Sun Tzu’s Art of War Applied to VGA Planets
Playing VGA planets is a hobby and an art, and it is fitting that Sun Tzu’s military genius be applied in the context of this game – the very fact that the strategies are applicable show us the timelessness of Sun Tzu’s wisdom. It is not known exactly when the text was written, but estimates place it anywhere from the fifth to third centuries B.C.E. – it is interesting that a 2500 year old text would help us with space conquest. Of course I have my own favorite interpretations, and so I will use both the translation by Lionel Giles (1910) and Ralph D. Sawyer (1994) and pretty much pick and choose which bits work best for me. I have linked a few places to explain the relevance to VGA planets, or to clarify a bit of text. I highly encourage any serious VGAPer to pick up a copy – it is a classic work, and a useful addition to the other tools we all use (VPA rules!)
Much of the knowledge presented is taken up in discussions on the VGA planets newsgroup, anyone with experience in the game will find themselves nodding along with Sun Tzu’s pointed observations. Interestingly, the authority of The Art of War has been recognized in the game’s circles for a long time, and it is recommended and referred to in Ramutis Giliauskas’ excellent work The Dreadlord Manual, quite possibly the best work that will ever be written on the subject of VGA planets (No offense Tim, but the docs just don’t do it for me 🙂
Many other great strategy guides exist on the ‘net, and it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge them – special praise should be given to The Federal HQ and Donovan Mul, who works to ensure that VGA planets material is available (and accurate:), as well as the many authors and newsgroup members who have shaped the way the game is played, and created a tight knit and polite venue for discussion. Thank you all, and I hope that this is of some use to the community.
The Art of War
by Sun-Tzu
Table of Contents
01. Initial Estimations
Sun Tzu said:
“The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
“The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one’s deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field. The first is termed the Tao1, the second Heaven, the third Earth, the fourth generals, and the fifth the laws [for military organization and discipline].
“The Tao causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.
“Heaven encompasses yin and yang, cold and heat, and the constraints of the seasons.
“Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.
“The general embodies the virtues of wisdom, credibility, benevolence, courage and strictness.
“The laws [for military organization and discipline] encompass organization and regulations, The Tao of command, and the management of logistics.
“These five factors should be familiar to every general: he who understands them will be victorious; he who understands them not will fail.
“Thus, when making a comparative evaluation through estimations, seeking out its true nature, ask:
“Which of the two sovereigns has greater Tao?
“Which of the two generals has most ability?
“With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?
“On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
“Whose forces are stronger?
“On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
“In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
“By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.
“The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: –let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: –let such a one be dismissed!
“While heeding the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules. According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one’s plans.
“All warfare is based on deception 2. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem 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.
“Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
“If he is substantial, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
“If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.
“If his forces are united, separate them.
“Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
“These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
“Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand.
“Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all!3
“If I observe it from this perspective, victory and defeat will be apparent.
02. Waging War
Sun Tzu said:
“In the operations of war, where there are in the field a thousand swift chariots, as many heavy chariots, and a hundred thousand mail-clad soldiers, with provisions enough to carry them a thousand LI, the expenditure at home and at the front, including entertainment of guests, small items such as glue and paint, and sums spent on chariots and armor, will reach the total of a thousand ounces of silver per day. Such is the cost of raising an army of 100,000 men.
“When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men’s weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be damped. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the State will not be equal to the strain.
“Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity4. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.
“Thus, though we have heard of awkward speed in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with lengthy campaigns. There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.
“The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither are his supply-wagons loaded more than twice. Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy. Thus the army will have food enough for its needs.
“Poverty of the State exchequer causes an army to be maintained by contributions from a distance. Contributing to maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.
“On the other hand, the proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause the people’s substance to be drained away. When their substance is drained away, the peasantry will be afflicted by heavy exactions.
“With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and three-tenths of their income will be dissipated; while government expenses for broken chariots, worn-out horses, breast-plates and helmets, bows and arrows, spears and shields, protective mantles, draught-oxen and heavy wagons, will amount to four-tenths of its total revenue.
“Hence a wise general makes a point of foraging on the enemy. One cartload of the enemy’s provisions is equivalent to twenty of one’s own, and likewise a single picul of his provender is equivalent to twenty from one’s own store5.
“Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger; that there may be advantage from defeating the enemy, they must have their rewards. Therefore in chariot fighting, when ten or more chariots have been taken, those should be rewarded who took the first. Our own flags should be substituted for those of the enemy, and the chariots mingled and used in conjunction with ours. The captured soldiers should be kindly treated and kept. This is called, using the conquered foe to augment one’s own strength.
“In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns. Thus it may be known that the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people’s fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.
03. Planning Offensives
Sun Tzu said:
“In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy’s country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
“Thus the highest form of generalship is to attack the enemy’s plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy’s forces; the next is to attack the enemy’s army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to attack their fortified cities.
“The rule is, not to attack fortified cities if it can possibly be avoided. The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters, and various implements of war, will take up three whole months; and the piling up of mounds over against the walls will take three months more. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the town still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of attacking fortified cities.
“Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without attacking them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field. He must fight under Heaven with the paramount aim of ‘preservation’. Thus his weapons will not become dull, and the gains can be preserved. This is the method of planning offensives6.
“It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy’s one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two. If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers, we can circumvent the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him. Thus a small army that acts inflexibly will become the captives of a large enemy7.
“Now the general is the bulwark of the State; if the bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak.
“There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune upon his army:–
“By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army.
“By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the soldier’s minds.
“By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.
“But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to come from the other feudal princes. This is referred to as ‘a disordered army drawing another on to victory’.
“Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory:
“He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
“He will win who knows how to handle both large and small forces.
“He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
“He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
“He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.
“These five are the Way (Tao) to know victory.
“Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle8.
04. Tactical Dispositions
Sun Tzu said:
“The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
“To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
“Thus one who excels at warfare is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
“Thus it is said a strategy for conquering the enemy can be known but yet not possible to implement.
“Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive. Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.
“The general who is skilled in defense hides in the most secret recesses of the Earth; he who is skilled in attack flashes forth from the topmost heights of Heaven. Thus on the one hand we have ability to protect ourselves; on the other, a victory that is complete.
“To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence. Wrestling victories for which All under Heaven proclaim your excellence is not the pinnacle of excellence.
“To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength; to see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight; to hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear.
“What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage. He wins his battles by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated9.
“Hence the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.
“Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
“One who excels at employing the military cultivates the Tao and preserves the laws; therefore, he is able to be the regulator of victory and defeat.
“In respect of military method, we have, firstly, measurement; secondly, estimation of forces; thirdly, calculation; fourthly, balancing of chances; fifthly, victory.
“Measurement owes its existence to Earth; estimation of forces to measurement; calculation to estimation of forces; balancing of chances to calculation; and Victory to balancing of chances.
“Thus the victorious army is like a ton compared with an ounce, whilr the defeated army is like an ounce weighed against a ton! The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent-up waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep. This is the strategic disposition of force (hsing)10.
05. Strategic Military Power
Sun Tzu said:
“The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers. Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals.
“To ensure that your whole host may withstand the brunt of the enemy’s attack and remain unshaken – this is effected by the unorthodox (ch’i) and orthodox (cheng) 11.
“That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed against an egg – this is due to the vacuous and substantial 12.
“In all fighting, the orthodox may be used for joining battle, but the unorthodox will be needed in order to secure victory. Thus one who excels at sending forth the unorthodox is as unexhaustable as Heaven, as unlimited as the Yangtze and Yellow rivers. Like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.
“There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. There are not more than five primary colors (blue, yellow, red, white, and black), yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen. There are not more than five cardinal tastes (sour, acrid, salt, sweet, bitter), yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted. In battle, there are not more than two configurations of power (shih)13 – the orthodox and the unorthodox; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers. The orthodox and the unorthodox lead on to each other in turn. It is like moving in a circle – you never come to an end. Who can exhaust the possibilities of their combination?
“The strategic configuration of power (shih) is like the rush of a torrent which will even roll stones along in its course. The quality of decision (chieh)14 is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset (shih), and prompt in his decision (chieh). Energy (shih) may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision (chieh), to the releasing of a trigger.
“Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all; amid confusion and chaos, your array may be without head or tail, yet it will be proof against defeat.
“Simulated disorder is given birth from from perfect discipline, the illusion of fear is given birth from courage; feigned weakness is given birth from strength. Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of subdivision; concealing courage under a show of timidity presupposes a fund of latent energy (shih); masking strength with weakness is to be effected by tactical dispositions (hsing).
“Thus one who is skillful at keeping the enemy on the move maintains deceitful appearances (hsing), according to which the enemy will act. He offers something that the enemy must seize. By holding out baits, he keeps him on the march; then with a body of picked men he lies in wait for him.
“The one who excels at warfare looks to the effect of combined energy (shih), and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy (shih).
“One who employs strategic power (shih) commands men in battleas if he were rolling logs and stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped, to go rolling down. Thus the momentum (shih) developed by good fighting men is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain thousands of feet in height. So much on the subject of energy (shih).
06. Vacuity and Substance
Sun Tzu said:
“Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted. Therefore one who excels at warfare compells men and is not compelled by other men.
“In order to cause the enemy to come of their own volition, extend some [apparent] profit. In order to prevent the enemy from coming forth, show them [the potential] harm.
“If the enemy is taking his ease, you can harass him; if well supplied with food, you can starve him out; if quietly encamped, you can force him to move. Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.
“An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches through country where the enemy is not. You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.
“Thus when someone excels in attacking, the enemy does not know where to mount his defense; when someone excels at defense the enemy does not know where to attack. Subtle! Subtle! It approaches the formless (not hsing). Spiritual! Spiritual! It attains the soundless. Thus he can hold the fate of his enemy in his hands 15.
“You may advance and be absolutely irresistible, if you make for the enemy’s weak points; you may retire and be safe from pursuit if your movements are more rapid than those of the enemy. Thus if I want to engage in combat, even though the enemy has high ramparts and deep moats, he cannot avoid doing battle because I attack objectives he must rescue.
“If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground, he will not be able to engage me in battle because we thwart his movements.
“Thus if I determine the enemy’s disposition of forces (hsing) while I have no peceptible form, I can concentrate [my forces] while the enemy is fragmented. We can form a single united body, while the enemy must split up into fractions. Hence there will be a whole pitted against separate parts of a whole, which means that we shall be many to the enemy’s few. And if we are able thus to attack an inferior force with a superior one, our opponents will be in dire straits.
“The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few. For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak. Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible attacks; numerical strength, from compelling our adversary to make these preparations against us16.
“Knowing the place and the time of the coming battle, we may concentrate from the greatest distances in order to fight. But if neither time nor place be known, then the left wing will be impotent to succor the right, the right equally impotent to succor the left, the van unable to relieve the rear, or the rear to support the van. How much more so if the furthest portions of the army are tens of li apart, and even the nearest are separated by several li! Though according to my estimate the soldiers of Yueh exceed our own in number, that shall advantage them nothing in the matter of victory. I say then that victory can be achieved. Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we may prevent him from fighting 17.
“Thus critically analyse them to know the estimations for gain or loss. Stimulate them to know the patterns of their movement and stopping. Determine their disposition of force (hsing) to know the tenable and fatal terrain. Probe them to know where they have an excess, where an insufficiency.
“Thus the pinnacle of military development approaches the formless. If it is formless, then even the deepest spy cannot discern it or the wise make plans against it.
“How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy’s own tactics (hsing) — that is what the multitude cannot comprehend. All men can see the tactics (hsing) whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved. Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.
“Military tactics (hsing) are like unto water; for water in its natural course (hsing) runs away from high places and hastens downwards. So in war, the way (hsing) is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. Water configures its flow (hsing) according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the army works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape (hsing), so in warfare the army does not maintain any constant strategic configuration of power (shih). He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be termed spiritual. The five elements (water, fire, wood, metal, earth) are not always equally predominant; the four seasons make way for each other in turn. There are short days and long; the moon wanes and waxes18.
07. Military Combat
Sun Tzu said:
“In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign. Having collected an army and concentrated his forces, he must blend and harmonize the different elements thereof before pitching his camp. After that, comes tactical maneuvering, than which there is nothing more difficult. The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.
“Thus, to take a long and circuitous route, after enticing the enemy out of the way, and though starting after him, to contrive to reach the goal before him, shows knowledge of the circuitous and the direct.
“Combat between armies is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous. If you set a fully equipped army in march in order to snatch an advantage, the chances are that you will be too late. On the other hand, to detach a flying column for the purpose involves the sacrifice of its baggage and stores.
“Thus, if you order your men to roll up their buff-coats, and make forced marches without halting day or night, covering double the usual distance at a stretch, doing a hundred li in order to wrest an advantage, the leaders of all your three divisions will fall into the hands of the enemy. The stronger men will be in front, the exhausted ones will fall behind, and on this plan only one-tenth of your army will reach its destination. If you march fifty li in order to outmaneuver the enemy, you will lose the leader of your first division, and only half your force will reach the goal. If you march thirty li with the same object, two-thirds of your army will arrive.
“We may take it then that an army without its baggage-train is lost; without provisions it is lost; without bases of supply it is lost.
“We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country — its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantage to account unless we make use of local guides.
“Thus the army is established by deceit, moves for advantage, and changes through segmenting and reuniting. Thus its speed is like the wind, its compactness like the forest; its invasion and plundering like a fire; unmoving, it is like the mountains. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
“When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be divided amongst your men; when you capture new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. He will conquer who has understood the circuitous and the direct. This is the strategy for military combat.
“The Book of Army Management says: On the field of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough: hence the institution of gongs and drums. Nor can ordinary objects be seen clearly enough: hence the institution of banners and flags. Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be focused on one particular point. The host thus forming a single united body, is it impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cowardly to retreat alone. This is the art of handling large masses of men.
“In night-fighting, then, make much use of signal-fires and drums, and in fighting by day, of flags and banners, as a means of influencing the ears and eyes of your army.
“A whole army may be robbed of its ch’i; a commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind. Now a solider’s ch’i is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is bent only on returning to camp. A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the way to manipulate ch’i.
“Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and hubbub amongst the enemy: — this is the art of retaining self-possession.
“To be near the goal while the enemy is still far from it, to wait at ease while the enemy is toiling and struggling, to be well-fed while the enemy is famished: — this is the art of husbanding one’s strength.
“To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in perfect order, to refrain from attacking an army drawn up in calm and confident array: — this is the art of studying circumstances.
“It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes downhill. Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen. Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard. Such is the art of warfare 19.
08. Variation in Tactics
Sun Tzu said:
“In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign, collects his army and concentrates his forces; the strategy for employing the military is this:
“When in difficult country, do not encamp.
“In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies.
“Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions.
“In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem.
“In desperate position, you must fight.
“There are roads which must not be followed.
“There are armies which must be not attacked.
“There are towns which must be besieged.
“There are positions which must not be contested.
“There are commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.
“The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops. The general who does not understand these, may be well acquainted with the configuration of the country, yet he will not be able to turn his knowledge to practical account.
“So, the student of war who is unversed in the art of war of varying his plans, even though he be acquainted with the Five Advantages, will fail to make the best use of his men.
“Hence in the wise leader’s plans, considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together. If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes. If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.
“Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them; and make trouble for them, and keep them constantly engaged; hold out specious allurements, and make them rush to any given point.
“The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.
“There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general:
“One who is reckless can be slain.
“One who is cowardly can be captured.
“One who has a hasty temper can be provoked by insults.
“One who has a delicacy of honor can be shamed.
“One who loves his men can be worried and troubled.
“These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war. When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults. Let them be a subject of meditation20.
09. Maneuvering the Army
Sun Tzu said:
“We come now to the question of encamping the army, and observing signs of the enemy.
“Pass quickly over mountains, and keep in the neighborhood of valleys. Camp in high places, facing the sun. Do not climb heights in order to fight. So much for mountain warfare.
“After crossing a river, you should get far away from it. When an invading force crosses a river in its onward march, do not advance to meet it in mid-stream. It will be best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your attack. If you are anxious to fight, you should not go to meet the invader near a river which he has to cross. Moor your craft higher up than the enemy, and facing the sun. Do not move up-stream to meet the enemy. So much for river warfare. In crossing salt-marshes, your sole concern should be to get over them quickly, without any delay. If forced to fight in a salt-marsh, you should have water and grass near you, and get your back to a clump of trees. So much for operations in salt-marches.
“In dry, level country, take up an easily accessible position with rising ground to your right and on your rear, so that the danger may be in front, and safety lie behind. So much for campaigning in flat country.
“These are the four useful branches of military knowledge which enabled the Yellow Emperor to vanquish four several sovereigns.
“All armies prefer high ground to low, and sunny places to dark. If you are careful of your men, and camp on hard ground, the army will be free from disease of every kind, and this will spell victory.
“When you come to a hill or a bank, occupy the sunny side, with the slope on your right rear. Thus you will at once act for the benefit of your soldiers and utilize the natural advantages of the ground.
“When, in consequence of heavy rains up-country, a river which you wish to ford is swollen and flecked with foam, you must wait until it subsides.
“Country in which there are precipitous cliffs with torrents running between, deep natural hollows, confined places, tangled thickets, quagmires and crevasses, should be left with all possible speed and not approached. While we keep away from such places, we should get the enemy to approach them; while we face them, we should let the enemy have them on his rear.
“If in the neighborhood of your camp there should be any hilly country, ponds surrounded by aquatic grass, hollow basins filled with reeds, or woods with thick undergrowth, they must be carefully routed out and searched; for these are places where men in ambush or insidious spies are likely to be lurking.
“When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his position. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance.
“If his place of encampment is easy of access, he is tendering a bait. Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that the enemy is advancing. The appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious. The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.
“When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low, but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry. When it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood. A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping.
“Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat.
“When the light chariots come out first and take up a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle.
“Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.
“When there is much running about and the soldiers fall into rank, it means that the critical moment has come. “When some are seen advancing and some retreating, it is a lure.
“When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food. If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted.
“If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor by night betokens nervousness. If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.
“When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food, and when the men do not hang their cooking-pots over the camp- fires, showing that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight to the death.
“The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file. Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress. To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy’s numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.
“When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
“If the enemy’s troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection.
“If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is amply sufficient; it only means that no direct attack can be made. What we can do is simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, and obtain reinforcements. He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.
“If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.
“Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory.
“If in training soldiers commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline will be bad. If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.
10. Terrain
Sun Tzu said:
“We may distinguish six kinds of terrain; accessible, suspended, stalemated, constricted, precipitous and expansive.
“Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible. With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.
“Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called suspended. From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.
“When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called stalemated. In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.
“With regard to constricted ground, if you can occupy the passes first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the enemy. Should the army forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned.
“With regard to precipitous terrain, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.
“If you are in expansive terrain, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.
“These six are the Tao of terrain. The general who has attained a responsible post must be careful to study them.
“Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not arising from natural causes, but from faults for which the general is responsible. These are: flight, insubordination, collapse, ruin, disorganization and rout.
“Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.
“When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination.
“When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.
“When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or no he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.
“When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixes duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.
“When a general, unable to estimate the enemy’s strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout.
“These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.
“The natural formation of the country is the soldier’s best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general. He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.
“If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler’s bidding.
“The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.
“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
“If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.
“If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.
“If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory. Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.
“Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
11. The Nine Situations
Sun Tzu said:
“The art of war recognizes nine varieties of terrain; dispersive terrain, light terrain, contentious terrain, traversible terrain, focal terrain, heavy terrain, entrapping terrain, encircled terrain and fatal terrain.
“When a chieftain is fighting in his own territory, it is dispersive terrain.
“When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great distance, it is light terrain.
“Terrain the possession of which imports great advantage to either side, is contentious ground.
“Terrain on which each side has liberty of movement is traversible terrain.
“Terrain which forms the key to three contiguous states, so that he who occupies it first has most of the Empire at his command, is focal terrain.
“When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile country, leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear, it is heavy terrain.
“Mountain forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fens–all country that is hard to traverse: this is entrapping terrain.
“Terrain which is reached through narrow gorges, and from which we can only retire by tortuous paths, so that a small number of the enemy would suffice to crush a large body of our men: this is encircled terrain.
“Terrain on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay, is fatal terrain.
“On dispersive terrain, therefore, fight not.
“On light terrain, halt not.
“On contentious terrain, attack not.
“On traversible terrain, do not allow your forces to become isolated.
“On focal terrain, join hands with your allies.
“On heavy terrain, gather in plunder.
“on entrapping terrain, keep steadily on the march.
“On encircled terrain, resort to stratagem.
“On fatal terrain, fight.
“Those who were called skillful leaders of old knew how to drive a wedge between the enemy’s front and rear; to prevent co-operation between his large and small divisions; to hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad, the officers from rallying their men. When the enemy’s men were united, they managed to keep them in disorder. When it was to their advantage, they made a forward move; when otherwise, they stopped still.
“If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: “Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.”
“Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.
“The following are the principles to be observed by an invading force: The further you penetrate into a country, the greater will be the solidarity of your troops, and thus the defenders will not prevail against you.
“Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your army with food. Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.
“Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.
“Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength.
“Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.
“Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on the qui vive; without waiting to be asked, they will do your will; without restrictions, they will be faithful; without giving orders, they can be trusted. Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
“If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity. On the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers may weep, those sitting up bedewing their garments, and those lying down letting the tears run down their cheeks. But let them once be brought to bay, and they will display the courage of a Chu or a Kuei.
“The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuaijan. Now the shuaijan is a snake that is found in the Ch`ang mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both. Asked if an army can be made to imitate the shuaijan, I should answer, Yes. For the men of Wu and the men of Yueh are enemies; yet if they are crossing a river in the same boat and are caught by a storm, they will come to each other’s assistance just as the left hand helps the right.
“Hence it is not enough to put one’s trust in the tethering of horses, and the burying of chariot wheels in the ground. The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach. How to make the best of both strong and weak — that is a question involving the proper use of ground.
“Thus the skillful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.
“It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order. He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance. By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose.
“At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand. He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots; like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep, he drives his men this way and that, and nothing knows whither he is going.
“To muster his host and bring it into danger:–this may be termed the business of the general21.
“The different measures suited to the nine varieties of ground; the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics; and the fundamental laws of human nature: these are things that must most certainly be studied.
“When invading hostile territory, the general principle is this;
“Penetrating deeply brings cohesion; penetrating but a short way means dispersion.
“When you leave your own country behind, and take your army across neighborhood territory, you find yourself on critical ground.
“When there are means of communication on all four sides, this is focal terrain.
“When you penetrate deeply into a country, it is heavy terrain.
“When you penetrate but a little way, it is light terrain.
“When you have the enemy’s strongholds on your rear, and narrow passes in front, it is encircled terrain.
“When there is no place of refuge at all, it is fatal terrain.“Therefore, on dispersive terrain, I would inspire my men with unity of purpose.
“On light terrain, I would see that there is close connection between all parts of my army.
“On contentious terrain, I would hurry up my rear.
“On traversible terrain, I would keep a vigilant eye on my defenses.
“On focal terrain, I would consolidate my alliances.
“On heavy terrain, I would try to ensure a continuous stream of supplies.
“On entrapping terrain, I would keep pushing on along the road.
“On encircled terrain, I would block any way of retreat.
“On fatal terrain, I would proclaim to my soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives.
“For it is the soldier’s disposition to offer an obstinate resistance when surrounded, to fight hard when he cannot help himself, and to obey promptly when he has fallen into danger.
“We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country–its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides. To be ignored of any one of the following four or five principles does not befit a warlike prince.
“When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state, his generalship shows itself in preventing the concentration of the enemy’s forces. He overawes his opponents, and their allies are prevented from joining against him. Hence he does not strive to ally himself with all and sundry, nor does he foster the power of other states. He carries out his own secret designs, keeping his antagonists in awe. Thus he is able to capture their cities and overthrow their kingdoms.
“Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man. Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design. When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.
“Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety. For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm’s way that is capable of striking a blow for victory.
“Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy’s purpose. By persistently hanging on the enemy’s flank, we shall succeed in the long run in killing the commander-in-chief. This is called ability to accomplish a thing by sheer cunning.
“On the day that you take up your command, block the frontier passes, destroy the official tallies, and stop the passage of all emissaries. Be stern in the council-chamber, so that you may control the situation.
“If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
“Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear, and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the ground. Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.
“At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.
12. Incendiary Attacks
Sun Tzu said:
“There are five ways of attacking with fire. The first is to burn soldiers in their camp; the second is to burn stores; the third is to burn baggage trains; the fourth is to burn arsenals and magazines; the fifth is to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy.
“In order to carry out an attack, we must have means available. the material for raising fire should always be kept in readiness. There is a proper season for making attacks with fire, and special days for starting a conflagration. The proper season is when the weather is very dry; the special days are those when the moon is in the constellations of the Sieve, the Wall, the Wing or the Cross-bar; for these four are all days of rising wind.
“In attacking with fire, one should be prepared to meet five possible developments:
“When fire breaks out inside to enemy’s camp, respond at once with an attack from without.
“If there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy’s soldiers remain quiet, bide your time and do not attack.
“When the force of the flames has reached its height, follow it up with an attack, if that is practicable; if not, stay where you are.
“If it is possible to make an assault with fire from without, do not wait for it to break out within, but deliver your attack at a favorable moment.
“When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not attack from the leeward.
“A wind that rises in the daytime lasts long, but a night breeze soon falls.
“In every army, the five developments connected with fire must be known, the movements of the stars calculated, and a watch kept for the proper days. Hence those who use fire as an aid to the attack show intelligence; those who use water as an aid to the attack gain an accession of strength. By means of water, an enemy may be intercepted, but not robbed of all his belongings.
“Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise; for the result is waste of time and general stagnation. Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.
“Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical. No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.
“Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. This is the Tao to keep a country at peace and an army intact22.
13. The Use of Spies
Sun Tzu said:
“Raising a host of a hundred thousand men and marching them great distances entails heavy loss on the people and a drain on the resources of the State. The daily expenditure will amount to a thousand ounces of silver. There will be commotion at home and abroad, and men will drop down exhausted on the highways.
“Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving for the victory which is decided in a single day. This being so, to remain in ignorance of the enemy’s condition simply because one grudges the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in honors and emoluments, is the height of inhumanity. One who acts thus is no leader of men, no present help to his sovereign, no master of victory.
“Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge.
“Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation. Knowledge of the enemy’s dispositions can only be obtained from other men.
“Hence the use of spies, of whom there are five classes; local spies, internal spies, turned spies, doomed spies and surviving spies. When these five kinds of spy are all at work, none can discover the secret system. This is called “divine manipulation of the threads.” It is the sovereign’s most precious faculty.
“Having local spies means employing the services of the inhabitants of a district.
“Having internal spies means making use of officials of the enemy.
“Having turned spies means getting hold of the enemy’s spies and using them for our own purposes.
“Having doomed spies means doing certain things openly for purposes of deception, and allowing our spies to know of them and report them to the enemy.
“Surviving spies, finally, are those who bring back news from the enemy’s camp.
“Hence it is that which none in the whole army are more intimate relations to be maintained than with spies. None should be more liberally rewarded. In no other business should greater secrecy be preserved.
“Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity. They cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports. Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business.
“If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy before the time is ripe, he must be put to death together with the man to whom the secret was told.
“Whether the object be to crush an army, to storm a city, or to assassinate an individual, it is always necessary to begin by finding out the names of the attendants, the aides-de- camp, and door-keepers and sentries of the general in command. Our spies must be commissioned to ascertain these.
“The enemy’s spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they will become converted spies and available for our service. It is through the information brought by the converted spy that we are able to acquire and employ local and inward spies. It is owing to his information, again, that we can cause the doomed spy to carry false tidings to the enemy. Lastly, it is by his information that the surviving spy can be used on appointed occasions.
“The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can only be derived, in the first instance, from the converted spy. Hence it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality.
“Of old, the rise of the Yin dynasty was due to I Chih who had served under the Hsia. Likewise, the rise of the Chou dynasty was due to Lu Ya who had served under the Yin. Hence it is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for purposes of spying and thereby they achieve great results. This is the essence of the military, what the Three Armies rely on to move.
Notes to the text
1. The word Tao is translated as “way”, but it has also been translated as “moral law”. Later in this same chapter the question is asked “Which of the general has the greater Tao?”, clearly refering to a word other than “way”. It has a certain spiritual sense, as in moral law, of not just a “way” but “the way”.
2. Deception is very important in VGA planets – the word does not simply refer to lying and bluffing in diplomacy, but as well to feints, feigned disorder and such. Cloaking is the perfect deception – the illusion of no ship being there. Sun Tzu would have loved cloakers, as will become obvious.
3. A temple was brought along for the general to retire and plan, it was in the temple that the estimations and calculations were made. The good general would simulate events, and such is always a good idea in the game – VPA has a built in combat simulator, bsim does a pretty good job, and Tanascius has designed a tool which performs both ground attack calculations and combat simulations.
4. Two reasons for quick campaigns have just been given – while we are lucky not to have to worry about the costs of feeding and maintaining our ships, an ongoing campaign has definite fuel costs and mineral and monetary tolls in fighter expenditure and minefield maintenance. The ships become weakened without supplies to fix them up, and even should this be accomplished the loss of crew can cause the loss of a ship in a subsequent battle. The second reason is the attacks of neighboring players. A prolonged campaign is draining on an empire’s resources, and this becomes a visible vulnerability which can be exploited by your opponents.
5. Though it is very tempting to load up with as many torpedoes, supplies and such as we can carry, the most economical way is to forage in your victim’s space. Since torpedoes can be built on a ship, simply bringing mega-credits can substantially lighten a cruiser, freeing it for the transport of colonists (who in turn generate the supplies for repairs and the minerals for torpedoes). I had my rebel empire squashed by a tholian who arrived with several ships full of people and 70,000 MC. He took one of my best money producing planets and proceeded to mire me in the most extensive webmines I have ever seen. Had he simply arrived with torpedoes I would have beaten him, but he used my resources to beat me.
6. The capture of bases without combat is quite a feat for most races, the empire, lizards and the fascists being the exception – it can be done by others, though, and it is sometimes surprisingly easy – newly setup bases seldom have high defense values, and the population can be quite low. The rebels have ATT/NUK immunity, and the birds and privateers have cloaking vessels – in addition, any race can acquire a Super Star Destroyer (SSD) or cloaker in trade, and the obvious benefits of taking a planet while preserving its base make these ships valuable. As for the capture of ships (the “chariots” referred to above) the privateers and crystals have the greatest ease, but freighters can be collected by any cloaking race with the use of X-rays (good for capture, bad for minesweeping), disruptors or heavy disruptors (great minesweeping, blows some small ships up), as can the other races with some luck. The advantages of capturing ships are numerous – it removes a ship from their ranks as effectivly as destruction does, adds a ship to one’s own ranks, while not freeing a slot for an enemy to build, and not wasting a build of your own. It also can add new abilities to your arsenal, and serves as a goad to prompt an attack.
7. The notion of surrounding with a much greater force is in direct conflict with a statement made later in the book about leaving an outlet – perhaps one should not fully encircle the enemy, as a foe who is certain of defeat will fight to the death. A second curious note is that the text suggests to divide one’s forces when outnumbering the foes two to one – it is entirely possible that this refers to flanking with one half of the force, though an alternate interpretation is that the text should read “divide your enemy in two”.
8. This is one of the best known passages in The Art of War, and one alluded to rather frequently in the newsgroup, sometimes in the form of a four letter acronym – RTFM! Seriously, knowledge of the game IS knowledge of both your capabilities and those of your opponents. Do not content yourself with simply knowing your race; you must know all of your opponent’s tactics to ensure victory. If you are playing against the federation, read about the federation. There are numerous guides out there for you to read. Even better, play a game as that race – nothing made me appreciate the privateers more than playing from their perspective. Chang Yu said: “Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive.” and “Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.” This sums up the role of knowledge in conflict very well, and we would do well to keep this in mind. The strategy and help pages at the Federal HQ are a good source, as is the VGA Planets website.
9. This is an interesting point – that it is not the general who achieves a surprising victory that truly excels at warfare – it is the general whose victory was never in question. By fighting when he is sure to win he has achieved the most with the least risk. An uncommonly astute observation. It may be noticed that the tactic of picking on the weaker races to advance oneself is reflected in this statement – find the victories where you can, and then fight. Do not commit to a fight looking for victory. Earlier in this section reference is made to first making oneself unconquerable – examples include putting a loki in the gravity well of a planet instead of at the planet itself and positioning a strike force at 83 LY from a target – immune to attack from ships at the planet, but capable of launching an assault by using the gravity well to your advantage.
10. The word hsing is variously translated as strategic distribution of force, configuration and shape. I feel that it has a bit more meaning, including that of perceived form – the main reason being the use of the phrase “not hsing” in describing how the army should be formless to foil spies and to strike targets unaware. Here it refers to the focus of an army’s might – a channel allowing the army to mave swiftly and strike hard. To prevent the enemy from reading your hsing, then one should employ planetr hopping (the technique of hiding ships at planets every turn) and when in open space try to fool your opponent or cloud the matter of your movement with possibilities. I personally use VPA to plan my turns, and I will often find points that are 83 light years from multiple planets on offense – in this way my target is unknown to my enemy.
11. The ch’i and the cheng are translated by Lionel Giles as the indirect and the direct – this has some merit, too, but I think that some indirect tactics are orthodox, in that they are well known and often employed, such as feints, flanking maneuvers and such. I think that orthodox and unorthodox imply a greater creativity than simply the direct and indirect, and fit the passage better – at times the unorthodox might be a direct action, but when unexpected this is a powerful tool.
12. Lionel Giles translates the words substance and vacuity as the science of the strong and the weak – a very direct sort of interpretation, though quite useful. In a sense, that is what is implied in this passage, that in order to crush your opponent, meet his weakness with your strength. But Sun Tzu also advocates allowing your enemy to dart back and forth, attacking where you are not – this, to me, is the art of the vacuous, a meaning not gotten from mere “weakness”. In warfare all is deceit, and the vacuous and the substantial play a part.
13. The word shih is translated as energy, momentum, power, strategic power, and combined strength – it is not a simple word, as the sense of combined strength and strategic power suggest, but a word to describe efficiency and optimization as well. In this sense, the shih of an army grows with successes, and is a spiritual strength as well. In the sense of strategic configuration of power, the shih is much like the battle groups adopted by many VGA planets players, a grouping of strengths that maximize effectiveness, or the friendly code ordering used to properly attack groups of ships. It is important to recognize the tying in of power with spirit and strategy, as this is the true strength in war.
14. The chieh is an odd blend of decision, timing, constraint and control that is important to the use of the shih, along with the hising. Gets a little mystical sometimes 🙂 The analogy of the crossbow is a good one – the hsing is the form of the army, its deployment, allowing the position and disposition to strike – it is the weapon itself, the crossbow. The power stored in the crossbow is the shih; it depends on the configuration of the army in a strategic sense, and also the momentum the army has gained and the fighting strength – and the chieh is the trigger, but in a sense is the release as well. The trigger is a matter of constraining the shih until a critical moment, and then directing it’s release. Quite elegant really, and these three things together are what makes a strategy.
15. This is one of my favorite pieces of wisdom – it just makes sense, and it is a good starting strategy – keep hidden. Don’t fly your ships in open space. If you do, have the waypoint set so that your ship is at rest while out there – this way the bearing is no indication of whence you have come or whither you go. Cloakers are great for this – if you have no visible trade routes and ships your enemy may not know that you are there, and at best will have difficulty attacking. This is doubly true on offense – If he doesn’t know where an attack will come from he either gambles or spreads his forces out – neither is good for him. Even simply being in position to attack multiple planets is good – when setting up boundaries try to get an advantage of this type – a single planet on your border that is his only real attack route means an easy defense, while if he has several within range you have the advantage of his thinner defense. Try to have a greater than 84 light year gap between your border planets and his for defense if you wish to attack make certain that it is less than 84 light years. As a cloaking race you would care less about being able to attack from your planets, and thus would prefer a longer distance between, as you can be “formless” but he will be revealed.
16. While this relates to the earlier note, it brings to mind a particular example, though I don’t recall where I read it. A tactician was explaining that a single man can terrorize an army – a sniper often does little damage, but the men all fear for their lives – each one exhausts himself with worry, and the spirit of a thousand men can be worn down by a single man willing to die. This is the role of the cloaker – strike fear into the heart of your foe – bring terror to his shipping lanes, to his planets, his hissers, his terraformers, his casino ships (Lady Royale). A single ship marauding can force him to waste his time, cost him dearly in fuel and money and force valuable warships into a defensive role. He will never know where you will strike, and you will wear down his confidence and thin his forces. Tow kill when you can, rename your ships often to fool him, and have him jumping at ghosts, dancing to your strings. This is the art of the formless, and a true warrior’s art.
17. The li is a unit of distance, about 2.83 miles – I thought it was neat, in that LY (light year) is the unit we use in VGA planets. The ability of ships to support one another is crucial – in this way certain numbers are important to keep in mind; 81 – LY the greatest distance that can be traveled by an ordinary ship in a single round in space, 84 LY – a normal ship’s maximum distance for travel in one turn ending at a planet, with warp wells on, 162 LY – the longest distance two ships can be separated by if they wish to join up again in a single turn, and 340-360 LY – the range of a hyperdrive jump. Keeping these in mind and using a tool that allows on screen warp circle plots will help you coordinate an invasion, and the arrival of HYP ships to bring supplies, money and fuel to forward positions.
18. There is no “way” to win. It is all a matter of circumstance – who has what, is where and such. The same tactics don’t work twice against an opponent unless he is a little dense, and underestimating an opponent is dangerous. Try variations, the infinite combinations of the orthodox and unorthodox. To be sure, there are given tactics and tricks that can be relied upon in a general scene, but it is creativity and intuition that will lend a general the key to victory, and the ability to spot it beforehand.
19. Desperation can be a potent weapon, and while many give up, the few that don’t make it exceedingly difficult for you when backed into a corner. The translation speaks of leaving an outlet free when surrounding an opponent – this is debated. It is possible that Sun Tzu mean to leave the appearance of an outlet, so as not to force the enemy to desperation – this tactic has worked in the past, leaving a channel through webmines that always seem to not quite get covered leaves a possible way out, and can net those ships that otherwise will not leave a planet, as they try their daring escape.
20. These are things to look for in players – especially the bit about a hasty temper. VGA planets in a game of war, but in a game with contact between players in a competitive situation a certain amount of psychology is present. A reckless player may trow himself at opponents, becoming vulnerable, while a coward will sit where he is and be forced to play the defense, losing planets and ships. A player who has a temper can be goaded to fight, aas can those who are easily shamed. The oddest one is the player who loves his ships – he may not be angry, but will do anything to save a favorite ship, or seek revenge for a ship’s destruction. Each of these flaws can be exploited, and can cost the player the game.
21. First note in a while – much of the preceding text has been about the behavior of troops, or where to encamp – these details are not that important to VGA planets, though the telltale signs of readiness in an opponent are. This particular quote is a good one – it reminds us that the role of our ships is to get into dangerous situations. Sawyer’s translation is even more sinister – “Assembling the masses of the Three Armies, casting them into danger, is the responsibility of the general.” No talk of “bringing” the army into danger, but “casting” them in – the general directs his men, he does not lead them himself, necessarily. This is important to remember – you will lose ships on an invasion, unless you are far better than your opponent – the ships are there for you to use, to place in danger, and if in doing so they accomplish their mission then your task is done.
22. Again, a warning about acting rashly – we have seen the faults of a general; be certain that you do not fall victim to your anger, your drive for revenge, pride, cowardice or love for your ships. Attacking in anger can bring about your downfall – being angry while attacking may bring you determination. Do not allow your emotions to rule your thought, but let them infuse your action, once decided upon. Fighting for an insult is foolish, yet most players are easily goaded to the attack. I know I am 🙂
23. Spies as such do not exist as entities within the game, but information is passed about by players. As in any situation involving information, one must be certain of the truth – acting on lies will get you in trouble. The Evil Empire have a Dark Sense which allows them to find homeworlds and such, and this is a great ability – information can be bought and traded for. Cloakers can be used as scouts – the most basic spy – and the birdmen have the superspy mission, which though difficult to use properly can be very powerful, in stealing needed money and fuel in enemy territory, passing through minefields and forcing planets to attack. The information passed on by players is trickier – rst files used to be dependable, but with the advent of programs like “backstab” the rst can be hacked to fool either an ally or an enemy. Leaking a fake rst is tricky – it should have enough truth to be convincing but still mislead your enemy. Sun Tzu also notes how important an enemy’s spies are to us – a turned spy (or in our case, player) is the greatest asset you can have. He may well still have access to rst files, or at least have a record of previous turns, and will have a general idea of how his former ally deploys. He is also not one to be trusted, a potential source of false data, and just as likely to spy on you and turn against you. He should be kept close to you, so that you can strike against him in an instant, not trusted, but treated well. He is your greatest danger and the ultimate spy. Every player has strong feelings about betrayal, and it is a dark side of the game, but one that does exist, and knowing how to deal with it is important. If you should find yourself in this situation, tread carefully.