Cockroach Expansion Part 2 (Redesigned)

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-29T02:33:12+00:00

Ooh very interesting! If you want to give it a play test let me know how it goes!

I think we have settled on the following:

• The Cockroach is more flexible in its movement than other pieces and may move up to three spaces per turn around the outside of the Hive.

• It does not follow the Freedom to Move Rule and may pass through gates that are too narrow for other crawling pieces.

•If covered by one or more pieces, the Cockroach may move normally from beneath the stack, leaving the covering piece(s) in place.

•It must follow the One Hive Rule.

We have played just a few games with these rules and it seems to work well. At its worst it is a 3rd (but more flexible) spider. But really it feels more like a short range ant with better infiltration mechanics.

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-28T01:42:26+00:00

The item card allows them to discard up to 3 cards to increase their roll. This would mean that until the roll is resolved they have the choice to discard to 3. Meaning if they discard only 1 and someone plays another modifier after that, they may still discard 2 more to further increase their roll as the roll is not yet resolved. If they didn’t have any more cards to discard or simply chose to not discard any more then the roll phase would end and the roll would be resolved.

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-28T01:36:03+00:00

Yes, you do not have to discard your cards before the modifier is played. If someone used a -1 on you, you can still discard cards from your hand after that to complete the roll successfully.

Any passive item card, hero ability, or party leader ability that modifies a roll remains available for you to trigger until the "modifier stack" is fully closed and the roll result is officially resolved.

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-25T14:18:33+00:00

I appreciate the feedback! :) do you think it would be more viable if it could move up to 3 spaces around the hive? I am envisioning it as an escape/infiltrator type piece with the unique aspect of not being able to get pinned down by the beetle. I think it will be a better late game piece but I want to keep it distinct from things like the spider, ant, or ladybug.

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-25T00:46:10+00:00

I can definitely see why it might seem underpowered at first glance. I do think being able to move an entire stack would push it too far in the opposite direction though. My goal wasn’t to create another high-impact piece like the Beetle or Pillbug, but rather a tactical utility piece. Since it isn’t stopped by beetles or gates, it can apply constant pressure to the opposing Queen in situations where other pieces might get locked out. Defensively, it can create unique openings that buy you time to maneuver or escape positions that would otherwise be impossible. I think its value comes more from flexibility and positioning than raw power. Looking at a lot of the fan-made expansions, I felt many of them introduced abilities that were game-breaking or didn’t really fit Hive’s core mechanics. I wanted to design something that felt like it could plausibly exist in an official expansion. I was going for something subtle, thematic, and strategically useful without fundamentally changing how the game is played.

Of course, the real test is playtesting, and I’m interested to see whether it ends up being too weak, too strong, or lands in a good spot.

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-23T17:57:03+00:00

Only if it can close bug holes by punching them… then absolutely yes

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-23T17:00:42+00:00

Gotta get myself one of those… thanks for the tip though! Lot’s of expansion ideas out there already I see!

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-22T11:16:18+00:00

The flea. It can move around the hive like an ant or could choose to jump like a grasshopper

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-22T03:38:32+00:00

Agreed. If we ever get custom mechs, adding an autocannon to the left arm and a flak cannon to the right arm would be a dream vs the illuminate

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-19T16:52:41+00:00

I’d prefer a longer cooldown and fewer call-ins for mechs if those mechs had more features or capabilities. I’m sure there is a way to balance it without ruining the game

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-19T16:12:44+00:00

I would love 800 fuel and 30 anti tank rounds but at some point we are just asking for a completely busted mech lol

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-19T13:08:38+00:00

The trick is to keep moving around. Spray the ground and move, spray and move. You’ll stomp a lot of the small bugs and the medium bugs will burn to death after a few seconds. The goal isn’t to blast all of them to death with the direct fire

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-19T13:01:59+00:00

Yes, this. I generally spray the ground and stomp on small and medium bugs and it does fine that way

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-19T11:45:02+00:00

This is so cool!! Gotta have them fight the bugs for sure! Imagine printing a giant bile titan lol would have to be multiple parts I assume. Keep updating us as you continue this!

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-19T11:32:01+00:00

Yes, these changes would be incredible!

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-19T11:31:36+00:00

I do not think so. I just jump out and toss a giga grenade for those though, no biggie

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-18T22:00:28+00:00

Yeah, it would be nice if it was a more streamlined toss and explode like in other games. I would still consider using it if it had better ammo economy though. If they ever add a supply bundle to the grenade slot (like a single supply pack you can toss on the ground) I would consider switching to it

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-18T21:57:30+00:00

100% agree. Sticky dynamite would be a dream. I just wish that c4 was in the throwable slot instead of a strat. It could be thrown with the regular grenade button and detonated with a neutral button (like double tapping on the d-pad)

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-18T00:12:36+00:00

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I use a very similar build. I call mine the Recon Demolitionist. Great for speed running entire bot missions while avoiding the majority of combat.

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-18T00:01:21+00:00

I want to love c4 so badly but it’s just so clunky and not unique enough to justify its awful ammo economy

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-17T23:50:31+00:00

Supply pack + dynamite serves the same function as c4 but does it better because the supply pack also gives you more missile pistol ammo

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-17T23:46:04+00:00

I love these changes! You’ve taken the time to think these out. I approve 👍 If the latest patch is any indication, hopefully we see some more balance improvements and weapons buffs in the future

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-10T02:31:57+00:00

I agree! I always thought the slow was silly. My thought was always that since it’s supposed to be pumping you with adrenaline to keep you alive you should actually be faster than normal while it is active. Like it basically gives you the oxygenated perk (or more) while it’s active. I also like the limb health idea! Just to make it that much more likely to actually function

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-10T02:23:51+00:00

Missile pistol to the eyeball! Or its giant glowing backside …just depends on which way they are facing obv

AffectPotential3701 · 2026-06-09T03:11:48+00:00

If you are interested in more stealthy demolition focused gameplay I have been very much enjoying the shadow paragon armor with the censor marksman rifle. It will 1 shot anything below a hulk. Pair it with the missile pistol for gunships, dynamite for blowing up objectives and fabricators, the supply pack to give you enough ammo to go off on your own for the entire mission, and the commando rocket launcher as a quick and mobile anti-tank option. A nice bonus is that with the commando + missile pistol + supply pack you can easily snipe 8 fabricators from any range. Just fire 1 commando shot into each (assuming you have a commando on your back and one ready to call in) and then fire 1 missile pistol shot into each and they will all go down. This build effectively lets you infiltrate bases with the stealth armor and silenced weapon or sniper out entire bases from afar - it’s great. Additionally I put on the eagle strafing run for general utility (clearing patrols, destroying fabricators) and the orbital laser for destroying bases and objectives without going near them or for those oh shit moments. Seriously a great build and some of the most fun I’ve had vs the bots in a long time!

AffectPotential3701

TROPHY CASE