Game of the Generals Pieces and Ranks: What Beats What
Each side in Game of the Generals has 21 pieces across 15 ranks. Here is every piece, how many you get, and exactly which pieces it beats and loses to in a challenge.
Updated November 15, 2026
The three rules of every challenge
- Higher rank wins. The lower-ranked piece is removed. Equal ranks eliminate each other.
- The Spy is the exception. It eliminates every officer, from Sergeant to 5-Star General, but any Private eliminates it.
- Any piece captures the Flag. If a Flag attacks the enemy Flag, the attacking Flag wins.
The arbiter never says which ranks were involved. Read more in the complete guide or try the interactive challenge table.
All 21 pieces, strongest first
| Rank | Count | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Star General | 1 | 5 stars |
| 4-Star General | 1 | 4 stars |
| 3-Star General | 1 | 3 stars |
| 2-Star General | 1 | 2 stars |
| 1-Star General | 1 | 1 star |
| Colonel | 1 | Sun |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 1 | Sun |
| Major | 1 | Sun |
| Captain | 1 | Triangle |
| 1st Lieutenant | 1 | Triangle |
| 2nd Lieutenant | 1 | Triangle |
| Sergeant | 1 | Chevron |
| Private | 6 | None |
| Spy | 2 | Eye |
| Flag | 1 | Flag |
Every piece explained
5-Star General ×1
Your strongest piece. Only the enemy Spy can take it, so guard it with Privates nearby.
- Beats: 13 pieces, including 4-Star General and 3-Star General
- Loses to: Spy
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
4-Star General ×1
A heavy hitter for breaking through the enemy line once the Spies are accounted for.
- Beats: 12 pieces, including 3-Star General and 2-Star General
- Loses to: 5-Star General, Spy
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
3-Star General ×1
Strong enough to win most challenges; a good piece to lead an attack on one flank.
- Beats: 11 pieces, including 2-Star General and 1-Star General
- Loses to: 5-Star General, 4-Star General, Spy
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
2-Star General ×1
A reliable attacker that also works well as a flag guard.
- Beats: 10 pieces, including 1-Star General and Colonel
- Loses to: 5-Star General, 4-Star General, 3-Star General, Spy
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
1-Star General ×1
The weakest general, but still above every field officer.
- Beats: Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, Captain, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, Sergeant, Private, Flag
- Loses to: 5-Star General, 4-Star General, 3-Star General, 2-Star General, Spy
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
Colonel ×1
The top field officer. Useful for probing pieces you suspect are mid-ranked.
- Beats: Lieutenant Colonel, Major, Captain, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, Sergeant, Private, Flag
- Loses to: 5-Star General, 4-Star General, 3-Star General, 2-Star General, 1-Star General, Spy
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
Lieutenant Colonel ×1
A solid mid-rank piece for defending lanes and trading with officers.
- Beats: Major, Captain, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, Sergeant, Private, Flag
- Loses to: 5-Star General, 4-Star General, 3-Star General, 2-Star General, 1-Star General, Colonel, Spy
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
Major ×1
Mid-rank. Good for testing pieces that have already beaten a Private or Sergeant.
- Beats: Captain, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, Sergeant, Private, Flag
- Loses to: 5-Star General, 4-Star General, 3-Star General, 2-Star General, 1-Star General, Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Spy
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
Captain ×1
A flexible defender. Often placed near the flag as a decoy or guard.
- Beats: 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, Sergeant, Private, Flag
- Loses to: 5-Star General, 4-Star General, 3-Star General, 2-Star General, 1-Star General, Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, Spy
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
1st Lieutenant ×1
A low officer that can still beat Sergeants and Privates.
- Beats: 2nd Lieutenant, Sergeant, Private, Flag
- Loses to: 10 pieces, including 5-Star General and 4-Star General
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
2nd Lieutenant ×1
The lowest lieutenant. Useful as a scout that can survive against Privates.
- Beats: Sergeant, Private, Flag
- Loses to: 11 pieces, including 5-Star General and 4-Star General
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
Sergeant ×1
The lowest officer. Beats only Privates, and loses to the Spy like every officer.
- Beats: Private, Flag
- Loses to: 12 pieces, including 5-Star General and 4-Star General
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
Private ×6
You have six. Weak, but the only piece that eliminates the Spy. Your scouts and Spy hunters.
- Beats: Spy, Flag
- Loses to: 12 pieces, including 5-Star General and 4-Star General
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
Spy ×2
You have two. Eliminates every officer from Sergeant to 5-Star General, but loses to any Private.
- Beats: 13 pieces, including 5-Star General and 4-Star General
- Loses to: Private
- Same rank: both pieces are eliminated.
Flag ×1
Lose it and you lose. Any piece captures it. It can also win the game by reaching the far row.
- Beats: Nothing
- Loses to: 14 pieces, including 5-Star General and 4-Star General
- Same rank: if two Flags meet, the attacking Flag wins.