Salpakan Ranks and Battle Chart
Every Game of the Generals army has 21 pieces across 15 ranks. This chart shows how many of each you get and exactly which pieces each one eliminates in a challenge.
Rank Chart (Strongest to Weakest)
| Rank | Per army | Eliminates | Eliminated by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Star General | 1 | 4-Star General to Private | Spy |
| 4-Star General | 1 | 3-Star General to Private | 5-Star General, Spy |
| 3-Star General | 1 | 2-Star General to Private | 5-Star General, 4-Star General, Spy |
| 2-Star General | 1 | 1-Star General to Private | 5-Star General to 3-Star General, Spy |
| 1-Star General | 1 | Colonel to Private | 5-Star General to 2-Star General, Spy |
| Colonel | 1 | Lt. Colonel to Private | 5-Star General to 1-Star General, Spy |
| Lt. Colonel | 1 | Major to Private | 5-Star General to Colonel, Spy |
| Major | 1 | Captain to Private | 5-Star General to Lt. Colonel, Spy |
| Captain | 1 | 1st Lieutenant to Private | 5-Star General to Major, Spy |
| 1st Lieutenant | 1 | 2nd Lieutenant to Private | 5-Star General to Captain, Spy |
| 2nd Lieutenant | 1 | Sergeant, Private | 5-Star General to 1st Lieutenant, Spy |
| Sergeant | 1 | Private | 5-Star General to 2nd Lieutenant, Spy |
| Private | 6 | Spy | 5-Star General to Sergeant |
| Spy | 2 | 5-Star General to Sergeant | Private |
| Flag | 1 | Nothing: it cannot capture anything | Every piece |
Every piece captures the Flag. When two pieces of the same rank meet, both are eliminated.
The Generals and Officers
Outside the Spy and Private, the rule is simple: the higher rank wins. The five Generals sit at the top, led by the 5-Star General, followed by the Colonel, Lt. Colonel, Major, Captain, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant and Sergeant. Each of these ranks appears once in your army, so every loss is permanent and informative.
The Spy
The Spy eliminates every General and officer, including the 5-Star General, whether it attacks or is attacked. It has two weaknesses: the Private, and another Spy, which eliminates it too. You get two Spies, which makes them your best answer to an enemy General you cannot otherwise beat.
The Private
You get six Privates. They lose to every officer, but they are the only pieces that eliminate a Spy. That makes them useful as scouts and as protection against the enemy Spy, and a good use for pieces you are happy to trade.
The Flag
The Flag cannot capture anything and is eliminated by any piece that reaches it, so the game ends the moment it is found. You can also win by walking your own Flag to the far row of the board and keeping it alive through your opponent's next turn. See the rules for the full win conditions, or the strategy guide for ideas on using both.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many pieces does each player have in Salpakan?
- Each player has 21 pieces: one each of the five Generals, Colonel, Lt. Colonel, Major, Captain, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant and Sergeant, plus six Privates, two Spies and one Flag.
- What beats the Spy in Game of the Generals?
- Only the Private can eliminate a Spy, whether the Private is attacking or being attacked. Two Spies that meet eliminate each other.
- Can the Spy beat the 5-Star General?
- Yes. The Spy defeats every officer and General, including the 5-Star General, whether it attacks or is attacked. Its only weakness is the Private.
- What happens when two pieces of the same rank meet?
- Both pieces are eliminated and removed from the board.