Ventlife: Octopus retreats to the end of the line; Smokers open to all but Fish

Designer, 2026-10-11:
- A displaced Octopus goes in a straight line to its end, the last hex before
  one with no tile in the direction of travel; if that hex is taken (or on the
  new tile) the direction cannot be used. Edge hexes part-way along no longer
  count.
- Every species but Fish may be placed on, or displaced onto, a Black Smoker,
  within its own rule (Snails are still placed only on Basalt Ridge). The
  smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp parameter is removed.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

Author: hopshackle

data/rules/Ventlife/1-rules.md

@@ -34,11 +34,7 @@ Creatures under the new tile move or return to their owner's supply. Your own cr
 - If there is one, it moves there.
 - If there are several, its owner chooses one.
 
-<!-- if smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp -->
-Only Tube Worms and Shrimp may be placed on, or moved onto, a Black Smoker.
-<!-- else -->
-Fish may not be placed on, or moved onto, a Black Smoker. Every other species may.
-<!-- end -->
+Fish may not be placed on, or moved onto, a Black Smoker. Every other species may, within its own rule: Snails are placed only on Basalt Ridge, but may move onto a Black Smoker.
 
 ### Species
 
@@ -49,7 +45,7 @@ Fish may not be placed on, or moved onto, a Black Smoker. Every other species ma
 | Blind Vent Shrimp (Sh) | Any hex but Basalt Ridge. | To any hex but Basalt Ridge. | {shrimpPointsOneTerrain} next to Diffuse Vents or Microbial Mat, {shrimpPointsBothTerrains} next to both. |
 | Eelpout Fish (F) | A level-1 hex, or a hex next to one of your Fish. | To a hex of the same or a lower level. | Each shoal of 2 or more connected Fish scores {shoalPoints} for each Fish after the first. |
 | Yeti Crabs (C) | A hex of level 2 or more. | To a hex of the same level. | On each plateau (2 or more connected hexes of the same level), the player with the most Crabs scores its size, and the player with the second most scores half of it (rounded down). Players tied for the most all score the size, and no second place is scored. |
-| Deep-Sea Octopus (O) | An edge hex (next to empty seafloor). | Its owner chooses a direction; it moves in a straight line to the first empty edge hex. | {octopusPointsPerSpecies} for each other species next to it. |
+| Deep-Sea Octopus (O) | An edge hex (next to empty seafloor). | Its owner chooses a direction; it moves in a straight line, over anything in its way, to the end of the line: the last hex before one with no tile. If that hex is taken (or on the new tile), it cannot go that way. Edge hexes along the way don't count. | {octopusPointsPerSpecies} for each other species next to it. |
 | Vent Sponges (Sp) | Any hex. | They return. | {spongePointsPerTerrain} for each terrain next to them. |
 
 ### End

src/main/java/games/ventlife/VentlifeParameters.java

@@ -29,8 +29,6 @@ private record TileKind(Terrain left, Terrain right, int[] quantity) {
     public SpeciesSelection speciesSelection = SpeciesSelection.RANDOM;
     public int nSpecies = 4;
     public int tokensPerSpecies = 6;
-    // only Tube Worms and Shrimp may be on a Black Smoker (the Habitat Guide); if false, only Fish are kept off them
-    public boolean smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp = true;
     public int lowVentBonus = 1;
     public int maxSnailsPerTurn = 3;
     public int snailPointsPerHeightEdge = 1;
@@ -46,7 +44,6 @@ public VentlifeParameters() {
         addTunableParameter("speciesSelection", SpeciesSelection.RANDOM, Arrays.asList(SpeciesSelection.values()));
         addTunableParameter("nSpecies", 4, Arrays.asList(3, 4, 5));
         addTunableParameter("tokensPerSpecies", 6, Arrays.asList(4, 5, 6, 7, 8));
-        addTunableParameter("smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp", true, Arrays.asList(true, false));
         addTunableParameter("lowVentBonus", 1, Arrays.asList(0, 1, 2));
         addTunableParameter("maxSnailsPerTurn", 3, Arrays.asList(1, 2, 3));
         addTunableParameter("snailPointsPerHeightEdge", 1);
@@ -64,7 +61,6 @@ public void _reset() {
         speciesSelection = (SpeciesSelection) getParameterValue("speciesSelection");
         nSpecies = (int) getParameterValue("nSpecies");
         tokensPerSpecies = (int) getParameterValue("tokensPerSpecies");
-        smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp = (boolean) getParameterValue("smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp");
         lowVentBonus = (int) getParameterValue("lowVentBonus");
         maxSnailsPerTurn = (int) getParameterValue("maxSnailsPerTurn");
         snailPointsPerHeightEdge = (int) getParameterValue("snailPointsPerHeightEdge");

src/main/java/games/ventlife/components/Species.java

@@ -22,17 +22,17 @@ public enum Species {
     public boolean canPlace(VentlifeGameState state, int player, Hex hex) {
         if (!state.isEmptyHex(hex))
             return false;
+        // Black Smokers are open to every species but Fish (designer, 2026-10-11)
         Terrain terrain = state.getCell(hex).terrain();
-        boolean smokerOk = terrain != Terrain.BLACK_SMOKER || mayUseSmokers(state);
         return switch (this) {
             case TUBE_WORM -> terrain == Terrain.BLACK_SMOKER;
-            case VENT_SPONGE -> smokerOk;
+            case VENT_SPONGE -> true;
             case VENT_SHRIMP -> terrain != Terrain.BASALT_RIDGE;
             case EELPOUT_FISH -> terrain != Terrain.BLACK_SMOKER
                     && (state.getLevel(hex) == 1 || nextToOwnFish(state, player, hex));
-            case YETI_CRAB -> smokerOk && state.getLevel(hex) >= 2;
+            case YETI_CRAB -> state.getLevel(hex) >= 2;
             case VOLCANO_SNAIL -> terrain == Terrain.BASALT_RIDGE;
-            case OCTOPUS -> smokerOk && state.isEdge(hex);
+            case OCTOPUS -> state.isEdge(hex);
         };
     }
 
@@ -69,8 +69,9 @@ public List<Hex> destinations(VentlifeGameState state, Hex from, int fromLevel,
             boolean ok = switch (this) {
                 case VENT_SHRIMP -> terrain != Terrain.BASALT_RIDGE;
                 case EELPOUT_FISH -> terrain != Terrain.BLACK_SMOKER && level <= fromLevel;
-                case YETI_CRAB -> (terrain != Terrain.BLACK_SMOKER || mayUseSmokers(state)) && level == fromLevel;
-                case VOLCANO_SNAIL -> (terrain != Terrain.BLACK_SMOKER || mayUseSmokers(state)) && level < fromLevel;
+                case YETI_CRAB -> level == fromLevel;
+                // placed only on Basalt Ridge, but may move onto any terrain
+                case VOLCANO_SNAIL -> level < fromLevel;
                 // Tube Worms not on the extended Smoker, and Vent Sponges, always return
                 default -> false;
             };
@@ -85,23 +86,16 @@ public List<Hex> destinations(VentlifeGameState state, Hex from, int fromLevel,
      * Where an Octopus retreating from from in the direction stops, or null if it cannot go that way.
      */
     private Hex retreat(VentlifeGameState state, Hex from, int direction, int newTile) {
-        // along the straight line, passing over everything but an empty Edge hex it may use (not on the new tile); the
-        // direction fails if the line leaves the field first
+        // along the straight line, passing over everything, to its end: the last hex before one with no tile in the
+        // direction of travel (designer, 2026-10-11). Edge hexes along the way, with empty seafloor only to the side,
+        // do not count. The direction fails if that end hex is taken or on the new tile, or if there is no tile at
+        // all next to the covered position in that direction
         Hex h = from.neighbour(direction);
-        while (state.getCell(h) != null) {
-            if (state.isEmptyHex(h) && state.isEdge(h) && state.getCell(h).tileId() != newTile
-                    && (state.getCell(h).terrain() != Terrain.BLACK_SMOKER || mayUseSmokers(state)))
-                return h;
+        if (state.getCell(h) == null)
+            return null;
+        while (state.getCell(h.neighbour(direction)) != null)
             h = h.neighbour(direction);
-        }
-        return null;
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Whether this species may be on a Black Smoker, where its own rule does not say.
-     */
-    private boolean mayUseSmokers(VentlifeGameState state) {
-        return this == TUBE_WORM || this == VENT_SHRIMP || !state.getParams().smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp;
+        return state.isEmptyHex(h) && state.getCell(h).tileId() != newTile ? h : null;
     }
 
     /**

src/test/java/games/fmtester/ForwardModelTestsWithMCTS.java

@@ -555,10 +555,9 @@ public void testWarOfTheToads() {
     @Test
     public void testVentlife() {
         new ForwardModelTester("game=Ventlife", "nGames=1", "nPlayers=2", "agent=json\\players\\mcts.json");
-        // the draft, with Black Smokers open to every species but Fish
+        // the draft
         VentlifeParameters params = new VentlifeParameters();
         params.setParameterValue("speciesSelection", VentlifeParameters.SpeciesSelection.DRAFT);
-        params.setParameterValue("smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp", false);
         new ForwardModelTester(params, "game=Ventlife", "nGames=1", "nPlayers=3", "agent=json\\players\\mcts.json");
     }
 }

src/test/java/games/fmtester/ForwardModelTestsWithRandom.java

@@ -525,10 +525,9 @@ public void testWarOfTheToads() {
     public void testVentlife() {
         new ForwardModelTester("game=Ventlife", "nGames=1", "nPlayers=2");
         new ForwardModelTester("game=Ventlife", "nGames=1", "nPlayers=4");
-        // the draft, with Black Smokers open to every species but Fish
+        // the draft
         VentlifeParameters params = new VentlifeParameters();
         params.setParameterValue("speciesSelection", VentlifeParameters.SpeciesSelection.DRAFT);
-        params.setParameterValue("smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp", false);
         new ForwardModelTester(params, "game=Ventlife", "nGames=1", "nPlayers=3");
     }
 }

src/test/java/games/ventlife/VentlifeCoveringTest.java

@@ -92,11 +92,8 @@ public void coveredSpongesOfEveryPlayerReturnToTheirOwnersSupply() {
 
     @Test
     public void aSpongeUnderTheNewSmokerReturnsRatherThanClimbing() {
-        VentlifeParameters params = new VentlifeParameters();
-        params.setParameterValue("smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp", false);
-        state = newState(2, 42, params);
         useSpecies(state, SPONGE);
-        // sponges on both seafloor Smokers (allowed with the restriction off)
+        // sponges on both seafloor Smokers (open to Sponges)
         place(state, fm, BASALT, DIFFUSE, hex(0, 0), 1, sponge(hex(0, 0)));
         place(state, fm, DIFFUSE, MAT, hex(1, 0), 0, sponge(hex(1, 0)));
         // tile M/B at ((0,0),0): Smoker on (0,0) [player 0's sponge], right E (1,0) [player 1's sponge]

src/test/java/games/ventlife/VentlifeCreaturePlacementTest.java

@@ -46,9 +46,9 @@ public void afterTheTileTheSamePlayerChoosesAmongEveryLegalCreaturePlacement() {
         // the draw comes at the end of the turn: not yet (36 tiles - 2 in hands)
         assertEquals(0, state.getHand(0).getSize());
         assertEquals(34, state.getDrawDeck().getSize());
-        // worms on the empty level-1 Smoker, 1 or 1 + lowVentBonus (1); sponges on the two empty non-Smoker hexes
+        // worms on the empty level-1 Smoker, 1 or 1 + lowVentBonus (1); sponges on any of the three hexes
         Set<AbstractAction> expected = Set.of(worm(hex(0, 0), 1), worm(hex(0, 0), 2),
-                sponge(hex(-1, 1)), sponge(hex(0, 1)));
+                sponge(hex(0, 0)), sponge(hex(-1, 1)), sponge(hex(0, 1)));
         assertEquals(expected, legalSet(state, fm));
     }
 
@@ -97,10 +97,10 @@ public void occupiedHexesAreNotOfferedToEitherSpecies() {
         // player 0: tile B/M at ((-1,0),2) -> (-1,0) S, (-2,0) B, (-2,1) M, all level 1
         giveTile(state, 0, BASALT, MAT);
         fm.next(state, placeTile(state, hex(-1, 0), 2));
-        // occupied: (0,0) worm, (0,1) sponge. Empty Smokers (1,0), (-1,0) (level 1: count 1 or 2);
-        // empty non-Smokers (-1,1), (1,1), (2,0), (-2,0), (-2,1)
+        // occupied: (0,0) worm, (0,1) sponge. Worms on the empty Smokers (1,0), (-1,0) (level 1: count 1 or 2);
+        // sponges on those and the empty non-Smokers (-1,1), (1,1), (2,0), (-2,0), (-2,1)
         Set<AbstractAction> expected = Set.of(worm(hex(1, 0), 1), worm(hex(1, 0), 2),
-                worm(hex(-1, 0), 1), worm(hex(-1, 0), 2),
+                worm(hex(-1, 0), 1), worm(hex(-1, 0), 2), sponge(hex(1, 0)), sponge(hex(-1, 0)),
                 sponge(hex(-1, 1)), sponge(hex(1, 1)), sponge(hex(2, 0)), sponge(hex(-2, 0)), sponge(hex(-2, 1)));
         assertEquals(expected, legalSet(state, fm));
     }
@@ -156,14 +156,7 @@ public void bonusIsLimitedByTheWormsLeftInTheSupply() {
     }
 
     @Test
-    public void spongesGoOnBlackSmokersOnlyWhenTheHabitatRestrictionIsOff() {
-        useSpecies(state, SPONGE);
-        placeFirstTile();
-        assertEquals(Set.of(sponge(hex(-1, 1)), sponge(hex(0, 1))), legalSet(state, fm));
-
-        VentlifeParameters params = new VentlifeParameters();
-        params.setParameterValue("smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp", false);
-        newStateWith(params);
+    public void spongesGoOnAnyEmptyHexBlackSmokersIncluded() {
         useSpecies(state, SPONGE);
         placeFirstTile();
         assertEquals(Set.of(sponge(hex(0, 0)), sponge(hex(-1, 1)), sponge(hex(0, 1))), legalSet(state, fm));

src/test/java/games/ventlife/VentlifeDisplacementTest.java

@@ -32,12 +32,6 @@ public void setup() {
         fm = new VentlifeForwardModel();
     }
 
-    private static VentlifeParameters smokersForAll() {
-        VentlifeParameters params = new VentlifeParameters();
-        params.setParameterValue("smokersOnlyForWormsAndShrimp", false);
-        return params;
-    }
-
     /** Tiles 0 and 1 with no species in play, then only the given species; player 0 to place a tile. */
     private void seafloorPair(Species... species) {
         useSpecies(state);
@@ -205,13 +199,12 @@ public void ownerOfACoveredFishChoosesAmongHexesOfTheSameOrALowerLevel() {
     }
 
     @Test
-    public void aCoveredFishStaysOffSmokersEvenWhenSmokersAreOpenToEverySpecies() {
-        state = newState(2, 42, smokersForAll());
+    public void aCoveredFishStaysOffSmokers() {
         standardFieldBeforeTile5(FISH);
         putCreature(state, hex(-1, 1), FISH, 0, 1);
         placeTile5();
         // (-1,1) B2 is under the new left hex; neighbours: (-2,1) D2 (same level), (-1,0) S2 (same level, but a
-        // Smoker, and Fish never go on Smokers, whatever the parameter), (0,1) D3 and (0,0) S3 (new, higher),
+        // Smoker, and Fish never go on Smokers), (0,1) D3 and (0,0) S3 (new, higher),
         // (-1,2) and (-2,2) uncovered -> the single destination (-2,1), with no decision
         assertEquals(Map.of(hex(-2, 1), new Creature(FISH, 0, 1)), state.getCreatures());
         assertNoCoveringDecision(state);
@@ -222,25 +215,7 @@ public void aCoveredFishStaysOffSmokersEvenWhenSmokersAreOpenToEverySpecies() {
     }
 
     @Test
-    public void coveredCrabsMoveToTheirOnlyHexOfTheSameLevelThatIsNotASmoker() {
-        standardFieldBeforeTile5(CRAB);
-        putCreature(state, hex(0, 1), CRAB, 0, 1);
-        putCreature(state, hex(-1, 1), CRAB, 1, 1);
-        placeTile5();
-        // player 1's crab (placer) under the left hex (-1,1) B2: neighbours (-2,1) D2, (-1,0) S2 (Smoker),
-        // (0,1) and (0,0) now level 3 -> (-2,1).
-        // player 0's crab under the right hex (0,1) M2: (1,0) B2, (1,1) D1, (-1,1) and (0,0) level 3 -> (1,0)
-        assertEquals(Map.of(hex(-2, 1), new Creature(CRAB, 1, 1), hex(1, 0), new Creature(CRAB, 0, 1)),
-                state.getCreatures());
-        assertCreatureStepOf(1);
-        // empty, level >= 2, not a Smoker: (-1,1) M3, (0,1) D3
-        assertEquals(Set.of(crab(hex(-1, 1)), crab(hex(0, 1))), legalSet(state, fm));
-        assertTokensConserved(state, "after the displacement");
-    }
-
-    @Test
-    public void aCoveredCrabMayChooseASmokerOfItsLevelWhenSmokersAreOpenToEverySpecies() {
-        state = newState(2, 42, smokersForAll());
+    public void aCoveredCrabMayChooseASmokerOfItsLevel() {
         standardFieldBeforeTile5(CRAB);
         putCreature(state, hex(0, 1), CRAB, 0, 1);
         putCreature(state, hex(-1, 1), CRAB, 1, 1);
@@ -262,7 +237,6 @@ public void aCoveredCrabMayChooseASmokerOfItsLevelWhenSmokersAreOpenToEverySpeci
 
     @Test
     public void thePlacersCreatureTakesTheOnlyFreeHexAndAnEarlierSeatedPlayersCreatureReturns() {
-        state = newState(2, 42, smokersForAll());
         standardFieldBeforeTile5(CRAB);
         putCreature(state, hex(0, 0), CRAB, 0, 1);
         putCreature(state, hex(-1, 0), CRAB, 0, 1);

src/test/java/games/ventlife/VentlifeGameFlowTest.java

@@ -356,13 +356,14 @@ public void aRandomGameAtTheDefaultParametersEndsOnlyWhenEveryTileIsPlaced() {
 
     @Test
     public void tilesAndCreatureTokensAreConservedThroughARandomGame() {
-        // seed 26 gives displacement decisions and turns with several Snails
-        Game game = newGame(3, 26);
+        // a game that has a displacement decision and a turn of several Snails (most seeds do)
+        long seed = 5;
+        Game game = newGame(3, seed);
         VentlifeGameState state = (VentlifeGameState) game.getGameState();
         AbstractForwardModel fm = game.getForwardModel();
         // every species in play, so every placement and covering rule is exercised
         useSpecies(state, Species.values());
-        Random rnd = new Random(26);
+        Random rnd = new Random(seed);
         int steps = 0, plateaus = 0, creaturesPlaced = 0, returns = 0, decisions = 0, multiSnailTurns = 0;
         // the Volcano Snails placed in the current turn, in order
         List<Hex> snailsThisTurn = new ArrayList<>();
@@ -378,8 +379,12 @@ public void tilesAndCreatureTokensAreConservedThroughARandomGame() {
             // half the time, prefer a plateau (Smoker on a covered position) when one is offered
             List<AbstractAction> onTop = actions.stream()
                     .filter(a -> a instanceof PlaceTile pt && state.getCell(pt.smoker) != null).toList();
-            AbstractAction action = !onTop.isEmpty() && rnd.nextBoolean()
-                    ? onTop.get(rnd.nextInt(onTop.size())) : actions.get(rnd.nextInt(actions.size()));
+            // and half the time, place another Snail when one may follow those placed this turn
+            List<AbstractAction> moreSnails = snailsThisTurn.isEmpty() ? List.of() : actions.stream()
+                    .filter(a -> a instanceof PlaceCreature pc && pc.species == SNAIL).toList();
+            AbstractAction action = !onTop.isEmpty() && rnd.nextBoolean() ? onTop.get(rnd.nextInt(onTop.size()))
+                    : !moreSnails.isEmpty() && rnd.nextBoolean() ? moreSnails.get(rnd.nextInt(moreSnails.size()))
+                    : actions.get(rnd.nextInt(actions.size()));
             if (onTop.contains(action))
                 plateaus++;
             if (action instanceof PlaceCreature pc && pc.species == SNAIL) {
@@ -418,16 +423,12 @@ public void tilesAndCreatureTokensAreConservedThroughARandomGame() {
                     assertEquals("worm off a Smoker at " + e.getKey(), SMOKER, cell.terrain());
                 else
                     assertEquals("stacked " + where, 1, c.count());
-                // placement and displacement keep each species on its terrain (default: Smokers for worms and
-                // shrimp only); crabs only ever move between hexes of one level >= 2
+                // placement and displacement keep each species on its terrain (Smokers for all but Fish); crabs only
+                // ever move between hexes of one level >= 2
                 switch (c.species()) {
                     case VENT_SHRIMP -> assertNotEquals(where, BASALT, cell.terrain());
-                    case EELPOUT_FISH, VENT_SPONGE, VOLCANO_SNAIL, OCTOPUS ->
-                            assertNotEquals(where, SMOKER, cell.terrain());
-                    case YETI_CRAB -> {
-                        assertNotEquals(where, SMOKER, cell.terrain());
-                        assertTrue(where, cell.level() >= 2);
-                    }
+                    case EELPOUT_FISH -> assertNotEquals(where, SMOKER, cell.terrain());
+                    case YETI_CRAB -> assertTrue(where, cell.level() >= 2);
                     default -> {
                     }
                 }