The 36 Stratagems

Masking a secret objective within a series of normal, everyday activities to lower the enemy's vigilance.

Avoid a direct confrontation with a strong enemy; instead, strike their weak point to force a retreat.

Use the resources or strength of a third party to eliminate an adversary, preserving your own strength.

Gain the advantage of time and location; let the enemy wear themselves out while you conserve energy.

Take advantage of an opponent's internal crisis or chaos to strike and gain rapid benefits.

Create a diversion to deceive the enemy and strike where they are least prepared.

Make a feint or false impression seem real until the enemy is deceived, then turn the fake into a real attack.

Use a visible distraction to keep the enemy's attention while executing the real plan in secret.

Wait for the enemy's internal conflicts to resolve themselves or destroy them from within before intervening.

Win the enemy's trust to make them let down their guard, while secretly preparing to strike.

Sacrifice a minor part or individual to save the whole or a more important strategic goal.

Take advantage of any small opportunity that arises during the execution of a larger plan.

Do something to provoke a reaction from the enemy to discover their hidden plans or location.

Revive a dead cause, person, or organization by giving it a new purpose or using its influence.

Lure the enemy away from their fortified position to make them more vulnerable.

Let the enemy flee to tire them out and break their spirit before making the final capture.

Exchange something of minor value for something far more valuable through baiting.

To defeat a strong enemy, strike at its leader or its central strategic point.

Solve a problem by removing its source or the foundation of the enemy's strength.

Take advantage of a chaotic situation to achieve goals that would be impossible in a stable environment.

Create an illusion of presence while secretly escaping or repositioning.

Cut off all escape routes for a small or weak enemy to ensure total victory.

Form alliances with distant powers while expanding territory at the expense of immediate neighbors.

Use the pretext of helping an ally or borrowing a path to eventually take over their territory.

Secretly subvert or replace the enemy's main strength or leadership until they collapse.

Discipline or criticize someone indirectly to warn or control another group or individual.

Pretend to be incompetent or crazy to hide your true intentions and intelligence.

Entice the enemy into a trap and then cut off their escape route.

Use visual illusions or decoys to make your forces appear much larger and stronger than they are.

Shift from a passive or subordinate position to a dominant, controlling one.

Use love, sex, or emotional desire to compromise the enemy's judgment or loyalty.

Display complete vulnerability to a superior enemy to trigger their suspicion and force a retreat.

Use the enemy's own spies against them, or spread rumors to cause internal conflict.

Inflict self-injury to win the enemy's sympathy and trust to execute a deeper plan.

Interlink different stratagems so that they depend on each other, or force the enemy to tie their own hands.

When all else fails and defeat is certain, retreat to preserve your strength for the future.