We have maneuvered ourselves to Day 27 of the RPGaDAY 2025 Challenge and closer to the end of the month. Today’s topic is ‘tactic’ and it’s one that connects with multiple forms of gaming.
In my blog post about the topic Recent, and in other RPG review posts as well, I talked about how my tactical mind engaged while playing. This is usually a sign for me that I’m enjoying the game. Checkers, chess, a collectable card game, other board games, the brightness of a video game and especially roleplaying systems. There’s a point in the game where my mind clicks and suddenly, I’m wondering how I’m going to use or get around the system. I also know that it must be a good system if I’m thinking about how to use/get around it while away from the game.
I recall playing the Warcraft: Orcs & Humans video game in the late 90’s. I quickly observed that the computerized opponent would quickly send available troops that were just generated to attack me. The better tactic would have been to build up the number of troops instead of sending them out one at a time. One of the units in this video game was called the Conjurer who could summon disposable troops like scorpions and water elementals that I could control. So, I’d find a choke point on the map, set a bunch of knights and archers there to kill the lone unit that was sent to attack me. Behind the knights and archers were several conjurers who would all summon the disposable units at the same time which would then be sent in a wave to scout out and attack the enemy encampment. It took a while, but the constant grind would allow me to safely keep the bulk of my troops and resources safe while the enemy was weakened to the point where they could not resist a complete all-out assault from my units.
I’ve previously blogged about a FASA Star Trek RPG session in the 90’s where the GM had painted himself into a corner (we didn’t know that at the time) and, unbeknownst to him, all of the players were calling each other on a daily basis on how we were going to get out of the dire situation. When we saw the lame way the GM ended the scenario, it wasn’t good for him. We (half-jokingly) threatened to hang him, and it was the final game with him. Which was too bad as I enjoyed the FASA Star Trek RPG.
Each game has its own system. Figuring out the system is part of the appeal to me. Sometimes I figure it out and I realize that I can enjoy it more, such as Star Trek Adventures 2nd Edition. Sometimes I realize that the system is bunk or too easily manipulated (such as the Warcraft example I posted above). While I still enjoyed the Warcraft game, I realized that the re-playability factor wasn’t there. I think this is why I’m not keen on some board games. I’m wondering how limited they might be as compared to the wide-open options of a roleplaying game.
Oh, and we also used tactics in real life. Protecting ourselves online by not clicking on strange links that were suddenly sent to us in instant messages, not posting things on social media that might announce that we are out-of-town for a while until after we’ve returned. Not leaving valuables in the car where people can see them is another example of the tactics used in OpSec (operational security).
Have you noticed patterns in different game systems that has allowed you to generate tactics? Do you use OpSec online or in real life? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com with any comments.