Subulata

About this board game

Subulata is a two-player strategy game played in about 30 minutes, where players race their grasshoppers to the opponent’s corner while trying to stop the opposing swarm.

Each grasshopper has a hidden number from 1 to 9, while the online version uses numbers from 1 to 7. The more valuable grasshoppers you get to the opposite corner, the better your score, and captured pieces are worth 1 point each.

The board uses a random tile layout, so the playing area changes from one game to the next. Grasshoppers move forward onto empty spaces, with their movement determined by the terrain they jump from: 1 space from water, 2 spaces from a flower, or 3 spaces from a leaf.

• Move grasshoppers toward the opponent’s corner.
• Jump backwards when making a capture.
• Score for grasshoppers reaching the far corner and for captured pieces.
• Adapt to a different random tile layout every game.

Players sit at opposing corners, creating an unusual visual perspective. The grasshoppers move orthogonally across the board but appear diagonal from the players’ viewpoint, which can make potential captures surprisingly difficult to recognize.

A key feature of Subulata is that one grasshopper can threaten others without being exposed to attack itself. This makes it possible to build an attack with no defense, but committing to offense can leave your home corner open to occupation.

As the game develops, you must decide whether to launch an attack, slip safely past the opposing pieces, or protect your own corner. With hidden values, changing terrain, and tactical threats, every move presents a difficult choice. Subulata also supports turn-based online play through YourturnMyturn.