To play you move your ships one square to make a new ship, or move a ship two squares to jump without making a new ship. You can move straight, diagonally, or in an "L" shape, like a knight in chess!
Mama Says don't be a rude player! Proper etiquette is this:
- Do not quit a game before it is over! Ride it out! Things may not be as bad as they seem. Scores can change a lot in a few moves!
- If you have to go before the game is over, neomail your opponent and cancel the game. Do not just click to another page & leave your opponent waiting for your move for a while until he/she figures out you're gone.
- Don't dilly-dally! Check in on the game frequently when it isn't your turn. Don't leave your opponent waiting for nothing! Take a minute to think about the right move, but don't leave your opponent waiting while you play feaky factory or something. No need to wait for the page to refresh, either. If you have a fast opponent, click the "waiting..." button ever 5 seconds or so. (yes, I'm THAT FAST).
You want to be agressive from the start, but play it smart! NO JUMPING! You want your buddies backing you up as you move in!A single ship can be eliminated in one move. You want a ship behind that one to jump in & take revenge when that happens.
Don't be a little behind! Think AHEAD!
Don't be afraid to take a moment to think ahead... What kind of hole will I be leaving if I jump? What kind of shape will I be making when I move? How many ships will I take, and how many am I leaving to be taken? COUNT if you need to!
What's the shape of things?
Beware leaving holes! The shapes you make are VERY IMPORTANT. When your opponent can jump in and take out a whole section in one jump... that's bad! Remember that you want to make shapes that can't be eliminated in one jump! Good shapes include squares and the "T" shape!
H-Shapes, on the other hand, are a strange. You don't want to be the fist person to take a hole because the other person will take the other side and, thus, the middle three ships. Be that second person. If you HAVE to choose a hole to jump into, choose the "outside" one. That way you don't get surrounded!
I'll be around...
Never get surrounded!If you have to jump over a line of ships, you end up leaving a hole... a hole that your opponent can use to destroy the area! Try to surround your opponent & do it to them! ;)
He who moves last moves best.
In a melee battle - close combat in a closed area- the last person to move has the advantage! If you can see you aren't going to be that person, make a jump! A jump makes one more space avaliable, and you can then be the last!
Never give up! Never surrender!
Let's say there's only one ship of yours that can move left in a section... Don't give the section up! Break out! Spread like a germ! Don't get trapped in any area if you can help it.
How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice, practice, PRACTICE! Why do I say what I say? It'll all make sense when you try it, or try things another way. Every game is different, so you can learn something from every game. Practice recognizing holes & shapes. Try getting surrounded & see what happens!