Should the Flag always be in a corner?

Corners are common and often strong, but predictable corners invite focused Bomb-clearing. Mix Flag locations across games.

How many Bombs should guard the Flag?

There is no fixed rule. Many players dedicate two to four Bombs to Flag approaches and keep the rest for front or mid traps.

Stratego Setup Guide: Flag, Bombs & Formations

Setup is half the game. This Classic Original guide covers Flag geography, Bomb screens, officer placement, and formation patterns—recommendations, not mandatory rules.

Flag placement

The Flag must sit on one of your four setup rows. Strong placements usually have limited approach squares that Bombs and mid-ranks can cover. Extremely obvious corners can be fine against casual play and fragile against experienced Miners.

Bomb positioning

Bombs are immobile tripwires. Place them on squares enemies must enter to reach the Flag, or on tempting front-line squares that punish reckless Scouts. Leaving every Bomb glued to the Flag wastes their deterrent value elsewhere.

High-rank positioning

Marshal and General should be ready to respond, not stranded behind dead Bombs. Many players keep one elite near each wing or hold the Marshal slightly back until the Spy threat is better understood.

Scout distribution

Spread Scouts so open files and ranks become reconnaissance tools. Stacking all eight Scouts in one corner wastes their mobility.

Miner positioning

Keep Miners alive into the midgame. Front-loading every Miner into suicide probes can leave you unable to clear Flag Bombs later.

Three original formation diagrams

These editorial diagrams use legal Classic Original armies (40 pieces). They are teaching examples—not official publisher layouts. Full comparison of strengths and weaknesses is on the best setup page.

Original defensive diagram: Flag nested at the back-left corner, Bombs on every approach, elites held mid-rear, Scouts and Miners kept for later probes.

Original balanced diagram: Flag mid-back behind a Bomb pocket, Scouts on both wings, Miners reserved, Marshal and General ready to answer either lake lane.

Original aggressive diagram: Colonels and Majors on the front, Marshal and Spy ready for early contact, thinner Flag Bomb line that trades safety for board pressure.

Common mistakes

Flag with zero Bomb coverage on obvious approach squares.
All Bombs in one cluster that a single Miner corridor can open.
Marshal parked on the front row from move one.
No Scouts with clear lanes after the first few trades.
Miners spent early against unknown mid-ranks.