ABC Method

[R Cohrs]

I'm devising a new yet simple method of play that I like to call the ABC method.

A = Attack

B = Block

C = Counter

I believe this tripartite method helps to balance the flow of the sport and certainly fits in with the 3 elements.  How you choose to see the elements is where you'll find the possibilities are endless.

[srn347]

Reminds me of the "attack-defend-power up" game I invented way back near the beginning of my game inventing. Anyway, what beats what? Or is that a koan of some sort? How about an ABCDE method(d=dodge, e=elemental attack) or even ABCDEFG(f=fly, g=ghost)? That would be reminiscent of rps having rock-paper-scissors-fire-air or rock-paper-scissors-fire-air-water-sponge.

Welcome, seeker

srn347

[R Cohrs]

Please look up both the words tripartite and simplicity.  This isn't a new game invention, it's a method I'm training with to improve my Rock Paper Scissors technique. 

As I said it's the perception of the throws that determines your personal choices.  Is Rock an attack, or is it Paper?  Does Scissors block, or Rock?  And which throw is an effective counter?

This is psychological training to prepare for battle.  It is not like the gambit system or a set series of throws.  It is a way to keep from being overly on the offense or defense during a match.

[srn347]

Oh, I see. What about "passiveness" or "special attack"(which is not to be confused with "attack")? Of coarse, those wouldn't fit with "ABC". Anyway, this method is very useful not only in rps, but in many other games(chess, for example). Still, how does one combine your "ABC method" with rosh's so-called "combine winning and not-losing"?

Welcome, seeker

srn347

[Franklint]

Hey, nice little adaptation here R Cohrs.

I can see how this method could "balance the flow" as you so aptly put it.

Also, well done in getting the Bullboard active again!

Cheers,
Franklint

[R Cohrs]

Hmmm... passiveness... I'm not the biggest fan of a passive approach... Seems rather pointless and detrimental in battle.   In life I consider myself fairly passive; I do the best I can not to let the world bother me, but passiveness doesn't really have a place on the battlefield.  If you don't care about playing the game, then you shouldn't be playing.

Special attack?  The beauty of RPS is that there is a balance between 3 throws; all have equal power, it is up to the player to choose their power wisely.  Yes, I play many games that use special attacks, but as that does not exist on the RPS battlefield, it doesn't seem relevant for an RPS technique.  If however your personal "special attack" consists of perhaps going to your favorite throw or the creation of your own gambit that you bring out during certain times, than I would only advise you to consider this an "extended attack" in your ABC sequence.  The balance of the sequence much like RPS isn't always a 1:1:1 ratio; it can be altered as needed for individual opponents.  A good balance against unkown opponents can help you feel them out, but defying this balance as you gain insight can help you dominate. 

Why would I combine Rosh's method with this one?  It's important to learn many different approaches to the sport; sometimes they overlap, sometimes not.   Rosh may "combine winning and not-losing," but I'm sure he feels as all masters do that knowing when to lose and win are equally important.  I don't bring the same game to the table for everyone...

[srn347]

You do not believe in passiveness or special attacks. Passiveness allows the opponent more chances to make mistakes than yourself, and special attacks can still be beaten, but will be difficult to not lose to. Anyway, you claim that it is not the same game at the table for everyone? "The game is in the rules, and the rules are in the mind, so ideally the players play the same game."(now put down those dice).

Welcome, seekers

srn347

[R Cohrs]

I don't believe in passiveness in battle.  I'm not sure what you're idea of "passiveness" during a RPS match is or why it would help. 

Maybe you're thinking of the "Homer Simpson" boxing passive approach.  Homer fought many bums and hobos by letting them pound his head in until they wore themselves out at which point he merely pushed them over.  Then he fought a real champion, Drederick Tatum, and almost died in the ring because he was no match for someone with true skills.  So feel free to rely on your passive approach for your unskilled friends, but try playing someone with talent while your pussy-footing around.

I don't have any idea what your concept of a "special attack" is for a RPS match.  I know that switching your approach to an attack can be useful; switch hitting, calling throws, taunts, shadowing, etc... I wouldn't qualify any of these as "special attacks."

Anyway, you claim that it is not the same game at the table for everyone?

Don't misquote me.  I said that "I don't bring the same game to the table for everyone."  Some people need a helping hand, while others need a good kick in the nuts.  Not sure about yourself yet...

You seem very focused on expanding and multiplying and being overly dramatic.  Sometimes beauty lies in simplicity, hence I'm training with a simple method to clear my mind before a match where you have seconds to react. 

[martinburley]

I greatly approve of this thread. The ABC Method is an elegant synthesis of three crucial concepts, as well as a practical framework for understanding how they apply in RPS. Not only is the ABC Method as useful to seasoned competitors as it is to novices, I believe your 'ABC of RPS' will quickly establish itself as one of the main strategic approaches to the game; it goes without saying that this is the single most important contribution to RPS theory of 2008 so far. Fine work!

[srn347]

I always thought ABC was Attack, Block, Chicken(at least that's what a chess professional told me when saying something about how to get out of check).

Welcome, seekers

srn347

[R Cohrs]

Thanks martin, glad to see your back.  I hope this simple psychological approach can help many to understand the basic concepts involved in an RPS match. 

[custardchuk]

It also goes without saying that srn would contribute another least important post.

[rhymeswithsausage]

By the way, doesn't counter sort of combine attack and defense and therefore create imbalance in the ABC?

Not necessarily.  If Attack is blatantly offensive and Block is defensive, Counter can bypass both in a smooth motion.  Like a Judo throw, Counter can use the opponent's momentum (from Block or Attack) as an advantage and turn the momentum against said opponent.  Anticipate their Attack and Counter for the win.  Anticipate their Block and Counter for the win.  You can even Counter their Counter, if you keep your cool.  A-B-C looks like a good way of laying traps and getting out of them, so long as you keep your wits about you.

[srn347]

So counter is better than attack or defense, but doesn't always tie with itself? What's the point attacking or defending when you can counter?

Welcome, seeker

srn347

[R Cohrs]

rhymeswiths(ausage), thanks for the eloquent words about ABC training.  Although you already summed up exactly what I'm talking about, I suppose I'll give srn one more example.

If two people counter as their only move consistently, first off no one will ever have the chance, as there will be no attack to counter.  Secondly it will become an eternal stalemate.  It would be like 2 people playing RPS using only one throw repeatedly; absolutely pointless.  The skill lies in how you apply each move, or in this case each technique. 

When I took karate, my sensei showed us the hidden moves in blocking.  For example, an upper block is also an uppercut motion; act fast enough and the block turns into a counter.  Yes a counter-attack is a form of attack, but works independently of a normal attack.  It relies on using momentum and speed to use the enemies attack against them, whereas a normal or even "special" attack is a one-sided move that works in a different manner than a counter. 

As I said, rhymeswiths already explained this in a more concise manner.

Anyway, this ABC method is one of the few live posts, so let's keep it that way.

srn347

This happened as a huge result of your own screwing the whole board around with inane posts and posts to long dead topics.  Glad to see you've laid off the dead posts at least.