Many players mistakenly believe that the attacker has the advantage in a tie, but the official mechanics favor the defender.
According to the Hasbro/Parker Brothers Official Rulebook, ties in dice rolls always go to the defender.
Risk Official Rules 2022, [page not specified]
These rules correspond to the US edition of Risk.
Official Rule Breakdown
When deciding a battle in Risk, players compare the highest die rolled by each side. If the attacker's die is higher, the defender loses one army; however, if the defender's die is higher or if the dice values are equal, the attacker loses an army. Specifically, the rules state that 'TIES ALWAYS GO TO THE DEFENDER.' If both players roll more than one die, the process is repeated by comparing the next highest dice. The attacker can never lose more armies on a single roll than the number of dice they rolled.
Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Both the attacker and defender announce the number of dice they intend to roll.
- Step 2: Both players roll their dice simultaneously.
- Step 3: Compare the highest die of the attacker against the highest die of the defender.
- Step 4: If the attacker's die is higher, the defender removes one army from the territory.
- Step 5: If the defender's die is higher or if the dice are equal (a tie), the attacker removes one army from their own territory.
- Step 6: If both players rolled multiple dice, repeat the comparison using the next highest dice.
Example Play Situation
Alice attacks Bob in Brazil using three dice. Bob defends with two dice. Alice rolls a 6 and a 4, while Bob rolls a 6 and a 2. Because the highest dice are both 6, a tie occurs, and Alice must remove one of her armies from the territory she attacked from.
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking the attacker wins ties
- Assuming the attacker can lose more armies than the dice they rolled
- Believing the defender can use Risk cards to re-roll
Quick Reference
| You Can | You Cannot |
|---|---|
| Compare the highest dice first | Do not use a Risk card to re-roll when defending a territory |
| Repeat the process with the next highest dice if multiple dice were rolled | Do not remove more armies than the number of dice you rolled |
| Leave at least one army behind on the territory you attacked from |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the official rule for dice ties in Risk?
- Ties always go to the defender, resulting in the attacker losing an army.
- Who wins if the attacker and defender roll the same number?
- The defender wins the tie, and the attacker must remove an army.
- How do you resolve battles with multiple dice?
- Compare the highest dice, then compare the next highest dice if both players rolled more than one.
- Can an attacker lose more armies than they rolled?
- No, the attacker can never lose more armies than the number of dice they rolled in that single roll.