In Moa, players direct tribes of birds competing for control of the most territories and defending them against the invading mammals.

Each round players are randomly dealt a hand of bird cards which are used to perform actions. Players can play as many cards as they want each turn, but a single hand of nine cards must last seven turns!

Each turn two terrain cards randomly determine where tribes are allowed to perform actions.

Mammals will randomly invade areas, but WHERE they invade is well-known in advance so players must gauge whether they have the strength to fend off the attacks or if they should settle in less desirable areas further away.

Tribes lacking strength may choose to sell out their territories to mammals in exchange for the promise that they will not be invaded.

Points are primarily scored for controlling territory and for occupying territory sold to mammals.