Last updated: May 24, 2026, checked against the official itch.io page and official v1.7 devlog from May 19, 2026.

Rules explained

Cobb Can Move Rules Matrix

This is the core reference page for every high-intent rules query: Cobb Can Move all rules, Cobb Can Move smell, Cobb Can Move reach, Cobb Can Move duplicate, and late-game restored senses.

Evidence Status

How verified is this guide?

Version checked: v1.7, checked May 24, 2026
Route verified by: Rule names and version context checked against official sources; counters are guide interpretation and need in-game confirmation for edge cases.
Spoiler level: Low
Unknowns: Exact hidden interactions between all rule combinations are not fully documented by official sources.
Source base: Official itch.io page, official v1.7 devlog, Major Jam listing, public videos

Rules matrix

All Cobb rules and counters

Rule	What it means	How it kills you	Counter strategy	Failure diagnosis
Cobb Can Move	Cobb begins pathing and the room stops being a static puzzle.	Standing still, backtracking into dead ends, or treating Cobb as scenery.	Keep a loop route. Move with a destination, not just away from Cobb.	If Cobb catches you immediately, you are probably too close before the objective starts.
Cobb Can See	Open lines and lit crossings become dangerous.	Crossing a long lane while Cobb has a direct visual angle.	Break sight before touching the objective, then cross only when Cobb is offset.	If you die in open space, your route needs a corner or visual blocker before the pickup.
Cobb Can Hear	Noise or reckless movement can pull Cobb toward you.	Running the whole room or panicking after a pickup.	Move in short bursts and let Cobb drift away before committing.	If Cobb reacts too fast, stop treating speed as the solution.
Cobb Can Smell	Close hiding becomes unsafe even when a wall looks protective.	Camping near Cobb or trying to squeeze past a corner.	Make wide loops and assume proximity matters through tight spaces.	If hiding feels random, you are probably inside the smell radius.
Cobb Can Reach	The danger zone is larger than the visible body implies.	Passing next to Cobb or clipping a tight corridor.	Give extra clearance near corners, switches, and exits.	If you think you barely touched Cobb, route with one more tile of margin.
Cobb Can Duplicate	Multiple threats can close a once-safe route.	Relying on a single-exit loop or waiting in a narrow lane.	Hold a backup route before you touch the objective.	If duplicates trap you, your route had only one exit.
Cobb Can Regain Senses	Late rooms can bring older dangers back after objective steps.	Assuming a previous safe lane is still safe after a pickup.	After every state change, rebuild the active-rule list before moving.	If the ending feels random, you are forgetting restored abilities.

How to read rule text

Rules are active information, not flavor

The official jam page describes the limitation use as rules being picked at the start of each level and not explained. In practice, every sentence should change your route. If a rule mentions a sense, do not only adjust your speed; adjust where you stand before the objective.

Rule Stack Cheat Sheet

How rule combinations change the answer

Move + See

Do not stand still in open lanes. Break sight, then move.

See + Hear

Line-of-sight and panic movement both punish you. Use short bursts.

Hear + Smell

Noise pulls Cobb, close hiding finishes the job. Create distance first.

Reach + Duplicate

Close passes and one-exit loops both fail. Keep a second lane open.

Duplicate + Restored Senses

Late-game routes must be rebuilt after every objective.

Final stack

Objective path plus exit path. If you only know one, wait.

Death diagnosis

Why Cobb keeps catching you

I died in open space

Likely cause: Cobb can see

Fix: Break line of sight before crossing and move cover-to-cover.

I died while hiding nearby

Likely cause: Cobb can smell or reach

Fix: Stop camping close. Use the outer loop and add more distance.

Two Cobbs trapped me

Likely cause: Cobb can duplicate

Fix: Your route had one exit. Pull one threat away before touching the objective.

I died right after a pickup

Likely cause: Rule state changed

Fix: Pause after each interaction and rebuild the active-rule list.

The ending feels random

Likely cause: Restored senses

Fix: Treat every final-room action as a new mini-level.

Page FAQ

Fast answers for this guide

What does Cobb Can Smell mean?

It means hiding close to Cobb can stop being safe even if you are not in direct line of sight. Make wide loops instead of camping nearby.

What does Cobb Can Reach mean?

Treat Cobb's danger area as larger than the visible body. Tight corner passes and near-misses are the usual deaths.

What is the hardest rule combination?

Duplicate plus any sense rule is usually the most punishing because it closes single-exit routes and makes panic reversals unsafe.

People Also Search

Authority stack for this page

Official Cobb Can Move itch.io page

Use: Official facts: developer credits, platform, input support, rating signal, screenshots, downloadable/browser builds, tags, and current public game metadata.

Authority: Primary official source