Tips apiary - Revision history

Eric Juneau at 15:24, 21 May 2026

2026-05-21T15:24:14Z

Eric Juneau at 19:33, 20 May 2026

2026-05-20T19:33:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:33, 20 May 2026
Line 19:		Line 19:

	In most circumstances, developments (pink) tiles are outright better (in terms of scoring or long-term strategy) than a Carve tile [[File:apiary_carve.png]], since they give you resources, activate scoring triggers, level your workers, or place tiles. They also tend to have high scores.		In most circumstances, developments (pink) tiles are outright better (in terms of scoring or long-term strategy) than a Carve tile [[File:apiary_carve.png]], since they give you resources, activate scoring triggers, level your workers, or place tiles. They also tend to have high scores.

			Planting seed cards tends to be a waste of time. They're almost always more valuable to play for the immediate effect. Planting means you have to use a 4-Strength worker on the Research or Explore action, which is less worthwhile than Dance, Carve, or Advance.



	Build many recruit (blue) tiles to get discounts and increase the efficiency of your actions. To generate Wax [[File:apiary_wax.png]], use seed cards, or placement bonuses, or hibernation pods. Alternatively, buy blue tiles that do the Retrieve action or allow you to keep a second seed card on the Research action. Then do the Research action frequently.		Build many recruit (blue) tiles to get discounts and increase the efficiency of your actions. To generate Wax [[File:apiary_wax.png]], use seed cards, or placement bonuses, or hibernation pods. Alternatively, buy blue tiles that do the Retrieve action or allow you to keep a second seed card on the Research action. Then do the Research action frequently.

Eric Juneau at 15:59, 20 May 2026

2026-05-20T15:59:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:59, 20 May 2026
Line 14:		Line 14:
	Action efficiency is critical. You have about 14-17 actions in a given game (fewer with more players). As a result, you want to be scoring about 5 points with every action. If you are not, consider how to make them up in a future action. You want to aim for more than 100 points a game.		Action efficiency is critical. You have about 14-17 actions in a given game (fewer with more players). As a result, you want to be scoring about 5 points with every action. If you are not, consider how to make them up in a future action. You want to aim for more than 100 points a game.

	The best general strategy is to fill out your hives and frames. A filled mat/frame scores 8 points on top of the points each tile gives. Aim for 3-4 farms (each worth 2VP or 3VP), 1-2 Carve tiles, 1-3 Developments (if you plan on producing ~~wax~~), and the rest as ~~recruits~~.		The best general strategy is to fill out your hives and frames. A filled mat/frame scores 8 points on top of the points each tile gives. Aim for 3-4 farms (each worth 2VP or 3VP), 1-2 Carve tiles [[File:apiary_carve.png]], 1-3 Developments (if you plan on producing Wax [[File:apiary_wax.png]]), and the rest as Recruits.

	Retrieve is your most impactful action, so activate as many farms as possible when you do.		Retrieve is your most impactful action, so activate as many farms as possible when you do.

	In most circumstances, developments (pink) tiles are outright better (in terms of scoring or long-term strategy) than a Carve tile, since they give you resources, activate scoring triggers, level your workers, or place tiles. They also tend to have high scores.		In most circumstances, developments (pink) tiles are outright better (in terms of scoring or long-term strategy) than a Carve tile [[File:apiary_carve.png]], since they give you resources, activate scoring triggers, level your workers, or place tiles. They also tend to have high scores.

	Build many recruit (blue) tiles to get discounts and increase the efficiency of your actions. To generate ~~wax~~, use seed cards, or placement bonuses, or hibernation pods. Alternatively, buy blue tiles that do the Retrieve action or allow you to keep a second seed card on the Research action. Then do the Research action frequently.		Build many recruit (blue) tiles to get discounts and increase the efficiency of your actions. To generate Wax [[File:apiary_wax.png]], use seed cards, or placement bonuses, or hibernation pods. Alternatively, buy blue tiles that do the Retrieve action or allow you to keep a second seed card on the Research action. Then do the Research action frequently.

	Get three good farms early, then do the Retrieve action every four turns.		Get three good farms early, then do the Retrieve action every four turns.
Line 32:		Line 32:
	'''Convert:''' Use this action rarely (once or none), and when you do use a 4-Strength worker. Instead, create dances during the Explore action using a planet's 4-Strength ability.		'''Convert:''' Use this action rarely (once or none), and when you do use a 4-Strength worker. Instead, create dances during the Explore action using a planet's 4-Strength ability.

	'''Carve:''' The only way to buy Carve tiles is with ~~honey~~, which should be obtained through discounts or dances. Usually, there is at most one great tile. You can easily win without gaining any Carve tiles. The most valuable ones are Monolith, Efficiency, and Retinue.		'''Carve:''' The only way to buy Carve tiles [[File:apiary_carve.png]] is with Honey [[File:apiary_honey.png]], which should be obtained through discounts or dances. Usually, there is at most one great tile. You can easily win without gaining any Carve tiles. The most valuable ones are Monolith, Efficiency, and Retinue.

	'''Extra Honey''': If all the good Carve tiles (or all of them) are taken, convert ~~honey~~ into other resources, which you can then potentially discard for Queen's Favors. Some seed cards also earn you VP for stored ~~honey~~.		'''Extra Honey''': If all the good Carve tiles (or all of them) are taken, convert Honey [[File:apiary_honey.png]] into other resources, which you can then potentially discard for Queen's Favors. Some seed cards also earn you VP for stored Honey.

Eric Juneau at 13:28, 20 May 2026

2026-05-20T13:28:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:28, 20 May 2026
Line 32:		Line 32:
	'''Convert:''' Use this action rarely (once or none), and when you do use a 4-Strength worker. Instead, create dances during the Explore action using a planet's 4-Strength ability.		'''Convert:''' Use this action rarely (once or none), and when you do use a 4-Strength worker. Instead, create dances during the Explore action using a planet's 4-Strength ability.

	'''Carve:''' The only way to buy Carve tiles is with honey, which should be obtained through discounts or dances. Usually, there is at most one great tile. You can easily win without gaining any Carve tiles.		'''Carve:''' The only way to buy Carve tiles is with honey, which should be obtained through discounts or dances. Usually, there is at most one great tile. You can easily win without gaining any Carve tiles. The most valuable ones are Monolith, Efficiency, and Retinue.

	'''Extra Honey''': If all the good Carve tiles (or all of them) are taken, convert honey into other resources, which you can then potentially discard for Queen's Favors. Some seed cards also earn you VP for stored honey.		'''Extra Honey''': If all the good Carve tiles (or all of them) are taken, convert honey into other resources, which you can then potentially discard for Queen's Favors. Some seed cards also earn you VP for stored honey.

Eric Juneau: Created page with "==Factions and Hives==

No faction ability guarantees a win or loss.

Most recruit (blue) tiles are as strong or stronger than faction abilities.

Play the board first, and your faction second.

A faction's starting conditions are more important than its abilities.

==Gameplay Strategy Ideas== These are suggestions and untested. Your mileage may vary...."

2026-05-19T20:57:03Z

Created page with "==Factions and Hives== <ul class="bulletlist" style="margin:1em 0;padding-inline-start:40px;"> <li>No faction ability guarantees a win or loss.</li> <li>Most recruit (blue) tiles are as strong or stronger than faction abilities.</li> <li>Play the board first, and your faction second.</li> <li>A faction's starting conditions are more important than its abilities.</li> </ul> ==Gameplay Strategy Ideas== These are suggestions and untested. Your mileage may vary...."

New page

==Factions and Hives==

<ul class="bulletlist" style="margin:1em 0;padding-inline-start:40px;">
<li>No faction ability guarantees a win or loss.</li>
<li>Most recruit (blue) tiles are as strong or stronger than faction abilities.</li>
<li>Play the board first, and your faction second.</li>
<li>A faction's starting conditions are more important than its abilities.</li>
</ul>

==Gameplay Strategy Ideas==

These are suggestions and untested. Your mileage may vary.

Action efficiency is critical. You have about 14-17 actions in a given game (fewer with more players). As a result, you want to be scoring about 5 points with every action. If you are not, consider how to make them up in a future action. You want to aim for more than 100 points a game.

The best general strategy is to fill out your hives and frames. A filled mat/frame scores 8 points on top of the points each tile gives. Aim for 3-4 farms (each worth 2VP or 3VP), 1-2 Carve tiles, 1-3 Developments (if you plan on producing wax), and the rest as recruits.

Retrieve is your most impactful action, so activate as many farms as possible when you do.

In most circumstances, developments (pink) tiles are outright better (in terms of scoring or long-term strategy) than a Carve tile, since they give you resources, activate scoring triggers, level your workers, or place tiles. They also tend to have high scores.

Build many recruit (blue) tiles to get discounts and increase the efficiency of your actions. To generate wax, use seed cards, or placement bonuses, or hibernation pods. Alternatively, buy blue tiles that do the Retrieve action or allow you to keep a second seed card on the Research action. Then do the Research action frequently.

Get three good farms early, then do the Retrieve action every four turns.

'''Explore:''' Explore 2-4 planets at the start. All other resources should come from seed cards, recruit discounts, or placement bonuses. The exception is exploring with a 4-Strength worker, though that depends on what kind of planets and their 4-Strength abilities are.

'''Advance:''' Buy as few farms as possible with the Advance action, not more than three. Otherwise, you can get most of them from seed cards. Use the Retrieve action if you get 5+ VP from them. Get the "Retrieve-On-Research" tile with a 2-3 point farm.

'''Grow:''' The hive upgrade is rarely as valuable as you think it is. Use 3/4-Strength bees on this action to maximize efficiency (i.e., get a frame and a new bee).

'''Convert:''' Use this action rarely (once or none), and when you do use a 4-Strength worker. Instead, create dances during the Explore action using a planet's 4-Strength ability.

'''Carve:''' The only way to buy Carve tiles is with honey, which should be obtained through discounts or dances. Usually, there is at most one great tile. You can easily win without gaining any Carve tiles.

'''Extra Honey''': If all the good Carve tiles (or all of them) are taken, convert honey into other resources, which you can then potentially discard for Queen's Favors. Some seed cards also earn you VP for stored honey.