Represents setbacks, natural disasters, and the fickleness of fate. Again, four tails up sticks would represent five points. Throws in which each rune represents one point are called natural casts. Throws in which Hagalaz decreases the score are called unnatural casts. This method of scoring makes the game more interesting because it takes into account the vagaries of fate.
Players take turns casting and moving their ships onto the board to one of the first five positions.
If a space is occupied by another ship of either colour, the player forfeits their turn. An opponants pieces may not be 'hit' on any of these five positions. This may at first appear to give the dark ships an unfair advantage, but several factors actually even out the odds. Play then passes to the other player, who will be moving the light coloured ships. Throwing a five, a four or a natural one may be considered rolling doubles , allowing the player to throw again.