How to Play Battle Shots Drinking Game

Looking to liven up your next gathering? Battle Shots is a fun and interactive drinking game that’s perfect for any party. Combining the classic Battleship game with shots, it’s a great way to get everyone involved while enjoying a few drinks. 

Players take turns calling out coordinates on a grid, hoping to sink their opponent’s ships  each hit means a shot for the opponent! It’s simple, engaging, and guaranteed to keep the fun going all night. If you’re a fan of Battle Shots, you’ll also enjoy Pick Me Up, another exciting game that adds a fresh twist to your party activities. 

Whether you're playing with friends or hosting a big group, both games provide endless entertainment. Gather your supplies, make sure everyone’s ready for a good time, and let the games begin!

What You Need to Play Battle Shots

To start, gather the essential supplies. The great thing about Battle Shots is that it doesn’t require too many items, but you'll need:

• A Battle Shots Board: You can either buy a pre-made board or create your own. It should feature two 10x10 grids, just like the classic Battleship grid, where each player will place their shots.
• Shot Glasses: At least eight shot glasses per player. These will serve as your "ships" on the board.
• Alcoholic Drinks: You can fill the shot glasses with your choice of alcohol, from vodka to rum, or even light cocktails for a gentler experience.
• Pen and Paper (Optional): You can use these to mark hits and misses if you don’t want to rely on a board with pre-printed coordinates.

Once you have these items ready, you’re all set to start the game.

Setting Up the Battle Shots Board

Now, let’s set up the board for Battle Shots. You need to create two grids one for each player. Each grid should have 10 rows and 10 columns. The rows are labeled with letters (A-J), and the columns are numbered (1-10). Here’s how to set everything up:

1. Draw Your Grid: Create two identical grids on paper or a dry-erase board. These will be used to track the shots.
2. Place Your Shots: Each player gets eight shot glasses to place on their grid. These will represent ships of different sizes (usually, four small, three medium, and one large). Place them in any arrangement you like, but make sure not to reveal your placement to your opponent.

Remember, the setup should mimic the traditional Battleship game, but with the added fun of shots!

How to Play Battle Shots

Once the setup is done, the game is ready to start. Here’s how the game proceeds:

1. Taking Turns: Players take turns calling out coordinates (such as B4 or H7) to try and hit their opponent's ships. You can call out any coordinate on the grid, and the opponent will respond with whether it’s a hit or miss.
2. Hit or Miss: If the opponent has a shot glass at the called coordinate, it’s a hit, and the player who called out the coordinate must take a shot. If there is no shot glass, it’s a miss, and it’s the other player’s turn.
3. Sinking Ships: Continue calling out coordinates until all of the opponent’s shot glasses (ships) are hit. When a shot glass is hit, it’s removed from the opponent’s grid. The player who sinks all of the opponent’s shot glasses wins the game!
4. Winning the Game: The first player to sink all of the opponent’s ships wins the game. Make sure you have fun with each round and enjoy the camaraderie!

Drinking Rules for Battle Shots

To keep the game fun and lively, here’s how the drinking rules work:

• Hit: Whenever your opponent hits your shot glass, you drink a shot.
• Miss: No drinking is required for a miss.
• Victory Shot: When you win the game, you get to pick someone to take a celebratory shot as well! You can add more drinking challenges, like “everyone drinks when a ship is sunk,” but always keep things light and fun.

Be sure to adjust the drinking rules based on the preferences of your group. If someone wants to skip a shot for any reason, respect their decision, and keep the game enjoyable for everyone involved.

Tips for Winning Battle Shots

Here are a few tips to help you strategize and increase your chances of winning:

1. Randomize Your Ship Placement: Avoid arranging your shot glasses in a predictable pattern (like a straight line). This makes it harder for your opponent to guess your coordinates.
2. Start with the Corners: If you're trying to locate your opponent’s ships, begin by calling coordinates near the corners of the grid. Corners often go unnoticed in the early stages of the game.
3. Stay Focused: As the game progresses, track where the hits and misses are occurring. Use this information to narrow down your opponent’s ship locations.
4. Take Your Time: Don’t rush through your turns. Be strategic, and think about where your opponent might hide their ships. A well-placed shot can win the game!

Try Other Fun Drinking Games Like “Pick Me Up”

If you enjoy Battle Shots, why not try another fun game like Pick Me Up? This game adds a competitive and lively twist to your regular game night, giving everyone a chance to stay engaged and have fun. You can bring it out after Battle Shots for a completely new challenge.

Pick Me Up is a great addition to any party and can be just as interactive and exciting. Whether you're playing with a small group or a large crowd, it's a perfect way to keep everyone involved and entertained.

Conclusion

Battle Shots is a great drinking game that will add excitement to any gathering. Its simple setup, combined with a strategic twist on the classic Battleship, makes it a hit at parties and game nights. Remember, the key is to have fun and enjoy the time spent with friends, and don’t forget to drink responsibly!

Once you've mastered Battle Shots, consider adding games like Pick Me Up to your collection. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just getting started, these games will surely bring fun, laughter, and friendly competition to your next party.