Hive: The Pillbug

Description

--- **Hive: The Pillbug** expands Hive with a versatile tile for movement and repositioning, enforcing strict rules on immobilization and connectivity. (18 words) Key mechanics include: - *Pillbug Movement* Moves one space alone or repositions an adjacent unstacked piece (ally or enemy) two spaces: up onto itself, then down to another empty adjacent space. - *Movement Exceptions* Cannot target opponent's last-moved piece, stacked pieces, moves that split the hive (One Hive Rule), or through narrow stacked gaps (Freedom to Move Rule). - *Immobilization Rule* Any piece physically moved by Pillbug cannot move, be moved, or use special abilities on the next player's turn; Pillbug using its ability isn't physically moved, so remains movable by opponent. - *Mosquito Interaction* Mosquito mimics Pillbug's movement or special ability, even if the target Pillbug is immobilized. - *Stack Limitations* Pillbug under a Beetle (or Mosquito mimicking Beetle) cannot move or use its ability. Hive: The Pillbug introduces a dynamic pair of tiles to Hive, enabling the Pillbug to either advance one space independently or manipulate gameplay by lifting an adjacent unstacked piece—regardless of ownership—onto itself before placing it into another empty adjacent space, fundamentally altering board control. This ability is tightly constrained: it cannot affect the opponent's most recent move, any stacked pieces, actions that would fracture the hive in violation of the One Hive Rule, or paths blocked by insufficiently wide stacked formations per the Freedom to Move Rule. Post-activation, a simple yet profound immobilization mechanic applies: any physically relocated piece becomes inert for the subsequent player's turn, prohibiting its self-movement, external movement, or special ability usage; notably, the Pillbug itself evades this if only using its special power without bodily relocation, allowing immediate counter-moves by the opponent. The Mosquito gains enhanced versatility by emulating the Pillbug's full movement or ability profile, bypassing immobilization on the mimicked Pillbug. Stacking hierarchies persist, rendering a buried Pillbug inert like any suppressed piece under a Beetle or Mosquito-as-Beetle. ---