A complete guide to Hive Pocket: The appeal of this boardless strategy game for beginners and how it differs from Hive.

Hive is an abstract strategy board game for two players designed by John Ianni.
The game does not use a board, but involves placing and moving tiles.
In this article, we will use only information from provided sources to clearly explain the appeal of "Hive" and key points about playing it.

Game Basics

"Hive" is a game in which the goal is to completely surround the opponent's queen bee by combining your pieces with your opponent's pieces .
The player who surrounds the Queen Bee before their opponent wins.
If your Queen Bee is surrounded by opponents, that player loses.

The game does not use a board, but rather players take turns placing tiles from their hand or moving tiles that are already in place.
At the start of the game, each player has 11 tiles (pieces) of the same color.
These pieces are named after insects and spiders that move in different ways.
The basic pieces are five types: Queen Bee, Beetle, Grasshopper, Spider, and Soldier Ant.
The expansion set also includes additional pieces such as ladybugs, mosquitoes, and pillbugs.

On the first turn of the game, the leading player places any piece in the center of the table.
The next player places their piece adjacent to the piece placed by the first player.
From this turn onwards, when placing a new piece, it must be placed adjacent to a piece of your own color .
However, the first move of the player going second is an exception to this restriction.
Placed pieces cannot be removed during the game.

Queen Bee must be placed on the game field by your fourth turn .
Players cannot move any pieces on the field until the Queen Bee is placed.
After the Queen Bee is placed, you can choose to either "place a piece" or "move a piece" on your turn.

There are some common rules for moving pieces.
One is the "One Hive Rule," which states that all pieces in play must always be in one connected mass (hive) .
Any move that would result in the division of the hive as a result of moving a piece is prohibited.
Also, most of the pieces have "slide moves."
This means that a piece can only move to a place where it can physically slide into place.
If a piece is surrounded by other pieces and cannot physically slide out, it cannot move.
The exceptions are the Grasshopper, Beetle, and Ladybug, who can move over other pieces and are therefore not restricted by this sliding movement.

Each piece has a unique movement pattern:

• Queen Bee: Can move to adjacent space by one space.
  
• Beetle: Can move 1 space.
  You can climb onto other pieces, and the piece you are standing on will become unable to move.
  If a Beetle is on top of it, the stack's color is treated as the Beetle's color.
  
• Grasshopper: Jumps over other pieces in a straight line and lands on the next empty space in the row.
  To move, you must jump over at least one piece.
  
• Spider: Always moves exactly 3 spaces.
  There is no turning back on the migration path and you must always be in contact with the hive.
  
• Soldier Ant: You can move around the perimeter of the hive as much as you like.
  One-hive rules and slide movement restrictions apply.
  A very versatile piece.
  

The expansion piece moves as follows:

• Ladybug: Move 3 spaces (2 spaces up, 1 space down).
  It can also be placed in an enclosed space.
  
• Mosquito: Mimics the movement of other pieces it touches.
  Once you get on as a Beetle, you'll perform Beetle movements until you get off.
  If you are only in contact with other Mosquitoes, you cannot move.
  
• Pillbug: Makes complex moves that move the opponent's pieces.
  

If a player cannot legally place or move a piece, their turn is skipped and the opponent's turn begins.
The game continues until one queen bee is completely surrounded or until the game ends in a draw.
A draw can also occur if the last move to surround one player's Queen Bee also surrounds the opponent's Queen Bee, or if both players have no choice but to repeat the same move (stalemate).

The appeal of Hive

Hive has many attractive features, but here are three that are particularly noteworthy.

Appeal 1: Simple yet deep strategy

"Hive" has simple rules and no board, but it is highly strategic.
Many sources describe it as a strategy game similar to chess.
However, unlike chess, the rules are simple and easy to learn , yet it is said to be so deep that it may take a lifetime to master .

There is no element of luck in this game.
The outcome of the game is determined purely by the player's thinking and strategy.
The game situation changes with every move, and you are constantly required to react to your opponent's moves, so it is said to be difficult to stick to one strategy throughout the match .

There are various strategies for "Hive".
For example, "pinning" and "blocking," which prevent the opponent's pieces from moving, are important tactics.
Ants and beetles in particular are said to be very suitable pieces for pinning.
The concept of "tempo" is also important.
This is the idea of ​​making efficient moves to waste your opponent's turn and create an advantageous situation for yourself.

Each piece has a different role, and it's important to decide which piece to use depending on the game situation.
Ant, for example, can move around the board quickly and is great at pinning.
The Beetle can ride on top of other pieces, completely enclosing them.
Spiders are limited to moving three spaces, so it can be difficult to use them.
The Grasshopper moves in a straight line, but its ability to jump over other pieces allows it to enter enclosed spaces.
The Queen Bee itself has low mobility, but keeping it mobile is an important piece that can make the difference between victory and defeat.

Appeal 2: Unparalleled portability and freedom of play environment

One of the major features of "Hive" is that it does not use a board .
Since you play by creating a game area (hive) using only pieces, you can play anywhere as long as there is a flat surface such as a table.

Especially the compact version The Hive Pocket is small and extremely portable .
The pieces are made of durable tiles that can withstand getting wet, making them ideal for outdoor play .
It's a game that can be played in any environment, with photos of players playing on sandy beaches, snowy fields, and even at the bottom of a pool.
It's also rated as an excellent game to take with you on trips.

Charm 3: Tactile comfort

The "Hive" pieces are hexagonal tiles that are heavy and have a pleasant texture.
It is said that the feeling of actually picking up and moving these tiles is one of the elements that enhances the enjoyment of the game .
Although an online version exists, the tactile appeal of the tiles and the face-to-face interaction with others are experiences that can only be had with physical tiles.

Another attractive feature is that the game time is short, around 10 to 20 minutes, making it easy to enjoy.
It's simple yet requires strategic thinking, allowing for a rich gaming experience in a short space of time .

Disappointments and points to note

Hive is a great strategy game, but there are a few things you should know before you play.

First of all, there are a lot of draws .
Draws can be a problem even at the competitive level, and they were especially common before the rule change shortly after the game began (which prevented players from placing a queen on the first turn).
Experiments using AI have also shown that many games end in draws.
A draw can occur not only when both players' queens are surrounded at the same time, but also when both players have no choice but to repeat the same move (deadlock).
This is possible due to the nature of the game, but it doesn't detract from the strategic depth.

Secondly, because it is a purely skill game, there is a possibility that differences in experience and proficiency between players may occur .
Since there is no element of luck involved, experienced players may have an advantage over beginners.
Some players feel like the game is decided by the first few moves, like in chess.
However, the source also states that Hive's strategies are constantly changing, so it's safe to say that the more you get used to it, the more new discoveries you'll make and the more fun it becomes.

It is also recommended that you use expansion pieces (such as Ladybug and Mosquito) only after becoming familiar with the original five types.
The addition of new moves makes strategies more complex, so it may be a good idea to get used to the game with the basic set first.

Finally, some say that basic mistakes are more likely to have an impact .
Mistakes in placement and movement in the early stages can easily have an impact later on, and if you find yourself in a stalemate, the tension of the game can be lost.
However, this can also be said to be one of the joys of strategy games.
Careful play and foresight are key.

Recommended for:

Based on the above information, "Hive" is a board game that we recommend to the following people:

• People who like abstract strategy games like chess and shogi
• Looking for a two-player game?
• Those who want to play games anywhere, such as when traveling or outdoors
• Those who want to enjoy a short but intense strategy game
• Those who want to decide the outcome based on their own thinking and strategy, not luck
• Those who want to play with components that feel good to the touch
• Those looking for a game that can be enjoyed by families with children aged 9 and over
• Those who are attracted to game systems like Go and Othello, where "surrounding" the opponent leads to victory

Hive's combination of pure strategy and portability will make it an attractive option for many players.
Why not enjoy a heated battle of wits with your family and friends, wherever you are?

About Hive Pocket

Hive Pocket is a compact version of the award-winning board game Hive, designed by John Yianni .
It was released in 2010.

This is a two-player strategy game , no board required .
The game board is formed by hexagonal tiles placed by players.

The only objective of the game is to completely surround the opponent's Queen Bee with a total of six pieces, whether they are yours or your opponent's .
The first player to surround the opponent's queen bee wins.

Each player has 11 tiles of the same color, each depicting a different type of insect or spider.
The basic pieces are the Queen Bee, Beetle, Grasshopper, Spider, and Soldier Ant.
Notably, Hive Pocket includes the expansion pieces from the original game: Ladybug and Mosquito .
This allows for more strategies and variations in movement.

Gameplay is simple, with players taking turns.
On your turn, you can choose to:

• Place one of your pieces on the board.
• Move one of your pieces already on the board according to the rules of that piece.

There are some rules for placing pieces:

• The first player places the first piece anywhere.
• The second player places their piece adjacent to the first piece.
• New pieces must only be placed adjacent to pieces of your own color (they cannot be placed adjacent to pieces of your opponent's color).
• The queen bee must be placed on the board by your fourth move .
• No pieces can be moved until the queen bee is placed.
• Once placed, a piece cannot be removed from the board.

An important rule regarding movement is the " One Hive Rule ."
This rule states that all pieces on the board must always form a single connected block (hive) .
Any movement of a piece that would result in the Hive being split into two or more pieces is prohibited.

Also, while most pieces move by sliding along the edges of the Hive, they cannot move into narrow spaces that they cannot physically slide into.
The exceptions are beetles, grasshoppers, ladybugs, and mosquitoes (if they mimic their movements) which are exempt from this sliding restriction by moving and jumping on tiles .

The basic movement of each piece is as follows:

• Queen Bee: Can move one adjacent space.
• Beetle: Can move one space and can ride on other pieces .
  A piece "ridden" by a beetle cannot move.
  Beetles can also "drop" into enclosed spaces.
• Grasshopper: Jumps over other pieces in a line and lands on the first empty space in that line.
  You need at least one piece to jump over
• Spider: Move exactly 3 spaces around the Hive.
  You cannot go back while moving
• Soldier Ant: Can move any number of spaces around the Hive as long as it adheres to the "One Hive Rule."
  It is considered a versatile and highly valuable piece.
• Ladybug: Move 3 spaces.
  The first two spaces move above the hive, and the last space moves below it.
• Mosquito: Mimics the movement of an adjacent piece.
  While on the Hive, it moves like a beetle.

If a player is unable to move or place a piece, they skip their turn.
The game ends when the opposing Queen Bee is completely surrounded .
If both players' queen bees are surrounded at the same time in one move, the game is a draw.
A draw can also result from a repetition of matches.

"Hive Pocket" is a skill game with no element of luck .
It is often compared to chess, and while similarly strategic, it is said to be simpler, more thematic, and more accessible .
The game is usually short, lasting around 10 to 20 minutes.

The pieces are made of durable, soft-to-the-touch hexagonal tiles , and the lack of a board makes it highly portable.
It is said to be the "best outdoor board game" as it can be played anywhere, such as on the beach or in the snow.
The rules manual is easy to understand, and there are helpful diagrams of how each piece moves.
Despite its simple rules, the game has deep strategic potential, allowing for a variety of approaches, including defense (encircling) and attack (such as dropping the queen bee with a beetle).