Dead or Alive
A 3D fighting game series built on a counter triangle.
Where Dead or Alive comes up1 episode or test
- 1Strikesbeat throws
- 2Throwsbeat holds
- 3Holdsbeat strikes
From Dead or Alive combat design
What was said about Dead or Alive
Dead or Alive builds its combat on a strikes, throws, holds counter triangle. Strikes beat throws, throws beat holds, and holds beat strikes. Every option beats one thing and loses to another, so none is overpowered and none is pointless.
This is the rock, paper, scissors approach to balance. It pushes players toward mixed strategies and quick tactical switching instead of one dominant move. As the source puts it: "everything has a counter, and everything is a counter."
How Games Get Balanced
Its triangle has strikes beating throws, throws beating holds, and holds beating strikes.
Dead or Alive builds its combat on a strikes, throws, holds counter triangle. Strikes beat throws, throws beat holds, and holds beat strikes. Every option beats one thing and loses to another, so none is overpowered and none is pointless.
This is the rock, paper, scissors approach to balance. It pushes players toward mixed strategies and quick tactical switching instead of one dominant move. As the source puts it: "everything has a counter, and everything is a counter."
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