asymmetric
Having parts or aspects that do not correspond to one another; in board games, having players with different starting conditions, abilities, or victory conditions.
Asymmetric games require players to learn different rules or strategies depending on which faction or character they are playing.
Word relationships
- unbalanced: Unbalanced implies a flaw in design where one side is stronger, whereas asymmetric is a deliberate design choice where sides are different but fair.
- unequal: Unequal suggests unfairness, while asymmetric refers strictly to structural differences.
- symmetric: Symmetric means both sides are identical in structure, rules, and starting conditions (like Chess).
Commonly confused with
- variable: Variable player powers mean players have slightly different abilities, but asymmetric usually implies entirely different rulesets or goals.
Word family
- asymmetry (noun): The state of being asymmetric or unbalanced in design.
- asymmetrically (adverb): In an asymmetric manner.
Collocations
- asymmetric gameplay
- asymmetric factions
- highly asymmetric
Example sentences
- "Root is a famously asymmetric game where one player controls a massive occupying army while another plays a lone vagabond." An analysis of the popular board game Root.
Memory hook
The prefix 'A-' means 'not'. 'Symmetric' means identical. So, 'A-symmetric' means 'not identical'—different rules for different players. Not identical, completely different rules.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a game where players have the same starting setup but make different choices during play.
Fun facts
- One of the earliest asymmetric board games was 'Hnefatafl' (Viking Chess), where an attacking army of 24 mercenaries surrounded a defending force of 12 soldiers and their king.
Related words
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