Succotash

Objective

Connect your home row to your opponent's side to win. The connection can be a straight line or include diagonal paths. Example below.

Basic Rules

• Players take turns moving one piece at a time.
• Movement is limited to one tile forward/back or sideways (NSEW).
• Opponents can occupy the same tile as equals ("co-squatting").
• An attack occurs when a piece moves onto a co-squatted tile.
• The first to connect their home row to the opposite side wins.
• You must have full control of each tile to win (no co-squatting in a winning connection).

Battle System

An attack happens when there are 2 pieces against 1 opponent piece:

• A dice roll determines the winner.
• Roll of 1 or 2: Underdog wins (side with 1 piece in battle).
• Roll of 3, 4, 5, or 6: Favorite wins (side with 2 pieces in battle).
• Loser returns the piece to their home row.
• Winner makes the next move.

Tomatoes

Each player can earn one bonus Tomato piece:

• Earn a Tomato by moving into both corner tiles of your opponent's home row.
• A Tomato is spawned in the center square and the player can exit
• Tomatoes are then played as a 6th piece.
• If the center already has one piece, the Tomato joins it.
• If the center already has two pieces co-squatting, the Tomato initiates a battle.
• The Corn Tomato is red (red corn), the Bean Tomato is green (green bean).

Randomization in real life

If you're playing on paper with physical game pieces, using a die is best for randomizing an attack. If no die is available, here are a couple of options:

• Draw straws. Cut three straws, but make one slightly shorter. Jumble them, one person holds the straws in your hand, the other draws one out. The short straw represents a dice roll of 1 or 2 and the Underdog wins (player with only 1 piece in battle). The two long straws represent a dice roll of 3 through 6 and the Favorite wins (player with 2 pieces in battle). This technique gives the same probablity as rolling dice.
• Flip a coin. If a coin is handy, this technique is good. For the Underdog to win, he or she (a) must win the first flip (if the Underdog loses the first flip, the battle is lost immediately), AND then (b) the Underdog must win EITHER a second OR third flip. This technique gives the Underdog a slightly better chance at winning as compared to a dice roll, about 4.2% better, but is still close.

Succotash is a simple yet strategic connection game that combines elements of classic board games with a unique battle system. The game was inspired by the simple beauty of everyday items and the desire to create something both accessible and engaging.

Using corn and beans as game pieces, Succotash brings together the familiar and the novel, creating a game that's easy to learn but challenging to master. The name "Succotash" reflects this combination of elements, just like the traditional dish that combines corn, beans, and vegetables.

New to the game? Learn how to play.

For a more detailed story about how Succotash came to be, including its origins and development, visit the full About page.