A Wingspan Strategy Guide for Tabletop Gamers
Wingspan isn’t just a game about birds—it’s a finely tuned engine-building challenge where every move matters. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to sharpen your skills, understanding how to maximise point generation while balancing resources is key. Let’s break down the best Wingspan strategies to dominate Wingspan, including a few insights from the Oceania Expansion.
Core Strategies for Winning at Wingspan
1. Grasslands Are Your Best Friend
If you want to rack up points, don’t ignore the Grasslands. This habitat is where eggs are laid, and eggs are one of the most consistent sources of points. Playing birds with strong egg-laying abilities here can create a powerhouse for endgame scoring.
2. Tuck, Tuck, Tuck
Birds with “tuck” abilities—where you slide cards underneath them—are a goldmine for passive points. The more you can tuck in a single activation, the better. Look out for birds that trigger tucking chains and stack those points effortlessly.
3. Food Matters More Than You Think
It’s easy to focus on birds and forget about food generation, but without a steady supply, your engine will grind to a halt. Prioritise birds that create food efficiently, especially those that can gain food on their own without using the Forest habitat too often.
4. Keep the Cards Flowing
More cards mean more options. Birds that help you draw extra cards will keep you flexible, letting you adapt your strategy based on what’s available. If you’re stuck with weak choices, discard and cycle through to find the best ones.
5. Pick Bonus Cards Wisely
A well-chosen bonus card can be the difference between winning and losing. Before committing to one, think about whether your playstyle naturally aligns with it. It’s tempting to take high-scoring bonuses, but if they don’t fit your board, they’ll be dead weight.
6. Stay Flexible
Every game of Wingspan is different. If the birds you need aren’t showing up, don’t force a failing strategy—pivot. A good player isn’t rigid; they adjust based on what the game presents.
7. Build a Balanced Engine
While the Grasslands are great, don’t neglect the Forest and Wetlands. A strong early game in these habitats will give you the food and cards you need for later turns. It’s all about long-term planning.
What Not to Do when playing Wingspan
1. Weak Birds in the Grasslands? Bad Idea
Grasslands space is precious. If you’re filling it with birds that don’t lay eggs or score points efficiently, you’re wasting its potential.
2. Ignoring Bird Powers
Some birds seem weak at first glance but shine in the right situations. Always check their abilities carefully—some have game-changing potential.
3. Over-Focusing on Round Goals
It’s tempting to chase every round goal, but don’t lose sight of your overall engine. Short-term gains shouldn’t come at the cost of a weaker endgame.
4. Playing Without a Plan
Wingspan rewards long-term thinking. Make sure you know where you’re going several turns ahead, or you’ll be left scrambling.
Advanced Wingspan Strategies for Competitive Play
1. The Power of Ravens and Crows
Ravens and crows let you trade eggs for food, which is incredibly powerful. If you manage to get one early, you’ll have a serious edge over your opponents.
2. Focus on Two Habitats
Trying to be strong in all three habitats usually spreads you too thin. Instead, concentrate on two (usually Grasslands and either Forest or Wetlands) to maximise efficiency.
3. Every Activation Should Score
Ideally, every time you take an action, you should be gaining points—whether it’s through eggs, tucking, caching food, or triggering bonuses.
4. Moving Birds Are Underrated
Some birds allow you to move them between habitats. These can be useful for adjusting your strategy on the fly.
5. Copycat Birds Are Gold
Birds that copy other bird powers can slot into almost any strategy, making them some of the most flexible cards in the game.
6. Be Wary of Opponent-Dependent Birds
Birds that trigger based on your opponents’ actions can be unreliable. Unless you’re sure they’ll activate frequently, avoid them.
7. Watch What You Give Your Opponents
Some birds provide resources to all players. Make sure they benefit you more than your rivals before you play them.
8. Take Advantage of Wild Nests
Birds with wildcard nests count for multiple endgame objectives, giving you more flexibility in your strategy.
Playing Wingspan at Different Player Counts
The number of players in a game of Wingspan significantly impacts strategy, pacing, and competition for resources. Here’s how to adjust your playstyle based on player count:
Solo Play
When playing against the Automa (AI opponent), the game becomes a puzzle of efficiency. The Automa does not compete for food or cards in the same way human players do, so maximising your point-generating engine is key. Prioritise birds that offer consistent benefits rather than those reliant on opponent interaction.
Two Players
With only one opponent, there’s less competition for food and bird cards. This allows for a more controlled strategy, where you can plan ahead without worrying too much about sudden shifts in available resources. However, interactive birds that rely on multiple players (such as those that gain benefits when others take actions) become less effective.
Three to Four Players
At this count, competition for food and bird cards increases, making adaptability more important. Turn order plays a greater role—going last in a round may leave you with fewer food options. Birds that trigger from opponent actions (such as those that lay eggs or gain food when others take specific actions) become more valuable. Flexibility and the ability to pivot your strategy become key to success.
Five Players
With the maximum player count, the game moves quickly, and resources deplete rapidly. The bird tray rotates frequently, making it harder to plan around specific birds. In this environment, having a strong early game engine that doesn’t rely on specific food types is crucial. Birds that generate their own food, provide multiple uses per turn, or tuck cards can be particularly effective.
Winning with the Oceania Expansion
Oceania shakes things up by introducing nectar and new player mats. Here’s how to use these mechanics to your advantage.
1. Spend Nectar Wisely
Nectar is a powerful wildcard resource, but any unused nectar at the end of a round is lost. Don’t hoard it—spend it on crucial actions like laying eggs or drawing cards.
2. Understand the New Player Mats
Oceania’s new mats change the way actions work. Adapt your playstyle to the new conversion rates and take advantage of alternative point-scoring opportunities.
3. Exploit Mass Egg Layers
Birds like the Bobolink and Inca Dove lay multiple eggs per activation. Paired with the Oceania mat, they can be a game-changer.
4. Find Efficient Food Converters
Some Oceania birds let you trade food for points or other resources. Make sure you take advantage of these high-efficiency trades.
5. Don’t Waste Nectar at the End
Use up your excess nectar before the game ends—ideally on birds with high point value or last-minute activations.
Final Thoughts
Winning at Wingspan isn’t just about knowing the best strategies—it’s about adapting to each game’s unique setup. Build an efficient engine, prioritise high-value birds, and make smart decisions about resource management. Whether you’re a casual player or a competitive strategist, these tips will help you gain an edge.
What’s your go-to Wingspan strategy? Share your best tips in the comments!