Play Now
Stratego (Lite)
Stratego is a two-player game of hidden-information warfare, first sold in Europe in the 1940s and based on an earlier French game, L'Attaque. Each side sets up an army of ranked pieces face-down, so neither player knows the other's positions. The goal is to capture the enemy flag while deducing the strength behind each hidden piece.
Stratego (Lite) Rules
Each player secretly arranges their pieces on their side of the board, hidden from the opponent. Pieces have ranks; lower numbers are stronger in the classic numbering, with the Marshal at the top, down through generals and miners to scouts. Two special pieces, the Flag and the Bombs, cannot move, and there is one Spy.
On a turn you move one piece one square orthogonally to an empty square or onto an adjacent enemy piece to attack. When pieces clash, both reveal their ranks: the higher rank wins and the loser is removed. Equal ranks both die. Bombs destroy any attacker except a Miner, which can defuse them, and the Spy can defeat the powerful Marshal only if the Spy attacks first.
Scouts can move any number of empty squares in a straight line, making them ideal for probing enemy ranks. You win by capturing the opponent's Flag, or by leaving them with no legal moves. The hidden setup means much of the game is reading and remembering what each enemy piece revealed in past battles.
Stratego (Lite) Strategy & Tips
Protect the flag with bombs
Surround your flag with bombs and weak pieces so an attacker needs a Miner to break through. But don't make the bomb cluster so obvious that scouts pinpoint it instantly.
Scout aggressively
Use scouts to discover enemy ranks cheaply. Knowing where the Marshal and bombs sit is worth losing a few scouts, since information wins this game.
Save the Spy for the Marshal
The Spy is fragile but kills the Marshal if it strikes first. Keep it hidden and in reserve until you can ambush the enemy's strongest piece.
Bluff with your placement
Because pieces are hidden, you can make a weak piece look threatening by advancing it boldly, or hide your Marshal in a quiet corner. Misleading the opponent is half the battle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of Stratego?
To capture your opponent's Flag. You can also win if your opponent has no legal moves left. All pieces start hidden, so you must deduce enemy ranks as you play.
Can a Spy beat the Marshal?
Yes, but only if the Spy attacks the Marshal. If the Marshal attacks the Spy, the Spy loses. This makes the Spy a fragile but valuable ambush piece.
What pieces can't move in Stratego?
The Flag and the Bombs are immovable. Bombs destroy any attacking piece except the Miner, which can defuse and remove a bomb.
How does a Miner work?
The Miner is the only piece that can safely attack and remove a Bomb. Because bombs guard the flag, miners are essential for breaking into the enemy's defenses.