Baboon Rock, sell me on it

Forum rules
Please DO NOT POST BUGS on this forum. Please report (and vote) bugs on : https://boardgamearena.com/bugs
Post Reply
User avatar
scottvw
Posts: 16
Joined: 24 February 2017, 06:22

Baboon Rock, sell me on it

Post by scottvw »

I have seen multiple games on high ELO arena matches that specifically snap this card, often there is no sponsorship primates or they do not even have a rock gaining objective card (be it end game scoring brown card or the cablecar).

Is the real reason the size 4 enclosure for filling map and utilizing kiosk control?

Thanks
User avatar
matoscaio
Posts: 3
Joined: 17 July 2023, 03:18

Re: Baboon Rock, sell me on it

Post by matoscaio »

it`s not a top tier sponsor, but it helps to fill the zoo, and sponsors that give appeal throughout the game (like Penguin Pool, Aquarium, Meerkat Den) are all good. You gain 2 appeal straight away (almost 1 cp), and it makes all the primates stronger (specially the pilfering ones). Also, if you happen to draw the Proboscis Monkey or the Mandrill it is a LOT of points. Also, if you have sponsors on 4 and no sponsors in hand it is valid to snap a good sponsor from the display, if you dont want to accelerate the break
User avatar
KeithHendricks
Posts: 129
Joined: 13 August 2020, 03:48

Re: Baboon Rock, sell me on it

Post by KeithHendricks »

All of these cards are very strong, with Cable Car and Aquarium being the strongest, but Baboon Rock, Meerkat Den, Penguin Pool and all the other sponsors that give you a tile and reward you for specializing in animals or icons are also extremely strong.

Think about it this way: an elephant is worth 13-22 points depending on the endgame card you draw, but baboon rock with 6 primate icons is worth 15 points and was free to play, not 36 money. Granted to hit the 6 primate icons you want to snap a lot of cards, use your card draw placement bonuses, unlock the snap cube on your player card, or otherwise find ways to grab monkeys when they appear on the display. Reptiles with snap can help with this.

Baboon rock also makes the other primate sponsors worth 2 points. Playing baboon rock then follow it with a solid play of new world monkeys can be pretty great for early appeal points.

If you break down your card tableau according to the point value at the end of a game, sponsors can be surprisingly hefty in terms of point value. A caracal only gives me 4 points but native lizards usually gives me 7 or more, and again, free to play.
User avatar
jedimaster5459
Posts: 2
Joined: 28 July 2023, 15:05

Re: Baboon Rock, sell me on it

Post by jedimaster5459 »

I played baboon rock for the first time my last game. The extra 2 appeal was appealing :D
It provides a primate icon as well which helped me fulfill a primate conservation project.
I suppose if you've got enough reasons, it's worthwhile to get.
Post Reply

Return to “Ark Nova”