The Spy in Game of the Generals: How It Works and How to Use It

The Spy is the piece that makes Game of the Generals unpredictable. It can take down a 5-Star General, yet a lowly Private beats it. Master the Spy and you control the game.

Updated November 15, 2026

What does the Spy beat?

Each player has two Spies. A Spy eliminates every officer: the Sergeant, both Lieutenants, the Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel and all five Generals, including the 5-Star General. That is 12 of the 15 ranks.

What beats the Spy?

• Any Private. The Private is the only piece that eliminates the Spy, whether the Private attacks or defends.
• The other Spy. Two Spies that meet eliminate each other, like any equal ranks.

The Spy can also capture the enemy Flag, like every piece. Check any matchup on the interactive challenge table.

Where to place your Spies

• Behind your front row, not on it. The front row usually meets enemy Privates, which kill a Spy instantly.
• In the centre files, where enemy generals tend to attack.
• Apart from each other, so one sweep of enemy Privates cannot find both.
• Near your flag, sometimes. A Spy beside the flag punishes an enemy general that breaks through, but a Private probe will expose it.

How to use the Spy in play

Hold your Spies back until you have identified a strong enemy piece. A piece that has won two or three challenges is probably a high officer, which makes it the perfect Spy target. Bring the Spy close, then strike.

You can also bluff with a Spy: move it boldly like a general. An opponent who believes it is a general may send a stronger officer to deal with it, which is exactly what you want.

How to hunt enemy Spies

• Watch for "giant killers". An enemy piece that beats your general but has avoided your Privates may well be a Spy.
• Send a Private at it. If the Private wins, you found a Spy. If the Private loses, the piece is at least a Sergeant, and still worth tracking.
• Escort your generals. Keep a Private one square behind your 5-Star and 4-Star Generals so you can retaliate if a Spy takes one.

Practice spy play

The computer opponent on Fogrank uses its Spies too, so it is a good place to practise. Play the computer or play Game of the Generals online.