Jungle Strategy: 7 Tips

1. Never leave the den empty

A single enemy animal next to your den wins on its next move unless you can capture it. Keep at least one or two animals near your traps, ideally strong ones that can take whatever arrives. Remember that an attacker standing in your trap has rank 0, so even your cat can take it there.

2. Use the leapers

The lion and tiger cross the river in one move. They are your fastest attackers and your fastest defenders. Watch the enemy leapers too: a lion on the far bank can be on your side of the river in one move.

3. Block leaps with the rat

A rat in the water stops lions and tigers from leaping across that river. A rat sitting in the right square of the river can shut down the enemy leapers on that side, and it can't be captured there except by another rat.

4. Keep the rat for the elephant

Your rat is the only animal that can capture the enemy elephant. Don't throw it away early. The elephant can't take it, so a rat on land next to the elephant is a real threat.

5. Count before you trade

Equal animals capture each other, so moving next to an enemy of the same rank invites a trade. Trade when it helps you: when you are ahead, or when it removes the piece that guards their den.

6. Attack with two

One attacker can usually be stopped. Two attackers that threaten the den from two sides at once often can't. The squares next to the enemy traps are where the game is decided.

7. Watch for forced draws

Repeating the same position three times is a draw. If you're behind, repeating moves can save the game; if you're ahead, find a different plan.

Last updated 2026-10-19