Stratego Rules: Complete Guide to Setup, Combat & Victory

Objective

Capture the enemy Flag OR immobilize all movable enemy pieces (opponent cannot move).

Setup (2 Players)

• Board: 10×10 (100 squares); two 2×2 lakes (impassable) at center.
• 40 Pieces per Player (ranked 10→1, plus special):

  Rank	Name	Qty	Special Ability
  10	Marshal	1	Highest rank; loses to Spy (1) & Bomb
  9	General	1
  8	Colonel	2
  7	Major	3
  6	Captain	4
  5	Lieutenant	4
  4	Sergeant	4
  3	Miner	5	Only piece that defuses Bombs
  2	Scout	8	Moves any distance in straight line (like rook)
  1	Spy	1	Beats Marshal if attacks first; loses to all else
  B	Bomb	6	Immobile; destroys any attacker except Miner
  F	Flag	1	Immobile; capture = win

• Placement Rules:
  • Pieces placed on your 4 rows (rows 1–4) — hidden from opponent.
  • Flag: Must be in back row (row 1) — any of 10 squares.
  • Bombs: Must surround Flag? No — only in some house rules. Official: Bombs anywhere in your 4 rows.
  • Marshal: No placement restriction (old rule: adjacent to Flag — removed).

Gameplay

1. Red moves first (determined by flag color / agreement).
2. Turn: Move one piece orthogonally (up/down/left/right) into adjacent empty square.
   • Scout: May move any number of empty squares in straight line (cannot jump).
   • Bombs & Flag: Never move.
3. Attack: Move onto occupied square → combat.
   • Both players reveal ranks.
   • Higher rank wins → loser removed; winner occupies square.
   • Tie (same rank): Both removed.
   • Specials: Spy beats Marshal only if Spy attacks. Miner beats Bomb. Bomb beats all except Miner. Flag loses to all except Spy (Spy loses to Flag? No — Flag loses to all; Spy loses to all except Marshal).
4. Captured pieces removed permanently; place visible to both (track info).
5. No retreat: Moved piece cannot return to original square same turn (irrelevant).

Victory Conditions

• Capture Flag: Attack Flag with any piece (except Bomb) → instant win.
• Immobilization: Opponent has no legal moves (only Bombs + Flag left, or all pieces blocked) → win.
• Resignation: Opponent concedes.

Information Rules (Critical)

• Hidden setup: Opponent sees only piece backs during placement.
• Revealed combat: Ranks shown only during attack — then pieces removed (winner stays face-down? No — winner remains on board face-down (hidden) unless identified by subsequent attack or deduction). Correction: In standard rules, winner remains face-down; only the loser is revealed and removed. Winner's identity stays hidden unless attacked again.
• No communication: No signals, codes, or discussion about pieces.

Strategic Principles

• Flag defense: Surround with Bombs (3–4) + Miner nearby for defuse.
• Scout intel: Use Scouts to probe enemy front line — reveal ranks cheaply.
• Marshal protection: Never lead with Marshal; keep behind screen. Spy hunts it.
• Miner conservation: 5 Miners = only Bomb counters. Don't waste early.
• Bluffing: Move low pieces aggressively; feint strength.

Common Variants

• Quick Stratego: 8×8 board, 30 pieces, no Scouts/Miners? (Simplified).
• 4-Player (Team): 2v2 on 10×10; partners sit opposite; shared Flag.
• Stratego Original (1947): Different ranks (Marshal=1), no Lakes.
• Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Licensed: Star Wars, Transformers, Napoleonic — same mechanics, reskinned.

Stratego = memory + deduction + bluffing + risk management. The board is small; the mind game is huge.