The 36 Stratagems is a Chinese essay used to illustrate a series of stratagems used in politics and in war, as well as in civilian life, often through unorthodox means. Approximately 300 years ago an unknown scholar compiled the stratagems, a strangely seductive meditation on deception. The stratagems are ordered in categories according to your current position. 'Advantageous Stratagems', 'Opportunistic Stratagems' and 'Attacking Stratagems' are used when you are in a winning situation. 'Confusion Stratagems', 'Deception Stratagems' and 'Desperate Stratagems' are used when you are in a disadva.