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Mattock is a territory game. The removal mechanic causes like-colored miners to link together in groups (on the smaller hex5 board, a single group of 3). Your goal is to trap your opponent's miners in a small area, while keeping a large area of open spaces for yourself. | Mattock is a territory game. The removal mechanic causes like-colored miners to link together in groups (on the smaller hex5 board, a single group of 3). Your goal is to trap your opponent's miners in a small area, while keeping a large area of open spaces for yourself. | ||
There is a quick strategy primer on the second page of the rules: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3trr68e92xi45ps/Mattock.pdf?dl= | There is a quick strategy primer on the second page of the rules: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3trr68e92xi45ps/Mattock.pdf?dl=0 | ||
The 3-minute rules/strategy video also covers strategy basics: https://youtu.be/PMrtXuegHHc | The 3-minute rules/strategy video also covers strategy basics: https://youtu.be/PMrtXuegHHc | ||
Example game with analysis: https://youtu.be/Djog-P6AVFM | |||
This article is a good in-depth strategy guide: https://www.abstractgames.org/mattock.html | This article is a good in-depth strategy guide: https://www.abstractgames.org/mattock.html | ||
Revision as of 00:40, 25 April 2021
Summary and Links
Mattock is a territory game. The removal mechanic causes like-colored miners to link together in groups (on the smaller hex5 board, a single group of 3). Your goal is to trap your opponent's miners in a small area, while keeping a large area of open spaces for yourself.
There is a quick strategy primer on the second page of the rules: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3trr68e92xi45ps/Mattock.pdf?dl=0
The 3-minute rules/strategy video also covers strategy basics: https://youtu.be/PMrtXuegHHc
Example game with analysis: https://youtu.be/Djog-P6AVFM
This article is a good in-depth strategy guide: https://www.abstractgames.org/mattock.html
Annotated games: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2599269/annotated-games
Protect Open Spaces Around the Edge of the Board
As you mine and remove, you will eventually link your miners together and split the board’s territory with your opponent.
The last player who can mine wins, so whoever has more open space to mine in their own territory will win. In the endgame, the 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.
Block Your Opponent Using the 3 Basic Shapes
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: the t-rex, whirligig, and diamond. These shapes are described in the rules, strategy article, and strategy video.
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.
Protect Your Miners From Removal
Connect your miners together to prevent your opponent from removing them. Create shapes that block your opponent from connecting, so that your opponent's miners can't get between your own miners and sever your connections.
When you remove an opponent miner, check to make sure that your opponent can't reply by removing your own miners in return.