Finspan Sharks & Reefs Expansion: New Additions Explained
By Stonemaier Games | Published: 2026-10-24
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to set up and play the Finspan: Sharks & Reefs expansion. This guide covers new cards, coral tokens, reef overlays, and key rules.
Quick Answer
The Finspan: Sharks & Reefs expansion adds 80 fish cards, 75 coral tokens, and 5 reef overlay mats. This guide walks you through setup, new abilities, and the coral reef scoring system.
What the Expansion Changes
Finspan: Sharks & Reefs focuses on sharks and reef-dwelling fish. The new cards introduce abilities tied to coral tokens and overlay mats, which create a secondary scoring layer alongside your usual engine.
The expansion includes an expanded card and token tray to keep everything organized. You'll use the reef overlay mats to build a coral reef that scores points at the end of the game.
When to Add the Expansion
This expansion works best after you're comfortable with the base Finspan rules. The new coral mechanics add complexity, so play a few games without it first.
If you enjoy engine-building with an extra spatial puzzle, the reef overlay adds a satisfying layer. Players who prefer streamlined games may want to skip the expansion or use only the new cards without the reef mats.
How to Set Up and Play the Finspan Sharks & Reefs Expansion
- 1. Prepare the Base Game: Set up the core Finspan game as normal. Shuffle the base deck and place the main board, player boards, and standard tokens within reach. Don't forget to remove any cards that are replaced by expansion cards if the rulebook specifies.
- 2. Add the Expansion Components: Place the expanded card and token tray on the table. Shuffle the 80 new fish cards into the base deck. Place the 75 coral tokens in a supply near the board. Give each player one reef overlay mat. Check that you have exactly 5 reef overlay mats – one per player in a 5-player game. For fewer players, return extras to the box.
- 3. Understand New Card Abilities: Some new cards have abilities that let you gain or spend coral tokens. Read each card carefully – many trigger when you play a shark or reef fish. Coral tokens are used to build your reef on the overlay mat. Common mistake: forgetting to spend coral tokens when a card ability requires it. Track your coral supply closely.
- 4. Build Your Coral Reef: During your turn, when you gain coral tokens, you may place them on your reef overlay mat in any empty space. The mat has a grid pattern – filling rows or columns may score bonus points at game end. Plan your placements: filling a row early can lock in points, but you might miss a bigger bonus from a column later.
- 5. Score the Reef at Game End: After the final round, count points from your reef overlay mat. Each coral token in a completed row or column scores bonus points. Unfilled spaces score nothing. Add these points to your base game score. Double-check the scoring rules on the overlay mat – some mats have different patterns. Use the correct one for your player count if specified.
Expansion Contents
- Finspan: Sharks & Reefs: 80 fish cards, 75 coral tokens, 5 reef overlay mats, 1 expanded card and token tray. The large number of coral tokens and overlay mats means you'll have plenty of components to build a unique reef each game, increasing replayability.
Finspan: Sharks & Reefs
