Tips battleship - Revision history

Pomeroy at 20:09, 31 May 2025

2025-05-31T20:09:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:09, 31 May 2025
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	Begin with random choices of squares to sink ships. I especially like the spots one space diagonally in from the top-left corner, if that misses I may hit each other corner one space diagonally in (until one hits).		Begin with random choices of squares to sink ships. I especially like the spots one space diagonally in from the top-left corner, if that misses I may hit each other corner one space diagonally in (until one hits).

	Beware of repeating any opening salvo, or strategy, with repeat opponents - it will be anticipated and defeated. That said, here are some ~~ideas~~ for sinking (attacking) ships:		Beware of repeating any opening salvo, or strategy, with repeat opponents - it will be anticipated and defeated. That said, here are some suggestions.

			Ideas for sinking (attacking) ships:

	Quadrant and Edges Opening Salvo: plant a salvo in the middle of each quadrant, then survey the edges and corners.		Quadrant and Edges Opening Salvo: plant a salvo in the middle of each quadrant, then survey the edges and corners.
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	Grouped: this is the converse strategy to the spacing strategy, meaning that at least some ships are placed adjacent (and touching) other ships. This anticipates that once a ship is sunk, the adjacent squares tend to be avoided. Once the initial hit on a ship is made, a player will then search the other adjacent squares looking to sink the revealed ship. If you placed ships adjacent, the opponent may inadvertently hit your adjacent ship. Regardless, this approach is used because the squares adjacent to a sunken ship are often ignored and passed-over. The frequent placement of ships next to each other (adjacent) shows the popularity of this approach for placing ships.		Grouped: this is the converse strategy to the spacing strategy, meaning that at least some ships are placed adjacent (and touching) other ships. This anticipates that once a ship is sunk, the adjacent squares tend to be avoided. Once the initial hit on a ship is made, a player will then search the other adjacent squares looking to sink the revealed ship. If you placed ships adjacent, the opponent may inadvertently hit your adjacent ship. Regardless, this approach is used because the squares adjacent to a sunken ship are often ignored and passed-over. The frequent placement of ships next to each other (adjacent) shows the popularity of this approach for placing ships.

			The smaller the ship, the harder it is to find so place these (especially the sub or single) well hidden and try not to place close to other ships.

	Repeat Game Strategy / Considerations:		Repeat Game Strategy / Considerations:

	A repeat opponent will interpret your attack strategy as an indication of your own placement strategy and attempt to mimic it. In a repeat game you can use this to your advantage by avoiding a repeat of your placement strategy, while at the same time using the same for your attack strategy - namely to change your placement strategy while anticipating that your opponent will base his attack strategy on your prior attack strategy. This of course is a two way street as most players will alter their placements, and that placement may, or may not reflect a change in placement strategy, much less basing it on your prior placement or attack strategy.		A repeat opponent will interpret your attack strategy as an indication of your own placement strategy and attempt to mimic it. In a repeat game you can use this to your advantage by avoiding a repeat of your placement strategy, while at the same time using the same for your attack strategy - namely to change your placement strategy while anticipating that your opponent will base his attack strategy on your prior attack strategy. This of course is a two way street as most players will alter their placements, and that placement may, or may not reflect a change in placement strategy, much less basing it on your prior placement or attack strategy.

Pomeroy: Adding ideas for repeat players

2025-05-31T17:10:20Z

Adding ideas for repeat players

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:10, 31 May 2025
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	Begin with random choices of squares to sink ships. I especially like the spots one space diagonally in from the top-left corner, if that misses I may hit each other corner one space diagonally in (until one hits).		Begin with random choices of squares to sink ships. I especially like the spots one space diagonally in from the top-left corner, if that misses I may hit each other corner one space diagonally in (until one hits).

	Beware of repeating any opening salvo, or strategy, with repeat opponents - it will be anticipated and defeated. That said, here are some ideas for sinking ships:		Beware of repeating any opening salvo, or strategy, with repeat opponents - it will be anticipated and defeated. That said, here are some ideas for sinking (attacking) ships:

	Quadrant and Edges Opening Salvo: plant a salvo in the middle of each quadrant, then survey the edges and corners.		Quadrant and Edges Opening Salvo: plant a salvo in the middle of each quadrant, then survey the edges and corners.
Line 22:		Line 22:

	Grouped: this is the converse strategy to the spacing strategy, meaning that at least some ships are placed adjacent (and touching) other ships. This anticipates that once a ship is sunk, the adjacent squares tend to be avoided. Once the initial hit on a ship is made, a player will then search the other adjacent squares looking to sink the revealed ship. If you placed ships adjacent, the opponent may inadvertently hit your adjacent ship. Regardless, this approach is used because the squares adjacent to a sunken ship are often ignored and passed-over. The frequent placement of ships next to each other (adjacent) shows the popularity of this approach for placing ships.		Grouped: this is the converse strategy to the spacing strategy, meaning that at least some ships are placed adjacent (and touching) other ships. This anticipates that once a ship is sunk, the adjacent squares tend to be avoided. Once the initial hit on a ship is made, a player will then search the other adjacent squares looking to sink the revealed ship. If you placed ships adjacent, the opponent may inadvertently hit your adjacent ship. Regardless, this approach is used because the squares adjacent to a sunken ship are often ignored and passed-over. The frequent placement of ships next to each other (adjacent) shows the popularity of this approach for placing ships.

			Repeat Game Strategy / Considerations:

			A repeat opponent will interpret your attack strategy as an indication of your own placement strategy and attempt to mimic it. In a repeat game you can use this to your advantage by avoiding a repeat of your placement strategy, while at the same time using the same for your attack strategy - namely to change your placement strategy while anticipating that your opponent will base his attack strategy on your prior attack strategy. This of course is a two way street as most players will alter their placements, and that placement may, or may not reflect a change in placement strategy, much less basing it on your prior placement or attack strategy.

Pomeroy: End game strategy.

2023-09-08T04:48:22Z

End game strategy.

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:48, 8 September 2023
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	Intersecting Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses look for intersecting channels without any misses or previously located ships. At least one of these intersecting channels should be long enough to hide your enemy’s largest undetected target ship(s). Try a salvo on the square at the intersection of these two channels. This strategy works best for finding longer hidden ships, and isn’t applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).		Intersecting Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses look for intersecting channels without any misses or previously located ships. At least one of these intersecting channels should be long enough to hide your enemy’s largest undetected target ship(s). Try a salvo on the square at the intersection of these two channels. This strategy works best for finding longer hidden ships, and isn’t applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).
	The intersecting channel strategy won’t always find all the longer ships unless you also search for ships hiding in single or parallel channels the length of the longest remaining ship(s). It is just more efficient to look first for two intersecting channels that can hide the longest ship still afloat.		The intersecting channel strategy won’t always find all the longer ships unless you also search for ships hiding in single or parallel channels the length of the longest remaining ship(s). It is just more efficient to look first for two intersecting channels that can hide the longest ship still afloat.

			Towards the end of the game, you’re both probably looking for the smallest ships, let your intuition take over at this point, your subconscious if you will. It’s intuitive to space your ships evenly. Your ‘mind’s-eye’, or your sub-conscious, is really good at this sort of thing, let it tell you where it thinks a small ship belongs. Turns out that it is excellent at this chore. Go with it!

	Ideas for placing your ships;		Ideas for placing your ships;

Pomeroy: Not much change.

2023-08-11T17:46:17Z

Not much change.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:46, 11 August 2023
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	Begin with random choices of squares to sink ships.		Begin with random choices of squares to sink ships. I especially like the spots one space diagonally in from the top-left corner, if that misses I may hit each other corner one space diagonally in (until one hits).

	Beware of repeating any opening salvo, or strategy, with repeat opponents - it will be anticipated and defeated. That said, here are some ideas for sinking ships:		Beware of repeating any opening salvo, or strategy, with repeat opponents - it will be anticipated and defeated. That said, here are some ideas for sinking ships:

Pomeroy at 22:36, 25 February 2021

2021-02-25T22:36:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:36, 26 February 2021
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	Quadrant and Edges Opening Salvo: plant a salvo in the middle of each quadrant, then survey the edges and corners.		Quadrant and Edges Opening Salvo: plant a salvo in the middle of each quadrant, then survey the edges and corners.
	Many players will follow a missed salvo with subsequent salvos to adjacent squares, some follow with salvos to diagonal squares. Following a pattern may help cover wide areas of the board efficiently at the outset of the game. Diagonal salvos may help create shorter channels to isolate smaller ships. Once you have a lot of missed salvos on the board you can ~~begin~~ to find open channels ~~to investigate~~ where the longest enemy ships ~~are~~ lurking~~. Now you can switch to the intersecting channel strategy~~.		Many players will follow a missed salvo with subsequent salvos to adjacent squares, some follow with salvos to diagonal squares. Following a pattern may help cover wide areas of the board efficiently at the outset of the game. Diagonal salvos may help create shorter channels to isolate smaller ships. Once you have a lot of missed salvos on the board you can switch to the intersecting channel strategy to find open channels where the longest enemy ships may be lurking.

	Intersecting Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses look for intersecting channels without any misses or previously located ships. At least one of these intersecting channels should be long enough to hide your enemy’s largest undetected target ship(s). Try a salvo on the square at the intersection of these two channels. This strategy works best for finding longer hidden ships, and isn’t applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).		Intersecting Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses look for intersecting channels without any misses or previously located ships. At least one of these intersecting channels should be long enough to hide your enemy’s largest undetected target ship(s). Try a salvo on the square at the intersection of these two channels. This strategy works best for finding longer hidden ships, and isn’t applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).

Pomeroy at 11:04, 30 October 2020

2020-10-30T11:04:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:04, 30 October 2020
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	Many players will follow a missed salvo with subsequent salvos to adjacent squares, some follow with salvos to diagonal squares. Following a pattern may help cover wide areas of the board efficiently at the outset of the game. Diagonal salvos may help create shorter channels to isolate smaller ships. Once you have a lot of missed salvos on the board you can begin to find open channels to investigate where the longest enemy ships are lurking. Now you can switch to the intersecting channel strategy.		Many players will follow a missed salvo with subsequent salvos to adjacent squares, some follow with salvos to diagonal squares. Following a pattern may help cover wide areas of the board efficiently at the outset of the game. Diagonal salvos may help create shorter channels to isolate smaller ships. Once you have a lot of missed salvos on the board you can begin to find open channels to investigate where the longest enemy ships are lurking. Now you can switch to the intersecting channel strategy.

	Intersecting Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses, look for intersecting channels without any misses or previously located ships. ~~Wherever at~~ least one of ~~the~~ intersecting channels should be long enough to hide your enemy’s largest undetected target ship(s). Try a salvo on the square at the intersection of two channels. This strategy works best for finding longer hidden ships, and isn’t applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).		Intersecting Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses look for intersecting channels without any misses or previously located ships. At least one of these intersecting channels should be long enough to hide your enemy’s largest undetected target ship(s). Try a salvo on the square at the intersection of these two channels. This strategy works best for finding longer hidden ships, and isn’t applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).
	The intersecting channel strategy won’t always find all the longer ships unless you also search for ships hiding in single or parallel channels the length of the longest remaining ship(s). It is just more efficient to look first for two intersecting channels that can hide the longest ship still afloat.		The intersecting channel strategy won’t always find all the longer ships unless you also search for ships hiding in single or parallel channels the length of the longest remaining ship(s). It is just more efficient to look first for two intersecting channels that can hide the longest ship still afloat.

Pomeroy: Intersecting channels

2020-10-30T11:00:17Z

Intersecting channels

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 30 October 2020
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	Quadrant and Edges Opening Salvo: plant a salvo in the middle of each quadrant, then survey the edges and corners.		Quadrant and Edges Opening Salvo: plant a salvo in the middle of each quadrant, then survey the edges and corners.
	Many players will follow a missed salvo with subsequent salvos to adjacent squares, some follow with salvos to diagonal squares. Following a pattern may help cover wide areas of the board efficiently at the outset of the game. Diagonal salvos may help create shorter channels to isolate smaller ships. Once you have a lot of missed salvos on the board you can begin to find open channels to investigate where the longest enemy ships are lurking. Now you can switch to the ~~perpendicular~~ channel strategy.		Many players will follow a missed salvo with subsequent salvos to adjacent squares, some follow with salvos to diagonal squares. Following a pattern may help cover wide areas of the board efficiently at the outset of the game. Diagonal salvos may help create shorter channels to isolate smaller ships. Once you have a lot of missed salvos on the board you can begin to find open channels to investigate where the longest enemy ships are lurking. Now you can switch to the intersecting channel strategy.

	~~Perpendicular~~ Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses, look for ~~perpendicular~~ channels without any misses or previously located ships. ~~Both~~ intersecting channels should be long enough to hide your enemy’s largest undetected target ship(s). ~~Then try~~ a salvo on the square at the intersection of ~~these~~ two channels. This strategy works best for finding longer hidden ships, and isn’t applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).		Intersecting Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses, look for intersecting channels without any misses or previously located ships. Wherever at least one of the intersecting channels should be long enough to hide your enemy’s largest undetected target ship(s). Try a salvo on the square at the intersection of two channels. This strategy works best for finding longer hidden ships, and isn’t applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).
	The ~~perpendicular~~ channel strategy won’t always find all the longer ships unless you also search for ships hiding in single or parallel channels the length of the longest remaining ship(s). It is just more efficient to look first for two intersecting channels that can hide the longest ship still afloat.		The intersecting channel strategy won’t always find all the longer ships unless you also search for ships hiding in single or parallel channels the length of the longest remaining ship(s). It is just more efficient to look first for two intersecting channels that can hide the longest ship still afloat.

	Ideas for placing your ships;		Ideas for placing your ships;

Pomeroy at 10:54, 30 October 2020

2020-10-30T10:54:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:54, 30 October 2020
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	Quadrant and Edges Opening Salvo: plant a salvo in the middle of each quadrant, then survey the edges and corners.		Quadrant and Edges Opening Salvo: plant a salvo in the middle of each quadrant, then survey the edges and corners.
	Many players will follow a missed salvo with subsequent salvos to adjacent squares, some follow with salvos to diagonal squares. ~~Diagonal salvos may help create shorter channels to isolate smaller ships.~~		Many players will follow a missed salvo with subsequent salvos to adjacent squares, some follow with salvos to diagonal squares. Following a pattern may help cover wide areas of the board efficiently at the outset of the game. Diagonal salvos may help create shorter channels to isolate smaller ships. Once you have a lot of missed salvos on the board you can begin to find open channels to investigate where the longest enemy ships are lurking. Now you can switch to the perpendicular channel strategy.
	Following a pattern may help cover wide areas of the board efficiently at the outset of the game. ~~Thereafter~~ you ~~could take good advantage~~ of the perpendicular channel strategy.

	Perpendicular Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses, look for perpendicular channels without any misses or previously located ships. Both intersecting channels should be long enough to hide your enemy’s largest undetected target ship(s). Then try a salvo on the square at the intersection of these two channels. This strategy works best for finding longer hidden ships, and isn’t applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).		Perpendicular Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses, look for perpendicular channels without any misses or previously located ships. Both intersecting channels should be long enough to hide your enemy’s largest undetected target ship(s). Then try a salvo on the square at the intersection of these two channels. This strategy works best for finding longer hidden ships, and isn’t applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).
	The perpendicular channel strategy won’t ~~necessarily~~ find all the longer ships so also search for ships hiding in single or parallel channels the length of the longest remaining ship(s). It is just more efficient to look first for two intersecting channels that can hide the longest ship still afloat.		The perpendicular channel strategy won’t always find all the longer ships unless you also search for ships hiding in single or parallel channels the length of the longest remaining ship(s). It is just more efficient to look first for two intersecting channels that can hide the longest ship still afloat.

	Ideas for placing your ships;		Ideas for placing your ships;

	Random: ships are placed randomly, without regard to separation between ships and shore. Randomly placed ships can be difficult to detect where there isn’t a regular pattern for your opponent to ~~reveal~~.		Random: ships are placed randomly, without regard to separation between ships and shore. Randomly placed ships can be difficult to detect where there isn’t a regular pattern for your opponent to anticipate.

	Pattern: the ships are placed in some regular (not random) pattern. They may be placed symmetrically, in parallel, or perpendicular to each other making a logical pattern - this suggests the pattern could easily be revealed and used against you.		Pattern: the ships are placed in some regular (not random) pattern. They may be placed symmetrically, in parallel, or perpendicular to each other making a logical pattern - this suggests the pattern could easily be anticipated, revealed and used against you.

	Edges: place the ships such that their ends are on, or along, the edge(s) of the grid. The converse would be to avoid the edges altogether, or to place your ships one square away from the edge, but parallel to it. This approach may include either avoiding the corners, or placing ships in the corner. Using the edges, and especially the corners, could lead to easy detection once the edge placements are revealed.		Edges: place the ships such that their ends are on, or along, the edge(s) of the grid. The converse would be to avoid the edges altogether, or to place your ships one square away from the edge, but parallel to it. This approach may include either avoiding the corners, or placing ships in the corner. Using the edges, and especially the corners, could lead to easy detection once the edge placements are anticipated or revealed.

	Spaced: arrange ships such that none are touching, or none are within two squares of each other. This placement might help avoid some hits from opponents searching for the direction to follow after an initial hit.		Spaced: arrange ships such that none are touching, or none are within two squares of each other. This placement might help avoid some hits from opponents searching for the direction to follow after an initial hit.

	Grouped: this is the converse strategy to the spacing strategy, meaning that at least some ships are placed adjacent (and touching) other ships. This anticipates that once a ship is sunk, the adjacent squares tend to be avoided. Once the initial hit on a ship is made, a player will then search the other adjacent squares looking to sink the revealed ship. If you placed ships adjacent, the opponent may inadvertently hit your adjacent ship. Regardless, this approach is used because the squares adjacent to a sunken ship are often ignored and passed-over. The frequent placement of ships next to each other (adjacent) shows the popularity of this approach for placing ships.		Grouped: this is the converse strategy to the spacing strategy, meaning that at least some ships are placed adjacent (and touching) other ships. This anticipates that once a ship is sunk, the adjacent squares tend to be avoided. Once the initial hit on a ship is made, a player will then search the other adjacent squares looking to sink the revealed ship. If you placed ships adjacent, the opponent may inadvertently hit your adjacent ship. Regardless, this approach is used because the squares adjacent to a sunken ship are often ignored and passed-over. The frequent placement of ships next to each other (adjacent) shows the popularity of this approach for placing ships.

Pomeroy at 20:31, 29 October 2020

2020-10-29T20:31:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:31, 29 October 2020
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	Random: ships are placed randomly, without regard to separation between ships and shore. Randomly placed ships can be difficult to detect where there isn’t a regular pattern for your opponent to reveal.		Random: ships are placed randomly, without regard to separation between ships and shore. Randomly placed ships can be difficult to detect where there isn’t a regular pattern for your opponent to reveal.

	Pattern: the ships are placed in some regular (not random) pattern. They may be placed symmetrically, in parallel, or perpendicular to each other making a logical pattern - this suggests the pattern could easily be revealed and ~~prosecuted by an opponent to your disadvantage~~.		Pattern: the ships are placed in some regular (not random) pattern. They may be placed symmetrically, in parallel, or perpendicular to each other making a logical pattern - this suggests the pattern could easily be revealed and used against you.

	Edges: place the ships such that their ends are on, or along, the edge(s) of the grid. The converse would be to avoid the edges altogether, or to place your ships one square away from the edge, but parallel to it. This approach may include either avoiding the corners, or placing ships in the corner. Using the edges, and especially the corners, could lead to easy detection once the edge placements are revealed.		Edges: place the ships such that their ends are on, or along, the edge(s) of the grid. The converse would be to avoid the edges altogether, or to place your ships one square away from the edge, but parallel to it. This approach may include either avoiding the corners, or placing ships in the corner. Using the edges, and especially the corners, could lead to easy detection once the edge placements are revealed.

Pomeroy at 20:28, 29 October 2020

2020-10-29T20:28:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:28, 29 October 2020
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	Following a pattern may help cover wide areas of the board efficiently at the outset of the game. Thereafter you could take good advantage of the perpendicular channel strategy.		Following a pattern may help cover wide areas of the board efficiently at the outset of the game. Thereafter you could take good advantage of the perpendicular channel strategy.

	Perpendicular Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses, look for perpendicular channels without any misses or previously located ships. Both intersecting ~~channel~~ should be ~~at least the the length of~~ your enemy’s undetected target ship(s). Then try ~~to hit~~ the ~~intersecting~~ square. This strategy works best for finding ~~longest ship afloat. This strategy is useless~~ and ~~not~~ applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).		Perpendicular Channels: once you’ve laid down a few misses, look for perpendicular channels without any misses or previously located ships. Both intersecting channels should be long enough to hide your enemy’s largest undetected target ship(s). Then try a salvo on the square at the intersection of these two channels. This strategy works best for finding longer hidden ships, and isn’t applicable for finding the smallest ship (the sub).
	~~Any ship could escape detection~~ so ~~don’t ignore~~ single or parallel channels the length of the longest remaining ~~undetected~~ ship(s)~~, it’s~~ just more efficient to look first for two intersecting channels that can hide the longest ship still afloat.		The perpendicular channel strategy won’t necessarily find all the longer ships so also search for ships hiding in single or parallel channels the length of the longest remaining ship(s). It is just more efficient to look first for two intersecting channels that can hide the longest ship still afloat.

	Ideas for placing your ships;		Ideas for placing your ships;