Overview

Globbo! is a two-player asymmetric tactical wargame published by Steve Jackson Games in 1983. One player controls Globbo, a large expanding alien creature, while the other controls the Little Angels – small creatures that can multiply and recombine. The game is played on a hex grid representing an alien playpen. Globbo attacks with its expanding body parts (Head, Blue Zaps, and Red Slaps) while the Little Angels use swarming tactics with Biters, Blips, and Yeasts. The Globbo player aims to eliminate all Little Angels; the Little Angels player aims to destroy enough of Globbo’s body to win.

Components

• 1 hex grid game board (alien playpen)
• Globbo pieces: Head, Blue Zap parts, Red Slap parts
• Little Angel pieces: Biters, Blips, Yeasts
• Rules sheet

Setup

1. Place the hex grid board between the two players.
2. One player chooses to play as Globbo; the other plays the Little Angels.
3. Globbo setup: Place the Head piece and initial Blue Zap and Red Slap parts on Globbo’s starting position according to the scenario rules.
4. Little Angels setup: Place starting Biter, Blip, and Yeast pieces on designated starting hexes.

Turn Structure

Players alternate turns. On each turn, the active player moves and attacks with their units.

Globbo’s Turn

1. Move: Move Globbo’s body parts according to their movement rules.
2. Attack: Use Head, Blue Zaps, and Red Slaps to attack Little Angels in range.
3. Grow: Globbo may expand by adding new body parts adjacent to existing ones.

Little Angels’ Turn

1. Move: Move Biters, Blips, and Yeasts according to their movement rules.
2. Attack: Biters attack adjacent Globbo parts.
3. Reproduce: Under certain conditions, Little Angels multiply.

Actions

Globbo’s Units

Unit	Range	Special
Head	15 hexes (straight line only)	Main ranged attack; most powerful
Blue Zap	3 hexes	Must be adjacent to Head or another Blue Zap
Red Slap	Adjacent hexes only	Must be adjacent to a Blue Zap

• Blue Zaps must form an unbroken chain connected to the Head.
• Red Slaps must be adjacent to Blue Zaps.
• Globbo grows by adding new parts to the chain.

Little Angels’ Units

Unit	Ability
Biter	Attacks Globbo parts; explodes when hit, creating Blips and Yeasts
Blip	Cannot attack directly; combines with Yeasts to form Biters
Yeast	Cannot attack directly; combines with Blips to form Biters

• When a Biter is destroyed by Globbo, it explodes into Blips and Yeasts.
• Blips and Yeasts can combine (when adjacent) to form new Biters.
• This creates a regeneration cycle: destroy Biters, they split, recombine, attack again.

Combat

• Globbo’s attacks destroy Little Angel units in range.
• Biter attacks damage Globbo body parts (removing them from play).
• Destroying the Head is devastating to Globbo but difficult due to protection from Zaps and Slaps.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Globbo wins: Eliminate all Little Angels (all Biters, Blips, and Yeasts destroyed with none able to recombine).

Little Angels win: Reduce Globbo to a state where it cannot effectively attack (destroy enough body parts, especially the Head or all Blue Zaps).

Special Rules & Edge Cases

Chain Requirement

Globbo’s body must remain connected. If a Blue Zap in the middle of a chain is destroyed, all parts beyond it that are no longer connected to the Head are also destroyed.

Biter Explosion

When Globbo destroys a Biter, it splits into constituent Blips and Yeasts placed in adjacent hexes. This means destroying Biters can paradoxically increase the number of Little Angel units on the board.

Recombination

A Blip and a Yeast in adjacent hexes can be combined on the Little Angels’ turn to form a new Biter. This is the primary reproduction mechanic.

Head Protection

The Head is Globbo’s most important piece. Smart Globbo play involves keeping the Head surrounded and protected by Blue Zaps and Red Slaps.

Asymmetric Balance

The two sides play very differently. Globbo is powerful but must maintain its chain structure; Little Angels are individually weak but multiply and swarm.

Player Reference

Globbo’s Units: Head (15-hex range, straight line) -> Blue Zaps (3-hex range, chain from Head) -> Red Slaps (adjacent, chain from Zaps)

Little Angels’ Cycle: Biters attack -> Destroyed Biters explode into Blips + Yeasts -> Blips + Yeasts recombine into new Biters

Victory:

• Globbo: Eliminate all Little Angels
• Little Angels: Cripple Globbo

Key Numbers: | Item | Value | |——|——-| | Players | 2 | | Head range | 15 hexes (straight line) | | Blue Zap range | 3 hexes | | Red Slap range | Adjacent only |