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I've just started playing with the Ladybug and I've noticed a drastic change in what strategies are most effective.
Before the Ladybug, I'd often see a strategy where ants would trap enemy pieces, then jump across the board into gaps around the opponent's queen once the player has the advantage, and use grasshoppers to fill in any holes the ants couldn't slide into.
Now with the beetle, using the above strategy seems to be less effective than a beetle + ladybug and a close range strategy.
Has anyone else noticed this?
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Randall Ingersoll
United States
Port Orange
Florida
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I had not thought of it in those terms, but I think you are correct. With the LadyBug, the games seem to be more compact. In most cases this requires more thought and the ability to see ahead.
In most of my games I lead with the Ladybug. She is an excellent defender because she can pop out when necessary and if the opposing Queen is within range, has more options to attack.
With LadyBug alone, I think that White has a distinct advantage. Add the Mosquito and Black's defense is easier.
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I have not used the ladybug but must state that in the base game, the beetle is a very useful/powerful piece.
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Patrick Reynolds
United States
Vermontville
Michigan
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I generally open with a beetle, maybe two. Now I think the Ladybug will be my default opening move, since she has more versatility in getting out of the middle and into better position faster.
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Johan Haglert
Sweden
Örebro
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rmingersoll wrote: With LadyBug alone, I think that White has a distinct advantage. Add the Mosquito and Black's defense is easier. Because of one color always starting or what?
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Jason Wallace
United States
Rochester
New York
6th Circle Nethermancer in Service of the Queen!
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White is supposed to always move first, so by Black he means the second player which in tournament or online play IS always black.
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Johan Haglert
Sweden
Örebro
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Is the balance issues for who start first so strong that it's enough to not get the game?
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Jason Wallace
United States
Rochester
New York
6th Circle Nethermancer in Service of the Queen!
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I really don't think so. It just means you need to account for the difference and play defense, at least initially, as Black. I've played over 1000 games of Hive and while there is an advantage, skill can definitely overcome it.
Also even among relatively equal very skilled players, there's still a lot of competition and possibilities.... it ends up with a very chess-like quality to it, but fewer and simpler pieces, so I personally find it more enjoyable, but still a brainburner at times.
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