Ark Nova Scoring: Appeal, Conservation & the Game-End Formula
Ark Nova does not simply add Appeal and Conservation together. Final victory points measure how far your Appeal marker has moved beyond the target Appeal number defined by your final Conservation position.
Researched rules guide. Checked September 20, 2026 against the official Ark Nova rulebook. Base game only.
Game end triggers when the two markers meet or cross
If, at the end of a turn or during a break, a player’s Conservation and Appeal counters are in the same scoring area or have passed one another, the end is triggered.
- Triggered at end of your turn: every other player gets one more turn; you do not.
- Triggered during a break: every player, including the triggering player, gets one more turn.
Score Final Scoring cards before the final formula
Apply eligible Final Scoring cards and other end-game effects first. These can add Conservation Points or Appeal and therefore change the final scoring area and target number.
If no player reached 10 Conservation Points, the rulebook’s Final Scoring card reduction applies before those cards are resolved.
The final formula
Find the scoring area containing your Conservation counter. Take the lowest Appeal value in that scoring area; this is your Target Number.
Victory Points = your final Appeal value − your Target Number.
Example: your Conservation position gives a Target Number of 70 and your Appeal marker is at 79. Your final score is +9. If your Appeal were 66, your score would be −4.
A positive score means the tracks crossed
The two-track design is intentional: strong Appeal without enough Conservation can still produce a negative score, and Conservation without enough Appeal can do the same.
Tiebreak
Highest final victory-point total wins. If tied, the tied player who supported the most Conservation Projects wins; count player tokens removed from the left side of the zoo map. If still tied, victory is shared.
Continue learning
Source: Capstone Games: Ark Nova and official rulebook. Checked September 20, 2026.