Everdell Occupied Construction Rules: Playing Critters for Free
In Everdell, many Critters are linked to a specific Construction. If that Construction is already in your city, you can normally use it once to play the associated Critter without paying the berry cost.
How the free Critter works
Instead of paying the Critter’s normal berry cost, use the matching Construction in your city. Play the Critter normally, then place an Occupied token on that Construction.
Can one Construction play multiple free Critters?
No. Each Construction can provide its linked free-Critter benefit only once.
What does the Occupied token mean?
The token records that the Construction’s free-Critter benefit has been used. It does not mean the Construction stops functioning.
If the Critter leaves, is the Construction free again?
No. The Occupied token remains even if the Critter that used the free-play benefit is later removed from your city.
Does the Critter still take a city space?
Yes, unless a specific card effect says otherwise. The free-play rule changes the resource cost, not the normal city-space requirement.
Can you still pay berries instead?
Yes. Having the matching Construction gives you an alternative way to pay for that Critter; you are not forced to use the free benefit immediately.
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Rules checked September 2026.