If you're wondering how to play Risk, understanding the official game rules is key to enjoying this classic strategy board game. In Risk, players deploy armies, conquer territories, and engage in dice-based battles for global domination. This guide explains the core rules for Risk the board game—including game setup, turn structure, combat mechanics, card use, and strategic variations—so you can start playing with confidence and outmaneuver your opponents from the first roll of the dice.
Game Setup
Setting up a game of Risk correctly is essential to ensure a balanced and strategic gameplay experience. The preparation phase involves organizing the game board, determining player roles, distributing armies, and setting the stage for global conquest. Here's how to properly prepare for a game of Risk:
Board Layout and Territories
Risk is played on a world map divided into 42 territories grouped into 6 continents: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Each continent offers strategic value due to bonus reinforcements granted when a player controls all its territories.
Before starting, unfold the board and place it centrally where all players can reach. Ensure the cards, armies, and dice are within easy access for everyone.
Player Count and Piece Distribution
Risk is designed for 2 to 6 players. The number of armies each player starts with depends on the number of participants:
- 2 players: Each player starts with 40 armies (with additional neutral armies placed on the board).
- 3 players: Each player starts with 35 armies.
- 4 players: Each player starts with 30 armies.
- 5 players: Each player starts with 25 armies.
- 6 players: Each player starts with 20 armies.
Each player chooses a distinct color and takes the corresponding set of infantry, cavalry, and artillery pieces. Infantry represents 1 army, cavalry represents 5, and artillery represents 10 armies. Players are encouraged to use larger denominations (cavalry or artillery) to simplify army management.
Card Deck Preparation
Risk includes a deck of 43 Territory cards (each corresponding to a territory on the board and showing a symbol: infantry, cavalry, or artillery) and 2 Wild cards. Shuffle the deck and set it aside for use during gameplay. These cards are essential for reinforcement bonuses and strategic planning.
If playing with the Secret Mission variant (typically when 3–6 players are involved), deal one mission card to each player instead of using global domination as the goal. Do not reveal the mission cards to other players.
Initial Territory Allocation
There are two primary methods to allocate territories: random and manual distribution.
Random Distribution:
- Shuffle the Territory cards and deal them face-down to players until all cards are distributed.
- Each player places one army on each of their assigned territories.
Manual Distribution (used more often in casual play):
- Players take turns claiming territories by placing one army on an unoccupied territory until all 42 are claimed.
- Once all territories are occupied, players continue taking turns to place their remaining armies, reinforcing any of their already-claimed territories.
After all armies are placed, the game is ready to begin. Players roll a die to determine who goes first, with play proceeding clockwise.
Proper setup ensures a balanced start and sets the stage for strategic planning, alliances, and global domination.
Core Game Mechanics
Understanding the core game mechanics of Risk is essential to mastering the strategic depth the game offers. These mechanics govern how players interact with the board, manage their armies, and ultimately pursue world domination. Below are the key gameplay systems that define Risk.
Turn Structure
Each player's turn in Risk follows a consistent structure divided into three main phases:
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Reinforcement Phase: Players receive new armies based on the number of territories they control, completed continent bonuses, and traded-in Risk cards. The minimum reinforcement is three armies per turn, regardless of territory count.
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Attack Phase: Players may choose to attack adjacent enemy territories. They can conduct as many attacks as they wish, provided they have enough armies to do so. Combat is resolved through dice rolls.
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Fortify Phase: At the end of the turn, a player may move armies from one territory to an adjacent, connected territory that they control, reinforcing defensive positions.
Army Deployment
During the reinforcement phase, players must decide where to place their newly acquired armies. Strategic placement is crucial—players must consider both offensive positioning and defensive needs. Typically, armies are concentrated on borders, vulnerable points, or launch pads for attacks.
Territory Control
The game board is divided into 42 territories grouped into six continents. Control of territories directly influences the number of reinforcements a player receives. Additionally, controlling an entire continent grants bonus armies each turn:
- Asia: +7 armies
- North America: +5 armies
- Europe: +5 armies
- Africa: +3 armies
- South America: +2 armies
- Australia: +2 armies
Holding continents can be a powerful advantage but also makes a player a target.
Combat Mechanics
Combat in Risk is resolved using dice. The attacker may roll up to three dice, and the defender up to two, depending on the number of armies in each territory. The highest dice from each side are compared, and the loser removes one army. This continues for each pair of highest dice rolled. Combat continues until the attacker stops or one side loses all armies in the contested territory.
Key points:
- An attacker must have at least two armies to initiate an attack.
- A territory must always retain at least one army.
- If the attacker successfully eliminates all defenders in a territory, they must move at least as many armies as the number of dice rolled in the final attack.
Risk Cards and Sets
Players receive a Risk card after successfully conquering at least one territory during their turn. These cards feature infantry, cavalry, or artillery symbols. Once a player collects three cards, they can trade them in for extra armies based on set combinations:
- Three of a kind: (e.g., three infantry)
- One of each type
- Wild cards can substitute for any symbol
The value of traded sets increases progressively throughout the game, starting at 4 armies and potentially surpassing 15 in later exchanges, depending on the house rules or edition.
Fortification and Troop Movement
After attacking, players enter the fortification phase. This allows a one-time movement of armies from one territory to another connected territory they control. This is critical for reinforcing weak fronts or consolidating power in key strategic locations.
Important rules:
- Only one fortification move per turn (unless using alternative rules)
- The origin and destination must be connected via a continuous path of territories owned by the player
Elimination and Card Capture
When a player eliminates an opponent by capturing their last territory, they immediately collect all of that player's Risk cards. If this gives the conquering player five or more cards, they must immediately trade in sets until they have four or fewer, even in the middle of their turn. This mechanic can significantly shift the power balance in a single turn.
Summary of Key Mechanics
- Turns consist of reinforcement, attack, and fortify phases.
- Armies are earned through territory control, continent bonuses, and card trades.
- Combat is determined by dice rolls with a balance of luck and tactical positioning.
- Cards offer delayed strategic value and can lead to massive reinforcement swings.
- Fortification ensures flexibility and defense between turns.
Mastering these mechanics provides a strong foundation for developing advanced strategies and adapting to the dynamic flow of the game.
Combat and Movement Rules
Understanding the combat and movement rules in Risk is essential for mastering the game's strategic depth. These mechanics determine how players engage in battles, conquer territories, and reposition their forces for future turns. Below is a detailed breakdown of how combat and troop movement function in Risk.
Dice Rolling Mechanics
Combat in Risk is resolved through dice rolls, which simulate the uncertainty and risk of military conflict. The number of dice each player rolls depends on the size of their army in the attacking or defending territory:
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Attacker may roll:
- 1 die if attacking with 2 armies
- 2 dice if attacking with 3 armies
- 3 dice if attacking with 4 or more armies
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Defender may roll:
- 1 die if defending with 1 army
- 2 dice if defending with 2 or more armies
The attacker must always leave at least one army behind in the territory from which the attack is launched.
Comparing Dice Rolls
After both sides roll their dice, the highest dice from each side are compared:
- If the attacker’s highest die is greater than the defender’s highest, the defender loses one army.
- If the defender’s die is equal to or higher than the attacker’s, the attacker loses one army.
If both players rolled more than one die, the second-highest dice are compared as well, using the same rules. This means a defender can eliminate up to two attacking armies in a single round of combat, making defense statistically advantageous in many situations.
Conducting an Attack
To attack, a player selects one of their territories with at least two armies and targets an adjacent enemy-held territory. The attacking player announces the number of armies they will commit (keeping one behind), rolls the appropriate number of dice, and resolves the battle based on the rules above.
A player may continue attacking the same or a different territory as many times as they like during their turn, as long as they have enough armies to do so.
Capturing a Territory
If the defender’s last army is eliminated, the attacker captures the territory. The attacker must then move at least as many armies as the number of dice used in the last attack into the conquered territory. They may move additional armies if desired, but at least one army must remain in the original attacking territory.
Capturing a territory also allows the player to draw a Risk card at the end of their turn, provided they conquered at least one territory during that turn.
Troop Movement (Fortification)
At the end of a player's turn, they may perform one fortification move, also known as a "maneuver." This allows the player to move armies from one of their territories to another connected territory they control, provided there is a continuous path of their own territories between them.
Key rules for troop movement include:
- Only one fortification move is allowed per turn.
- Any number of armies (except one, which must remain behind) may be moved.
- The origin and destination territories must be connected by a chain of owned territories.
This movement allows players to reinforce strategic positions, prepare for future attacks, or strengthen borders against potential threats.
Strategic Considerations
While the dice introduce an element of chance, effective combat and movement rely heavily on strategy:
- Attacking with maximum dice increases the odds of success.
- Defending with two dice provides better chances of repelling attacks.
- Consolidating armies through strategic fortification can create powerful strongholds for launching offensives or holding continents.
Understanding the balance between aggression and defense, as well as efficient troop positioning, is vital to gaining an upper hand in Risk.
Strategic Rules and Scoring
Understanding the strategic rules and scoring mechanisms in Risk is essential for mastering the game. While Risk is primarily a game of global domination with a single winner, players must navigate a combination of tactical deployment, combat calculation, and long-term planning to outmaneuver opponents. Scoring in Risk is not based on points, but on achieving victory conditions through strategic means.
Territory and Continent Control
The foundation of Risk's strategy revolves around control of territories and continents. The game board is divided into 42 territories grouped into six continents. Players earn reinforcement troops at the beginning of each turn based on the number of territories they control, with additional bonuses for controlling entire continents.
- Territory Bonus: For every three territories held, a player receives one extra army (minimum of three armies per turn regardless of territory count).
- Continent Bonus: Each continent provides a specific number of bonus armies if a player controls all its territories at the start of their turn. For example:
- Asia: 7 bonus armies
- North America: 5 bonus armies
- Europe: 5 bonus armies
- Africa: 3 bonus armies
- South America: 2 bonus armies
- Australia: 2 bonus armies
These bonuses are a critical part of strategic play, as holding a continent can significantly increase a player's reinforcements.
Card Collection and Trading
Another strategic scoring component in Risk involves collecting territory cards. At the end of a successful turn (capturing at least one territory), a player draws one Risk card. These cards feature one of three unit types: infantry, cavalry, or artillery. Sets of three matching or mixed cards can be traded in for additional armies.
The progression of reinforcements for card sets increases as the game continues:
- First set: 4 armies
- Second set: 6 armies
- Third set: 8 armies
- Fourth set: 10 armies
- Fifth set: 12 armies
- Sixth set: 15 armies
- Each subsequent set: +5 armies (20, 25, 30, etc.)
This mechanic introduces an exponential reinforcement curve, making card management an essential part of mid- and late-game strategy. Timing your trades for maximum impact can shift the balance of power dramatically.
Objective-Based Variants
In some editions of Risk or in house-rule variations, the game may include secret mission cards or objective-based scoring systems. In these versions, instead of total world domination, players are assigned specific goals, such as:
- Conquer a certain number of territories
- Eliminate a specific opponent
- Control two entire continents
These objectives add a layer of complexity and can accelerate gameplay. Scoring, in this case, is binary: a player either completes their mission and wins or does not.
Elimination and Card Acquisition
Eliminating an opponent is a high-reward strategy. If you eliminate another player, you immediately receive all of their Risk cards. If you then hold five or more cards, you must trade in one or more sets immediately before continuing your turn. This rule can result in a massive influx of reinforcements and a potential snowball effect, allowing a skilled player to eliminate multiple opponents in a single turn.
End-Game Scoring and Victory
In classic Risk, the game ends when one player achieves world domination by conquering all 42 territories. There is no cumulative point system; victory is determined by complete territorial control. However, some modern editions and digital versions may offer point-based systems for campaign modes or ranked play online, where performance is measured by:
- Number of territories held
- Continent control
- Efficiency of troop usage
- Number of opponents eliminated
These alternative scoring systems provide additional metrics for ranking players and evaluating performance in competitive or tournament settings.
Strategic Rule Variants
To enhance gameplay variety or balance, players often introduce house rules that adjust strategic elements:
- Fixed Card Trade-In Values: Instead of escalating card trade values, some groups use a constant value for all sets.
- Turn Limit Victory: Establishing a maximum number of turns, after which the player with the most territories or completed objectives wins.
- Capital Risk: Each player selects a capital, and victory is achieved by capturing all opponents' capitals.
These variants modify the strategic landscape and scoring, making them popular among experienced players seeking new challenges.
By mastering the interplay between territory control, card management, and strategic aggression, players can position themselves for victory in Risk. While there is no formal scoring system in the traditional sense, each move contributes to a broader strategic framework that ultimately determines the winner.
Additional Game Rules
While the core mechanics of Risk remain consistent across most games, several additional rules and optional variations can be introduced to enhance gameplay, introduce new dynamics, or shorten the overall playtime. These rules are often used in both casual and competitive settings, and many are included in official Risk rulebooks or have become common house rules among experienced players.
Mission Cards (Secret Objectives)
In some versions of Risk, particularly the European editions and Risk: Mission variants, players are dealt secret Mission cards at the beginning of the game. These cards contain specific objectives, such as:
- "Conquer 24 territories"
- "Eliminate a specific player"
- "Occupy every territory in two specific continents"
Victory is achieved not by global domination, but by completing the assigned mission. This variation introduces an element of secrecy and unpredictability, as players cannot be sure of others’ objectives, adding layers of strategy and bluffing.
Capital Risk
Capital Risk is an official variant that introduces faster gameplay. Each player selects one of their territories as their capital at the start of the game. The objective is to capture all opposing capitals while protecting your own. A player is eliminated if their capital is taken. This rule encourages more aggressive play and often results in shorter game sessions.
Fortification Rules
The standard Risk rules allow only one fortification move at the end of a turn, from one territory to another connected territory. However, some house rules or editions introduce alternate fortification options, such as:
- Unlimited Fortification: Players may move troops between as many connected territories as desired during the fortification phase.
- Flexible Fortification: Troops can be moved between any two connected territories, regardless of the number of steps between them, as long as a continuous path of owned territories exists.
These variations can significantly affect strategic planning, especially in defense and troop consolidation.
Neutral Armies (Three-Player Setup)
In a three-player game, balance can be maintained by introducing neutral armies. Territories not claimed during the initial setup are assigned to a neutral player, and a small number of armies (typically 1–2 per territory) are placed on each. Neutral armies do not take turns but defend their territories if attacked. This rule helps maintain strategic depth and prevents early dominance by any single player.
Blitz Attack (Speed Dice Rolling)
To expedite combat in games with many battles, the Blitz attack rule allows players to resolve combat more quickly. Instead of rolling dice one battle at a time, players agree to calculate the outcome of an entire combat sequence at once using probability or simplified dice mechanics. Some digital versions of Risk implement this rule automatically.
Alliances and Negotiation
While not formally part of the official rules, alliances and negotiation are common in Risk. Players may form temporary or long-term agreements, such as non-aggression pacts or coordinated attacks. However, all alliances are non-binding, and betrayal is a recognized and often strategic part of gameplay. In competitive settings, rules may restrict or clarify the extent of permissible table talk.
Modified Card Trading Rules
In standard Risk, players earn a set number of armies for trading in card sets, with values increasing as the game progresses. Some groups prefer a fixed or alternate progression to control game length or balance. Common modifications include:
- Fixed Reinforcement Values: Each set provides a consistent number of reinforcements.
- Capped Card Bonuses: Prevents runaway reinforcement amounts in late-game scenarios.
Sudden Death or Turn Limit
To prevent excessively long games, players may agree on a turn limit (e.g., 20 turns). At the end of the final round, the player controlling the most territories or achieving the most objectives is declared the winner. This rule is particularly useful in tournament settings or timed events.
Fog of War Variant
In this unofficial variant, players are only aware of the territories they can see (adjacent or directly connected to their own). Information about enemy troop counts and positions is concealed unless a player scouts or attacks those areas. This significantly increases the complexity and realism of the game, pushing players to rely more on deduction and cautious expansion.
Reinforcement Cap
To prevent one player from becoming overwhelmingly powerful, some house rules introduce a reinforcement cap, limiting the number of armies a player can receive on a single turn regardless of card trades or territory count. This can help balance the game and keep all players competitive longer.
These additional rules and variations provide flexibility to tailor the Risk experience to player preferences—whether aiming for a shorter match, introducing new challenges, or encouraging more dynamic strategies. Many of these options are officially recognized in various editions, while others have emerged from the global Risk community as effective ways to enrich the game.
Mastering the official rules for Risk the board game helps you unlock its full strategic depth. From setup to victory, each rule is designed to bring balance, challenge, and tension to every session. Whether you're playing with traditional domination goals or custom variants, knowing the mechanics and options can give you a tactical edge. Ready to conquer the world? Learn the rules, deploy wisely, and outsmart your enemies—one territory at a time.