The game can be played on any size of grid, and with various configurations of ships. Another popular configuration of ships is:

• 1 x Aircraft carrier - 5 squares
• 1 x Battleship - 4 squares
• 1 x Cruiser - 3 squares
• 1 x Submarine - 3 squares
• 1 x Destroyer - 2 squares

For an easier version of the game the opponent should announce the type of ship hit with each hit. The player should record hits with the first letter of the ship; eg "B" for a battleship.

In the more advanced Salvo version of the game the players fire several shots per turn, one for each of their surviving ships. The opponent then reports the number of hits on each type of ship, but without revealing the effect of each individual shot.