The board
Each player has a 10×10 sector. Columns run A to J, rows 1 to 10, so a target is called E5. You see your own fleet; in the enemy sector you only see the traces of your shots.
Two rule sets
| Rule | Classic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Ships | 10: 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1 | 5: 5, 4, 3, 3, 2 |
| Touching | not allowed, not even at corners | allowed, as long as ships do not overlap |
| After a hit | another shot | the turn passes |
| Around a sunk ship | marked as water automatically | not marked |
Classic is the version known from school notebooks across the former USSR; International is the variant common in the board game worldwide.
The fleet
| Ship | Length | Classic | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier | 5 | — | 1 |
| Battleship | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Cruiser | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Submarine | 3 | — | 1 |
| Destroyer | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Patrol boat | 1 | 4 | — |
| Total cells | 20 | 17 |
Shot results
- Miss: a white buoy and a ring of foam stay in that cell.
- Hit: a ship is definitely there, but which one and in which direction is unknown. Fire burns in the cell.
- Sunk: you hit every cell of the ship. It rises broken and burning, then rests half-sunk, and its position is now known.
Who wins
The player who sinks the entire enemy fleet first. Online you also lose after three timeouts in a row or by leaving. If someone leaves before the first shot, the game is cancelled and ratings stay the same.
FAQ
May ships touch at the corners?
Not in Classic, yes in International. During placement an illegal spot is shown in red.
Do I fire again after a hit?
Yes in Classic, no in International. That is why in Classic the winner is whoever misses less.
Which rules should I pick?
If you played on paper at school, go with Classic. If you like big ships and a different rhythm, International.
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