Stratego Legends (1999) – Board Game Guys

Stratego: Legends

Stratego: Legends is a strategy board game created and released by Avalon Hill in 1999. It is set in a mythical world called “The Shattered Lands,” where the forces of good (represented by beige-back pieces) battle against the forces of evil (represented by gray-back pieces). The game’s backstory is that the battles that followed are played out in the game Stratego: Legends. The Gameplay Mechanics of Stratego: Legends of Legends closely resemble those of the original Stratego game, and also somewhat similar to chess. The game was discontinued by Avalon Hill in 2004.

The origins of Stratego

The origins of Stratego can be traced back to traditional Chinese board game Jungle, also known as “Game of the Fighting Animals” (Dou Shou Qi) or “Animal Chess”. The modern game of Stratego, with its Napoleonic imagery, was originally manufactured in the Netherlands by Jumbo. Pieces were originally made of printed cardboard, but after World War II, painted wood pieces became standard. The game was licensed by the Milton Bradley Company for American distribution and introduced in the United States in 1961.

Why is Stratego: Legends Popular?

Stratego is a classic strategy board game that has been enjoyed by players for decades. It is a game of skill, strategy, and memory, and it involves collecting information, planning, and strategic thinking. The game is popular because it is easy to learn but difficult to master, and it provides a challenging and engaging experience for players of all ages.

Game Components of Stratego Legends

60 Collectible Pieces: Each set includes 30 pieces for a light army and 30 for a dark army, with special abilities and powers.

4 Board Tiles: These tiles create the playing surface and feature different land types that affect piece abilities.

Rules Booklet: Detailed instructions on how to play.

Reference Cards: Used to identify the special abilities of each piece.

Booster Packs: Optional purchases to expand the piece collection.

How To Setup Stratego Legends

Setting up Stratego Legends involves random placement of both the board tiles and the pieces. Players start by randomly placing the four board tiles to create the playing surface. Then, they randomly place their pieces on their side of the board. After placement, players can make two swaps to adjust their setup strategically, such as moving their castle to a more defended position.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Capture the opponent’s Flag or eliminate all of their movable pieces.

Piece Movement: Pieces move one square at a time, and each piece has unique abilities based on the land type it occupies.

Combat: When a piece attacks, both pieces are revealed, and the higher-ranked piece captures the lower-ranked one. Special pieces like the Spy and Bomb have unique combat rules.

Special Abilities: Pieces can have bonuses or special actions based on the land type they are on.

Random Setup: Board tiles and pieces are placed randomly to prevent unbeatable setups.

Player Experience

Stratego Legends offers a blend of strategic planning and adaptability. The game starts slowly as players need to refer to the reference cards to understand their pieces’ abilities, but as they play more games, the pace quickens. Players can combine pieces to create complex strategies, similar to those in Magic: The Gathering. The random setup adds an element of unpredictability, making each game unique.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Combines traditional Stratego tactics with new fantasy elements.

Customizable Armies: Players can build their own armies using pieces from different sets or booster packs.

Unique Land Types: The board tiles add a new layer of strategy based on where pieces are placed.

Quick Games: Once familiar with the pieces, games can be played quickly.

Cons

Complex Setup: Initial games can be slow due to the need to look up piece abilities.

Collectible Aspect: Requires additional purchases to access all possible pieces.

Randomization: Some strategy gamers may dislike the randomness in setup.

Personal Thoughts on Stratego Legends

Stratego Legends is ideal for fans of both Stratego and collectible card games. It offers a fresh spin on the classic game, making it appealing to those who enjoy deep strategy and customization. However, it may not be the best fit for hardcore strategy gamers who prefer static setups and no random elements. Overall, it’s a great choice for those looking to mix traditional board game strategy with the excitement of collectible pieces.

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