CASCADE
Two players. 9×9 board. Stones that absorb and redeploy.
Two-player abstract. 9×9 board. Each player has 12 stones. Stones can be stacked. Stacks of N can move N hexes and capture stacks of size ≤N. Captured stacks aren't removed — they're absorbed. Position is about controlling height differentials.
A capture trades position for material — but feeds the enemy reserve. A non-capture wastes tempo.
The Roles
Stone Player
Each plays 12 stones. Stacks N can move N hexes and capture stacks ≤N.
How a Round Plays
Place
Place a stone on the 9×9 board.
Move stack
A stack of size N moves up to N hexes per turn.
Absorb
When you land on an enemy stack ≤ your size, you absorb half. The other half goes to enemy reserve.
Redeploy reserve
Reserve stones can be played back onto the board next turn.
Win Conditions
Reduce opponent
Opponent has 0 stones on the board.
Designer's Notes
No luck, no hidden info. The stack/absorb mechanic creates non-trivial threat analysis — capturing isn't always good if it gives opponent reserve. Position becomes about controlling height differentials.
Strategy
- 01Build height differentialsA 4-stack threatens any 4-or-less stack within 4 hexes. Range is the resource.
- 02Don't feed reservesCapturing a 6-stack gives opponent 3 reserve. Sometimes pass.
- 03Center control mattersCentral hexes touch the most positions. Place tall stacks there.
No Luck.
No Fog.
Only Cost.
Pass the device around the table, or open a remote room and play cross-device. Either way, every move is yours alone.
About Cascade
Two-player abstract. 9×9 board. Each player has 12 stones. Stones can be stacked. Stacks of N can move N hexes and capture stacks of size ≤N. Captured stacks aren't removed — they're absorbed. Position is about controlling height differentials.
2-2 players (best with 2) · 15–25 min · Pure Strategy
How a round plays out
Place
Place a stone on the 9×9 board.
Move stack
A stack of size N moves up to N hexes per turn.
Absorb
When you land on an enemy stack ≤ your size, you absorb half. The other half goes to enemy reserve.
Redeploy reserve
Reserve stones can be played back onto the board next turn.
Roles
- Stone Player(2)
- Each plays 12 stones. Stacks N can move N hexes and capture stacks ≤N.
How to win
- Reduce opponent
- Opponent has 0 stones on the board.
Tips for new players
- Build height differentials
- A 4-stack threatens any 4-or-less stack within 4 hexes. Range is the resource.
- Don't feed reserves
- Capturing a 6-stack gives opponent 3 reserve. Sometimes pass.
- Center control matters
- Central hexes touch the most positions. Place tall stacks there.
What makes it interesting
No luck, no hidden info. The stack/absorb mechanic creates non-trivial threat analysis — capturing isn't always good if it gives opponent reserve. Position becomes about controlling height differentials.
A capture trades position for material — but feeds the enemy reserve. A non-capture wastes tempo.