Which Ones Are Worth Your Time?
If you love Wingspan, there’s a good chance you’ve thought about picking up a wingspan expansion or two. But with multiple options out there, it can be tricky to know where to start. Do they all add something meaningful? Or do some feel like unnecessary extras? Having played them all, I’ve got strong opinions on what’s worth it and what’s better left on the shelf. Let’s break it down. remember these are all just my opinion and your milage may vary.
Oceania Wingspan Expansion: The Big One
Oceania isn’t just an expansion—it’s a major shake-up to the way the game plays. The introduction of nectar as a temporary wild resource changes how you manage food, and the updated player boards encourage a different rhythm of play. In many ways, this makes the game smoother, preventing situations where players feel stuck with poor food rolls or an uninspiring bird display.
That being said, nectar isn’t for everyone. While it helps keep things moving, some feel it removes too much of the original game’s challenge. If you enjoy the careful balancing act of Wingspan’s base game, you might find that Oceania greases the wheels a little too much, making bird placement easier than intended. There’s even a bit of a side-game with nectar, as you get bonus points for using the most, but this aspect can feel a bit tacked on.
What makes Oceania essential, though, is the sheer variety it adds. The new bird cards introduce unique end-game goals that push you to build your engine in fresh ways. Plus, the expansion is modular—if you don’t like the nectar mechanics, you can still enjoy the extra birds without them.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. It changes the game in a way that feels fresh, even if it might not be for purists.
European Wingspan Expansion: More Birds, More Strategy
Compared to Oceania, the European Expansion is a bit more subtle. It doesn’t introduce a game-altering resource or change the player boards, but what it does add is quality.
The bird powers in this set are some of the most interesting in the game. You’ll see more abilities that interact with the card display, helping clear out stagnation and giving you new ways to strategise. There’s also a new type of power—end-of-round abilities—which trigger four times throughout the game. If you can get them into play early, they offer fantastic efficiency boosts, letting you build towards longer-term rewards without spending extra actions.
While it doesn’t have the big splash that Oceania does, I actually think this is the best expansion for Wingspan. The cards are consistently fun and engaging, and it’s often available at a discount. If you just want more variety without fundamentally changing how the game works, this is the one to get.
Asia Wingspan Expansion: A Bit of a Mixed Bag
The Asia Expansion is a strange one. If you’re looking for something that shakes up the game like Oceania, this isn’t it. But if you’re a two-player fan or like playing solo, it’s got something interesting to offer.
The big addition here is the Duet Mode, which is a dedicated two-player experience. It’s solid, but not particularly groundbreaking, and some players feel it doesn’t create quite as much tension as they’d hoped. There’s also the ability to play up to six players, which sounds great in theory, but Wingspan already leans towards longer playtimes, and adding more people doesn’t help.
Where the expansion shines is in its bird cards. Some of them introduce fun new mechanics, but others slow the game way down. There are a few that require you to roll dice multiple times for bonuses, or force every player to interact, which can become tedious in larger games.
The biggest drawback? The price. Since it includes a lot of extra physical components, it costs more than you might expect for an expansion. Unless you specifically want to play Wingspan at two or six players, it’s hard to call this one essential.
So, Which One Should You Get?
In my opinion, If you’re only getting one expansion, make it Oceania. The changes to the player boards and food economy make a noticeable impact, and the extra bird powers add depth without overcomplicating things. Just be aware that it makes the game easier, which some might not love.
After that, European is a great pick. It’s affordable, has some of the best cards in the game, and doesn’t mess with the core experience too much. If you like Wingspan but just want more of it, this is a perfect addition.
As for Asia? It depends. If you’re specifically looking for a two-player mode, it’s worth considering. But if you just want more bird variety, you’re better off with European or Oceania.
One final thought—if you own Oceania and European, you don’t even need the base deck anymore. The expansion birds alone offer more variety and, in my opinion, better balance. I’ve played plenty of games using just these two expansions, and honestly, I don’t miss the base set at all.
So, should you buy all three expansions? Maybe. But if you’re starting with just one, Oceania is the way to go and if you haven’t bought anything Wingspan related check out my review of Wingspan