The most numerous special piece is the Bomb, which only Miners can defuse and which immediately eliminates any other piece that strikes it, but cannot move. Such pre-play distinguishes the fundamental strategy of particular players, and influences the outcome of the game.įor most pieces, rank alone determines the outcome, but there are special pieces. Players may arrange their 40 pieces in any configuration on a designated 4 ×10 section of the playing board. They are shown as lakes on the battlefield and serve as choke points to make frontal assaults less direct. Two zones in the middle of the board, each 2 × 2, cannot be entered by either player's pieces at any time. Pieces may not move onto a square already occupied by another piece without attacking. If the engaging pieces are of equal rank, they are both removed. If a piece is moved onto a square occupied by an opposing piece, their identities are revealed, the weaker piece is removed from the board, and the stronger piece is moved into the place formerly occupied by the weaker piece. Ranks are printed on one side only and placed so that players cannot identify specific opponent's pieces. Pieces are colored on both sides, so players can easily distinguish between their own and their opponent's. Typically, one player uses red pieces, and the other uses blue pieces.

Rules of stratego game