Expertise: Board game rules expert and technical writer. | Verification: Cross-referenced official 2022 rulebook PDF content regarding turn sequence and fortification. | Purpose: Resolve the #1 confusion regarding turn order and the timing of the fortification rule.
Key Insight: To avoid arguments, establish that fortification is the very last action of the turn before passing the dice.
According to the Risk Official Rulebook (Risk_Rules_2022.pdf), the sequence of a turn is strictly defined. A player ends their attack(s) when they wish or are forced to by running out of armies. If they have captured at least one territory, they take one RISK card. The final step in the turn sequence is to fortify the position, which involves moving armies from one or more territories to other territories, provided a continuous path of occupied territories exists between them.
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Place armies from your supply onto the board.
Step 2: Conduct attacks to capture enemy territories.
Step 3: If territories were captured, draw one RISK card.
Step 4: Fortify your position by moving armies between connected territories.
Step 5: Pass the dice to the next player.
Example Play Situation
Alice conducts several attacks and successfully captures North Africa. After her battles, she draws one RISK card. Finally, she uses her last turn action to move armies from North Africa into South America to fortify her position.
Common Misconceptions
Moving armies before attacking to prepare for a charge
Thinking fortification can be used to move troops into a territory you haven't captured yet
Attempting to move armies after the turn has officially ended
Quick Reference
You Can
You Cannot
You can attack as many times as you want
You cannot move armies before your attacks
You can move armies during the fortification phase
You cannot move armies through unoccupied territories
You can take one RISK card if you captured a territory
You cannot move armies after passing the dice
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official rule for attacking in Risk?
You may attack as many times as you wish until you run out of armies or choose to stop.
Can I move my troops to a new territory before I start attacking?
No, moving armies (fortifying) is the final step of your turn after all attacks are finished.
What if I want to move armies through an empty territory?
You cannot; you must occupy all territories in between the starting and destination points.
Is it allowed to attack the same territory multiple times?
Yes, you can attack the same territory repeatedly or move on to different enemy territories.
David Noah is a board game rules specialist and content creator who writes clear, dispute‑free guides for modern tabletop games. On this site, he focuses on answering the exact rules questions players argue about at the table, using official rulebooks, expansions, and tournament rulings as his primary sources. His goal is to turn confusing edge cases into simple, step‑by‑step explanations so you can spend less time debating and more time playing.
