Stratego is a classic two-player board game where battlefield strategy, hidden information, and calculated risk-taking create a high-stakes game of wits. In this article, you’ll learn the complete Stratego board game rules—from game setup and movement mechanics to special piece abilities and winning strategies. Whether you're new to the game or looking to sharpen your tactics, this guide offers everything you need to start playing and thinking like a Stratego veteran. For a quick-start walkthrough, check out this helpful beginner’s guide to playing Stratego.
Game Setup and Components
Stratego is a two-player strategy board game that simulates battlefield tactics through hidden information and strategic movement. A proper understanding of the game’s setup and components is essential before play begins.
The Game Board
The Stratego board consists of a 10×10 grid, totaling 100 squares. Within this grid, two areas consisting of 2×2 lakes are located near the center, creating impassable zones on the battlefield. These lake areas play a crucial role in strategy, as they restrict movement and create natural chokepoints that can be used to trap or redirect enemy forces.
Each player’s side of the board comprises four rows, where players will place their pieces during the setup phase. The remaining two rows in the middle of the board are initially left empty and serve as the contested battlefield during the game.
Game Pieces
Each player commands 40 playing pieces, representing a military hierarchy with varying ranks and special abilities. The pieces are color-coded — typically red and blue — and are placed with their identifying information (rank and symbol) hidden from the opponent. This hidden information is central to the gameplay, as players must deduce the identity of enemy pieces through movement and combat.
The standard piece breakdown per player includes:
- 1 Marshal (Rank 10)
- 1 General (Rank 9)
- 2 Colonels (Rank 8)
- 3 Majors (Rank 7)
- 4 Captains (Rank 6)
- 4 Lieutenants (Rank 5)
- 4 Sergeants (Rank 4)
- 5 Miners (Rank 3)
- 8 Scouts (Rank 2)
- 1 Spy (no rank; special ability)
- 6 Bombs (stationary defense)
- 1 Flag (must be protected)
Each piece has a specific function and rank that determines its effectiveness in combat. For example, higher-ranked officers capture lower-ranked ones, while certain units like Miners can defuse Bombs, and the Spy can defeat the Marshal only if it attacks first.
Initial Positioning Rules
Before the game begins, each player sets up their 40 pieces on their own side of the board — in the first four rows closest to them. The setup is entirely customizable within these rows, allowing for strategic variation and bluffing. However, once the game starts, the positioning is fixed and cannot be changed.
Key rules for initial setup:
- All pieces must be placed within your designated 4-row territory.
- Bombs and the Flag cannot be moved once placed, so their positions should be chosen carefully.
- Players should avoid placing high-ranking officers near the front lines to prevent early loss unless using them for aggressive tactics.
- The Flag is typically hidden and protected by Bombs or surrounded by lower-ranked pieces to deter and confuse the opponent.
Starting Formation Strategies
There is no single ideal formation, which allows for creativity and psychological tactics. Common strategies include:
- The “Fortress” — hiding the Flag behind a wall of Bombs, often in a corner.
- The “Blitz” — placing high-ranking pieces near the front to aggressively engage the enemy early.
- The “Balanced Defense” — spreading forces evenly across the board to adapt to any enemy approach.
- The “Decoy” — sacrificing low-ranking pieces or placing Bombs in misleading positions to lure opponents into traps.
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of various formations is key to developing a competitive edge in Stratego. The setup phase is more than preparation — it lays the groundwork for your entire strategic plan.
Basic Rules
Stratego is a two-player strategy board game in which the objective is to find and capture the opponent's Flag or to capture so many of their movable pieces that they can no longer make any legal moves. Each player controls 40 pieces representing individual officers and soldiers in a Napoleonic-style army. The identities of the pieces are hidden from the opponent, making deception and memory key elements of strategic play.
Each player arranges their 40 pieces secretly on their half of the 10×10 board before the game begins. There are two impassable lakes located in the center of the board, which restrict movement and add complexity to positioning. Once all pieces are placed, players alternate turns.
Piece Hierarchy
Each piece has a rank, and higher-ranked pieces defeat lower-ranked ones in combat. The ranks, from highest to lowest, include:
- Marshal (Rank 10)
- General (9)
- Colonel (8)
- Major (7)
- Captain (6)
- Lieutenant (5)
- Sergeant (4)
- Miner (3)
- Scout (2)
- Spy (1)
- Bomb (non-movable)
- Flag (non-movable)
The Bomb and Flag cannot move, and only Miners (Rank 3) can defuse Bombs. Spies (Rank 1) are unique in that they can defeat a Marshal, but only if they initiate the attack.
Movement Rules
Most movable pieces may move one square per turn, either vertically or horizontally, but never diagonally. The only exception is the Scout (Rank 2), which can move any number of empty squares in a straight line, similar to a rook in chess. This makes Scouts valuable for reconnaissance since they can quickly reveal the identity of enemy pieces.
Pieces cannot jump over or move through other pieces, and they cannot move into the lake squares. Once a piece is moved into a square occupied by an opponent’s piece, combat occurs.
Combat Resolution
Combat is resolved immediately upon a piece entering a square occupied by an opponent's piece. Both players reveal the rank of their engaged pieces:
- The higher-ranked piece wins and the lower-ranked piece is removed.
- If both pieces are of equal rank, both are removed from the board.
- If a Spy attacks the Marshal, the Spy wins. If the Marshal attacks the Spy, the Spy loses.
- Bombs defeat all attacking pieces except Miners, who can defuse them.
After combat, the victorious piece occupies the square of the defeated one.
Special Rules
- Pieces may not move back and forth between two squares for more than three consecutive turns. This is known as the "two-square rule" and is enforced to prevent stalemates or repetitive play.
- The Flag cannot move and must be protected. If it is captured, the game immediately ends in victory for the capturing player.
- Bombs do not move and act as static defenses. They are particularly useful for guarding the Flag or high-value pieces.
Understanding these basic movement and combat rules is essential to mastering Stratego. The game combines elements of strategy, memory, and bluffing, offering players a rich tactical experience.
Special Pieces and Their Powers
In Stratego, while most pieces follow the standard rule of higher-ranked pieces defeating lower-ranked ones, several special pieces have unique abilities that can dramatically influence the game's outcome. Understanding these special roles is crucial to mastering advanced tactics.
The Spy (Rank: S)
The Spy is the weakest piece in terms of rank, and it loses to any piece it attacks—except for the Marshal. However, the Spy has one unique and powerful ability: if it attacks the Marshal first, it wins. This makes the Spy a valuable but fragile asset, often used in deception and surprise attacks. If the Marshal attacks the Spy, the Spy is defeated, so careful positioning and timing are essential when using this piece.
The Scout (Rank: 9)
Scouts are the only pieces that can move more than one space in a single turn. They can move any number of unoccupied spaces in a straight line, either horizontally or vertically, as long as their path is clear. This mobility makes them excellent reconnaissance units, allowing players to uncover enemy pieces without committing higher-ranked units. However, Scouts are among the lowest-ranking combat pieces and are defeated by virtually all other types in direct combat.
The Miner (Rank: 8)
Miners play a pivotal role in dealing with stationary threats on the board—namely, Bombs. Bombs are immovable and eliminate any attacking piece except for Miners. Miners are the only rank capable of defusing Bombs, allowing them to clear critical paths or reveal valuable enemy pieces protected by Bombs. Strategically placing and preserving Miners is essential, especially late in the game when the opponent’s Flag is likely to be heavily defended.
The Bomb
Bombs are non-movable pieces that cannot be attacked by most units. Any piece (except Miners) that attacks a Bomb is immediately removed from the board. While they cannot move or attack, Bombs are powerful defensive tools, often used to guard the Flag or create traps. Because they are revealed after being attacked, they serve as psychological deterrents and can shape your opponent’s movement choices.
The Marshal (Rank: 10)
The Marshal is the highest-ranking piece in the game and defeats all other movable pieces in combat—except when attacked by the Spy. Due to its power, the Marshal is often used as an offensive spearhead, but it is also a common target for deception and trap strategies. Protecting the Marshal from the Spy while leveraging its dominance is a key strategic challenge.
The General (Rank: 9)
The General is second only to the Marshal in combat strength. Like the Marshal, the General can defeat any lower-ranked piece and is often used to apply pressure across the board. It is a core part of most players' mid-game strategies, often deployed to chase down known enemy ranks or force movements that reveal hidden units.
The Flag
The Flag is the most critical piece in the game. It cannot move or attack, and capturing the opponent’s Flag is the primary objective of Stratego. Typically hidden behind Bombs or surrounded by low-ranking pieces, the Flag’s location is a closely guarded secret throughout the match. Discovering and capturing the Flag requires careful deduction, strategic use of Scouts, and precise timing.
These special pieces introduce layers of strategy that go beyond simple rank-based combat, making Stratego a deeply tactical game of bluffing, memory, and calculated risk. Mastery of their unique abilities can often be the difference between victory and defeat.
Combat System
In Stratego, combat is the core mechanic that determines the outcome of confrontations between opposing pieces. When a player moves a piece into a square occupied by an opponent's piece, a challenge occurs. Both pieces reveal their ranks, and the piece with the lower rank number (indicating a higher strength) wins and remains on the square. The losing piece is removed from the board.
If both pieces are of equal rank, they are both removed from play. This simultaneous elimination can be a strategic way to sacrifice a valuable piece to eliminate an equally powerful enemy unit.
Certain pieces have special combat rules:
- The Spy (rank S) is the weakest unit and loses to any piece it attacks. However, if the Spy attacks the Marshal (rank 1), it wins—making it a valuable but risky piece.
- The Miner (rank 8) is the only piece capable of defusing Bombs. All other pieces that attack a Bomb are removed from the game.
- Bombs are stationary and cannot move. They automatically defeat any attacking piece except Miners.
Because pieces are hidden from the opponent until a battle occurs, players must use deduction, memory, and bluffing to make effective combat decisions.
Special Combat Scenarios
Some unique scenarios may occur:
- Attacking the Flag: If a player moves a piece onto the opponent’s Flag space (which cannot move or defend), the game ends immediately in victory.
- Bomb Defense: Players often use Bombs to guard their Flag or high-ranking pieces. Strategically placed Bombs can serve as both a deterrent and a trap.
- Reconnaissance: Scouts (rank 9) can move across multiple empty spaces in a straight line, making them useful for uncovering hidden enemy units and detecting threats.
The uncertainty of each piece's identity adds a psychological layer to combat, encouraging players to anticipate threats and bait opponents into revealing their ranks.
Victory Conditions
The primary objective in Stratego is to capture the opponent’s Flag. A player wins the game instantly upon successfully attacking the square containing the enemy Flag. Because the Flag cannot move and is typically protected by Bombs and strong pieces, locating and reaching it requires careful planning and deception.
There is also a secondary victory condition: if a player can no longer make a legal move, they lose the game. This can happen if all movable pieces are captured or blocked, emphasizing the importance of maintaining mobility throughout the game.
Strategic victory depends on:
- Protecting your own Flag while misleading the opponent about its location.
- Preserving high-ranking pieces for critical offensive plays.
- Using lower-ranked units for reconnaissance and sacrificial attacks.
- Disarming Bombs with Miners to break through defenses.
These layered victory conditions ensure that both offensive aggression and defensive planning are essential to success in Stratego.
Advanced Strategy Tips
Mastering Stratego requires more than understanding the rules—it demands foresight, deception, and adaptive tactics. Below are advanced strategies to elevate your gameplay and outmaneuver your opponent.
Build a Deceptive Formation
A common mistake among newer players is placing powerful pieces like the Marshal (10) or General (9) in obvious or predictable locations. Skilled players distribute their high-ranking pieces in unexpected areas to mislead the opponent. For example, placing a high-ranking piece on the flank instead of the center can bait your opponent into attacking the wrong area, enabling a counter-offensive.
To further the deception, consider placing mid-level officers such as Majors (7) or Captains (6) in key defensive positions, imitating the behavior of higher-ranking pieces. This encourages your opponent to waste valuable pieces in an attempt to neutralize what they perceive as a threat.
Use Scouts for Reconnaissance and Traps
Scouts (2) are critical for information gathering due to their unique ability to move unlimited spaces in a straight line. Use them early to identify the positions of bombs, immobile pieces, and potential threats. However, avoid overusing them, as this may signal to your opponent that you lack immediate offensive capability.
Advanced players also use Scouts to bait attacks by intentionally revealing them near the opponent's unknown pieces. If the opponent responds with a high-ranking piece, you've gained valuable intelligence without sacrificing a key asset.
Preserve Your Unknown Pieces
In Stratego, information is power. The longer your opponent remains uncertain about the identities of your pieces, the more difficult it becomes for them to form a successful strategy. Avoid unnecessary engagements early in the game, especially with important pieces like the Spy (S), which can eliminate the Marshal if used correctly.
Keep your Spy hidden and untested until you are confident of the Marshal’s location. Once the Marshal is identified and committed, the Spy can be maneuvered to deliver a game-changing strike.
Control the Center, But Don’t Overcommit
While controlling the center of the board offers strategic flexibility and faster deployment, it should not come at the cost of overexposure. Use mid-level officers and Lieutenants (5), not your highest-ranking pieces, to assert control over the center. This allows you to maintain pressure while preserving your strongest units for decisive moments.
Additionally, consider placing bombs near the center in less-expected positions. This can create defensive strongholds that catch aggressive opponents off guard.
Use Bombs Strategically, Not Just Defensively
Though typically used to protect the flag, bombs can serve offensive and psychological roles. Placing a bomb in a forward position, especially among active pieces, can disrupt your opponent’s progress and force them to reroute.
Advanced players often use bombs to cover key choke points or create "safe zones" for important pieces like the Spy or Flag. However, it’s critical to avoid predictable patterns—clusters of unmoving pieces often signal the presence of bombs, making them easier to bypass.
Sacrifice Smartly for Information or Position
Trading pieces can be a powerful tactic when executed with purpose. Sacrificing a known lower-ranking piece to reveal the identity of a hidden enemy unit can pay off if it sets up a future capture or unlocks a pathway to the flag.
Additionally, sacrificing a piece to lure the opponent into a trap (e.g., moving them into range of a bomb or higher-ranking piece) can shift the momentum of the game dramatically. Use calculated trades to create positional advantages or force your opponent into mistakes.
Track Known Pieces and Patterns
As the game progresses, mentally track the movement and revealed identities of your opponent's pieces. Keeping a mental or written log of which ranks have been used and where they were last seen allows you to deduce the identities of still-hidden units.
Many advanced players develop a system to recall which pieces have been removed, which corners have been probed, and where certain threats may still linger. This information can guide your late-game strategy and help determine when and where to make your final push.
Adapt Based on Opponent Behavior
Your strategy should evolve based on your opponent’s actions. If your opponent plays aggressively, consider a defensive posture that exploits overextensions. Against a cautious player, use feints and pressure to force errors.
Studying your opponent’s playstyle—whether they favor reconnaissance, bluffing, or brute force—can help you tailor your responses and anticipate their next move. Flexibility and observation are key components of advanced Stratego play.
Endgame Planning and Flag Hunting
As the board thins out, the focus shifts to protecting your remaining key pieces and hunting the flag. Advanced players begin positioning for the endgame early, using misdirection to draw attention away from the real flag location.
Consider placing decoys—such as a line of bombs guarding a low-value square—to divert attention from the true flag. Simultaneously, use known safe routes (cleared of threats and bombs) to maneuver toward the opponent’s likely flag locations.
Understanding common flag placement strategies—such as corner placement surrounded by bombs—can help guide your search. But beware: expert players may intentionally break patterns to throw off experienced hunters.
Practice Pattern Disruption
One of the most effective advanced tactics is to break the expectations of experienced opponents. If you always place your flag in the corner or always lead with your General, opponents will adapt quickly. By varying your setup and tactics from game to game, you become a more unpredictable and difficult adversary.
Pattern disruption also applies mid-game. Occasionally making a bold, unexpected move—like advancing a Spy or retreating a powerful piece—can cause your opponent to second-guess their strategy and make suboptimal decisions.
By combining misdirection, calculated risk-taking, and adaptability, you can elevate your Stratego play to a level that consistently challenges even the most seasoned opponents.
Whether you’re preparing for your first match or refining your competitive gameplay, fully understanding Stratego board game rules gives you a considerable edge. From mastering each piece’s role to leveraging expert tactics, every move counts in this battlefield of brains. Ready to put knowledge into action? Set up your board—and let the mind games begin.