Rules of Engagement
Official and classic rules for the turn-based Sea Battle (battleship-style) board game. Learn everything about the 10×10 grid layout, the 10-ship fleet composition, placement rules requiring a 1-cell buffer zone, turn mechanics, and how to win.
The battle is fought on a 10×10 square grid. Horizontal lines are labeled with letters (A–J), while vertical columns are numbered 1 to 10. Each commander deploys a fleet of 10 ships totaling 20 segments:
• 1 four-deck ship (Battleship) - 4 grid cells long;
• 2 three-deck ships (Cruisers) - 3 cells each;
• 3 two-deck ships (Destroyers) - 2 cells each;
• 4 single-deck ships (Patrol Boats / Submarines) - 1 cell each.
Ships may only be positioned in straight horizontal or vertical lines (diagonal ships or curved shapes are strictly forbidden).
The primary rule of Sea Battle is: ships must never touch each other, neither along sides nor corners. There must always be at least one empty cell between any two vessels. Placing ships flush against the grid borders is permitted. In HiddenFleet, you can place ships manually or use instant random auto-placement.
Players take turns calling target coordinates (e.g., 'B-4'):
• Miss - the shot lands in an empty cell. The turn passes to your opponent.
• Hit - the shot strikes a segment of a multi-deck vessel. The attacking player earns an immediate bonus shot.
• Sunk (Destroyed) - all segments of a ship have been hit. Adjacent perimeter cells are safely marked, and the attacker retains the turn.
Victory: The first commander to locate and sink all 10 enemy ships wins the battle.
No, classic Sea Battle rules require a 1-cell empty buffer zone in all directions (sides and corners) between all ships.
Yes. Whenever you hit or sink an enemy ship, you immediately take another shot. The turn passes only when you miss.
Yes, placing ships along the outer borders (lines 1, 10, A, J) is allowed as long as the 1-cell distance to your other ships is respected.
Each player commands exactly 10 ships: one 4-deck, two 3-deck, three 2-deck, and four 1-deck vessels (20 ship segments total).
Summary
Official rules for classic 10x10 Sea Battle: fleet of 10 ships, placement rules with buffer zone, turn order, hits, and victory conditions.
