THE ART OF CATWAR Visual Notes to learn Strategy
JOANNE CHANG
THE ART OF CATWAR Visual Notes to learn Strategy
JOANNE CHANG
Table of Contents
Introduction 1 Planning The ďŹ ve factors The paths to the heart Deception 2 Waging War Make calculations Aim for speedy victory Keep making progress Know the nine grounds 3 Offensive Strategy Avoid the strong, attack the weak
Know yourself and your enemy Win without destroying 4 Dispositions Plan for a victorious disposition Reel in the results Defensive or offensive 5 Momentum Strike fast Stay calm Find friends Mix things up
6 Weakness and Strength Lead others by the nose Maximize your strength Limitations Coordination 7 Advantage Fight for the favorable position
Know the tactical variables Beware of the 5 advances Weigh the situations Follow your own intentions 9 Survival skills Fight on a high ground Dealing with danger
Find information
Interpret behavior
Master the tactic of deviation
Assesss ďŹ rst, then attack
Master morale
Conclusion
8 Judgement
Introduction
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This is Misty
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One day Misty noticed that there was a large dog lurking around the corner.
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Are they supposed to be friends?
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or enemies?
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Misty decides to learn strategy from Master Sun Zhu before she confronts the big dog. 15
Deception
The basic quality of any strategic operation
Pretend to delay action
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hit when unexpected
evade when they are strong
set one party against another when united
wear them out when well rested
take precautions against the strong and well prepared
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Make Calculations
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Know the 9 War Grounds
Focal ground
First to gain control acquire s upport of other peers. Form alliances.
Dispersive ground
Your territory. Unify your will, do not ďŹ ght here.
Encircled ground
Access is constricted, a return requires detour. Ambush the strong here. Devise escape plans, block the points of access.
Open ground Land accessible to both the enemy and yourself. Don’t let communication get blocked.
Defend yourself carefully. 30
Serious ground Getting here requires the will to fight with no return. You have penetrated through the enemy’s deep inner grounds. Plunder for provisions.
Frontier ground
Initial entry into enemy grounds. Keep going, be alert and maintain top performance.
Desperate ground Make a speedy and desperate battle here or else be destroyed. Be prepared to fight to the end.
Contentious ground Never attack the enemy that has reached here first
Difficult ground
Hard to make any moves here, pass through swiftly.
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Avoid the Strong, Attack the Weak
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Win Without Destroying
Winning 100 victories in 100 battles is not real excellence
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The Defensive and Offensive
When there is no chance of winning, assume a defensive position. 42
When there is a chance, launch an attack.
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Plan for a Victorious Disposition
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Reel in the Results
To defeat your enemy depends on their errors.
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Stay Calm
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Find Friends
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Strike Fast
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Mix Things Up
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Throw in some special tactics to take by surprise.
Limitations
When you take precautions in front, your rear will be weak. 58
If you strengthen everywhere, you will be weak everywhere. 59
Master the Tactic of Deviation
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Beware of the 5 Advances
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Weigh the Situations
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The 5 Fatal Weaknesses
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Surroundings
Stay near the valleys when going through mountains; select a place on high ground facing the sun. Avoid ďŹ ghting an upward battle.
After crossing a river stay away from it. If the enemy attacks from across the river, do not meet him in the river. Allow half their troops to cross then strike. 88
Cross salt marshes quickly. If you encounter enemies there, keep to places with grass and trees in the rear.
Select an easily accessible place on level ground to camp so that low ground is in front, high ground behind
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Interpret Behavior
When they speak humbly while behaving When they speak humbly while behaving aggressive, they are going to advance aggressive, they are going to advance.
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When they speak uncompromisingly and threaten to When they speak uncompromisingly and advance, they are going to they retreat. threaten to advance, are going to retreat.
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Conclusion
Knowing the strategies of war has made Misty conďŹ dent and ready to face her fears...
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Hi!
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Does this mean he wants to be friends?
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