<p>The gap between the two stacks is too small for the ant to pass through, thus violating the freedom of movement restriction.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/bT3Wr.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/bT3Wr.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-08T08:10:20.590Z
This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient [reputation](https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/help/whats-reputation) you will be able to [comment on any post](https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/help/privileges/comment); instead, [provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/214173/why-do-i-need-50-reputation-to-comment-what-can-i-do-instead). - [From Review](/review/late-answers/31909)
Aulis Ronkainen
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-08T13:49:49.977Z
I believe this does answer the question.
Pat Ludwig
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-07-04T17:42:12.957Z
It answers the question because it is the exact same answer that freekvd already gave, just with barely any explanation, except a copy of the last sentence that freekvd wrote
Futurecat
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-08T07:37:29.543Z
2022-02-08T13:48:37.130Z
2022-02-08T13:48:37.130Z
Anon
<p>The piece that is moved by the Pillbug's special ability travels on top of the hive in the same way that a Beetle would. If there are Beetles at that level, you will have to move around them as you would during normal movement at ground level.</p>

<p>To illustrate this, I'll use the picture from the rules that you quoted:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/gPaPr.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/gPaPr.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>In this example the Ant can be moved by the Pillbug ability. Now imagine two beetles (B) present on top of the white Bee and white Spider:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/OHOxD.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/OHOxD.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>This would make the gap between those two stacks too small for the ant to pass through, thus violating the freedom of movement restriction.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-21T12:44:41.030Z
Cheers! The idea that the piece would travel on top of the hive, onto the Pillbug, somehow escaped me
Futurecat
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-21T12:40:12.103Z
2015-12-21T12:40:12.103Z
freekvd
<p>The fourth exception on <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20161119041538/https://www.gen42.com/downloads/rules/Pillbug_SP_Rules.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Page 3 of the rulebook for the pillbug</a> states:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Pillbug may not move a piece through a too-narrow gap of stacked pieces (violating the Freedom to Move Rule).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>What exactly would be considered a <em>too-narrow gap of stacked pieces</em>?</p>
<p>Our guess was a situation, where the bug to be moved is between two stacks of pieces (two Beetles on top of the hive, both also adjacent to the pillbug). But I don't see how this would violate the Freedom to Move rule.</p>
<p>Another option (ignoring the word <em>stacked</em>): If the bug to be moved would not be able to move by itself (e.g. surrounded by 5 pieces), the pillbug can not move that piece, either.</p>
<p>The English explanation sounds kind of different to the German rule (translated by me):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Pillbug may not move a piece, if this movement would also move other pieces or if the piece is surrounded.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So, the Pillbug is not able to 'rescue' a surrounded piece? Also, can the Pillbug move a piece into a location (e.g. enclosed space) the piece would not be able to move into?</p>

<hive>
Clarification of Pillbug movement rule in Hive
Futurecat
# Clarification of Pillbug movement rule in Hive

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-21)

The fourth exception on [Page 3 of the rulebook for the pillbug](http://web.archive.org/web/20161119041538/https://www.gen42.com/downloads/rules/Pillbug_SP_Rules.pdf) states:

> The Pillbug may not move a piece through a too-narrow gap of stacked pieces (violating the Freedom to Move Rule).

What exactly would be considered a *too-narrow gap of stacked pieces*?

Our guess was a situation, where the bug to be moved is between two stacks of pieces (two Beetles on top of the hive, both also adjacent to the pillbug). But I don't see how this would violate the Freedom to Move rule.

Another option (ignoring the word *stacked*): If the bug to be moved would not be able to move by itself (e.g. surrounded by 5 pieces), the pillbug can not move that piece, either.

The English explanation sounds kind of different to the German rule (translated by me):

> The Pillbug may not move a piece, if this movement would also move other pieces or if the piece is surrounded.

So, the Pillbug is not able to 'rescue' a surrounded piece? Also, can the Pillbug move a piece into a location (e.g. enclosed space) the piece would not be able to move into?

**Tags:** hive


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2015-12-21. Score: 9 | Accepted answer

The piece that is moved by the Pillbug's special ability travels on top of the hive in the same way that a Beetle would. If there are Beetles at that level, you will have to move around them as you would during normal movement at ground level.

To illustrate this, I'll use the picture from the rules that you quoted:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/gPaPr.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/gPaPr.png)

In this example the Ant can be moved by the Pillbug ability. Now imagine two beetles (B) present on top of the white Bee and white Spider:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/OHOxD.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/OHOxD.png)

This would make the gap between those two stacks too small for the ant to pass through, thus violating the freedom of movement restriction.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Cheers! The idea that the piece would travel on top of the hive, onto the Pillbug, somehow escaped me  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-02-08. Score: 4

The gap between the two stacks is too small for the ant to pass through, thus violating the freedom of movement restriction.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/bT3Wr.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/bT3Wr.jpg)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient [reputation](https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/help/whats-reputation) you will be able to [comment on any post](https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/help/privileges/comment); instead, [provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/214173/why-do-i-need-50-reputation-to-comment-what-can-i-do-instead). - [From Review](/review/late-answers/31909)  
> **username_3**: I believe this does answer the question.  
> **username_0**: It answers the question because it is the exact same answer that username_4 already gave, just with barely any explanation, except a copy of the last sentence that username_4 wrote  

---

