u/TrueCryptoInvestor

I’ve now gone through the most common misconceptions about power and how to maintain your power in the best way possible. In this post, I’ll be going through 8 common obstacles that diminish your power, how to avoid them, and how to use them to your own advantage against other power players. Let’s begin.

 

1. Drop the Guilt

If you want power, drop whatever guilt you have, because it’s only going to hold you back constantly. I’m not arguing you shouldn’t have a conscience and become an evil Machiavellian; I’m arguing that if you really want power, then having a guilty conscience is one of the biggest obstacles that will keep standing in your way. And you must avoid it at all costs.

The powerful elite know this trick very well, and that’s why they’re constantly using it against you daily. They want you to feel guilty about the smallest things, so that they can accumulate more money and power for themselves through careful deceit and manipulation. It’s the oldest trick in the book, which is why most people never reach their full potential.

Also, keep in mind that dropping the guilt has nothing to do with doing anything bad or illegal. I’m strictly talking about everyday occurrences in the social game where you’re faced with interactions with other people. In many of these interactions, you will tend to slip up, say something wrong or stupid, do something wrong or stupid, etc. Thus, the worst thing you can do is to let guilt take hold of you when it’s much better to let it go immediately.

Understand that feeling guilty about something will only waste precious time, energy, and money, which you cannot afford to waste in the game of power. At the end of the day, no one cares anyway, and you only have one life to live. And so, you should never apologize for anything you say or do unless you hurt or cross someone in an unjustified way.

Believe me, I’ve hurt plenty of people throughout my life, but I’ve always known in the back of my mind that most of these people deserved it and had it coming. Most of these people probably couldn’t care less either and never took it personally in the first place, because in the game of power, nothing is ever personal. I have, however, reached out to someone to apologize for something I knew was out of line in the past and didn't deserve it. But generally, I never apologize for my actions and stand by them 100%, as I should.

And so this is the approach you also want in life. As long as your ways are justified, never let guilt hold you back, and never apologize for the things you say and do, because it will only diminish your power and create awkward situations. It’s much better to move on and forget about it quickly. It’s also much better to own up to the things you say and do than to feel guilty about them, because even if you said or did something others dislike, you will gain so much more respect when you stand by it than if you back down and apologize like a coward.

Politicians do this all the time when they get caught with their pants down, only apologizing because they got caught in the moment, but not because they really mean it, which demonstrates weak character. Trump, on the other hand, never apologizes for anything and doubles down on his statements, which demonstrates a strong character who does not back down from anything or anyone (Law 28). Although he certainly is a liar and a cheat in many ways, he is not two-faced like most Politicians who shift with the wind whenever they feel their power base is threatened.

That’s why so many people can relate to Trump, despite him being a billionaire, because he nurtures the common touch (Law 38), says it like it is, and knows that, just like himself, nobody else is perfect (Law 46). Realize then that we are all flawed creatures with our own strengths, weaknesses, ego, shadow, and insecurities, and there’s no point in denying it. It’s much better to own it and make the best of it. People might judge you, but who are they to judge when they are no better and come from the same cloth? It’s just another good reason to drop the guilt entirely and embrace your true nature.

 

2. Never Feel Shame

Just like guilt will hold you back, so will shame. Now, shame is a bit trickier because there are plenty of things you might do that are indeed shameful. So again, I’m not arguing that you should do whatever you want without feeling any guilt or shame; I’m arguing that you need to be aware of these feelings that will only hold you back in your quest for power.

There have been plenty of times I’ve felt shame, mainly because I haven’t done enough or lived up to my full potential, which I know is very destructive for my own well-being. But in terms of interactions with other people, I rarely feel any shame at all, because it’s a game, and we’re all playing it, whether we like it or not.

And so, the game is nothing personal; it’s just business, which is why both guilt and shame are worthless emotions that will only hold you back. You think your fellow courtiers care about guilt or shame; think again. With some exceptions, he or she is too caught up in his or her own self-interest and quest for power to be concerned with such nonsense.

I don’t care how nice, sweet, and innocent they portray themselves; they all want power deep inside, and they will do almost anything to get it. And girls/women are the most deceitful players you will ever encounter in this game, because they know how to disguise their true intentions naturally (Law 3), which brings us to the next topic.

 

3. Ignore the Opposite Sex

When it comes to power, no other force in the universe is more detrimental than the opposite sex, especially if you’re a man. Men are traditionally supposed to have the power and be the bread-winner in a relationship, which is why so many young men are feeling frustrated and lost in a society that has been demonizing them for being men and constantly encourages them to go against their own nature.

That’s why so many young men won’t bother to contribute to society and engage in relationships, as they’ve figured out the math doesn’t add up anymore to put in the required effort. Women are also suffering deeply from this fact, as toxic feminism and MSM have successfully brainwashed them to think they don’t need a man anymore and should rather become strong, independent women. Well, how has that worked out for you so far?

In any case, if you want power, especially if you’re a man, ignoring the opposite sex is perhaps the best thing you can do. Not only will you stay sharp and focused on your goals, purpose, and values, but it will also become much easier for you to get women once you've established yourself as a high-quality man through years of hard work and effort. Indeed, men have always lost women by chasing them (they don’t want to be chased; they want to do the chasing themselves), but men have never lost women by chasing money and power.

And so, if you really want a relationship with a high-quality woman, this is your best approach. As a high-quality man, I’ve been rejecting plenty of attractive women left and right because I can and don’t have any need to engage with them at all unless I really want to. Remember, in this game, you must always remain the strongest player by making them need you way more than you need them (Law 8 and Law 11). When you come from a place of abundance and have plenty of options, your life becomes so much easier and more peaceful.

Keep in mind that men are slaves to their sex drives in their teens and twenties, but become much more aware of their sexual impulses in their 30s and learn how to master themselves to keep their peace of mind and secure their long-term goals, instead of constantly falling victim to their own desires.

Short-term pleasures will, in fact, hold you back if you’re not careful about securing the long-term goals that will keep you in power. Women might win the game in the short-term by taking advantage of their youth, beauty, and seductive nature, but men will always win the game in the long-term, as long as they make wise decisions that keep them in power.

Understand that once you’ve locked yourself into a serious relationship, getting married and having children, there is no turning back. Thus, if you have not secured your long-term goals and a high-powered position in life at this point, you are literally screwed, and your life will become a miserable hell. All of your freedom, independence, peace of mind, and abundance have gone straight down the toilet, and you can never get them back unless you make a drastic move and start all over again. Smart, powerful men, however, know not to lock themselves into such a position in the first place by maintaining their power, freedom, and independence at all costs.

I’ve always viewed marriage and children as a trap that will only drain men of all their worth. But I certainly do not discourage anyone from getting married and having children if that’s what you want. I’m just here to warn you that if and when you do, you must be fully aware of and prepared for the consequences. Because more often than not, I only hear about people regretting making such a decision in the aftermath. And most importantly, you should never get involved in a serious relationship unless you have secured yourself an abundance of money and a high-powered position that will last for years to come. Because if and when you fall, women tend not to stick around for too long unless you quickly get back up on your feet.

Even if I were filthy rich, I would never risk my fortune, independence, freedom and peace of mind getting married, as only a minority stay married regardless. I’d much rather have a long-term partner I can trust, appreciate and value, who does not threaten my independence, freedom, money, and power. But to each their own.

 

4. Self-interest is Key

If you want power, focus on your self-interest at all times. All humans are inherently selfish and caught up in their own self-interest, and so are you. In fact, it’s what makes you unique and different from other people that determines your true power: what you like, what you dislike, what you value, your political position, and so on. Thus, one of the biggest obstacles to your power is other people’s self-interest that doesn’t match your own.

Indeed, you will often find yourself in situations where you feel like you must do something that you really don’t want to do, especially in work-related situations. And this goes back to the first point: never feel guilty about things other people want you to do but which you don’t really want to do.

Personal Example 1:

Back in my early days, when I was just a Shop Employee, working my ass off for almost nothing, I still wouldn't take extra shifts unless I wanted to (and I usually wanted to work extra shifts because of the money). I would also tell one of my co-workers, who felt sad and upset one day because she was asked to work more, that she should never feel the need or pressure to work more unless she actually wanted to herself.

Realize then, that whenever you are saying yes to someone else, you are essentially saying no to yourself unless you really want it. And that’s a big difference, because if you don’t make choices on your own initiative and premises, you are robbing yourself of your own freedom, independence, and personal power. Going against your own self-interest, then, will only do you harm and reduce your independence and power.

Remember, powerful people will always find ways to take advantage of you to fulfill their own self-interests and get their way at your own expense. And so, you must learn how to constantly defend yourself against these attacks, fight back, and become powerful yourself.

Many powerful people do, in fact, respect people who stand up to them and tell them no to their face, because it shows a strong character who doesn’t put up with any BS. In a lot of such cases, they are more likely to cooperate with you afterwards than to go against you. In this coldhearted world, proving yourself and showing some balls will typically catch people off guard and earn you more respect. However, they will show no mercy to the timid who do not have what it takes to make it in this world (Law 28).

Personal Example 2:

Back in 2010, while I was a miserable Production Worker after losing my previous job, I pursued a Security Guard certificate simultaneously and eventually became one. Thus, during the holiday, I worked for a Security company (I’ve never taken a personal holiday in my life because I’m always working and can’t stand vacations) to keep myself going, keep the money flowing, and gain new valuable experience.

However, even when I was in a low-powered position, there were still aspects of the job I refused to do. One of them was taking night shifts since I’m picky about maintaining a good daily rhythm to preserve my health and well-being. And so, whenever the boss called me to take such shifts, I refused and told him no, no matter how much he whined and begged me.

And the reason why is simple. Since I already had a full-time job and only did this job for fun, I had leverage and the ability to refuse my superior's orders. He could fire me right there on the spot, and I couldn’t have cared less because MY OWN SELF-INTEREST always comes first! That is real value, that is real independence, and that is real power! And I never felt any guilt or shame about it whatsoever. To me, it was just another walk in the park and carrying on with my business.

Learn the lesson then, and never let other people’s self-interest interfere with your own, because it will only make your life miserable. In fact, it is much better to make your own decisions and do something you don’t really want to do than to do something other people want you to do. The difference is simple: in the latter scenario, you have no say or power, but in the former scenario, you have ALL say and power!

Last but not least, you will always find other people with mutual interests, and these are exactly the people you should surround yourself with at all times, as they usually will increase your power instead of decreasing it. They can help you willingly with no strings attached, like providing valuable information, knowledge, and expertise. They can also defend and stand up for you, open up doors for you, etc. You must also nurture their self-interest by helping them out as much as possible to ensure long-lasting relationships built on trust, respect, and mutual interests (Law 13). And you must never betray them, or the doors will potentially be closed forever.

Note that I’m not talking about cults or groupthink, which you must avoid at all costs, because such people are not rational and will always make painful mistakes and poor decisions that will only hold you back. I’m talking about independent, competent, and high-powered individuals who know what they’re doing. These are the types of high-quality people you must always seek out and develop a small circle of inner trust that will keep you strong in the game as long as possible. Ignore other people who do not share your values and interests, as they will only hold you back. Trust me.

 

5. Pride and Anger

Throughout my life, I’ve always been fascinated with the 7 deadly sins and have had my own theory that every human on this planet possesses mainly one of them that keeps holding them back. For me, it was always Pride, the worst and deadliest sin of them all. I’ve been obsessed with winning and being the best in whatever I do all of my life, and I’ve always had to pay a high price for it in the end.

But to me, pride is inevitable in a society that keeps telling and pushing you to be the very best and reach the top, no matter what. Men are particularly vulnerable to pride in their struggle for excellence in a society that pressures them to perform constantly. And if they don’t strive for excellence and perform at their very best, society tends to shame and discard them as useless waste (remember points 1 and 2).

Indeed, pride cometh before the fall, and if you let your pride interfere with your rational and logical decision-making, it will almost certainly reduce or remove your power completely. How many times have you witnessed great legends fall victim to their own ego and pride, only to get back up on the horse, only to fall right back down again? It’s an evil, vicious cycle that is hard to break unless you have tremendous self-awareness, self-discipline, and self-control. And even then, pride somehow comes sneaking back up on you to ruin your day once again.

Thus, to battle pride and keep you in power, you must practice the perfect blend of humility (the opposite virtue of pride) and real confidence (not arrogance) by acknowledging what you’re good at and staying at that level, as well as acknowledging what you’re not good at. We all have strengths and weaknesses, and we cannot and should not try to be great at everything. That will only hold us back and make us miserable when we don’t achieve what we desire.

Thus, much more is gained by focusing your forces (Law 23) on what you’re really good at and by keeping at it until you reach your full potential. That will give you so much more pleasure, satisfaction, happiness, and fulfillment in life because you stay true to yourself. It will also keep you grounded, stop you from making foolish mistakes, and stop you from going further than you know you’re capable of (Law 47). Most importantly, by staying in your rightful place, you will maintain your power base, rather than losing it to foolish decisions.

Anger can also destroy the power that you have carefully built over the years. In fact, Robert argues that anger is the most destructive emotional response, which clouds your own judgment and vision. If you let people get to you, if you let them get under your skin, if you let other people anger you, you are essentially allowing them to control and manipulate you.

Thus, becoming angry is pointless because it does nothing for you in the end, other than bringing you sorrow and ruin. The point is not to get angry ever (I’m usually angry all the time); the point is not to let your own anger consume your power. Your anger must always be directed outwards in a controlled manner towards other people, mainly your enemies, and never directed inwards. The former will keep you in control at all times, whereas the latter will eventually make you implode, lose control, and perhaps even lose your power.

Again, realize that the game is nothing personal; it’s just filled with other power players, some of whom cannot hide their disdain, envy, and hate they have towards you (Law 46). This will often come out in subtle ways and not-so-subtle ways in your daily interactions. Generally, then, it is better to ignore people who try to get you upset and not taking anything personally as you keep moving forward towards your main goal.

Conflict, chaos and drama are inevitable on your journey regardless, and it’s all up to you how you want to handle them in the present moment. Typically, you want to resolve conflicts as quickly as possible, find the best solutions, and keep moving forward constantly. Other times, you must set clear boundaries and make people aware you’re not one to be messed with. In the end, it’s all about context, and you must trust your own instincts and judgement in knowing when to ignore people and when to fight them.

Personal Example 2:

From 2015 to 2017, I worked as a Middle Manager in a grocery store while pursuing my MBA. Since this store is really big, there have to be two Middle Managers present at all times, one at the front near the cash registers, and one in the back near the warehouse. One day, I was busy at the toilet in the warehouse when I heard they needed help down in the front. I initially thought they already had enough employees down there to help out, but they didn’t, and the bell kept ringing.

Finally, I was on my way down there, only to meet a furious Assistant Manager who yelled at me instantly for my misconduct. I, however, remained calm and composed, as I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong; it was just a big misunderstanding. She wouldn’t let it go, though, and kept yelling at me before slamming the door on her way out. It still didn’t bother me one bit, and I never said or did anything else about it, moving forward.

A few days later, she came up to me while I was working, feeling down and zoned out, probably regretting her behavior and what she said earlier. I still brushed it off like it never happened and later used it as a perfect example of what NOT to do and how NOT to behave in these kinds of situations in other job interviews.

Realize then, that when you let your anger face inwards and consume you, you fall victim to your own behavior and lose your power. By staying calm and composed, however, you will always keep yourself in check and maintain your power. And yes, I know that’s easier said than done in this crazy world, but it’s well worth the effort. Remember, only your own well-being, happiness, and power matter.

Personal Example 3:

As a health freak and bodybuilding enthusiast all of my life, I love going to the gym to kick some serious ass and have great workouts. One day, however, I encountered two fools who wanted to test my resolve and patience. Being the good-looking, muscular, and fit guy that I am, these older and not particularly attractive fools couldn’t help but let their own hate and envy get the best of them (Law 46).

And so, they started harassing me with some small petty BS as an excuse, when they were, in fact, just jealous of my mere presence. I’m not going to go into details, but I wouldn’t let it slide at all! Thus, after making some lame accusations about "inappropriate gym conduct", I fired back instantly, accusing them of doing similar things, which was actually true (Law 44). I attacked them relentlessly, non-stop, to let them know who they were dealing with (Law 19).

Again, shaming and guilt-trip tactics do not affect me whatsoever (points 1 and 2); I do as I please as long as I don’t hurt others who don’t deserve it. Needless to say, they quickly folded when they realized I was no joke or pushover. One of them (I never saw the other fool again) straight up avoided me at all costs once he realized there were serious consequences to his actions. It was funny to me, and I even politely gestured to him at one point, making the notion that it was not a big deal after all. But push me too far or make stupid accusations that have no root in reality, and all hell will be unleashed.

This is how you stay in control and maintain your power: by directing your anger outwards and unleashing it in a controlled manner on those who truly deserve it, like the fools I just mentioned. If someone is pointing their finger at you, then you must point it right back at them and never become a victim. After all, it’s not your fault; it’s their fault, and they’re the ones to blame for your frustration and anger, not you.

 

6. Never Become Rigid

Rigidity is one of the biggest obstacles to your power because the only thing that is constant in life is change itself (Charles Darwin). Thus, as I’ve mentioned many times previously, your ability to stay highly flexible, fluid, and adaptable is crucial to your success and power (Law 48). And this is easier said than done, given that most people are stuck in their own ways and will rarely change unless they have to (humans are inherently lazy, which is why only a minority truly succeeds).

Thus, you gain a big advantage on the battlefield if you’re able to stay proactive at all times, making wise decisions today that will ensure your future success. The reason why so many people and businesses fail all the time is that they stick to what they know instead of embracing the unknown, the trends and patterns that are relevant not just in the present moment, but also in the future.

The perfect example is the guys behind Blockbuster, who had a major opportunity to buy Netflix’s business model, only to be outcompeted in the market entirely by the creators of Netflix (remember my previous topic on how to avoid painful mistakes that will result in long-term failure?). On the other hand, businesses like Tesla, which proactively keep improving in both known and unknown areas, not only survive but thrive in the business world.

Musk is, in fact, one of the richest and most powerful men in history for a GOOD reason! The same goes for Bezos, who started with a simple online bookstore and later expanded into areas unrelated to books, making Amazon perhaps the most successful online store in history.

Thus, you should never become rigid because it’s only going to hold you back throughout your life. Only those who are constantly willing to change and adapt will survive and thrive in a world that is constantly changing for better or worse.

 

7. Avoid a Fixed Mindset

Just like you must never become rigid, you must also avoid a fixed mindset. People with a fixed mindset do not learn and grow efficiently. These people assume they already know what’s best for themselves and neglect to change their thinking, routines and habits for the better. Thus, these people never learn and achieve a higher consciousness to become the best version of themselves.

On the other hand, highly successful and powerful people keep themselves on their toes at all times and learn consistently every day throughout their lives because there’s so much to learn and there’s always room for improvement. These people know very well that the more they learn, the less they know, which keeps them humble and grounded. Humble and grounded people also typically receive more favors, offers, and opportunities throughout life.

Thus, practicing an open growth mindset can only help you obtain more power and reach a higher consciousness. The road to get there is painful and hard because it requires both real-life experiences and a strong willingness, determination, and dedication to learn and become the best in whatever field you choose in life.

Getting a college degree is a great start that will provide you with a higher conscience, as well as better opportunities, which means more money and power. But I would argue that your personal studies and willingness to acquire valuable knowledge in your own spare time are just as important. Never stop learning, and keep an open-mindedset that focuses on growth, as it can only benefit you in your quest for power.

 

8. Avoid Isolation

If you isolate yourself too much, you have no way to maneuver in the game of power, which is a social game (Law 18). It doesn’t matter if you’re an introvert and a Sigma male like me; too much isolation will essentially ruin your clarity over time. You might even start getting paranoid, angry, bitter, and resentful, which is detrimental to your mental health and well-being.

Understand that regardless of how independent you might be, you’re still dependent on other people, whether you like it or not. Thus, it is much better to embrace this fact than to ignore it, because ignoring it will only harm you and your future. You also have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by using other people to your own advantage, as long as you don’t make them resent you or distrust you.

People, just like myself, generally love helping other people because it will either make them feel important and/or appreciated, emotions that are priceless in the game of power. In fact, making other people feel valued and appreciated for their work, knowledge, and effort is a much more powerful tool than any monetary incentive.

Monetary incentives will more often than not come across as cold, heartless, and meaningless, which does not result in productivity and effort. However, people who feel valued and appreciated by your actions will never stop helping you out in times of need. You must also make sure to help other people in need when you can, because it’s the right thing to do, and it can only benefit you in the long-term if you play the game right.

But keep in mind that your dealings with people must be genuine and never fake. Most people can smell BS from a mile away, and so, as long as you come across as trustworthy, respectful, professional, and communicate clearly, they have no reason to reject you. But if you take them for granted or disrespect them in any kind of way, they can potentially close the door forever, which you must avoid at all costs.

Understand, then, that needing other people is not a weakness; it is, in fact, a strength because you can only become better at playing the social game by engaging with them, even as an introvert. It doesn’t mean you have to pretend or be somebody you’re not, because you shouldn’t; it just means that you keep the doors open and have valuable information and expertise at your fingertips, and you would be stupid not to take full advantage of it.

 

Conclusion

Although there are plenty more obstacles that can prevent you from becoming powerful, these are the 8 most common obstacles off the top of my head that you should be fully aware of. Feeling guilt, shame, and letting pride and anger get in the way are the most common obstacles, which many people struggle with in their everyday lives. Thus, if you want power, discard these useless emotions and focus on the bigger picture instead, as they will only hold you back.

On the other hand, if you want to play the game dirty, you can instill shame and guilt in others by pointing out their mistakes, flaws, wrongdoings, etc., which will help you gain an advantage on the battlefield. You can also play on their fragile ego and make them angry, which will make them lose their temper and make foolish mistakes that will be their own undoing.

People with little to no self-control never maintain a position of power for too long because they’re too caught up in the present moment in reactive mode to realize they’re destroying their future potential. Use this to your own advantage, then, by setting traps that will eventually lead to their own downfall in the end, while you stay on top of your game.

However, never use such tactics on people who don’t really deserve it or have it coming. Choose your marks and battles carefully instead, because whether you feel guilty or not, karma will find a way to punish and reward you in the end. Thus, it’s much safer to mind your own business, keep your hands clean at all times (Law 26), and let other people you dislike dig their own graves, as they often will.

One of my most hated enemies, whom I mocked relentlessly some years back, recently made a huge mistake that cost him a lot in terms of reputation (Law 5) and even threatened his position of power. However, I did not kick him while he was down; I actually felt pity for him instead and wished him well (only in my thoughts, of course).

Thus, leaving other people to their own wrongdoings and mistakes and taking the high road is usually the better option for your own well-being. This is especially true if you achieve success, which will only anger them even more, while you stay peaceful and blissful. As always, success is the best revenge.

I hope this has been beneficial in your quest for power. Stay on your grind and never give up, no matter what. Good things always come to those who put in the work and who stay patient consistently over many years. To the young people here, especially, remember you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by going all out on your potential. Those who came before you and who are above you do not care about you. They, just like the people who came before them, are too caught up in their own self-interest and ruthless quest for power (Law 1).

The sooner you realize that fact, the easier the journey becomes, because you will learn to take nothing personally and deal objectively with hard truths, facts, and competence only. Even in your darkest, weakest, and lowest moments, you will recognize the game for what it really is, and respect the rules with dignity, which is much better than to pretend, deny reality, and become a pitiful beggar (Law 22).

Stay hard, stay true, and stay in power! Your time will come!

One of the most difficult aspects of this game is maintaining your power because it's dynamic and is always shifting for better or worse. Even if you do everything right, and whether it’s your own fault or not, there are so many ways you can lose your power once you have obtained it. Thus, in this post, I’ll be going through some of the most important points to stay in power once you get there.

Before I go through each point, a quick reminder of what you have to do to get power in the first place. Your best option for obtaining and maintaining power is to focus on building a long-term career in a field that suits you the most (e.g., Economics, Engineering, IT, Law) as early as possible by creating a sense of urgency and using the death ground strategy (Read: The 33 Strategies of War).

That is the only way you’re going to achieve major goals in life and build up a solid foundation that is going to outlast you. Thus, your best bet in life is to choose a particular field of interest that is going to be both relevant now and in the future, securing you everlasting power. And once you have achieved that particular goal, here’s what you do and what you do not do to maintain it:

1. Avoid Making Painful Mistakes

The first point, tied to Law 5, is quite obvious. Do NOT make any stupid mistakes that will get you in trouble, both in the short-term and in the long-term. Since power itself is already fragile and fickle, you do not want to make it worse by your own doing. Basically, wherever you are and whatever you do, follow the rules and do not break the law. Period.

I’ve seen too many people screw up their entire career and life by doing stupid illegal shit once they’re in a position of power. Indeed, power and success can play strange tricks on the mind, making you think you’re invincible and untouchable. And once you have gotten away with some small evil deeds, this can quickly escalate by trying to get away with even bigger evil deeds. And before you know it, you’re caught red-handed and are completely done for.

Understand that nobody gets away with anything in life, so keep your hands clean at all times (Law 26). And if you do happen to get yourself in trouble, use Law 22 asap to quickly get back on your feet and restore your reputation. Realize that a solid reputation takes many years to build and develop, but can be torn down in just a matter of seconds, making your life a miserable hell.

Personal Example 1:

Back in 2010, I was fired for stealing a few items in a grocery store where I worked as a Shop employee. I was only 24 at the time and was sick and tired of asking my dad for money because the pay was so low and I only barely survived month after month. One day, I was so fed up that I made a stupid mistake that would cost me a lot, both at the time and in the future. Long story short, I lost my job immediately, I got severely depressed, and had to start all over again from rock bottom.

I eventually landed a new job in a production facility where I was also depressed and miserable because the place was a shithole. Then one day, I started really applying myself again and decided to pursue higher education, thinking to myself that anything must be better than this miserable place. And so, I did, and that was the beginning of an incredible journey where I went from a miserable nobody to a graduate Civic Economist from the best Business school in my country, achieving top marks in every subject except four.

The road was far from easy, though, literal hell at times, which could have easily gotten me killed more than once. But I made it nonetheless, thanks to my family, and it opened up a whole new world for me, filled with many great opportunities I otherwise would never have. Most importantly, I restored my reputation 100%, to the point where I could reject opportunities left and right, whether it was a great job opportunity or some hot chick I could potentially date. It didn’t matter to me because I knew my own worth and I was just happy to become self-actualized during my journey, which is the highest form of consciousness you can achieve in life.

Personal Example 2:

Related to the first example, I never received a certificate from the job I was fired from that proved I had worked there, even though I asked for one several times. And so, 12 years later, I had an interview with a recruitment agency regarding a bank job offer. Now, I had no idea which bank it was until I arrived at the interview, where the Recruiter told me it was DNB, the biggest bank in Norway. And DNB has a zero-tolerance policy that states I cannot work for the bank unless I have ALL of my certificates from my prior employers.

First off, I was not aware of this policy; otherwise, I would have never gone to the interview in the first place. Second, the previous workplace where I never received a certificate went bankrupt years after I was fired, and no longer exists. Meaning, I had zero chance of getting one at this point, making the interview a total waste of time.

Keep in mind, then, that whether you leave or get fired from a job, employers will often hesitate to give certificates after the termination because they usually don’t prioritize it. They have better things to do now that you’re gone, at least in their own mind. Thus, you should always ask for one as soon as you leave or get fired, and keep pushing until you get one to save your own future. For all DNB knows, I could have been a financial genius with an impressive track record over the last 5 years that could have made a huge positive impact for DNB, but because of their zero-tolerance policy, I can never work there.

Learn the lesson then, and avoid painful mistakes from the very start that can determine your destiny in the short-term and in the long-term. Believe me, that ONE mistake back in 2010 cost me more than I ever could have imagined, so please be careful in your own endeavors. Your power is dependent on your reputation at all times, and you must never spoil it by any means necessary.

However, I will also suggest that you never become overcautious or paranoid. In that case, it’s better to operate in the grey area and not take everything too seriously, as long as you don’t get yourself into legal trouble. Mistakes and failures will always come your way, regardless, and even the best managers and businesses will go under eventually because it’s inevitable. It's better to make the best of your situation as you move forward, always guarding your reputation and always keeping your overall goal in mind. That will help you obtain and maintain your power.

2. Go for Failure

If you go for failure, you have nothing to lose, which takes a lot of the burden off your shoulders. Everyone fails at some point, so it’s better to embrace the fact that failure is inevitable than to be constantly worried about it. Success is, in fact, more dangerous than failure because you can easily think it was your own brilliance that brought your success, while disregarding the factors that actually played a significant role in your success, like luck, coincidences, and timing. Success can also go to your head, make you overconfident, and make you go too far (Law 47) instead of keeping yourself well-balanced and level-headed, which is crucial for maintaining power.

Thus, by going for failure and staying indifferent to whatever outcome happens, you avoid this trap and help you maintain your power more easily. Understand that people who do not crave or seek power to begin with are typically the ones who actually get it because they present themselves in a manner that feels more appropriate to everyone else around them. More often than not, I don’t have to do anything special to acquire power; it is usually appointed to me by others who recognize me as “that responsible guy” who should have it.

Indeed, power should come naturally to you as well, instead of sheer force on your part. People generally can’t stand power-hungry individuals who will do anything to get it because it shows a lack of decency and character. And this is why the game is so indirect; we all want and crave power, but few of us want to admit it openly because it’s "wrong" or "bad". But this is how the game is played in modern society, and you have to play along by disguising your real intentions (Law 3). If you act like you don't want any power, you are more likely to obtain and maintain it, since they will gladly provide it.

3. Depend on the Right People

Maintaining your power usually requires some form of dependency on other people. Your goal, then, is to recognize who these key players are and what you must do to keep yourself in a position of power. Use Law 13 to figure out each person's psychology and play on their self-interest, giving them exactly what they want before receiving anything in return. In the game of power, you must always give before receiving and establish long-term relationships built on mutual trust and interest that will keep you in power.

Furthermore, if they’re above you, you must always rely on their goodwill and references for both the present moment and for future deals and opportunities. If they’re your co-workers, you must get along with them just enough not to make your days miserable and unbearable. And if they’re below you, you must teach and guide them in the right direction without having them end up resenting you.

In other words, by maintaining good and healthy relationships with other people in your circle, you’ll also be able to maintain your power more easily, both now and in the future. Your every move counts, so be careful and wary of what you do and how you act around other players. By watching yourself like a Hawk from above, you’ll never allow yourself to make stupid mistakes that will get you in trouble.

4. Maintain Your Independence

Whether you’re dependent on other people or not to maintain your power, you must remain independent and always come from a position of strength and never from a position of weakness. Fearfulness and weakness are never respected in this game, but strength, competence, and confidence will always be respected as long as you live.

By maintaining your own independence through strength and competence, you showcase to the people around you that you’re still a valuable and trustworthy player, which gives you more options to play with. In any event, becoming an Entrepreneur and working for yourself should be your end goal in life unless you really enjoy working for other people (Law 20). If so, then by all means keep working for others.

If not, the reason you should never work for other people unless you have to is that other employers will never "care" about you unless they need you. And as long as they don't need you or can easily replace you, maintaining your power becomes so much harder. Thus, you can either try to make it on your own or keep being a replaceable cog in the wheel. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t either way, which is why there’s never any point taking the game too seriously to begin with, as long as you don’t get yourself in trouble.

Personal Example 3:

Back in 2019, I worked for a company in a position I was initially rejected for since I was overqualified. I called the boss regardless and told her I wanted to work, and eventually got the job, which I then used as a base of operations while I was seeking other relevant jobs.

Keep in mind that two other fresh employees started with me at the same time. One of them was an obvious Beta, trying to disguise himself as an Alpha. I smelled him out right away, trying to control the situation by demonstrating his “interest and knowledge” in their products. But I knew he was a pathetic mark from the get-go, and even told him straight to his face I was going to psych him out in a playful manner.

Needless to say, his Alpha charade didn’t last very long, and his Betaness quickly came out, as he struggled to succeed in his new position, which required cold calls and selling services and products to the construction industry (B2B). It was pitiful and sad to watch, as he lacked the skills and confidence required to get the job done. I, on the other hand, quickly adapted to my new position, learned as quickly as possible, and did whatever was necessary to succeed in my role as usual (Law 23, Law 28, and Law 48).

In fact, after 3 months, I almost stole the Top 1 seller spot from someone who’s been working at the company for 14 years. I outshone everyone else around me, as the Middle Manager showcased employees’ graphs and stats during the monthly meetings with me at the very top. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise, as I was, in fact, overqualified and a top performer by nature.

Anyways, as I kept becoming more and more successful, the Beta became increasingly jealous, frustrated, and demoralized by his own failures (Law 46), only to get relieved and happy at moments where he actually managed to close a deal. Which was quite pathetic in itself because he didn’t get it, or refused to admit it to himself; NOBODY CARES ABOUT HIM AND HIS POOR FEELINGS! He would get so upset and discouraged whenever he introduced himself during a phone call, only to get hung up on immediately, as if these business owners couldn’t care less about him anyway.

I, however, did not take any rejections personally and just kept calling until someone showed interest. And when they did, my goal was always to help them solve a problem and not come across as a stereotypical seller who only wants to sell them something. That’s why I succeeded in the first place: I quickly learned to adapt to each person and gain their trust by mimicking their tone of voice and general mood (Law 48). I even established a long-term clientele relationship, in which he came back to me personally for more help and advice (Law 8).

Understand, in business, only power, money, supply, demand, self-interest, and mutual trust matter. And I’ve always played that game to the fullest as an INDEPENDENT person, and not as a DEPENDENT person. Realize the difference, because this Beta in his 40s HAD to take that job to support himself and his family. I, however, CHOSE to take that job deliberately and willingly, even though I was overqualified!

I would even berate the poor bastard at times whenever I was fed up, and he would quickly fold because he had no other choice. You see, I can get away with a lot of BS in whatever role I play at work because, as a high-achiever and top performer throughout my life, I always deliver the best results no matter what while maintaining my independence. And since results are all that really matters in the business world, I've had several employers begging me to stay after I've decided to leave. That is real value, that is real independence, and that is real power!

5. Practice Impression Management

Since the game is heavily reliant on appearances and the fact that you’re always judged on your appearance by the outside world, it doesn’t matter whether you’re on top or not in reality. What matters the most is how you come and how you’re perceived in the eyes of other valuable players that can make you or break you.

This is exactly why I never use the "Open for Work" option on my LinkedIn profile, because it automatically signals "weakness" to potential employers. People who use this option and then make a topic publicly about how they’re willing to work for this and that will, 10 out of 10 times, get little to no response. On the other hand, people who are already successful or appear successful get all the attention all the time.

Again, nobody cares about your goodness or willingness; they only care about your demonstrated experience and competence. And our human nature is still the same it has always been; whoever is already occupied, whether it’s having a job or a partner, will always be perceived as more valuable to the public eye. And you must always use this fact to your own advantage in the game of power, especially when you fail, because that’s when you will need it the most. Your perceived value alone can often save you in dark times, especially if you have maintained a good reputation that will keep you going.

Thus, in the periods in my life when I haven't been working for other people, I’ve started my own businesses and just worked for myself instead. That way, I continue to showcase my strength, competence, and independence to other powerful people who might be interested in working with me or even for me. My motto in life is always: I don’t need you; you need me!

And this is the position you always want to keep yourself in. But if you really do need others in some way or another, you must create your own valuable image that comes off as desirable and valuable to other people. You must also make them come to you naturally, and bait them whenever necessary (Law 8). However, keep in mind that you cannot fake real skills and competence. If your perceived valuable image does not reflect reality, they will quickly discard you, as the truth comes out.

Thus, whether you're a fresh player or an experienced player who has to start all over again, you HAVE to build up that experience and competence through hard work. There’s no other way around it unless you’re naturally talented at something. You will need to practice both aspects regardless, as it can only give you an advantage on the battlefield among other power players whose only desire is to take you out and claim the crown for themselves (Law 15).

6. Be Selfish

If you want power, you have to be selfish and do whatever it takes to get there, and most importantly, stay there. This game takes no prisoners, especially people who give themselves away freely, which only demonstrates they have no real value. The real world is ugly and dirty regardless of your perception of it, and you will have to get your nails dirty as well if you want to make it in this game.

And selfish people who don’t take any crap from anyone are always more respected and valued than selfless people who give themselves away. Why? Because selfish people value their own time, energy, and money more than anything else, which is essential to staying in power. People who are always available and needy scream weakness to everybody, whether they like it or not. And so, selfless people are pushovers who are easily walked right over by others.

Understand that being selfless only makes you feel better about yourself, but other than that, no real monetary value is created, nor does it increase your power whatsoever. There’s only power in giving to other people strategically, in which you make them feel dependent on you or indebted to you. But remember, people generally hate the feeling of gratitude and being indebted to others, which is why you must always avoid this trap set by other players, even your own mother.

Furthermore, just doing your best and being a good person is usually never enough, although I often wish it were. But realize that some games are dirtier than others, depending on where you end up in life, and you have to be prepared for anything at all times. Your battle scars will automatically make you hope for the best, but expect the worst at all times, hardening your mentality in your everyday struggles. You will also expect backstabbing as a natural part of the game, which is a good thing and not a bad thing, because it keeps you sharp and focused.

And whatever game you’re playing, Law 48 is, as always, your best chance to make it before considering any other law in the book. It will help you navigate any game successfully as long as you don’t transgress the other most important laws (Law 1, Law 3, Law 4, Law 5, etc.). Be selfish then, and always put yourself first before anyone else, as it can only benefit you in your quest for power.

7. Play the Long Game

If you want to maintain your power, playing the long game is not only your best chance; it’s your only chance. As I mentioned in the introduction, your power is strictly dependent on the foundation you have created early in life, which will sustain you in the years to come. Now, obviously, nobody knows what the future holds, but that’s not the point. The point is that there will always be some jobs and careers that will outlast everything else, and this is exactly where you need to keep your mind focused at all times. I always like to use doctors as the best examples, because doctors are always needed, no matter what, making it a superior long-term career choice.

Furthermore, by playing the long game, where you constantly make decisions today that have a long-term effect, you are setting yourself up for success rather than failure. Warren Buffett didn’t achieve 90% of his wealth before he turned 60 because that’s how long it takes to accumulate real wealth.

Thus, if you are highly sensitive to trends and patterns like me, you will sniff them out in the moment today and recognize their future potential. Because again, it’s the future that holds real potential for money and power. All you have to do is position yourself for the future by making the correct moves today and then use the time to your own advantage (Law 35).

Ask yourself, what good is getting that job today if it’s only relevant for the next 1-2 years? Why not pick something that is actually going to outlast you instead, so that you don’t need to hit rock bottom and start all over again? This is the difference between short-term thinking and long-term planning. The latter will keep you in power, whereas the former will only keep you in power for a short period of time at best. Thus, always aim for long-term everlasting power that will serve you well, and leave short-term opportunities for the sucker players.

8. Be Like Water

Since there are never any guarantees, regardless of being a highly independent individual with a long-term career path and a clear end goal in mind, your ability to remain flexible and adaptable is always key to maintaining your power. Yes, I'm of course talking about Law 48 again, which has saved me more times than I can count.

However, being too flexible can also work against you. Think about it, if you were meant to become an Engineer, would you really be happy working as a Nurse? Probably not, which is why I recommend always keeping your main goal in mind (Law 29) and using other opportunities, which are mostly related to your main goal, as stepping stones. Never waste time and energy on other opportunities that do not serve your main interests and purpose because chances are you’ll be miserable even if you achieve them.

On the other hand, if you do not have a main goal, spreading yourself out and taking advantage of other opportunities as much as possible is your best chance to stay in power. Just don’t get upset if you find yourself stuck in the rat race, which is the con of using this strategy. And so, I will always argue that it’s much better to go all in on one thing that’s going to maintain your power, both now and in the future (Law 23). Use the flexible strategy only if you have to, never because you want to. Nothing can replace long-term power; it's priceless.

Conclusion

Obtaining power is always much easier than maintaining power because so many things can go wrong, whether it’s your own fault or not. One day you’re on top of the world, feeling like a King or a Queen, only to hit rock bottom the very next day. I’ve experienced it again and again, and what's even worse is when you learn from your mistakes in one situation, only to fail in another situation by doing the exact opposite. Yes, what’s “wrong” in one situation can still be “correct” in the next situation, especially when it comes to investing. Thus, I hope these points will help you maintain your power more easily by avoiding typical traps and make good long-term choices.

One of the most difficult aspects of this game is maintaining your power because it's dynamic and is always shifting for better or worse. Even if you do everything right, and whether it’s your own fault or not, there are so many ways you can lose your power once you have obtained it. Thus, in this post, I’ll be going through some of the most important points to stay in power once you get there.

Before I go through each point, a quick reminder of what you have to do to get power in the first place. Your best option for obtaining and maintaining power is to focus on building a long-term career in a field that suits you the most (e.g., Economics, Engineering, IT, Law) as early as possible by creating a sense of urgency and using the death ground strategy (Read: The 33 Strategies of War).

That is the only way you’re going to achieve major goals in life and build up a solid foundation that is going to outlast you. Thus, your best bet in life is to choose a particular field of interest that is going to be both relevant now and in the future, securing you everlasting power. And once you have achieved that particular goal, here’s what you do and what you do not do to maintain it:

1. Avoid Making Painful Mistakes

The first point, tied to Law 5, is quite obvious. Do NOT make any stupid mistakes that will get you in trouble, both in the short-term and in the long-term. Since power itself is already fragile and fickle, you do not want to make it worse by your own doing. Basically, wherever you are and whatever you do, follow the rules and do not break the law. Period.

I’ve seen too many people screw up their entire career and life by doing stupid illegal shit once they’re in a position of power. Indeed, power and success can play strange tricks on the mind, making you think you’re invincible and untouchable. And once you have gotten away with some small evil deeds, this can quickly escalate by trying to get away with even bigger evil deeds. And before you know it, you’re caught red-handed and are completely done for.

Understand that nobody gets away with anything in life, so keep your hands clean at all times (Law 26). And if you do happen to get yourself in trouble, use Law 22 asap to quickly get back on your feet and restore your reputation. Realize that a solid reputation takes many years to build and develop, but can be torn down in just a matter of seconds, making your life a miserable hell.

Personal Example 1:

Back in 2010, I was fired for stealing a few items in a grocery store where I worked as a Shop employee. I was only 24 at the time and was sick and tired of asking my dad for money because the pay was so low and I only barely survived month after month. One day, I was so fed up that I made a stupid mistake that would cost me a lot, both at the time and in the future. Long story short, I lost my job immediately, I got severely depressed, and had to start all over again from rock bottom.

I eventually landed a new job in a production facility where I was also depressed and miserable because the place was a shithole. Then one day, I started really applying myself again and decided to pursue higher education, thinking to myself that anything must be better than this miserable place. And so, I did, and that was the beginning of an incredible journey where I went from a miserable nobody to a graduate Civic Economist from the best Business school in my country, achieving top marks in every subject except four.

The road was far from easy, though, literal hell at times, which could have easily gotten me killed more than once. But I made it nonetheless, thanks to my family, and it opened up a whole new world for me, filled with many great opportunities I otherwise would never have. Most importantly, I restored my reputation 100%, to the point where I could reject opportunities left and right, whether it was a great job opportunity or some hot chick I could potentially date. It didn’t matter to me because I knew my own worth and I was just happy to become self-actualized during my journey, which is the highest form of consciousness you can achieve in life.

Personal Example 2:

Related to the first example, I never received a certificate from the job I was fired from that proved I had worked there, even though I asked for one several times. And so, 12 years later, I had an interview with a recruitment agency regarding a bank job offer. Now, I had no idea which bank it was until I arrived at the interview, where the Recruiter told me it was DNB, the biggest bank in Norway. And DNB has a zero-tolerance policy that states I cannot work for the bank unless I have ALL of my certificates from my prior employers.

First off, I was not aware of this policy; otherwise, I would have never gone to the interview in the first place. Second, the previous workplace where I never received a certificate went bankrupt years after I was fired, and no longer exists. Meaning, I had zero chance of getting one at this point, making the interview a total waste of time.

Keep in mind, then, that whether you leave or get fired from a job, employers will often hesitate to give certificates after the termination because they usually don’t prioritize it. They have better things to do now that you’re gone, at least in their own mind. Thus, you should always ask for one as soon as you leave or get fired, and keep pushing until you get one to save your own future. For all DNB knows, I could have been a financial genius with an impressive track record over the last 5 years that could have made a huge positive impact for DNB, but because of their zero-tolerance policy, I can never work there.

Learn the lesson then, and avoid painful mistakes from the very start that can determine your destiny in the short-term and in the long-term. Believe me, that ONE mistake back in 2010 cost me more than I ever could have imagined, so please be careful in your own endeavors. Your power is dependent on your reputation at all times, and you must never spoil it by any means necessary.

However, I will also suggest that you never become overcautious or paranoid. In that case, it’s better to operate in the grey area and not take everything too seriously, as long as you don’t get yourself into legal trouble. Mistakes and failures will always come your way, regardless, and even the best managers and businesses will go under eventually because it’s inevitable. It's better to make the best of your situation as you move forward, always guarding your reputation and always keeping your overall goal in mind. That will help you obtain and maintain your power.

2. Go for Failure

If you go for failure, you have nothing to lose, which takes a lot of the burden off your shoulders. Everyone fails at some point, so it’s better to embrace the fact that failure is inevitable than to be constantly worried about it. Success is, in fact, more dangerous than failure because you can easily think it was your own brilliance that brought your success, while disregarding the factors that actually played a significant role in your success, like luck, coincidences, and timing. Success can also go to your head, make you overconfident, and make you go too far (Law 47) instead of keeping yourself well-balanced and level-headed, which is crucial for maintaining power.

Thus, by going for failure and staying indifferent to whatever outcome happens, you avoid this trap and help you maintain your power more easily. Understand that people who do not crave or seek power to begin with are typically the ones who actually get it because they present themselves in a manner that feels more appropriate to everyone else around them. More often than not, I don’t have to do anything special to acquire power; it is usually appointed to me by others who recognize me as “that responsible guy” who should have it.

Indeed, power should come naturally to you as well, instead of sheer force on your part. People generally can’t stand power-hungry individuals who will do anything to get it because it shows a lack of decency and character. And this is why the game is so indirect; we all want and crave power, but few of us want to admit it openly because it’s "wrong" or "bad". But this is how the game is played in modern society, and you have to play along by disguising your real intentions (Law 3). If you act like you don't want any power, you are more likely to obtain and maintain it, since they will gladly provide it.

3. Depend on the Right People

Maintaining your power usually requires some form of dependency on other people. Your goal, then, is to recognize who these key players are and what you must do to keep yourself in a position of power. Use Law 13 to figure out each person's psychology and play on their self-interest, giving them exactly what they want before receiving anything in return. In the game of power, you must always give before receiving and establish long-term relationships built on mutual trust and interest that will keep you in power.

Furthermore, if they’re above you, you must always rely on their goodwill and references for both the present moment and for future deals and opportunities. If they’re your co-workers, you must get along with them just enough not to make your days miserable and unbearable. And if they’re below you, you must teach and guide them in the right direction without having them end up resenting you.

In other words, by maintaining good and healthy relationships with other people in your circle, you’ll also be able to maintain your power more easily, both now and in the future. Your every move counts, so be careful and wary of what you do and how you act around other players. By watching yourself like a Hawk from above, you’ll never allow yourself to make stupid mistakes that will get you in trouble.

4. Maintain Your Independence

Whether you’re dependent on other people or not to maintain your power, you must remain independent and always come from a position of strength and never from a position of weakness. Fearfulness and weakness are never respected in this game, but strength, competence, and confidence will always be respected as long as you live.

By maintaining your own independence through strength and competence, you showcase to the people around you that you’re still a valuable and trustworthy player, which gives you more options to play with. In any event, becoming an Entrepreneur and working for yourself should be your end goal in life unless you really enjoy working for other people (Law 20). If so, then by all means keep working for others.

If not, the reason you should never work for other people unless you have to is that other employers will never "care" about you unless they need you. And as long as they don't need you or can easily replace you, maintaining your power becomes so much harder. Thus, you can either try to make it on your own or keep being a replaceable cog in the wheel. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t either way, which is why there’s never any point taking the game too seriously to begin with, as long as you don’t get yourself in trouble.

Personal Example 3:

Back in 2019, I worked for a company in a position I was initially rejected for since I was overqualified. I called the boss regardless and told her I wanted to work, and eventually got the job, which I then used as a base of operations while I was seeking other relevant jobs.

Keep in mind that two other fresh employees started with me at the same time. One of them was an obvious Beta, trying to disguise himself as an Alpha. I smelled him out right away, trying to control the situation by demonstrating his “interest and knowledge” in their products. But I knew he was a pathetic mark from the get-go, and even told him straight to his face I was going to psych him out in a playful manner.

Needless to say, his Alpha charade didn’t last very long, and his Betaness quickly came out, as he struggled to succeed in his new position, which required cold calls and selling services and products to the construction industry (B2B). It was pitiful and sad to watch, as he lacked the skills and confidence required to get the job done. I, on the other hand, quickly adapted to my new position, learned as quickly as possible, and did whatever was necessary to succeed in my role as usual (Law 23, Law 28, and Law 48).

In fact, after 3 months, I almost stole the Top 1 seller spot from someone who’s been working at the company for 14 years. I outshone everyone else around me, as the Middle Manager showcased employees’ graphs and stats during the monthly meetings with me at the very top. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise, as I was, in fact, overqualified and a top performer by nature.

Anyways, as I kept becoming more and more successful, the Beta became increasingly jealous, frustrated, and demoralized by his own failures (Law 46), only to get relieved and happy at moments where he actually managed to close a deal. Which was quite pathetic in itself because he didn’t get it, or refused to admit it to himself; NOBODY CARES ABOUT HIM AND HIS POOR FEELINGS! He would get so upset and discouraged whenever he introduced himself during a phone call, only to get hung up on immediately, as if these business owners couldn’t care less about him anyway.

I, however, did not take any rejections personally and just kept calling until someone showed interest. And when they did, my goal was always to help them solve a problem and not come across as a stereotypical seller who only wants to sell them something. That’s why I succeeded in the first place: I quickly learned to adapt to each person and gain their trust by mimicking their tone of voice and general mood (Law 48). I even established a long-term clientele relationship, in which he came back to me personally for more help and advice (Law 8).

Understand, in business, only power, money, supply, demand, self-interest, and mutual trust matter. And I’ve always played that game to the fullest as an INDEPENDENT person, and not as a DEPENDENT person. Realize the difference, because this Beta in his 40s HAD to take that job to support himself and his family. I, however, CHOSE to take that job deliberately and willingly, even though I was overqualified!

I would even berate the poor bastard at times whenever I was fed up, and he would quickly fold because he had no other choice. You see, I can get away with a lot of BS in whatever role I play at work because, as a high-achiever and top performer throughout my life, I always deliver the best results no matter what while maintaining my independence. And since results are all that really matters in the business world, I've had several employers begging me to stay after I've decided to leave. That is real value, that is real independence, and that is real power!

5. Practice Impression Management

Since the game is heavily reliant on appearances and the fact that you’re always judged on your appearance by the outside world, it doesn’t matter whether you’re on top or not in reality. What matters the most is how you come and how you’re perceived in the eyes of other valuable players that can make you or break you.

This is exactly why I never use the "Open for Work" option on my LinkedIn profile, because it automatically signals "weakness" to potential employers. People who use this option and then make a topic publicly about how they’re willing to work for this and that will, 10 out of 10 times, get little to no response. On the other hand, people who are already successful or appear successful get all the attention all the time.

Again, nobody cares about your goodness or willingness; they only care about your demonstrated experience and competence. And our human nature is still the same it has always been; whoever is already occupied, whether it’s having a job or a partner, will always be perceived as more valuable to the public eye. And you must always use this fact to your own advantage in the game of power, especially when you fail, because that’s when you will need it the most. Your perceived value alone can often save you in dark times, especially if you have maintained a good reputation that will keep you going.

Thus, in the periods in my life when I haven't been working for other people, I’ve started my own businesses and just worked for myself instead. That way, I continue to showcase my strength, competence, and independence to other powerful people who might be interested in working with me or even for me. My motto in life is always: I don’t need you; you need me!

And this is the position you always want to keep yourself in. But if you really do need others in some way or another, you must create your own valuable image that comes off as desirable and valuable to other people. You must also make them come to you naturally, and bait them whenever necessary (Law 8). However, keep in mind that you cannot fake real skills and competence. If your perceived valuable image does not reflect reality, they will quickly discard you, as the truth comes out.

Thus, whether you're a fresh player or an experienced player who has to start all over again, you HAVE to build up that experience and competence through hard work. There’s no other way around it unless you’re naturally talented at something. You will need to practice both aspects regardless, as it can only give you an advantage on the battlefield among other power players whose only desire is to take you out and claim the crown for themselves (Law 15).

6. Be Selfish

If you want power, you have to be selfish and do whatever it takes to get there, and most importantly, stay there. This game takes no prisoners, especially people who give themselves away freely, which only demonstrates they have no real value. The real world is ugly and dirty regardless of your perception of it, and you will have to get your nails dirty as well if you want to make it in this game.

And selfish people who don’t take any crap from anyone are always more respected and valued than selfless people who give themselves away. Why? Because selfish people value their own time, energy, and money more than anything else, which is essential to staying in power. People who are always available and needy scream weakness to everybody, whether they like it or not. And so, selfless people are pushovers who are easily walked right over by others.

Understand that being selfless only makes you feel better about yourself, but other than that, no real monetary value is created, nor does it increase your power whatsoever. There’s only power in giving to other people strategically, in which you make them feel dependent on you or indebted to you. But remember, people generally hate the feeling of gratitude and being indebted to others, which is why you must always avoid this trap set by other players, even your own mother.

Furthermore, just doing your best and being a good person is usually never enough, although I often wish it were. But realize that some games are dirtier than others, depending on where you end up in life, and you have to be prepared for anything at all times. Your battle scars will automatically make you hope for the best, but expect the worst at all times, hardening your mentality in your everyday struggles. You will also expect backstabbing as a natural part of the game, which is a good thing and not a bad thing, because it keeps you sharp and focused.

And whatever game you’re playing, Law 48 is, as always, your best chance to make it before considering any other law in the book. It will help you navigate any game successfully as long as you don’t transgress the other most important laws (Law 1, Law 3, Law 4, Law 5, etc.). Be selfish then, and always put yourself first before anyone else, as it can only benefit you in your quest for power.

7. Play the Long Game

If you want to maintain your power, playing the long game is not only your best chance; it’s your only chance. As I mentioned in the introduction, your power is strictly dependent on the foundation you have created early in life, which will sustain you in the years to come. Now, obviously, nobody knows what the future holds, but that’s not the point. The point is that there will always be some jobs and careers that will outlast everything else, and this is exactly where you need to keep your mind focused at all times. I always like to use doctors as the best examples, because doctors are always needed, no matter what, making it a superior long-term career choice.

Furthermore, by playing the long game, where you constantly make decisions today that have a long-term effect, you are setting yourself up for success rather than failure. Warren Buffett didn’t achieve 90% of his wealth before he turned 60 because that’s how long it takes to accumulate real wealth.

Thus, if you are highly sensitive to trends and patterns like me, you will sniff them out in the moment today and recognize their future potential. Because again, it’s the future that holds real potential for money and power. All you have to do is position yourself for the future by making the correct moves today and then use the time to your own advantage (Law 35).

Ask yourself, what good is getting that job today if it’s only relevant for the next 1-2 years? Why not pick something that is actually going to outlast you instead, so that you don’t need to hit rock bottom and start all over again? This is the difference between short-term thinking and long-term planning. The latter will keep you in power, whereas the former will only keep you in power for a short period of time at best. Thus, always aim for long-term everlasting power that will serve you well, and leave short-term opportunities for the sucker players.

8. Be Like Water

Since there are never any guarantees, regardless of being a highly independent individual with a long-term career path and a clear end goal in mind, your ability to remain flexible and adaptable is always key to maintaining your power. Yes, I'm of course talking about Law 48 again, which has saved me more times than I can count.

However, being too flexible can also work against you. Think about it, if you were meant to become an Engineer, would you really be happy working as a Nurse? Probably not, which is why I recommend always keeping your main goal in mind (Law 29) and using other opportunities, which are mostly related to your main goal, as stepping stones. Never waste time and energy on other opportunities that do not serve your main interests and purpose because chances are you’ll be miserable even if you achieve them.

On the other hand, if you do not have a main goal, spreading yourself out and taking advantage of other opportunities as much as possible is your best chance to stay in power. Just don’t get upset if you find yourself stuck in the rat race, which is the con of using this strategy. And so, I will always argue that it’s much better to go all in on one thing that’s going to maintain your power, both now and in the future (Law 23). Use the flexible strategy only if you have to, never because you want to. Nothing can replace long-term power; it's priceless.

Conclusion

Obtaining power is always much easier than maintaining power because so many things can go wrong, whether it’s your own fault or not. One day you’re on top of the world, feeling like a King or a Queen, only to hit rock bottom the very next day. I’ve experienced it again and again, and what's even worse is when you learn from your mistakes in one situation, only to fail in another situation by doing the exact opposite. Yes, what’s “wrong” in one situation can still be “correct” in the next situation, especially when it comes to investing. Thus, I hope these points will help you maintain your power more easily by avoiding typical traps and make good long-term choices.

Related to my previous thread where I asked for advice before entering this time around. Well, I made it, and it actually was a lot easier than first expected. However, I did question myself during the very first encounter that made me look weak and pathetic as hell. But it eventually got a lot easier once I got the hang of the right strategy and approach.

Now, I didn’t like my whole Hero composition, but I thought I would follow someone else’s advice for once and bring Hound Master with me, as he does extra damage to Beast. I also brought Bounty Hunter with me, since HM also does 100% damage to marked enemies, making them a deadly combo. Finally, I brought MAA and Vestal with me for heal and protection. They both played a significant role during this run, no doubt about it.

Furthermore, I refused to get bullied this time around. The enemies SHOULD be «easy» to deal with, and if they’re not, then you’re just not strong enough yet. And although I almost lost my BH once again (he was at death's door several times and had only 1 HP left when I left the dungeon), I kept ALL of them alive until the bitter end. And yes, I am very proud about that fact!

I even went to every single room to locate those shrines I had to activate, and I only camped ONCE despite the fact it was a long run. I actually ran out of food to make a second camp without taking any health and stress damage. And so, I didn’t.

Now, the last boss had me a little worried, but I quickly got rid of his two annoying little friends before focusing him down with my BH and HM. My BH first attack took over half of his health after I marked his sorry ass, and then I knew it was all over. He did beat the hell out of me though, but my MAA saved the day as always.

And so, the run wasn’t all that difficult when I figured out the right approach to deal with the enemies in the best way possible. If anything, it was my heroes getting stressed the f out as usual that was the real problem. Luckily, two of my heroes ended up becoming virtuous once they hit 100, which helped a LOT during this run!

And that’s it. I couldn’t wait any longer before entering again, and I also couldn’t care less if I lost some of my heroes because I refuse to let this game intimidate me and make it doubt myself anymore. Like so much else in life, this game is all about psychology. You need to have the right and tough mindset to deal with this game properly. If shit gets hard, you need to get harder, period, and dominate the f out of this game.

Alright, enough talk. Looking forward to my third run. Thanks for the advices and have a good one 👍

I think it’s about time I clear up some misconceptions about power, as I keep seeing people coming to this sub with their moral superiority, and who disregard these laws like they’re «bad» or «evil». So this post is dedicated to you, and I do not intend to come across mean or judgmental here. It just has to be said.

Perhaps it’s the Internet that makes some of you take things way too seriously and literally (life itself is too complex), but you people need to understand that there’s nothing evil about these laws of power. Robert literally made them to make your life easier, as I share my knowledge and experience to make your life easier.

To dig deeper, I have a feeling that the word «power» still has a stereotypical negative connotation in so many of you people’s minds. Many of you probably grew up, believing that powerful people are evil, and it stuck with you like glue. And I get it, I really do!

Yes, power can indeed be used for evil, just as much as it can be used for good. And yes, many powerful people are tyrannical a-holes, just as much as many powerful people are goodhearted and noble. Most people are both good and bad, just trying to do their best to survive and thrive with the hand they were dealt in life. And most people just want to earn an honest living and live a good life. And that’s all good.

But when we’re talking about business and people in positions of power, which is what this book is all about (because it’s basically a manual for people who want to thrive and succeed in these business environments), these people are generally not evil, narcissistic, arrogant a-holes. In fact, they’re usually the complete opposite; humble, graceful, kind, and noble.

Do you know why? Because they have power! And people who have power are usually much better persons than people who don’t have any power. Robert has stated this many times himself; powerless people are much more dangerous than powerful people. And so, unless you’re an a-hole to begin with, power doesn’t make you a worse person, it makes you a better person because having power is a gift (and a curse).

I’ve worked for- and engaged with plenty of people in positions of power, and most of these people fall into the latter (good, hardworking, kind, humble) and not the former (evil, lazy, cruel, arrogant). I too have held plenty positions of power, and I can promise you that when I have, I watch myself and my own actions constantly ALL the time like a hawk to make sure I’m on the right track and that I do NOT offend and push people around me away from me.

Because if I get careless and reckless with my position, I will lose that power immediately. And so, I have to work so much harder to appear good and be good to those around me, because reputation means everything in this world (Law 5), and you can’t let it slip!

Thus, as the old saying goes; with great power comes great responsibility. It’s nothing easy or pretty about it, which is why many bosses and managers demote themselves to the lowest position possible because they can’t handle the responsibility and pressure.

I saw this happen several times very early in my own career. You want to be the boss? Good, you can expect a lot of hate and ingratitude, even if you’re the perfect boss, which does not exist. Who ever said having power is fun? It’s not, it can be pure hell at times, which is why so many people choose an easier route to relieve themselves of all that pain and pressure.

But again, when it comes to personality, behavior and attitude, most powerful people I’ve worked for and engaged with are graceful, humble, and dignified people. That’s what real power does to you!

Thus, please stop taking so many of these laws out of context for some «evil scheme» to become a Machiavellian tyrant. It doesn’t work like that anymore in modern society, although it’s far from perfect. Most normal people just want powerful people to lead and rule in a responsible manner that serves the common good.

It’s usually our political differences that makes us fight eachother and claim the other party as «evil» with our own justifications. But again, life is too complex to have such an narrow minded viewpoint.

Nobody is entirely right or wrong, or entirely good or bad. Life is just suffering for the most part, which is why obtaining power is a means to ease that suffering. Trust me, I suffered a LOT more before I obtained power. And when I suffer less, other people around me suffer less as well, which again makes power a good thing, not a bad thing.

Finally, keep in mind that half or more of all the laws are soft laws that has nothing evil about them at all. For example, there’s nothing «evil» about saying less than necessary, it’s just common sense. There’s nothing «evil» about guarding your reputation either, that is also just common sense. Furthermore, there’s nothing «evil» about winning the hearts and minds of others, that just brings everyone together. And there’s nothing «evil» about creating compelling spectacles, that’s just fun entertainment!

I could go on and on. And so, do know that when I contribute in this sub, I am being very serious with my input, but not in the «evil» Machiavellian way many of you would like to think. I’ve lived all of these laws way before I even read this book, and I want you people to thrive in this game as much as possible by giving you valuable information, and not just survive this game by making the same painful mistakes I did.

I have, in fact, written my own little mini power book a long time ago that goes through each law (not all of them of course) that gives you real life examples of whenever I screwed up and transgressed a certain law. Real life experience is the best experience when it comes to obtaining and maintaining power.

And so, it’s essentially my own personal power guide, based on my own experience. I thought it might be helpful to many of you, but I’ve decided not to post it, and rather contribute regularly when needed instead. I think that works the best anyway.

I just hope more of you people finally understand the real meaning of power now, and that it’s not something evil in itself. But I would be lying to you if I told you that you didn’t have to play a little dirty to get anywhere in life.

Or put in another way; if you really want power, and if you really want to reach the top of the cream, you must be willing to do whatever it takes to get there because it’s not easy. It requires many years of hard and painful work, and you will fail many times again and again.

But is it worth it? You damn right it is, because life is short, you have nothing to lose, being powerless is your alternative, and being powerless will only make you miserable.

Learn the game and play it well!

I think it’s about time I clear up some misconceptions about power, as I keep seeing people coming to this sub with their moral superiority, and who disregard these laws like they’re «bad» or «evil». So this post is dedicated to you, and I do not intend to come across mean or judgmental here. It just has to be said.

Perhaps it’s the Internet that makes some of you take things way too seriously and literally (life itself is too complex), but you people need to understand that there’s nothing evil about these laws of power. Robert literally made them to make your life easier, as I share my knowledge and experience to make your life easier.

To dig deeper, I have a feeling that the word «power» still has a stereotypical negative connotation in so many of you people’s minds. Many of you probably grew up, believing that powerful people are evil, and it stuck with you like glue. And I get it, I really do!

Yes, power can indeed be used for evil, just as much as it can be used for good. And yes, many powerful people are tyrannical a-holes, just as much as many powerful people are goodhearted and noble. Most people are both good and bad, just trying to do their best to survive and thrive with the hand they were dealt in life. And most people just want to earn an honest living and live a good life. And that’s all good.

But when we’re talking about business and people in positions of power, which is what this book is all about (because it’s basically a manual for people who want to thrive and succeed in these business environments), these people are generally not evil, narcissistic, arrogant a-holes. In fact, they’re usually the complete opposite; humble, graceful, kind, and noble.

Do you know why? Because they have power! And people who have power are usually much better persons than people who don’t have any power. Robert has stated this many times himself; powerless people are much more dangerous than powerful people. And so, unless you’re an a-hole to begin with, power doesn’t make you a worse person, it makes you a better person because having power is a gift (and a curse).

I’ve worked for- and engaged with plenty of people in positions of power, and most of these people fall into the latter (good, hardworking, kind, humble) and not the former (evil, lazy, cruel, arrogant). I too have held plenty positions of power, and I can promise you that when I have, I watch myself and my own actions constantly ALL the time like a hawk to make sure I’m on the right track and that I do NOT offend and push people around me away from me.

Because if I get careless and reckless with my position, I will lose that power immediately. And so, I have to work so much harder to appear good and be good to those around me, because reputation means everything in this world (Law 5), and you can’t let it slip!

Thus, as the old saying goes; with great power comes great responsibility. It’s nothing easy or pretty about it, which is why many bosses and managers demote themselves to the lowest position possible because they can’t handle the responsibility and pressure.

I saw this happen several times very early in my own career. You want to be the boss? Good, you can expect a lot of hate and ingratitude, even if you’re the perfect boss, which does not exist. Who ever said having power is fun? It’s not, it can be pure hell at times, which is why so many people choose an easier route to relieve themselves of all that pain and pressure.

But again, when it comes to personality, behavior and attitude, most powerful people I’ve worked for and engaged with are graceful, humble, and dignified people. That’s what real power does to you!

Thus, please stop taking so many of these laws out of context for some «evil scheme» to become a Machiavellian tyrant. It doesn’t work like that anymore in modern society, although it’s far from perfect. Most normal people just want powerful people to lead and rule in a responsible manner that serves the common good.

It’s usually our political differences that makes us fight eachother and claim the other party as «evil» with our own justifications. But again, life is too complex to have such an narrow minded viewpoint.

Nobody is entirely right or wrong, or entirely good or bad. Life is just suffering for the most part, which is why obtaining power is a means to ease that suffering. Trust me, I suffered a LOT more before I obtained power. And when I suffer less, other people around me suffer less as well, which again makes power a good thing, not a bad thing.

Finally, keep in mind that half or more of all the laws are soft laws that has nothing evil about them at all. For example, there’s nothing «evil» about saying less than necessary, it’s just common sense. There’s nothing «evil» about guarding your reputation either, that is also just common sense. Furthermore, there’s nothing «evil» about winning the hearts and minds of others, that just brings everyone together. And there’s nothing «evil» about creating compelling spectacles, that’s just fun entertainment!

I could go on and on. And so, do know that when I contribute in this sub, I am being very serious with my input, but not in the «evil» Machiavellian way many of you would like to think. I’ve lived all of these laws way before I even read this book, and I want you people to thrive in this game as much as possible by giving you valuable information, and not just survive this game by making the same painful mistakes I did.

I have, in fact, written my own little mini power book a long time ago that goes through each law (not all of them of course) that gives you real life examples of whenever I screwed up and transgressed a certain law. Real life experience is the best experience when it comes to obtaining and maintaining power.

And so, it’s essentially my own personal power guide, based on my own experience. I thought it might be helpful to many of you, but I’ve decided not to post it, and rather contribute regularly when needed instead. I think that works the best anyway.

I just hope more of you people finally understand the real meaning of power now, and that it’s not something evil in itself. But I would be lying to you if I told you that you didn’t have to play a little dirty to get anywhere in life.

Or put in another way; if you really want power, and if you really want to reach the top of the cream, you must be willing to do whatever it takes to get there because it’s not easy. It requires many years of hard and painful work, and you will fail many times again and again.

But is it worth it? You damn right it is, because life is short, you have nothing to lose, being powerless is your alternative, and being powerless will only make you miserable.

Learn the game and play it well!

I got slaughtered and quit the game entirely the first time around, because I made the foolish assumption thinking that the Talisman of the Flame trinkets were basically going to make me invincible. Indeed, overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer…

Now that I’ve beat the Shuffling Horror yet again, what suggestion do you have before re-entering? I can’t use the same heroes, which is a shame because they’re really good, but I do have some good backups. I probably should spend some time upgrading them as much as possible in terms of quirks and trinkets to make them even better than the ones I used first. It can only get worse from here, right?

Any advice will be appreciated. I’m motivated to test the waters already, but if it’s one thing I know about this game, no matter how strong and powerful you think you are, the game comes back at you, smacking you right in the face 🤕

And why exactly are they your favorites?

My personal favorites are as followed:

Bounty Hunter

Easily one of the best attackers in the game. As a Strategist, I can relate to his planning moves (mark/stun abilities) before crushing the enemy totally. He also has two of the best trinkets in the game, which boost his damage, accuracy, and critical hit rate.

The only downside is his HP level with a maximum of 45, making him a bit vulnerable, especially later in the game. But if you can boost his HP and protection along the way, he can become an absolute monster. He also has great camping buff skills that is excellent to utilize before facing a boss.

All around, just a great hero.

Leper

The Leper gets a lot of hate for his lack of speed and accuracy, but his high HP level, high damage output, and great skills make up for it. He truly is one of the most tanky heroes in the game, which never makes me hesitate to put him on the frontline. If shit gets hard during a battle, he can always use Withstand to boost his protection and other stats significantly and then use Solemnity to both recover health and reduce stress at the same time.

It’s also easy to boost his accuracy and speed through trinkets and quirks along the journey. Just like the Bounty Hunter, the Leper also has great personal trinkets. He can also boost his accuracy significantly during camping, which is very ideal before a boss fight. No question about it, when he lands hits, he hits hard!

Grave Robber

Grave Robber easily became one of my favorite heroes when I first played this game due to her stealthy nature and sneaky attacks. She can fit any hero composition and do just fine by herself. The best part about the Grave Robber is her Shadow Fade skill, which instantly cloaks her and increases her stats significantly. No enemy can hit her until she lounges at them first, dealing up to +100% damage!

Furthermore, she can pierce through enemy armor, dealing extra damage, and she can also do extra damage against marked and blighted targets. She can even bleed and blight enemies, while healing herself from bleed/blight and increase her speed and dodge at the same time. In fact, she has some of the best speed and dodge stats in the game.

Her biggest drawback is just like the Bounty Hunter, even lower HP, which makes her very vulnerable. Luckily, her high speed and dodge level makes up for it, but boosting her HP should be a priority if you want to continue playing with her throughout the game. Her Shadow Fade skill can only save her for so long.

Finally, Grave Robber is a brilliant disease remover, both for herself and other heroes during camping. It doesn’t matter how many diseases she or the the other selected hero has, she will remove them all in one go! This is an excellent strategy if you want to save valuable time and money after a dungeon run. Nothing more to say, the Grave Robber is simply amazing.

Shield Breaker

I’ve just recently begun playing with the Shield Breaker, and she quickly became one of my favorite heroes for obvious reasons. First off, her main attack can hit any enemy slot, dealing great damage, especially to enemies with protection (armor piercing).

She also has an impale attack, which goes through every enemy from the front to the back. It’s a great move to begin and finish with, although it will often miss its targets. But when it goes through, it’s pure gold and leaves your enemies severely weakened.

Furthermore, she also has two blight attacks, one which often does more damage than her Piercing attack, and another that does +40% damage to marked targets, making her an excellent combo with the Bounty Hunter and the Musketeer/Arbalest.

But one of the best things about the Shield Breaker is her Serpent Sway skill, which literally makes her invincible for two consecutive attacks. At the same time, she boosts her speed by 1 for four rounds. So, if your Shield Breaker is at deaths door, this move is literally a life saver. Your Vestal or Occulist can heal her up in the meanwhile, or/and use MAA to guard her.

Shield Breaker's weakness is that she also suffers from low HP. So again, boosting her HP and protection is very important. However, she also has some of the best personalized trinkets in the game, as well as having some of the best camping skills. Her ability to significantly increase her own HP and protection during camping is especially important before facing a boss.

Man At Arms

Arguably the best defender in the game with excellent buffs for your whole army. Guarding your heroes and boosting his own protection up to 90% at the same time is nothing but impressive. He's the main reason why Vvulf went from being a severe threat to a complete joke! His bombs hardly do any damage at all if you manage to get MAA up to 90%.

All of his buffs are also great, boosting your heroes dodge, accuracy, critical rate, and even reduce stress levels during a battle. In addition, he can reduce every enemy’s dodge and speed. You just can’t go wrong with this guy. And although I usually don’t use him as an attacker, he can pack a punch whenever needed. Just like Highwayman, he also has the great Riposte ability.

Highwayman

Speaking of Highwayman, he has also become one of my favorite heroes in the game. Where do I even begin? All of his attack moves are amazing, both ranged and melee. But let’s just start with his Duelist’s Advance attack, which activates Riposte. What makes Highwayman so powerful, is the fact that he has perhaps the highest critical hit chance in the game. And with Riposte activated, he becomes both a great attacker and defender. There’s nothing better than to watch your hero constantly go to town on your enemies without any effort at all, landing critical hit after critical hit. Definitely one of the best abilities in the game!

He can also make the enemy bleed, and his Grapeshot blast can tear through the first three enemies, which is a great move to get rid of the leftovers. Oh, and his Point Blank Shot provides +50% damage to whoever happens to stand in the front. I particularly love to use this move against Brigand Bloodletter, giving him a taste of his own medicine. You can always add salt to injury by using his Tracking Shot ability right before this move, as it increases his accuracy, critical hit rate, and damage.

Finally, Highwayman has some of the best camping skills in the game, mainly his ability to boost his ranged and melee attacks significantly. I always prefer to go the Melee route, as I feel like he does more melee damage than ranged damage overall. It has also something to do with his Riposte ability, which I always want to maximize.

And as with so many other heroes, his main weakness is his low HP. I’ve almost lost him twice because he is not that hard to kill, which is why giving him as much HP and protection as possible is a must. Even with 25% protection, he is still very vulnerable. Thus, MAA comes in handy for extra protection. In fact, guarding Highwayman, while both have their Riposte ability activated is a great strategy.

Hellion

Now, THIS is one hero I absolutely love! Hellion doesn’t get enough credit for her overall stats and performance. She has almost no weaknesses except getting debuffed with certain attack moves during combat. But even those can be re-buffed with her Adrenaline Rush skill, making her only stronger and tougher to deal with. She can even remove her own blight and bleed at the same time.

One of the best things about Hellion, is the fact that she is great at hitting the enemy from the front to the back to the very middle, making her incredibly flexible. Her Breakthrough attack is great at both weakening and cleaning up the three first enemies. And her Iron Swan attack is incredibly useful to attack enemies at the very back. It does high damage as well. Tempting Goblets does not stand a chance against her, as long as you hit them. And yes, I really hate those little bastards.

Not much more to say, other than that she also has some good camping skills, as well as some great personal trinkets. All in all, you can never go wrong with Hellion, she’s a total BEAST!

Musketeer

I’ve also just recently begun playing with the Musketeer, but she’s definitely a force to be reckoned with. In fact, I love her so much that I always want to include her in my army composition. She can mark targets, reduce the enemy’s dodge significantly, and often land critical hits, making her one of the best heroes in terms of damage output. And her ability to hit targets in the back with great accuracy and damage makes her priceless.

She's also a healer and can stack healing received each time she heals. The same goes for her Sidearm attack, which attacks a random enemy and increases her speed with +3 at the same time. With enough of these attacks, she can easily become the fastest hero in the army.

The Musketeer also has great camping skills, mainly her ability to boost her own ranged attacks. This makes her extremely dangerous and efficient before a boss fight. Boosting her HP is important to keep her around long enough to do decent damage. You really don’t want to rely on the Musketeer as a Healer. Protecting her with MAA when needed works wonders.

The Occultist

Speaking of healer, the occultist is my favorite one, although I prefer using Vestal for more predictability. His main weakness is obviously the fact that his healing range is anything from 0 to 22 HP, as well as risk suffering from bleed. But the great thing about the Occultist other than the fact that he can potentially provide the highest heals in the game, is the fact that both of his attacks and debuff skills are great.

His debuff skills is where he shines the most, having the ability to reduce the enemy’s protection, damage, and dodge significantly. This becomes especially important later in the game since the enemy’s speed and dodge levels becomes very high. Thus, the Occultist makes a great combo with the Bounty Hunter to take down enemies fairly easy.

The Occultist other weakness is not surprisingly his low HP level, but he also has the weakest and lamest camping skills in the game. His ability to prevent an ambush attack during camping is about the only thing useful about him. And even then, your other heroes has to suffer from stress. He does have some good personalized trinkets though.

Honorable mention:

Abomination

Abomination is surprisingly a great support hero in this game. You would think his main power is his monster transformation, but I actually prefer him in his human form. I almost always start off by using Beast's Bile, which causes blight to two enemies at the same time. His other Manacles attack also does great damage and has a chance to stun the enemy in the process. I often find it to be a great finisher move. He can also stress heal himself, which is great.

Out of all heroes in the game, I never experience having Abomination at deaths door. For some weird reason, the enemies seem to rarely attack him as much as other heroes. As for his monster form, I mainly rely on his Rage attack to deal the most damage. But the damage he deals is kind of disappointing to be a freaking monster. But it’s cool to watch nonetheless, and Abomination is definitely one of the most unique characters in the game. Overall, he has good stats and great personal trinkets, although his camping skills sucks.

That’s it. I’m excited to learn about your favorite heroes as well, and what exactly makes them your favorites.

You quickly find out which bosses who poses the biggest and least threats in this game, and this boss definitely poses one of the biggest threats.

I can’t remember having so much trouble with him the first time I played this game, but he definitely did a big number on me the second time. I actually had to retreat after he almost killed my whole army in one single hit.

Even with «no level restriction» mode and what I thought was going to be a much easier fight, bringing my legendary heroes to the Swine King, he still almost killed one of my heroes. I’m utterly shocked how much damage he does, even when I focused down the little mark piggy first, which I think is pretty obvious (I guess it was not that obvious…).

Having just defeated the Shuffling Horror, which was an intense fight, resulting in the death of one of my heroes, I am still scared to face the Swine God after the last fight. I fear I might lose more heroes if I’m not careful and have the right approach.

And so, feel free to share your best strategies to take him down without suffering too much damage. I would assume that MAA guard and doge buff abilities is crucial during this fight, as well as health and protection trinkets.

Boy, that was fun (or rather boring). The first time I encountered this asshole bird a few years ago, it almost took out my whole army before luckily fleeing the scene. I almost shit my pants and thought I was done for, as I had no idea what to expect as usual when you’re playing this game for the first time (it’s so relentless and unforgiving).

But this time was different! And I have to give credit to someone else in this sub for providing a simple but solid strategy. Before I noticed this person’s comment, I was about to head in strong with four of my best heroes. But you actually only need one…

Leper. Yeah, you read that right, Leper is the only hero you need to defeat this boss. And the strategy is simple. First, I equipped my Leper with a Tough Ring trinket, which boost his health and protection. Then I equipped him with a Recovery Charm, which provides 40% healing received. He also happened to have a Gifted quirk, which also gives him 20% healing received.

Second, I bought all bandages, herbs and holy water before heading into battle. As soon as the fight started, I immediately used holy water and bandage after the first attack. Then I used Withstand, which is the perfect counter for this fight.

Finally, I just spammed Solemnity and used my herbs and bandages whenever necessary until the fight was over. Although the Shrieker managed to take a good chunk from my Lepers health, it hardly went below 50%, as my Leper continuously revived himself with 16 points every round.

Now, what amazes me the most about this approach, is its simplicity and logic. You only need to survive for four rounds before the fight is over, and this is clearly one of the best ways to do it without suffering unwanted consequences. My Leper was in fact expandable, even though he was level 5 (Shrieker was champion). And yet, he kicked major ass by literally doing nothing to him, lol!

Again, the genius of this strategy is that it completely flips around the unforgiving harshness of this game. This game has seriously made me doubt and question myself several times. No matter how far I come, and no matter how strong I make my heroes, I can have a perfect run in one dungeon, only to lose a fully upgraded legendary hero out of nowhere in the next dungeon.

It’s frustrating as hell because you never really know if you’re actually good enough to enter the darkest dungeon and kick ass. It’s a constant battle in your own mind between not underestimating, nor overestimating your opponents. And keeping your head cool at all times is of outmost importance.

Anyway, that is all. Feel free to use this strategy if you hate this bird as much as I do. I defeated the Shuffling Horror right before defeating the Shrieker, but not without losing one of my heroes. It was still a proud moment, even though I’ve defeated him before. Shield Breaker really made the day!

I think Rampart is one of the best factions in Heroes 3. It also has one of the most aesthetic and beautiful looking towns. It has a natural flow to it with great proportions. It’s my second favorite town after Tower, which is also stunning with great details.

Now, Rampart's strong points is that both the core and elite units are strong. In fact, I’d argue that Rampart has the best tier 1-3 units in the game. The Centaur Captains are both fast and does great damage in high numbers, the Battle Dwarfs are resilient, strong, and have great magic resistance, and the Grand Elves are the best tier 3 shooter in the game hands down. This makes Rampart very strong in the early game.

Furthermore, the Dendroid Soldiers are excellent support Elite units that can withstand most attacks without going down easily. Usually, they’re always the last unit standing because they’re so damn hard to kill. They also do decent damage and bind units in place, making the AI unable to move away. Their only weakness is their slow speed, although we could always use «Haste» on them, making them even more dangerous.

Next up is the War Unicorn. Unfortunately, this unit has one of the weaker upgrades in the game and is also not that impressive for being a tier 6 unit. It’s not that strong and is much more vulnerable compared to the Dendroid Soldiers. The AI will almost always have a relative easy time picking this unit off. Thus, to be such an iconic unit in the series, I’ve always felt like the Unicorn should have been much stronger and a formidable force to reckon with. The Unicorn in Heroes 1 is probably the strongest version.

Finally, the Gold Dragon is one of the best tier 7 units in the game, which also has one of the best upgrades. 27 attack and 27 defense skill compared to the Green Dragon’s only 18 attack and 18 defense skill is just awesome. Similarly, getting an increase from only 180 HP to 250 HP, and only 10 speed to 16 speed is great. There’s really not much more else to say, other than that the Gold Dragon is awesome.

«But what about the Silver Pegasus» ?

No, I haven’t forgotten about the flying horse, I just didn’t feel any need to mention it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great support unit with great speed and initiative, it’s just not that very strong and can easily be taken down if you’re not careful (The AI really loves to pick this unit off). It also has one of the weakest upgrades in the game, making it a poor investment. However, the «Magic Damper» is perhaps one of the most interesting passive abilities in the game.

Overall, Rampart is a great faction that is both strong in the early and late game due to its high quality units from low tier to high tier. The only drawback of this town is its depressing and boring music. I really can’t stand much of it regardless if it fits the town's theme. The Necropolis and Inferno town music is much better in that sense. Other than that, Rampart is almost flawless and I love this faction.

What do you guys think?