How to Play Fleet Battle

Fleet Battle is a modern take on the classic battleship board game. Two players place their fleets on hidden grids and take turns firing shots to locate and sink each other's ships. The first player to sink the entire enemy fleet wins.

Basic Rules

Each player has a 10x10 grid where they place their fleet before the match begins. Ships occupy consecutive cells — horizontally or vertically, never diagonally. Ships cannot overlap. In most fleet types, players can choose whether ships must keep one field of distance or may touch each other. The Russian fleet always enforces the one-field-distance rule. Quick Match always allows ships to touch.

Once both players have placed their ships, the battle begins. Players take turns selecting cells on the opponent's grid to fire at. Each shot is either a hit (marked red) or a miss (marked white). When every cell of a ship has been hit, the ship is sunk.

The match ends when one player has sunk all of the opponent's ships. Your score depends on accuracy, speed, and any medals earned during the match.

Fleet Types

Fleet Battle offers three different fleet configurations that change the number and size of ships on the board:

  • Standard Fleet — The default configuration with 6 ships of varying sizes (1x Carrier, 1x Battleship, 1x Cruiser, 1x Destroyer, 1x Submarine and 1x Patrol Boat). The Carrier and Submarine use unique shapes, which makes for more interesting gameplay. This is the most balanced and popular option.
  • Classic Fleet — A traditional setup with 5 ships (sizes 5, 4, 3, 3, 2). The ship composition matches the original board game.
  • Russian Fleet — A larger fleet with 10 ships (1x4, 2x3, 3x2, 4x1) where ships must always keep one field of distance. More ships on the board means longer, more strategic matches.

Shot Rules

Shot rules determine how many shots you get per turn and under what conditions. They drastically change the pace and strategy of each match:

  • Streak — You keep firing as long as you hit. A miss ends your turn. Rewards accuracy and knowledge of ship placement patterns.
  • Salvo — Both players fire at the same time. You get one shot for each of your surviving ships. As your fleet shrinks, you get fewer shots. The simultaneous firing creates unique tactical pressure.
  • Chainfire — You get as many shots as you have surviving ships, fired one at a time. More ships means more shots per turn, adding incentive to protect your fleet.
  • Multishot — You fire a fixed number of shots per turn (2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 depending on the match settings). Fast-paced matches that rely on coverage strategy.
  • One Shot — Exactly one shot per turn, alternating strictly. The purest form of battleships — every shot counts.

Game Modes

  • Quick Match — Online PvP matchmaking against random opponents. Uses Standard fleet with Streak rules. Matches count toward rankings and leaderboards.
  • Play with Friends — Create or join private matches with custom rules. Choose any fleet type and shot rule combination. Also hosts Elimination Tournaments for 4 or 8 players.
  • Singleplayer — Play offline against AI opponents at multiple difficulty levels. Great for practice or playing without an internet connection.
  • Salvo Event — Weekly competitive event (Tuesday–Thursday) using a modified Salvo rule where both players fire 3 shots simultaneously each turn. Players compete in groups of 50 ranked by ELO rating, earning Event Coins for cosmetic rewards.
  • Elimination Tournament — Bracket-style competitions where winners advance through rounds to claim the title. Available in "Play with Friends" with fully customizable rules.

Tips for New Players

  • Avoid symmetric setups — Many players place their ships in predictable, symmetric patterns. Experienced opponents will recognize these immediately. Mix up your placement to stay unpredictable.
  • Don't fear grouping ships — Placing a few ships next to each other can actually work in your favor. It creates unexpected clusters that break common search patterns.
  • Learn from losing — Every loss teaches you something. Pay attention to how opponents found your fleet and what placement patterns they used. Adapt your strategy over time.