How to Play Stratego
Stratego is a classic hidden-information board game about bluffing, memory, and careful attacks. If you want a friendly walkthrough, you’ve come to the right place—start here and then explore more at Playmore for additional guides.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Game | Stratego |
| Type / family | Hidden-information strategy game |
| Typical players | 2 |
| Components | Use the components included with the game |
| Beginner focus | Bluffing, memory, and combat ranks |
What you are trying to do
Each player hides an army of pieces on their side of the board. Your main aim is to capture the opponent’s flag or otherwise make them unable to move. You win by outmaneuvering, trading pieces smartly, and using memory to remember which enemy pieces are where.
What you need and how to set up
Use the box contents that come with your version of Stratego. That set will include a board and a set of ranked pieces, usually with a special flag piece and some immobile pieces. Pieces are placed with their faces toward the owner so the opponent cannot see their rank.
To set up: arrange your pieces on your half of the board in any legal formation allowed by your version. You hide ranks from the other player. Both players should confirm which version or rule sheet you’re using, because setup zones and piece lists can vary by edition or house rules.
How to play
- Decide who goes first, using a coin flip or your game’s rule. Players alternate turns.
- On your turn you usually move one piece. Most pieces move one square orthogonally, but some pieces or special pieces may move differently or not at all—check your rulebook for exact movement details.
- If you move into a square occupied by an opponent, you attack. Both pieces are revealed to each other and the ranks determine the outcome. The loser is removed; in some cases both are removed. Exact capture interactions depend on your edition.
- After an attack is resolved, play passes to the other player. Use information from revealed pieces to plan future moves and remember where strong or weak enemy pieces are.
- Repeat moving and attacking, probing the opponent and protecting your important pieces like the flag and immobile defenders.
How a round or game ends
In most versions, the game ends when a player captures the opponent’s flag or leaves the opponent with no legal moves. Some rule sets add alternate end conditions or scoring for multiple rounds. Because editions differ, check the official rulebook that came with your game for the exact win conditions used in your copy.
Beginner tips
- Mix bluff and threat: hide strong pieces among weaker ones so the opponent can’t guess your defenses.
- Probe safely: use expendable pieces to test which enemy pieces are strong before committing a valuable attacker.
- Protect the flag: put some defenses around it, but don’t make a pattern that tells the opponent where it is.
- Use memory: keep a mental or written note of revealed pieces and where they were lost. That info is gold for planning attacks.
- Adapt to your version: movement and special-piece rules vary by edition, so learn the specific interactions in your box before trying advanced tactics.
FAQ
How many players can play?
Stratego is designed for two players. Some variants and video versions add more options, but standard play is one-on-one.
Do I need a special deck or cards?
No. Use the components included with the game. Stratego uses a board and plastic or cardboard pieces supplied in the box—no extra decks required.
Where can I find the exact rules for my edition?
Different editions and house rules change piece lists and special moves. Check the official rulebook that came with your game or the publisher’s version-specific rules to be sure about exact ranks and special interactions.