Watershed is a real-time territory game where 2-4 players compete to control the most cells on a 10×10 grid. Play against humans online, or against an AI opponent (Easy / Normal / Hard) for solo practice.
Objective
Control the most territory when the 30-second timer runs out. You control cells by placing tokens adjacent to them.
Actions
- Place: Click an empty cell to place a strength-1 token (costs 1 energy)
- Merge: Click your token, then an adjacent token to combine them (max strength 3, free)
- Split: Click a strength-2+ token, then an adjacent empty cell to split it (free)
Energy
- Placing costs energy; merging and splitting are free
- Energy regenerates over time — choose placements wisely
- When energy is low, use free merge/split to reposition
AI Opponents
- Easy: Places slowly, mostly random — good for learning
- Normal: Builds clusters, occasionally merges
- Hard: Prioritizes influence, merges to fortify, blocks your clusters
- The AI uses the same energy system as you — it can't spam either
Scoring
- A controlled cell scores points equal to the token's strength (strength-2 token = 2 points, strength-3 = 3 points)
- Cells with tokens from multiple players = contested (no points, but blocks opponents)
- Empty cells adjacent to only your tokens = influence (1 point each)
- Merging concentrates scoring on a defensible position; spreading gains more influence
Fortification: A strength-3 token fortifies its cell —
opponents cannot place on it and it can never be contested. Merge to lock down key positions!
CRDT Magic: When two players place on the same cell simultaneously,
BOTH tokens are preserved as a contested cell. No last-write-wins — the CRDT merges concurrent edits!
Pro Tips
- Merging two strength-1 tokens into strength-2 keeps the same score (2) but on one cell — useful for stacking toward a strength-3 fortification
- Strength-3 tokens score 3 points AND can't be contested — fortify chokepoints and high-value positions
- Spread strength-1 tokens for maximum influence, or merge for concentrated defensible scoring
- When low on energy, use free merge/split to reposition instead of placing
- Contested cells block your opponent from controlling that area
- Watch the provenance: merged tokens show their parent history on hover