Strategy
Merriam Webster provides the following primary definitions of strategy.
1a. The science and art of employing the political, economic, psychological, and military forces of a nation or group of nations to afford the maximum support to adopter policies in peace or war.
b. The science and art of military command exercised to meet the enemy in combat under advantageous conditions.
2a. A careful plan or method
b. The art of devising or employing plans or stratagems toward a goal.
While related to tactics, these two terms define two separate aspects of gaming. It is recommended that you read these two definitions together. And in fact, these two definitions mirror one another due to their similarities.
To consider strategy then, it is the way the player plans to play the game or thinks about the game. For example:
•A Magic the Gathering player may construct a blue deck and try to "deck" a player using creature and spell cards that result in the opponent discard cards from their library until they cannot draw. This would be the strategy the player wishes to employ. However the actual drawing and playing of cards, determining the order to be played, and the interactions of these cards in the actual game is the tactics employed by the player.
•A D&D party may develop a strategy of how to face foes or explore a dungeon. However, the actual doing so within a game where things are not clear cut is the tactical piece of playing.
•A football coach may develop a strategy that they are going to run the ball all game. However, if during the game the defense has all eleven of their players near the line of scrimmage, the coach may change his tactics and throw the ball.
Source: Merriam-Webster Online. "Strategy"
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strategy
Brad Burenheide 9 October 2018
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Merriam Webster provides the following primary definitions of strategy.
1a. The science and art of employing the political, economic, psychological, and military forces of a nation or group of nations to afford the maximum support to adopter policies in peace or war.
b. The science and art of military command exercised to meet the enemy in combat under advantageous conditions.
2a. A careful plan or method
b. The art of devising or employing plans or stratagems toward a goal.
While related to tactics, these two terms define two separate aspects of gaming. It is recommended that you read these two definitions together. And in fact, these two definitions mirror one another due to their similarities.
To consider strategy then, it is the way the player plans to play the game or thinks about the game. For example:
•A Magic the Gathering player may construct a blue deck and try to "deck" a player using creature and spell cards that result in the opponent discard cards from their library until they cannot draw. This would be the strategy the player wishes to employ. However the actual drawing and playing of cards, determining the order to be played, and the interactions of these cards in the actual game is the tactics employed by the player.
•A D&D party may develop a strategy of how to face foes or explore a dungeon. However, the actual doing so within a game where things are not clear cut is the tactical piece of playing.
•A football coach may develop a strategy that they are going to run the ball all game. However, if during the game the defense has all eleven of their players near the line of scrimmage, the coach may change his tactics and throw the ball.
Source: Merriam-Webster Online. "Strategy"
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strategy
Brad Burenheide 9 October 2018
Return to Glossary
Return to Home Page