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Stratego Rules Explained (Classic Original)

This page explains Classic Original Stratego rules only. Other editions and variants can differ—do not mix Duel or Infiltrator piece sets into this framework.

Updated 2026-11-1512 min readClassic Original focus
Classic Original Stratego starting setup: red army ranks revealed, blue army hidden, lakes in the center, piece counts on both sides
Starting position example: each side deploys 40 pieces on four rows. Your ranks stay hidden from the opponent until combat reveals them.
On this page
  1. Objective
  2. Board layout
  3. Army composition
  4. Ranks
  5. Movement
  6. Scout movement
  7. Attacks
  8. Bombs and Miners
  9. Spy and Marshal
  10. Flag capture
  11. Winning conditions
  12. FAQ

Objective

Capture the opponent’s Flag. The Flag is immobile and hidden among the army until discovered through combat or forced reveals at the table.

Board layout

The board is a 10×10 grid. Two 2×2 lake areas in the center are impassable. Each player deploys on the four rows nearest their side.

Classic Original piece count

Each army has 40 pieces: Marshal (1), General (1), Colonels (2), Majors (3), Captains (4), Lieutenants (4), Sergeants (4), Miners (5), Scouts (8), Spy (1), Bombs (6), Flag (1).

Piece ranks

In a standard fight, the higher rank wins and the lower rank is removed. Equal ranks destroy each other. Bombs, the Flag, and the Spy introduce exceptions covered below.

10Marshal9General8Colonel7Major6Captain5Lieutenant4Sergeant3Miner2ScoutSSpy
Classic Original combat ranks. Higher numbers beat lower numbers in a fair fight. Spy and Bomb use special exceptions.

Movement

Most movable pieces move one square orthogonally per turn onto empty land. Pieces cannot enter lakes, leave the board, or occupy squares held by friendly pieces.

Bombs and the Flag never move.

Scout movement

Scouts may move any number of squares in a straight orthogonal line through empty land squares. They may end the move by attacking an enemy on the final square of that line path according to normal attack rules.

2Scout may travel any number of open squares in a straight lineMovement stops before friendly pieces, lakes, or board edges.
Scout special movement: unlimited orthogonal steps through empty land squares, then optional attack onto an adjacent enemy.

Attacks

To attack, move onto a square occupied by an enemy piece. Both ranks are revealed for the clash. The winner remains on the square (or both leave if equal ranks collide), except where special Bomb/Spy rules apply.

Bombs and Miners

Bombs are immobile traps. If any piece except a Miner attacks a Bomb, the attacker is removed and the Bomb stays. If a Miner attacks a Bomb, the Bomb is removed and the Miner survives.

3Miner attacks→BBomb removedAny other attacker is destroyed by the Bomb. Only the Miner succeeds.
Bomb and Miner interaction in Classic Original: Miners defuse Bombs; other ranks lose when they attack a Bomb.

Spy and Marshal interaction

The Spy is the weakest combat piece in open fights, but if the Spy attacks the Marshal, the Spy wins. If the Marshal attacks the Spy, the Marshal wins. Direction of attack is the entire difference.

SSpy attacks→10Marshal fallsDirection matters: the Spy must be the attacker. If the Marshal strikes first, the Spy loses.
Spy versus Marshal: only an attacking Spy defeats the Marshal. This is a one-way exception to normal rank order.

Flag capture

Any enemy piece that moves onto the Flag captures it and wins the game. The Flag cannot move or attack.

Winning conditions

  • Primary win: capture the opponent’s Flag.
  • Some groups also end the game when a player has no remaining movable pieces. Confirm this house rule before play; Classic Original table practice can vary on rare terminal cases.

FAQ

What happens when two equal ranks attack?

Both pieces are removed. Equal-rank collisions are mutual destruction in Classic Original combat.

Can Bombs move?

No. Bombs and the Flag are immobile for the entire game.

Do Scouts jump over pieces?

No. Scouts move through empty land squares only and stop before blocked paths.