Upgrading Action Card Order

[Gcubedinc]

I usually upgrade my Association card first so I can pay the extra money and gain a conservation point.

Is there a good way to evaluate which order to upgrade your action cards?

Thanks in advance

[Monkeyunit]

One of the reasons Ark Nova is such an amazing game is because its impossible to answer questions like these.

In the early days upgrading build was very common, but people have moved away from that.
( By taking 2 size as project bonus from first project, going hard on release project, or sea animals)
When you have none of those, and are starting with a couple of sponsor buildings you might still want to upgrade build to fill map.

Sponsors is a popular one now because there are some very strong cards that require it ( Explorer, Diversity Researched, Talented Communicator, Amazon House, Science Lab )
Also using it to break give a nice amount of money.
The special action sponsor cards are also quite good overall, so higher chance of also getting to use them well.

But its all dependant on the map, and state of the game.

Association upgrade is mostly good if you either start with partner zoos and there are 2 CP available for getting 4 of them or 2 CP for last worker.
You also need to be on a map with relative high income, or having a high income start so you can keep donating.
Doing it realy is usually only done when you need the extra CP from donating to reach the bonus on 5 of 8 CP if its a very good one
( Parter Zoo or Uni mostly as getting a free one of those gives you an extra upgrade probably)

Animals is a quite important upgrade as most late game high scoring animals require it and it's a nice source of reputation.
But when playing on research institute or with the special animal action that lets you ignore a requirement you can get away without it.

Cards is usefull in general, but more so when you are going hard on the reputation track and want to get past 9 rep.
If you started with hand size uni and have a solid 4/5 card game plan in hand for the early/mid game you can wait on this one.
( again, plenty of reasons you want it earlier for instance if you have the special sponsorship action that lets you play one for money by discarding a card)

[BattleBeetle]

One of the reasons Ark Nova is such an amazing game is because its impossible to answer questions like these.

In the early days upgrading build was very common, but people have moved away from that.
( By taking 2 size as project bonus from first project, going hard on release project, or sea animals)
When you have none of those, and are starting with a couple of sponsor buildings you might still want to upgrade build to fill map.

Sponsors is a popular one now because there are some very strong cards that require it ( Explorer, Diversity Researched, Talented Communicator, Amazon House, Science Lab )
Also using it to break give a nice amount of money.
The special action sponsor cards are also quite good overall, so higher chance of also getting to use them well.

But its all dependant on the map, and state of the game.

Association upgrade is mostly good if you either start with partner zoos and there are 2 CP available for getting 4 of them or 2 CP for last worker.
You also need to be on a map with relative high income, or having a high income start so you can keep donating.
Doing it realy is usually only done when you need the extra CP from donating to reach the bonus on 5 of 8 CP if its a very good one
( Parter Zoo or Uni mostly as getting a free one of those gives you an extra upgrade probably)

Animals is a quite important upgrade as most late game high scoring animals require it and it's a nice source of reputation.
But when playing on research institute or with the special animal action that lets you ignore a requirement you can get away without it.

Cards is usefull in general, but more so when you are going hard on the reputation track and want to get past 9 rep.
If you started with hand size uni and have a solid 4/5 card game plan in hand for the early/mid game you can wait on this one.
( again, plenty of reasons you want it earlier for instance if you have the special sponsorship action that lets you play one for money by discarding a card)

Great reply! I had the same question and this is great info.

[Gislef]

That's one of the reasons Arc Nova is such a replayable and enjoyable game.

The decision is based on a number of other starting factors, Including which cards you choose to start with, the starting order of your Action cards, the starting display lineup, your hidden goals, starting map, how fast you think the "race" will be, and the number of players.

If there are a lot of players I wouldn't choose Association. You're not as likely to get the Partner Zoos/Universities you want, make the Donations you want early on when they're cheap, but number of players can't stop you from buying the +2 Reputation Association action. But what you choose might affect what other players choose. A high number of players means you're less likely to get the card you want from the display, even if you upgrade the card action.

If you start small animals and/or the Small Animals Conservation Project, you might not want to upgrade the Animal Action card. Contrawise, if you start with an animal that needs Animal L2, and you keep it to build up to that, and start with the Large Animals Conservation Project, go for Animal L2.

Same with the Sponsor. Building and Card action cards. See above about Upgrading the Card action card

Your choice should depend on a number of factors. IMO, never lock yourself into one choice of what not to upgrade. Look at the entire starting setup, keep your options open, and be flexible. The same order might not be "right" for every game you play.

Some of it is personal style. I have bad luck drawing Sponsor cards, and prefer discarding the action for money, and getting any necessary money elsewhere or waiting. Also, I find the Sponsor action lack the least limiting. So not upgrading the Sponsor Action is my go-to. Your mileage and others may vary.

The one thing I found is that the one Action you didn't upgrade is the one you wish you had .

Overall, they are all good choices. But they are... circumstantial.

[kindfortress]

There are some general ideas first:
Upgrade assoc if you're rich and need a way to turn $ into points, also upgrade it more on maps with 2CP reward for last worker or last zoo
Upgrade sponsors if your economy is weak -- assoc, build and animals cost $, but Sponors can earn money and play cards for free
Cards is more important for exceeding 9 rep than for its active ability, but it's stronger early on maps with card discard abilities
I rarely upgrade build, but if I do it's bc of aviary animals or strong sponsor combos
You almost certainly will upgrade animals, so it's the default if nothing else is strong.

I try and look for immediate payoffs from upgrades. If I'm about to do a project that will get me to 4 or 7 CP, then yes, Assoc upgrade could make sense, if the CP track rewards are good. If there's a key Level 2 sponsor like Diversity Researcher or Amazon House, I'm going to go sponsors. Often I'll go Animals because there's something I want to play from range, or if the extra rep gets me another upgrade or worker.

75% of the time or more, my first upgrade is Animals or Sponsors.