Hive - a game buzzing with possibilities! Hive set

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How to play Hive

A Hive set contains 22 highly tactile pieces. 11 of them are black and 11 white. Each piece is embossed with one of five different creatures, which all have their own way of moving about the Hive.

Please note that this is just a summary of the Hive rules. A more comprehensive guide is enclosed with each game.

the black Queen Bee is surrounded
The aim is to be the first player to surround your opponent's Queen Bee using any mix of your own and your opponent's pieces. As soon as one player's Queen Bee is completely surrounded, that player has lost the game.




The basic rules

-decide who is black and who is white
-one player places a piece into the centre of the table
-the players then add pieces alternately
-the Queen Bee must be placed between the first and fourth turn
-once you have placed your Queen Bee, you can choose to use your turn to place another piece or move one of the pieces that have already been placed
-apart from the first piece, the pieces you place must not touch your opponent's colour
-you can move pieces to positions where they touch your opponent's colour


The creatures' movements:

Each creature has its own way of moving about the Hive:

Queen BeeThe Queen Bee can only move one space at a time.

BeetleThe Beetle can also move only one space at a time. However, unlike any other creature, it can climb up onto a neighbouring piece, move across the top of the Hive or climb down from the top of the Hive into a neighbouring space. Click here for examples of how the Beetle can be used.
GrasshopperThe Grasshopper can jump over any number of pieces. It must always jump in this way and it cannot jump over a gap in the Hive.
SpiderThe Spider always moves three spaces at a time.
Soldier AntThe Soldier Ant is one of the most versatile creatures as it can move to any point around the Hive, provided it does not violate the restrictions below.


Restrictions

One Hive rule
One Hive rule:
At no point can you split the Hive in two. If a creature is the only piece that connects two or more parts of the Hive, it may not be moved, even if at the end of the move it would rejoin the Hive.


Freedom to Move:
Freedom to Move Apart from the Grasshopper and the Beetle, which can jump into or out of spaces that are surrounded, the creatures must not be moved to positions that they cannot get to with a sliding movement. Technically, this means if a piece is surrounded by five tiles, it cannot move. Similarly, if an empty space is surrounded by five tiles, only the Grasshopper or the Beetle can move into that space.



And then?

The rules can easily be picked up in just one game. After that, all that's left is to enjoy the game. For a long time, you will discover new strategies and ways to use the Restrictions to your advantage in every game. That's the beauty of Hive!

Have fun!