Can I play Battleships online for free?

Yes. MetaDuels Battleships is free in any browser with no download, against a ladder of AI admirals that get smarter every battle.

Do the fleet themes change the rules?

No. Navy, Space Armada, Pirate Fleet, Sky Squadron and Dhow Fleet only change the look and the ship names. Every fleet has the same five pieces of lengths 5, 4, 3, 3 and 2.

How smart is the computer opponent?

The first admiral fires at random. Later admirals hunt around hits, search in a checkerboard pattern and finally use probability targeting, so each battle is harder than the last.

Arcade

Instant arcade · 1 MB · all ages

Battleships

Free online Battleship game against a ladder of AI admirals. Pick your fleet (navy, space armada, pirates, sky squadron or Swahili dhows), place it and sink theirs first.

Battleships

Weekly high scores

Finish #1 this week or set an outstanding record and you could win airtime.

1goldengirl34,116
2deathracer6,050

How to play

Scores save to the weekly board when you're signed in. The top weekly score earns bonus XP and a chance to win airtime.

Fair play

Every ranked run is replayed on our server from your inputs, so only the score the server reproduces counts. Scripted inputs, bots, and superhuman timing are caught automatically, and standout scores get a human check before they hit the board.

More instant games

Battleships vs friends

Play a friend

Start a private match and send the code to a friend. You each place your fleet in secret, then take turns firing. Our server keeps both fleets hidden, so nobody can peek.

Matches against friends need an account, so we can keep your record and keep everyone safe.

Matches never mix age groups, and players under 18 can play once a parent or guardian approves their account. Reactions are a fixed set of emojis: there's no free text chat.

Play this with a friend

Start a game, send the link, and play on your own phones.

Play Battleships with a friend More ways to play with friends

Playing with your family, team or class? Group plans add seats and private tournaments.See plans

How to play Battleships

Pick a fleet: Navy, Space Armada, Pirate Fleet, Sky Squadron or Dhow Fleet. Every fleet follows the same classic rules.
Place your five pieces (lengths 5, 4, 3, 3 and 2) on the 10 by 10 grid. Drag to move, tap to rotate, or shuffle.
Take turns firing at the enemy grid. Hits, misses and sunk ships are announced.
Sink the whole enemy fleet to win the battle and face a smarter admiral. Lose your fleet and the campaign ends.

Tips for a higher score

Hunt on a checkerboard pattern: the smallest ship is two long, so you never need to fire at neighbouring cells to find it.
After a hit, probe the four neighbours, then follow the line until the ship sinks.
Spread your own ships out and avoid the edges a clever admiral checks first.
Accuracy and quick wins earn big bonuses, so think before you fire.

FAQ

Can I play Battleships online for free?: Yes. MetaDuels Battleships is free in any browser with no download, against a ladder of AI admirals that get smarter every battle.
Do the fleet themes change the rules?: No. Navy, Space Armada, Pirate Fleet, Sky Squadron and Dhow Fleet only change the look and the ship names. Every fleet has the same five pieces of lengths 5, 4, 3, 3 and 2.
How smart is the computer opponent?: The first admiral fires at random. Later admirals hunt around hits, search in a checkerboard pattern and finally use probability targeting, so each battle is harder than the last.