of its current slot.
What happens after the action?
Remove the used card from its slot, shift the cards that were to its left one space to the right, and place the used card into slot 1.
How do X-tokens work?
Before performing the action, you may spend X-tokens. Each token increases the action’s strength by 1 and then returns to the general supply.
How many X-tokens can you spend?
You may spend as many as you have. However, some actions gain no further benefit above strength 5.
How many X-tokens can you hold?
You can never hold more than 5 X-tokens.
Can an X-token gained during the action boost that action?
No. You set the action’s strength before resolving it. X-tokens gained during that action cannot retroactively increase it.
What if you do not want to perform an action?
You may use the alternative X-token action: choose and rotate an Action card as normal, but take exactly 1 X-token instead of performing that card’s action. If you already have 5 X-tokens, you cannot use this alternative.
Related Ark Nova guides
Publisher source
Rules checked September 2026.