
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Waddle: Orcas & Ice Floes
- 2–5 players
- 15–25 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2025

2025
Rules assistance for Waddle
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Waddle is a board game released in 2025 for 2–5 players, 15–25 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Corné van Moorsel and its main mechanics are Variable Set-up, Hexagon Grid, and Turn Order: Pass Order.
Strategically place your penguins to form groups and claim fish to score the most points! Turn order matters a lot; in Waddle, it’s tracked by marbles on a two-column track! On your turn, you’ll have two options: “Place a Penguin” onto any unoccupied hex adjacent to the lowest numbered water hex. Then, pick up your marble and place it on the top of the same Turn Tracker column “Scout Ahead” by picking up and placing your marble on top of the inactive Turn Tracker column. How players “Scout Ahead” will be massively important! Going earlier in the future could allow you to grow or connect into a large waddle (group), claim a big fish, or block an opponent’s important play. —description from the publisher
Waddle supports 2–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Waddle is 15–25 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Waddle for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Waddle has a complexity rating of 1.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Waddle belongs to these categories: Animals and Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Variable Set-up, Hexagon Grid, and Turn Order: Pass Order. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Waddle are: Corné van Moorsel. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Waddle as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.