Risk, the classic board game of strategy and conquest, has been entertaining players for generations.
Whether you are a newcomer to the game or a seasoned veteran looking to brush up on the rules, this guide will provide you with a detailed overview of how to play Risk.
This article will cover everything you need to know, from the setup and objectives to gameplay, winning strategies, and the essential rules of the game.
Before delving into the intricacies of Risk, let's ensure you have everything you need to get started. To play Risk, you will require the following:
Risk Board Game: The first and foremost necessity is, of course, the Risk board game itself. This game is designed for 3 to 5 players.
Armies: In Risk, armies are made up of different troop types. Each infantry piece represents one troop, cavalry represents five troops, and artillery represents ten troops.
Risk Cards: Risk cards play a crucial role in the game. These cards include territory cards and secret mission cards (only used if you are playing Secret Mission Risk), and they are used to gain additional armies and strategic advantages.
Dice: You will need a set of dice to determine the outcomes of battles and other critical actions in the game.
Now that you have your materials ready, let's explore how to set up the game and the ultimate objective of Risk.
Risk is all about global domination, and the setup is the first step in this conquest. Here is how to get started:
Selecting Armies: Each player must choose an army, which consists of infantry, cavalry, and artillery.
The number of infantry you receive at the beginning of the game depends on the number of players.
Initial Placement: To determine the initial order of play, each player rolls a die.
The player with the highest roll gets to place one infantry piece on an unoccupied territory of their choice.
The process continues clockwise, with each player placing one infantry on an empty territory until all territories are occupied.
Distribution of Armies: After the initial placements, players can distribute their remaining infantry as they see fit across their occupied territories. There is no requirement for an even distribution.
Risk Territory Cards: Shuffle the risk territory cards and place them to the side of the board. These cards will come into play later in the game.
The primary objective of Risk is straightforward: achieve world domination.
To win the game, a player must eliminate all other players' troops and occupy every single territory on the board.
It's a battle of wits, strategy, and diplomacy as you vie for control of the world.
Now, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of how the game unfolds:
The player who placed the first infantry starts the game. At the start of your turn, you will follow a specific sequence:
Receiving New Armies: Count the number of territories you occupy, and divide that number by 3 (ignoring remainders). The result is the number of new troops you receive.
Place these troops on any of your already occupied territories.
Attacking: You can choose to attack a bordering territory or a territory connected by a sea route.
When you attack, you move 1, 2, or 3 troops into the target territory.
The defender can have 1 or 2 troops to defend.
Battle with Dice: Both the attacker and defender roll the number of dice equal to the number of troops involved in the battle.
The highest rolled dice from each side are compared, and the defending player wins if their roll is the same or higher. The lowest die from the attacking player is ignored.
Conquering Territories: After a successful attack, the attacking player can move additional troops into the newly captured territory, but at least one troop must remain in the original territory.
Multiple Attacks: On your turn, you can choose to attack as many adjacent territories as you like or refrain from attacking altogether.
Your strategy will determine the best approach.
Maneuvering Troops: At the end of your turn, you have the option to maneuver troops between your territories.
You can move troops from one territory to an adjacent territory.
Risk Territory Cards: If you capture at least one territory on your turn, you receive a risk territory card.
The path to victory in Risk is clear: you must be the first player to capture all the territories on the board.
It's a challenging journey filled with strategic decisions and tactical maneuvers.
Remember, the world belongs to the player who controls the most territories!
To ensure a fair and exciting game of Risk, it's essential to understand and follow the rules:
Dice Rolls: When attacker and defender rolls are tied, the defender wins.
Troop Exchange: At any time, you can exchange 5 infantry troops for a cavalry troop or 10 troops for an artillery troop.
Receiving Additional Armies: You can gain additional troops at the beginning of your turn by trading in sets of territory cards.
A set consists of either 3 cards with the same troop design, 3 cards with one of each troop, or 3 cards with 2 of the same troop design and 1 wild card.
The number of troops received increases with each traded-in set.
Continent Bonus: If you occupy all territories in a continent, you receive additional troops as indicated on the board.
Eliminating Players: If you eliminate another player from the game, you gain any risk cards they had.
Battles and Retreats: If you don't capture a territory with your first attack, you can choose to retreat the attacking troops to the original territory and decide on further actions.
Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of how to play Risk, you're well-equipped to embark on your journey towards global domination.
Exercise your strategic prowess, form alliances, and conquer the world, one territory at a time. May the best strategist win!
