Stratego Miner Guide: Clearing Bombs Safely
Miners (rank 3) are the only Classic Original pieces that defeat Bombs. Five Miners must last long enough to open the Flag screen.
Rules recap
Miners move one square orthogonally like most ranks. In combat they are weak against officers but uniquely defeat Bombs. After clearing a Bomb, the Miner occupies that square.
Practical usage
- Confirm Bomb suspects with Scouts or sacrificial probes when needed.
- Escort Miners toward Flag pockets once approaches are known.
- Avoid early Miner-versus-Captain trades unless the board demands it.
Advantages
Without Miners, dense Bomb screens can stall forever. Preserved Miners convert information into Flag access.
Risks
Rank 3 loses to Sergeants and above. Opponents may bait Miners into officer traps near fake Flag zones.
Common mistakes
- Spending all five Miners in the opening.
- Sending unescorted Miners into unknown clusters.
- Ignoring remaining Bomb counts in the endgame.
FAQ
Can any piece remove a Bomb?
Only Miners remove Bombs safely. Other attackers that strike a Bomb are eliminated according to Classic Original combat rules.
How many Miners should I keep for the endgame?
Editorial recommendation: try to keep at least one or two Miners until Flag approaches are identified. Exact numbers depend on remaining Bombs.