Stratego Setup and Starting Formations

A useful setup gives you a protected flag and a way to put your pieces into play. Pick a flag square, check the paths an opponent could use to reach it, then make sure your own pieces can get out.

Where the 40 Pieces Go

Place one piece in every square of your four starting rows. On the Rankfall board, Red occupies rows 1–4, Blue occupies rows 7–10, and rows 5–6 begin without pieces. Columns A–J run across the board.

Rows	Starting positions
`10–7`	Blue’s army, with row `7` closest to the lakes
`6–5`	Open lanes in `A–B`, `E–F`, and `I–J`. Lakes occupy `C–D` and `G–H`.
`4–1`	Red’s army, with row `4` closest to the lakes

If you copy a formation, check that it uses the correct number of each rank. Check the 40-piece inventory

Choose a Flag Position

A corner flag has two neighboring squares. A Red Flag on A1 can be approached through A2 or B1. You can guard both with Bombs and keep a movable defender nearby. Once the corner is exposed, an opposing Miner can begin opening either route.

     A  B
  2  B  ·
  1  F  B

A back-row flag away from the corner has three neighboring squares. For a Flag on E1, the approaches are D1, F1, and E2. You can use Bombs on two sides and place a movable defender in front. That defender can join play once there is a route out, but moving it leaves an approach to cover.

     D  E  F
  2  ·  5  ·
  1  B  F  B

In these partial diagrams, · means the piece is omitted. Fill those squares when you build a full starting formation.

Place Bombs Without Blocking Your Own Army

Use some Bombs to guard likely approaches to your Flag. A Bomb on the opposite side can make the opponent spend a turn investigating a route that does not lead to the flag. Consider putting a movable defender near the real flag so you can respond if an enemy Miner reaches it.

Before you finish setup, check the front row across the open lanes. Leave movable pieces in front of at least one lane. Two usable lanes give you another option if your opponent pressures your first one. Plan your opening moves

Build a Balanced Starting Formation

Here is a complete Red formation you can copy. The Flag is at C1, the Bombs at B1 and D1 protect its sides, and a Lieutenant at C2 covers the approach from the front. The front row includes Scouts at A4, E4, and I4, giving you a scouting option in each of the three open lanes.

     A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J
  4  2  5  4  7  2  6  4  7  2  6
  3  6  2  9  1  3  5  7  3  2  8
  2  4  3  5  8  6  B 10  3  B  4
  1  2  B  F  B  2  3  5  B  2  B

The Spy at D3 starts next to the General at C3. Miners at B2, H2, and F1 start behind the front line, giving you reserves if the two Miners on row 3 are lost. If you change the formation, check that your Scouts still have a route out and your Miners can reach more than one part of the board.

Customize Your Setup on Rankfall

Before the first move, choose Customize setup.
As Red, tap two of your pieces to swap them. Repeat until the formation is ready.
Choose Red is ready and pass the covered board to Blue.
Blue taps Continue, arranges the blue pieces, then chooses Blue is ready.
Pass the device back to Red and begin the game.

Each side needs at least one legal first move. If Rankfall asks you to leave a movable piece an opening, put a numbered piece in an open lane on the front row. Walk through your first game

Try a custom setup