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Stratego pieces and ranks

Last updated: Sources (2)

Each army has 40 pieces of 12 types: Marshal (10) is strongest, Spy (1) weakest. Bombs and Flags never move.

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Moves
  • All
  • 1 square
  • Any distance
  • Never
Sort
  • Rank, low to high
  • Rank, high to low
  • Piece, A–Z
  • Piece, Z–A
  • Count, low to high
  • Count, high to low
  • Moves, best first
  • Moves, worst first
  • Classic US, A–Z
  • Classic US, Z–A
  • Special rule, A–Z
  • Special rule, Z–A

12 of 12
10 Marshal 1 1 square 1 Strongest piece, but lost if the enemy Spy attacks it
9 General 1 1 square 2 Loses only to the Marshal and Bombs
8 Colonel 2 1 square 3 –
7 Major 3 1 square 4 –
6 Captain 4 1 square 5 –
5 Lieutenant 4 1 square 6 –
4 Sergeant 4 1 square 7 –
3 Miner 5 1 square 8 The only piece that defuses Bombs
2 Scout 8 Any distance 9 Moves any number of empty squares in a straight line and may attack at the end
1 Spy 1 1 square S Defeats the Marshal only when the Spy attacks; loses to everything else
– Bomb 6 Never B Removes any attacker except a Miner and stays on the board
– Flag 1 Never F Capture it to win the game

Rank is the modern European number used by Stratego Original. Classic US editions number the other way round (Marshal 1, Scout 9, Spy S). The Count column is per player and adds up to 40.

FAQ

What is the highest rank in Stratego?

The Marshal, rank 10 in modern sets (rank 1 in Classic US sets). It beats every other piece in a fight, except that an attacking Spy defeats it and a Bomb removes it.

Why do some Stratego sets number the Marshal 1?

The first US editions followed L'Attaque and gave the strongest piece the lowest number. Around 2000 US sets switched to the European system (Marshal 10, Spy 1), and Classic or nostalgia editions still use the old order.

How many Bombs and Scouts do you get?

6 Bombs and 8 Scouts per player. Scouts are the most common piece; Miners are next with 5.

Can a Bomb or the Flag move?

No. Once placed during setup they stay on that square for the whole game. Read the rules for what happens when they are attacked.

Sources

  1. Koninklijke Jumbo B.V.Stratego Original rules (rulebook PDF)checked Nov 15, 2026
  2. WikipediaStratego: Classic pieceschecked Nov 15, 2026

Rules

The complete rules: setup, movement, combat and winning.

Setup guide

Where to hide your Flag, Bombs and Scouts.

Strategy

Tips for scouting, bluffing and winning more games.