Tips mattock

For the best strategy information, see this illustrated article: https://www.abstractgames.org/mattock.html

There is also a quick strategy primer on the second page of the rules: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3trr68e92xi45ps/Mattock.pdf?dl=1

90-second strategy video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7fE9JPw4F8

The last player who can mine wins, so you need access to more open space to mine than your opponent. In the endgame, these open spaces will usually be around the edge of the board. Protect edge spaces by blocking choke points with your miners, and building shapes that block your opponent's connections.

Remember, no tile can ever touch more than 3 other tiles. So, when a tile touches exactly 3 other tiles, all of the adjacent open spaces are blocked. There are only 3 ways that a tile can touch 3 other tiles, making 3 basic shapes that are described in the rules PDF, strategy article, and strategy video.

Create shapes that prevent your opponent from separating and removing your miners.

When you remove an opponent miner, check to make sure that your opponent can't reply by removing your miner and invading your territory.

Each time you mine, think about which of the 3 basic shapes you will make and how you will use them to protect edge spaces from your opponent.