<p>You can't. It has to be placed like all other pieces:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>NB</strong> When it is first placed, the Beetle is placed in the same way as all the other pieces. It cannot be placed directly on top of the hive, even though it can move there later.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>From the <a href="http://www.gen42.com/downloads/rules/Hive_Rules.pdf">bottom of page 5</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-09T17:22:24.387Z
What does NB mean?
Joey
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-09T17:24:23.163Z
Nota Bene: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nota_bene
freekvd
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-09T06:44:16.893Z
2015-08-09T06:44:16.893Z
freekvd
<p>When placing the beetle, can he be placed on top of another piece as long as he doesn't touch an opponent's piece? The rules don't appear to prohibit this. </p>

<hive>
Can the beetle start on top of the hive?
Joey
# Can the beetle start on top of the hive?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-08-09)

When placing the beetle, can he be placed on top of another piece as long as he doesn't touch an opponent's piece? The rules don't appear to prohibit this.

**Tags:** hive


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-08-09. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

You can't. It has to be placed like all other pieces:

> **NB** When it is first placed, the Beetle is placed in the same way as all the other pieces. It cannot be placed directly on top of the hive, even though it can move there later.

From the [bottom of page 5](http://www.gen42.com/downloads/rules/Hive_Rules.pdf).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: What does NB mean?  
> **username_1**: Nota Bene: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nota_bene  

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