98
this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2026
98 points (100.0% liked)
memes
23879 readers
296 users here now
dank memes
Rules:
-
All posts must be memes and follow a general meme setup.
-
No unedited webcomics.
-
Someone saying something funny or cringe on twitter/tumblr/reddit/etc. is not a meme. Post that stuff in /c/slop
-
Va*sh posting is haram and will be removed.
-
Follow the code of conduct.
-
Tag OC at the end of your title and we'll probably pin it for a while if we see it.
-
Recent reposts might be removed.
-
No anti-natalism memes. See: Eco-fascism Primer
founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
They're apparently leaving a corridor for their enemies to retreat through too, which is explicitly called out in the Art of War alongside other gems like "don't just assume you're going to win because you think you're so cool, you have to actually do stuff to make sure you win," and "yes yes I know you think your soldiers are literal cattle, but you need them to like you or they won't be reliable under pressure," and "pack a lunch, dipshit."
So that's a good 3000 years and across the entire continent.
The "don't piss your soldiers off, they won't hesitate to chop your head off" bit is something a lot of fantasy writers miss in the name of "villain vibes".
It's infuriating tbh.
the original evil overlord list is pushing 40 and i'm not aware of any mainstream fiction that obeys its precepts
I love that the Art of War is mostly saying, "Hey, rich boy fuck face, I know that you think war is great and all, but you really want to make sure you can win, and if you do win, make sure you provide enough leeway to your opposition to make sure that you won't have to fight them again in five years. Or at least make sure you kill enough of them that they can never oppose.you, but not so many that you piss off another family."
Most of what I remember is them going on and on about different types of grounds
Which is extremely important. Never make camp in a swamp, unless you are swamp people.
If they know you're swamp people, the first place they're going to look is in the swamp.
Then just go to the other swamp
Maybe even switch it up and go to a bog
Angry Brit noises