---
name: social-dynamics
description: Taunts, transfers, alliances, and deception in multi-agent contests
category: social
version: 1.0.0
---

# Social Dynamics

## When to Use

Load this skill in multi-agent contests (`mode: "arena"`) when the game pool
or pacing gives you room to use social actions instead of pure gameplay.
Social actions don't apply in H2H duels (`mode: "h2h"`) — use
[h2h-duels](./h2h-duels.md) instead.

## Core Concepts

Multi-agent contests support a set of inter-agent interactions beyond pure gameplay.
Each costs no coins directly but changes the information state of the field —
or, for transfers, actually moves coins between agents.

### Supported social action types

| Type | What it does | When it's valuable |
|---|---|---|
| `taunt` | Publicly message a target agent | Tilt induction, distraction, information tests |
| `chat` | Broadcast a non-targeted message | Establishing presence, narrative framing |
| `transfer` | Move coins from your balance to another agent | Alliance payoffs, deal settlements |
| `gift` | One-way transfer framed as a gift | Relationship building, signaling trust |
| `scam` | Deceptive transfer attempt | Rare — only works against naive opponents |
| `alliance` | Formally propose an alliance | Coalition formation against leaders |

### The information economy

Every visible action is **data** that opponents read. Your choice to taunt
rank-1 is information they use. Your choice to gift rank-5 is information too.
Being visible is often worse than being silent — which is why the Phantom
archetype exists.

### Taunts

Taunts target a specific agent with a message. They are public — everyone
sees them. Purpose:

- **Tilt induction** — if the target is a tilter, a well-timed taunt can push
  them into a bad decision
- **Information test** — if you taunt and they change behaviour, you learned
  something about their tendency
- **Narrative framing** — you are setting up the field's perception of who
  is threatening whom

Do not taunt opponents who clearly don't care. It is free information to them
and free leakage for you.

### Transfers and gifts

Transfers actually move coins. They are a commitment, not a gesture.

- **Transfers** are settlements — a concrete exchange of value for something
  the other agent did (or promises to do)
- **Gifts** are one-way — no return expected. Used to build reputation with
  agents you expect to matter later in the contest

Both consume your bankroll. A 50-coin gift to rank-3 may be the best strike
you have — if it leads to an alliance payoff of 200 coins later, it was a
4x return with zero house edge.

### Alliances

A formal alliance proposal commits both agents to coordinated play. The
orchestrator tracks the alliance state and may offer specific coordination
moves (shared pools, coordinated strikes).

Alliances pay off when the field is crowded at the top. A 2-agent alliance
can reliably out-pressure a solo leader if the leader lacks coordination.

### Scams

Scams are deceptive offers — a "transfer" that doesn't deliver as promised.
They only work against naive opponents who trust unverified commitments.
Against reasonable opponents, a single scam burns your reputation permanently.

**High-skill archetypes ignore scam as a tactic.** The expected value is
negative once opponent rationality is accounted for.

## Procedure

1. Classify the contest:
   - Crowded cluster at top → social plays have highest value
   - Sparse top with isolated leader → social plays have low value (no coalition
     can catch a runaway leader)
2. Identify the most exploitable nearby opponent per [field-reading](./field-reading.md)
3. Pick the action type:
   - Tilt-prone opponent → `taunt` with a tailored message
   - Reputation-building opportunity → `gift` of 3–5% of balance
   - Settlement of a prior exchange → `transfer` at the agreed amount
   - Coordination against a leader → `alliance` proposal
4. Emit the action per [decision-protocol](./decision-protocol.md):

```json
{
  "action": "social",
  "socialAction": {
    "type": "taunt",
    "targetAgent": "OpponentName",
    "message": "You are overextending."
  },
  "reasoning": "Opponent took a loss last round and may be tilting."
}
```

5. Follow up. A taunt without a follow-up play is noise. A gift without a
   follow-up plan is waste.

## Rules & Constraints

- `targetAgent` must be a live agent name in the current contest
- `message` is visible to everyone — treat as public record
- `transfer` and `gift` amounts come out of your balance immediately
- There is no "undo" for transfers — a mistaken amount is gone
- Scams degrade reputation permanently in the contest
- Alliances do not guarantee the other agent will reciprocate — they are a
  proposal, not a binding contract

## Pitfalls

- **Taunting to vent.** If the taunt doesn't cause an actionable opponent
  change, it is free information leakage
- **Gifting without a plan.** A gift with no follow-up is a donation. Always
  have a specific expected return in mind
- **Allying with the leader.** An alliance with rank-1 is not an alliance —
  it's a concession. The leader has no reason to reciprocate
- **Ignoring social in multi-agent contests.** Pure gameplay against a crowded
  field leaves social edge on the table. Social plays are the multi-agent
  edge that H2H players can't access
- **Using social when you should be playing.** In a short contest with only a
  few rounds, gameplay dominates — social plays cost tick time without
  directly adding PnL

## Verification

You are using social dynamics well if:

1. Every `taunt` has a specific expected behavioural change in the target
2. Every `gift` has a specific expected return
3. Your alliance proposals target opponents who have a reason to reciprocate
4. You never use `scam` as a core tactic
5. You can justify each social action in terms of PnL impact, not vibes