Screenshot of play.stratego.com captured 2026-11-15.
How to play Stratego
- Choose a guest or account option on Stratego Online and follow its match setup.
- Arrange your army with ranks hidden from your opponent. Keep the flag and bombs stationary.
- Move one square horizontally or vertically, or attack an adjacent enemy. Scouts can travel farther along an unobstructed straight line.
- Reveal ranks in combat. Usually the higher rank wins; equal ranks remove both pieces.
- Remember the exceptions: miners defuse bombs, and a spy defeats the marshal only when the spy attacks.
- Win by capturing the flag or leaving the opponent unable to move. Follow the selected variant and clock rules.
Learn these combat exceptions first
| Piece | What to remember |
|---|---|
| Scout | Can move several clear squares in a straight line; it cannot jump pieces or lakes. |
| Miner | Can defeat a bomb. Keep one available when you approach a defended flag. |
| Spy | Beats the marshal only when attacking it; defending against the marshal loses. |
| Bomb and flag | Remain where you placed them. Movement rules out both identities for a piece. |
Beginner strategy: preserve information and mobility
- Track revealed ranks and which pieces have moved; a moved piece cannot be a bomb or flag.
- Save miners until you know where a bomb barrier matters instead of risking them in early combat.
- Keep routes open in your own setup so strong pieces can respond without trapping weaker pieces.
- Use information from scouting to plan an attack, rather than sacrificing several pieces to the same unknown defender.
For example, when a piece moves out of the back row, you can eliminate bomb and flag from its possible identities. That observation is useful even if you have not seen its rank. Combine movement history with combat reveals before choosing what to risk.
Where to play and learn
Open Stratego Online for the browser game. Its launch screen has guest and account choices; availability, match options and account features are controlled by the provider. This listing does not claim that every mode is free.
The Stratego championship learning page links to online play and tournament rules. Consult the published classic rules for the full movement and combat rules; variants can differ.
Why is Stratego appearing in word-game searches?
STRATEGO was one of the tiles in the November 14, 2026 Connections puzzle. It is a game name; MOTTLE, another tile on that board, was used differently. Our “Is Mottle a game?” explanation separates the two, with the wordplay solution kept behind a spoiler reveal.
For a short shared daily challenge, try Arena Rank or Daily Orbs hints. For another football-themed quiz, see Footbillion.
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Whoop WhoopRemember nine cards, then match the rule chosen by the die.
TrivitFind every Set-like trio on a shared twelve-card daily board.
Weigh It UpEstimate how many matching objects balance a daily reference weight.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Stratego game?
Stratego is a two-player strategy board game with hidden ranks. In the classic format, each side has 40 pieces and tries to capture the opposing flag or leave the opponent unable to move.
Is Stratego a daily puzzle?
No. Stratego is played as individual matches against an opponent. It does not have one shared daily answer.
Where can I play Stratego online?
Stratego Online is available at play.stratego.com. The opening screen offers guest and account options. DLE Arena links to it and does not host the game.
Can the spy capture the marshal?
Yes, when the spy attacks the marshal. The spy loses if the marshal attacks it. Miners have a different special role: they can remove bombs.
Stratego belongs to its rights holders. DLE Arena is an independent guide. Rules and the online launch screen checked November 15, 2026; no online match was completed.