Best Stratego Setups

The Flag sits in the back-left corner behind two Bombs, with a second Bomb pair on the right as a mirror image to confuse the attacker.

Flag and Bombs

Only two squares touch a corner, so two Bombs seal the Flag completely. A matching pair in the opposite corner makes both corners look the same from across the board.

Strengths

Very hard to reach without Miners, and the decoy corner often makes the opponent spend Miners on the wrong side.

Weaknesses

A corner Flag is a common guess. If the opponent clears the left side with strong pieces, a single Miner finishes the game.

Best for

New players who want a safe Flag while they learn how the computer attacks.

The Flag is in the middle of the back row under a cap of Bombs, and the lakes in front narrow the routes an attacker can use.

Flag and Bombs

Bombs cover the Flag on the left, right and front, and two more widen the cap so it is hard to tell which square it protects. Both centre lanes between the lakes run straight into it. A sixth Bomb on the right of the back row hints at a second Flag spot.

Strengths

Strong pieces are spread across all three lanes, so you can answer an attack on either side. The Spy stands next to the General.

Weaknesses

A block of five Bombs is easy to read once the opponent has hit two of them, and one Miner path through the cap reaches the Flag.

Best for

Players who want an all-round setup that defends and attacks equally well.

Seven Scouts fill the front row beside the Marshal and General, so whatever the Scouts uncover can be attacked at once.

Flag and Bombs

The Flag is near the centre of the back row with Bombs on both sides and in front. Two Bombs in the second row block the side lanes, so fast enemy Scouts cannot run deep.

Strengths

Finds enemy ranks quickly and lets your two strongest pieces attack from the first turns.

Weaknesses

Losing Scouts early leaves fewer of them for the endgame, and the front is thin against a fast Colonel attack.

Best for

Players who like to gather information and attack early against the Easy and Medium computer.

Five Bombs stack up in the back-right corner as an obvious-looking fortress, while the real Flag sits near the centre of the back row.

Flag and Bombs

The bomb cluster looks like it must hide the Flag. The real Flag has no Bomb next to it at all and relies on a Colonel and a Sergeant standing guard.

Strengths

Opponents tend to send their Miners at the corner and lose them there, which leaves them short when they finally look elsewhere.

Weaknesses

An opponent who attacks the unprotected centre directly can win quickly. Keep your guards close to the Flag.

Best for

Experienced players who enjoy bluffing and can watch over an unbombed Flag.

The Marshal, a Colonel and the General start on the left flank to break through one side quickly, while Bombs hold the right.

Flag and Bombs

The Flag is near the centre of the back row with Bombs on the squares beside it and in front of it. Three more Bombs hold the right side, so you can attack without worrying about it.

Strengths

Concentrated force wins the battle on the left fast and puts pressure on the enemy from move one.

Weaknesses

If the opponent stops the hook, your heavy pieces are far from home, and the right side has only Bombs and low ranks.

Best for

Players who want a clear plan: attack left, hold right.

The Flag stands on the second row, surrounded by Bombs, where few attackers expect it, while the back row is full of ordinary pieces.

Flag and Bombs

Bombs cover the Flag on the left, right and behind, and the square in front is held by a Captain. The back row has no Flag and no Bombs, so attackers waste time digging there.

Strengths

Surprising. Opponents who search the back row first find only soldiers and Miners.

Weaknesses

The Flag is only two squares from the front line. If the Captain in front of it falls, a Miner can break in fast.

Best for

Players who like taking risks and want to beat opponents who always search the back row.

Two Bombs in the front row block the side lanes from the start, and all five Miners wait in the back rows for the endgame.

Flag and Bombs

The Flag is in the back-left corner with a Bomb beside it and a Bomb in front of it. The front-row Bombs stop enemy Scouts from running straight through the side lanes.

Strengths

You keep every Miner safe until the late game, when breaking through Bombs decides who wins.

Weaknesses

Front-row Bombs reveal themselves the first time something attacks them, and they cannot help in the middle game.

Best for

Patient players who plan for a long game against the Hard computer.