Each player takes a fleet (3 Battleships, 3 Cruisers and 8 Destroyers). Each player also takes 3 mines and 3 buoys. The fleets are placed in the harbors or capitals (not on the Jetty dots used for "moving out").
Movement is based on the roll of 2 dice. Units may be moved in any combination adding up to the total on the dice (for example a roll of 12 means 12 units can move 1 or 4 units can move 3, etc.)
Attacking an enemy happens when friendly units move onto a spot with enemy units (there is no limit to stacking on a dot). To fight, players add up the values of each fleet (Destroyers = 1, Cruisers = 2 & Battleships = 3 combat points). The fleet with the lowest value must lose its best unit. Additional factors include forts, obstacles (shoals & straits) and high speed stretches. Buoys and mines affect movement.
The game is won by the player who succeeds in penetrating into the opponent's capital with one or more ships. Occupying the capital requires superior forces.