FAQ ABOUT THE RULES
Through the buttons above you can find the official rule sheet and a practical cheat sheet you can print (A5 size) and keep next to you whenever you play!
Here below you can find the answers to the most common questions about some more complex mechanics.
FAQ
Can a piece move one space if it's again in contact with the rest of the pieces at the end of the move?
No, all pieces (except the grasshopper) move around the hive by staying at all times in contact with the rest of the hive. For instance, in the diagram below, the white queen can move to spaces A and B, but not C.
Can a piece move breaking the hive but reconnecting it at the end of the move?
No, the hive has to be connected at all times, including during the move. In the diagram below, the Ladybug is not allowed to move even if there is one hive at the end of the move. A good rule is: if the piece you want to move disappeared, would the hive still be all connected? If yes, then you can move that piece; otherwise, it is immobile.
Can pieces move back to the space where they started from or move back through a space they have already occupied during the movement?
No. Every move has to end with a change of state (the position after the move must be different than before the move). Also, backtracking of the Spider is not allowed: the Spider should move three spaces around the hive without moving through a space it has already occupied during the movement.
Is the grasshopper limited by the freedom to move rule?
No, the grasshopper is the only piece not limited by the freedom to move rule. The grasshopper is not restricted by gates and can jump over stacks of any height.
How does the freedom to move rule affect pieces moving from/to/onto the top of the hive? (beetle gate)
When a piece climbs up or down the hive, or moves on top of the hive, it must be able to slide according to the freedom to move rule. If two stacks form a gate above the ground level (beetle gate), pieces won't be able to slide through when they climb through it.
Can the Mosquito copy the movement of other pieces while on top of the hive?
No, it keeps moving like a beetle.
What happens when a mosquito is only adjacent to the opponent mosquito?
It is unable to move
Can the Mosquito copy the Beetle's ability when it's adjacent to the opponent mosquito on top of the hive?
No, it's still a mosquito after all!
Can the Pillbug use its special ability if it has been just moved by the opponent Pillbug (or Mosquito)?
No, any piece that just moved, in the turn of the other player immediately after is unable to: move, be moved or use the pillbug's ability (it is 'stunned').
Can I use the pillbug's ability to move an enemy pillbug/mosquito that just used the pillbug's ability?
Yes. A piece that was just moved cannot be moved immediately after (it is 'stunned'), but a piece that just used the pillbug's ability can be moved by the enemy pillbug/mosquito's ability.
What happens when you don't have any move available?
Pass and let your opponent play again until you have a move available (you cannot pass if you have any moves available, even if there are only bad ones!).
What happens when we keep repeating the same moves or neither I nor my opponent seem to have enough pieces to win?
A draw occurs when a position is repeated three times. If the position is not repeated, but the game goes on for too long without any player making progress, players should agree on a draw too.