Risk

Risk rules — frequently asked questions

Who wins ties in combat?

The defender, always. If the attacker's 6 meets the defender's 6, the attacker loses an army. This defensive edge is core to Risk's math.

How many dice can each side roll?

The attacker rolls 1-3 dice but must have at least one more army in the attacking territory than dice rolled (so 4+ armies to roll 3). The defender rolls 1-2 dice and needs at least 2 armies to roll 2.

How many Risk cards do I earn per turn?

Exactly one, and only if you conquered at least one territory that turn. Conquering ten territories still earns just one card.

When am I forced to trade in cards?

If you start your reinforcement phase with 5 or more cards, you must trade at least one set. If eliminating a player hands you cards and you now hold 6+, you must trade immediately, mid-turn, until you're at 4 or fewer.

What are card sets worth?

In classic escalating rules the sets are worth 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15 armies, then +5 for each set after that, regardless of who trades. If a traded card pictures a territory you occupy, you also place 2 bonus armies there.

Do I get a continent bonus if I captured the last territory this turn?

Not yet. Continent bonuses are checked at the start of your reinforcement phase — you must hold the whole continent through your opponents' turns to collect.

How many armies move after I conquer a territory?

At least as many as the number of dice you rolled in the winning attack, and you must leave at least 1 army behind. You choose the exact number within those limits.

Can I attack multiple territories in one turn?

Yes — attack as often as you like, from any of your territories, as long as each attack is legal. You can also stop any battle whenever you want.

How does the fortify move work?

Once per turn, at the end: move any number of armies from exactly one territory to one connected friendly territory (classic rules say adjacent; several editions allow any territory linked through your own territory chain — agree before playing).

Can two players play?

Classic Risk includes a 2-player variant using a third, neutral army: each player also places neutral armies during setup, and neutrals defend with normal dice but never attack. Standard rules otherwise apply.