Drillers · Board game rules
How do I use more movement than my gauge allows?
Quick answer
You can't use more movement than your gauge shows—unspent movement is lost at the end of Operations when you surface. [p.18 — FAQ]
Details
Movement is generated by playing cards during Operations and tracked on your movement gauge on your dashboard. You may spend this movement freely to move your mech up or down one floor per movement spent. [p.6 — Moving and Drilling]
Any movement you generate but don't spend is simply lost when your Operations phase ends. The rulebook explicitly states: "all extra movement and drills are lost, and you can only play cards for effects after surfacing." [p.18 — FAQ] This means you cannot carry over unused movement to future turns or convert it into other resources.
Watch out: Plan your card plays carefully during Operations. If you generate more movement than you need to reach the surface (or your intended destination), that excess movement provides no benefit. It's often better to play cards for their other effects or to gain fuel instead.