Battleship Online
First to sink all opponent ships wins
General ranking since 30 days. Learn more
Battleships, also known as Sea Battle, was created during World War 1 as a pencil and paper game. It became a plastic board game in 1967 and was later adapted to electronic versions. Today you can play the battleship game online here for free: an online battleship game for 2 players, with a friend, against the computer or against players from around the world.
Rules of Battleship game online
Battleship is a turn-based 2-player game. Each player has a 10x10 grid with a fleet of five ships, of 5, 4, 3, 3 and 2 squares, placed at random at the start of the game. The players take turns firing at the opponent's grid and try to sink the enemy fleet. Hits are shown with fire and misses with a water splash. When a player hits an opponent's ship, they can fire again. The player who sinks the whole of their opponent's fleet wins the game.
Gifts
After some moves from both players, gifts may pop up on the board and can be picked up by hitting them with a missile. Gifts contain extra weapons that can be used against your opponent.
Weapons
Simple missile: 1 square of damage, as many shots as you like.
Big missile: a cross of 5 squares. You start the game with 2.
Missile rain: up to 7 shots that fall on random squares of the grid.
Nuclear missile: a wide area of 13 squares.
Play Battleship online with friends or against the computer
- Play with a friend: click "Play with a friend" and share the link. Your friend joins in one click, and neither of you needs an account.
- Play online: click "Play online" to be matched with another player in Battleships multiplayer.
- Play vs robot: play the battleship computer game at any hour.
- Tournaments: join the daily tournament, or create a private tournament and share the link with your group.
Similar games
One of the most popular board games in our catalog is Connect 4, in which you can select the board's size. Players that enjoy playing board games like Battleship might also like Gomoku, raising the intellectual difficulty with a 15x15 board and 5 pieces to connect. For a casual and quick game, you can go for Tic-Tac-Toe, a 3x3 row game.
Battleships strategy: tactics to win
Here are the most valuable strategies and tactics you will need to maximize your chances of sinking your enemy's fleet.
Maximizing your chances of a hit when starting a game
Shooting at the center of the grid maximizes your chances of hitting a ship. Targeting only odd or even squares reduces the number of turns for a potential hit since ships cover at least two squares. To keep visualizing even and odd squares, draw an imaginary even diagonal line from the bottom left to the upper right corner. If you start by missing more than twice, choose an area in another section: you will have more chances to get a hit.
Targeting effectively
Once you have a hit, start targeting around the area. If you miss the first time, target the opposite square. When the first ship is sunk, repeat the strategy of aiming toward the center of the grid. Save the big missile and the nuclear missile for an area where a ship is likely to be hiding.
Frequently asked questions
How do you win at Battleship?
Sink your opponent's entire fleet before they sink yours. Every hit lets you fire again, so start near the center of the grid and, once you hit a ship, target the squares around it to finish it off. Keep your special weapons for the moments when they can reach a ship you have already found.
How many ships are in Battleship?
Each player has five ships: one of 5 squares, one of 4, two of 3 and one of 2, so 17 squares in all to sink. On papergames.io the fleet is placed at random on your 10x10 grid when the game starts, so you can start firing right away.
What is the best Battleship strategy?
Fire at the center first and shoot only every other square, in a checkerboard pattern: every ship covers at least two squares, so none can hide between your shots. After a hit, try the four squares around it, then follow the line until the ship sinks. Use the big missile where a ship is likely.
What weapons can I use in Battleship?
Besides the simple missile, you start with 2 big missiles, which hit a cross of 5 squares. Gifts appear on the board during the game: hit one to collect a weapon, such as another big missile, the missile rain (7 random squares) or the nuclear missile (13 squares).
Can I play Battleship against the computer?
Yes. Choose "Play vs robot" to face our bot at any hour, or choose "Play online" to be matched with another player. To play someone you know, choose "Play with a friend" and send them the link: the game starts as soon as they join.
How big is the Battleship board?
Each player has a 10x10 grid, 100 squares, and the ships are placed randomly at the start of the game, so you can start firing right away. You fire at your opponent's grid and watch your own fleet on the other one.
Is Battleship free on papergames.io?
Yes, 100% free. You play directly in your browser, on desktop or mobile, and you can play as a guest without creating an account. Share a link to play with a friend, play the computer, or join the daily tournament at no cost.