
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,120
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Stratego
- 2 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 1946

2011
Rules assistance for Stratego
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Stratego is a board game released in 2011 for 2 players and ages 8 and up. Its main mechanics are Square Grid, Memory, and Grid Movement.
From the box - "The CLASSIC GAME of BATTLEFIELD STRATEGY ON A DISTANT PLANET, TWO ARMIES CLASH. WHO WILL BE VICTORIOUS? You command an army of soldiers, machines, scouts and miners. Devise a plan and deploy your troops. Use strategic attack and clever deception to break through your opponent's line, but beware of bombs and enemy spies. Capture the flag, and victory is yours!" Two players position their game pieces on a chess-like board but in a configuration unknown to each other: token values can only be seen from one side. On a turn, a player moves a token horizontally or vertically. If the token lands on a square occupied by the enemy, the two tokens are revealed and their values compared. If a special power doesn't come into play, the lowest value is taken off the board. To win, a player must discover the opponent's flag piece. Stratego Spin Master 50th Anniversary Edition plays similar to classic Stratego with some slight rule variations and a sci-fi/futuristic theme. This version is played on a 10x8 with 30 pieces on each team versus the traditional 10x10 grid with 40 pieces to each side. The Stratego Spin Master 50th Anniversary Edition uses the alternate highest to lowest numbering system for it's pieces, 10 as the Marshal, 2 as the Scout and 1 as the Spotter. This edition introduces 2 "Spotter" pieces to each side. From the instructions: "Spotters target and identify the enemy calling in laser barrages from orbiting battleships to destroy them. Spotter Special Attack: Spotters may move, then use their special attack. A Spotter may attempt to attack and capture any piece on the square in front of it by guessing the piece's rank. Tell you opponent that you are 'Spotting' the piece, then guess. Your opponent must reveal the piece's rank. If your guess is correct, that piece is captured. The Spotter does not move to the captured piece's square. If your guess is not correct, nothing happens. But your Spotter is revealed! Note: Spotters can 'spot' and capture Bombs and the Flag. Spotters may attack normally instead of Spotting." A simple strategy for the Spotter is placing him behind a crater. When an enemy attacks down one of the Corridor lanes their piece is revealed. If they capture your piece and move forward, the Spotter can then flank them from the side 'guessing' their rank with complete certainty.
Stratego supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The catalogue lists Stratego for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Stratego has a complexity rating of 2.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Stratego belongs to these categories: Wargame, Deduction, and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Square Grid, Memory, and Grid Movement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Stratego as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.