The Rock-Paper-Scissors Principle

Gamer or not, many people will recognize the game of rock-paper-scissors, whether as a "guessing game" of sorts or more likely as a decision maker. Each of its three simple elements counters one and is countered by the other, leading to decisive outcomes provided that a draw between the same element is disregarded. Something else that works in much the same way is the gameplay of Pokémon, specifically with respect to the 18 types that are available. Extended over these 18 types and more, it becomes no longer a game, but a "principle".

The simplest realization of the principle, and one that is illustrated for many first-time players (Trainers), is for the three basic types of Grass, Fire, and Water - the exact same types as the main starter Pokémon in each generation. Grass beats Water, Fire beats Grass, and Water beats Fire, while the same type facing itself is a virtual draw. That is more or less the essence of rock-paper-scissors, only under the different guise of elemental types. And since there are 15 other types, the same network of relationships manifests itself in different ways with different types and different complexities; for rock-paper-scissors and specific types, it is manifested as a "triangle" with three elements, but it is possible to have a "quadrangle" or other more complex networks. All of them continue to abide by the same principle that makes the dynamics happen.

By the above, the principle is most evident where Pokémon types are of concern, which would be for many Pokémon games. However, it may be possible to detect partial manifestations of the principle in other games; a friend of mine cites Pokémon Unite as an example. While the game itself doesn't feature types, the selection of Pokémon by both teams may lead to triangular, quadrangular, or even further complex networks of relationships occurring among certain Pokémon. Due to the extremely dynamic nature of the game, one will have to detect if such relationships have the potential of occurring, and then either engage in them if necessary or avoid them (at all costs) if possible.

In fact, for Silph Arena as the community competition for Pokémon Go, the aim of more recent themed cups has always included a sense of trying to "break" the principle by preventing its realization or manifestation, or at least to minimize that. In previous themed cups, the principle has often been manifested through Pokémon that are of certain types and/or know certain moves, invariably leading to the same "triangles" occurring, often being under unsuspected conditions. The principle remains important in play, but the expressed hope is not to fall back on it, but to allow pure power to come through.

As a game, the game of rock-paper-scissors dictates that certain things are superior, inferior, or on par to others. As a principle, the elements of said game illustrate relationships of strengths, weaknesses, or equivalences, and not just limited to three as in the game. Pokémon can be said to embody that principle through and through in its types as well as other elements, which in the right circumstances may very well be the key to appropriate decisions.

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