As if of every man, against every man

"To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else."
Machiavelli


Feudal Lord



"During the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition called war; and such a war, as if of every man, against every man."
Hobbes

And so the Game Kings are annointed such in a Hobbesian world where fortuna, our familiar friend and enemy, the dice, is removed. What is left is naked strategy where, clearly, some glance at the classics is required.


How to Move



"All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near."
Sun Tzu

Deceive the heavens to cross the ocean
Mán tian guò hai
Mask your real goals, by using the ruse of a fake goal, until the real goal is achieved. Tactically, this is known as an 'open feint': in front of everyone, you point west, when your goal is actually in the east.
(36 Strategems)

Field of Battle



"Consult with many on proper measures to be taken, but communicate the plans you intend to put in execution to few, and those only of the most assured fidelity; or rather trust no one but yourself."
De Re Militari

Kill with a borrowed sword
Jiè dao sha rén
Attack using the strength of another (in a situation where using one's own strength is not favourable). Trick an ally into attacking him, bribe an official to turn traitor, or use the enemy's own strength against him. The idea here is to cause damage to the enemy by getting a 3rd party to do the deed.
(36 Strategems)


Everyone After Blue



Make a sound in the east, then strike in the west
Sheng dong ji xi
In any battle the element of surprise can provide an overwhelming advantage. Even when face to face with an enemy, surprise can still be employed by attacking where he least expects it. To do this you must create an expectation in the enemy's mind through the use of a feint. The idea here is to get the enemy to focus his forces in a location, and then attack elsewhere which would be weakly defended.



Watch the fires burning across the river
Gé àn guan huo
Delay entering the field of battle until all the other players have become exhausted fighting amongst themselves. Then go in at full strength and pick up the pieces.
(36 Strategems)


The Axe Man



Disturb the water and catch a fish
Hún shui mo yú
Create confusion and use this confusion to further your own goals.
(36 Strategems)





Finally, a little strategem I'll keep in my back pocket for another Game Night:
The beauty trap (Honeypot)
Mei rén jì
Send your enemy beautiful women to cause discord within his camp. This strategy can work on three levels. First, the ruler becomes so enamoured with the beauty that he neglects his duties and allows his vigilance to wane. Second, other males at court will begin to display aggressive behaviour that inflames minor differences hindering co-operation and destroying morale. Third, other females at court, motivated by jealousy and envy, begin to plot intrigues further exacerbating the situation.

Veronica Lake

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36 Strategems

Machiavelli - The Art of War

De Re Militari

Sun Tzu - The Art of War