Rock, Paper, Scissors variations

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Rock, Paper, Scissors variations include cosmetic and functional variations on the classic version of Rock, Paper, Scissors as well as several related but non-homomorphic games.

Contents

Cosmetic variations

Cosmetic variations on Rock, Paper, Scissors change the appearance of the game but not the strategy of the players or the fundamental nature of the possible outcomes. Cosmetic variations include alternate names for and gestures used to indicate each of the three symbols, as well as changing the outcome in trivial ways.

Names of symbols

When changing the names of the symbols, typically each symbol has its own gesture associated with it. These may be simple hand gestures as in traditional Rock, Paper, Scissors, or whole-body gestures.

A well known version is called Old Lady, Assassin, Business Man. In this version, the Old Lady beats the Assassin with a cane, the Assassin shoots the Business Man, and the Business Man takes the old lady to the nursing home. The symbol for the three (respectively) are a hand cupped to look like a wheel chair, a hand that looks like it is grabbing something, and the index and middle finger sticking out, while the others are pressed to the palm of the hand, and pointing downward.
Chinese call the three standard symbols Cloth, Scissors, and Rock, in this order. This is the original. In Korea, the order is Scissors, Rock, and Cloth.
In northern China, a variant uses the legs rather than hands to avoid removing one's gloves in winter air. The two players jump in unison three times. When they land on the third jump, "Rock" is represented by landing with the two feet together, "Scissors" with one foot in front of the other, and "Cloth" (Paper) with the two feet apart horizontally.
In Taiwan, the order is normally Scissors, Rock, Cloth.
Japanese call them Gū, Choki, and Pā, which are onomatopoeic words for Rock, Scissors, and Paper respectively. The game itself is called Janken. There are several less common varieties with different hand signs, such as Mushi-ken ("vermin hands"), in which Snake beats Frog, Frog beats Slug, and Slug beats Snake. Kitsune-ken ("fox hands") uses gestures rather than hand signs, in which Fox beats Village Headman, Village Headman beats Gun, and Gun beats Fox. Tora-ken ("tiger hands") is another gesture version; Watōnai (Koxinga) beats Tiger, Tiger beats Mother (Tagawa Matsu), and Mother beats Watōnai.
In Singapore, Dragon, Water, Stone is played. Dragon beats Water, Water beats Stone, and Stone beats Dragon.
In Malaysia, especially in the countryside, it is called "1-2-Som" or "1-2-Juus". It works exactly like Rock, Paper, Scissors but with some minor changes. Rock (closed fist) beats Cup (fingers on one hand pinched together, as in "taking a pinch of salt"), Cup beats Water (open palm), Water beats Rock. The logic is that a rock will break a cup, the cup will steal water, water will sink the rock.
In Myanmar, Commander beats Soldier, Soldier beats Tiger, and Tiger beats Commander. The idea being that while the Commander has authority over the Soldier, he is too old and physically unfit to take on the Tiger. However, the Soldier being young, strong and well trained, beats the tiger. The game's gestures are not limited to the palm as most of the other rock, scissors and paper variations. The Commander's gesture is done with arms placed on hips. The Tiger's gesture is done with raised arms and spread claws, like a tiger about to pounce. The Soldier's gesture is done with the thumbs and index fingers of both hands in the "pistol" position. A slight variation of this version may be played, where Soldier is replaced with Gun, represented by the same gesture. Commander also beats Gun, but Gun beats Tiger, the logic being that the Commander has control over his Gun, but the Gun shoots the Tiger.
In Mario Party 2, there is a duel mini-game similar called "Bowser, Peach, or Mario" in which pressing A would select Mario, B Peach and Z Bowser. Bowser beats Peach, Peach beats Mario and Mario beats Bowser.
In India, Elephant beats Human, Human beats Ant, and Ant beats Elephant.
In The Netherlands RPS is also know als Steen, Dynamiet, Schaar (Rock, Dynamite, Scissors), because blowing up the rock is easier to imagine than packing the rock.
One of the most popular modern varieties is called Cat, Microwave, Tinfoil. Cat beats Tinfoil by ripping it up, Tinfoil beats Microwave by starting a fire, and Microwave beats Cat by cooking it. This version was created because, to the creators of Cat, Microwave, Tinfoil, it doesn't make sense that Paper beats Rock by covering it. As it doesn't damage Rock, while on the other hand it can destroy Paper by tearing it. However, Cat, Microwave, Tinfoil doesn't make much sense either, since it has been proved that tinfoil in a microwave does not damage the microwave oven (but does often produce arcing and possibly fire), contradicting common misconception.
Bulldog, Mongoose, Cobra is another variation, with Bulldog beating Mongoose, Mongoose beating Cobra, and Cobra beating Bulldog. This is the only known variation where sound effects are ritualized and crucial - if you fail to make the Cobra's hissing sound, for example, it is powerless against the Bulldog.
Hunter, Gun, Lion has Hunter beating Gun, Gun beats Lion, and Lion beats Hunter.
In Fire, Water, Ice, fire beats ice by melting it, water beats fire by putting it out, and ice beats water by freezing it. Fire is two hands making a triangle, water by the hand looking like a wave and ice by shivering. This concept is used on the elemental ghosts found in Luigi's Mansion
Another form is "Gun, Bunny, Dirt", where gun beats bunny by shooting the bunny, bunny beats dirt by digging dirt up, dirt beats gun by burying it. The gun symbol is a fist with the index and middle fingers pointed forward, and the thumb up. The symbol for bunny is a fist with the index and middle fingers up and spread apart, like the peace sign or the v-for-victory. Dirt is the hand flat, like paper.
In Gorilla Man, Gorilla Man beats Ninja or Karate Man, Karate Man beats Gun Man, and Gun Man beats Gorilla Man. The entire body is used, and the making of sound effects is proper form. This variant is especially played at Camp Agawam.
"Bear, Ninja, Cowboy" is most often associated with Ultimate and is played using the entire body as well as sound effects (which are required for a throw to be considered legitimate in some circles). Bear mauls Ninja, Ninja dodges Cowboy's bullets, and Cowboy shoots Bear. Some non-ultimate variations include substituting Lion instead of Bear or Hunter instead of Cowboy. The set up is similar to the "Hero, Bear, Maiden" version detailed below.
In Cow, UFO, Microbe, Cow eats Microbe, Microbe contaminates UFO, and UFO dissects Cow.
In Cockroach, Foot, Nuclear Bomb, Foot stomps on and squashes Cockroach, Nuclear Bomb blows up Foot, and Cockroach survives Nuclear Bomb. This variation was formed by Steven Hyde on That '70s Show, as Fez refused to play Rock, Paper, Scissors with him anymore.
In another scheme, Hero beats Bear, Bear beats Maiden, and Maiden beats Hero. This version is typically played with the entire body; the specific stances vary, but common examples are given. One version is called Bear, Housewife, Cowboy. Players begin by standing facing away from each other approximately 1 meter apart, as if preparing for a duel. They count to three, and on "Go", each player jumps 180 degrees into one of three poses. The Bear pose has legs apart and arms up with hands formed into claws with an optional roar sound effect. Bear eats Housewife. The Housewife pose has legs together and arms close to the body in a gesture of surrender with an optional eek sound effect. Housewife marries Cowboy. The Cowboy pose has legs apart with both hands at the hips in the traditional gun signals of thumbs straight up, index fingers pointing forward and other fingers curled, with optional bang sound effect. Cowboy shoots Bear.
In Kent, England there is a version where there are multiple symbols making the game far more complicated. These are commonly Water, Hole, Dynamite, Kangaroo although many more have been used. Water - A wavy hand - Beats everything apart from Paper, which is held to float. Hole - Thumb and forefinger held together - Beats everything apart from Kangeroo as everything can fall into it, A kangaroos has a hole or pouch which can carry it off. Dynamite - A clenched fist with the thumb held upward - Beats everything apart from Water. Kangeroo - A clenched fist with the thumb held downward and bouncing - Beats everything apart from Dynamite, as everything goes into the pouch apart from Dynamite which blows it up.
People, Guns, and Rock is another variant; people (two fingers downward representing the legs), guns (a finger stretched out and the thumb upwards), and rock are the symbols used. People throw rocks, rocks crush guns, and guns shoot people.
Paper, Rock, Killers is a variant featuring a gunman, a bomb, and stinky breath. The gunman (represented by extending the index finger and thumb in the shape of a gun) can shoot the bomb (therefore blowing it up), the bomb (represented with a closed fist, much the same way a rock is in standard RPS) can blow up the man with the stinky breath, and the stinky breath (represented by waving fingers up and down in a motion that would suggest odor) kills the gunman.
Fire, Wood, Water is a variant used on the American reality TV show Endurance. Fire burns Wood, Wood floats on Water, and Water douses Fire.

Muk-Chi-Ba

While traditional Rock, Paper, Scissors (called "Gawi-Bawi-Bo" and pronounced "Kai-Bai-Bo") is popular among Koreans, a popular related game is Muk-Chi-Ba. A unique variant of Muk-Chi-Ba that adds a layer of complexity was reported in New York City, reportedly created by a Korean-American student at Columbia University.

What makes this version unusual is that firstly, the hand symbols are different (involving poses with both arms); and secondly, the game does not end when one player beats another, but rather when a player with the advantage gets the other player to follow this disadvantaged pose with another in which both players are displaying the same one of the three symbols.

This game is enjoyed for its sudden reversals and the quick thinking it requires.

In South Africa, the game is referred as Ching-Chong-Cha (phonetic).

Strip Janken

Another variation is strip Rock, Paper, Scissors called Yakyū-ken, a Japanese party game, where every time a player loses, he or she has to remove an article of clothing. This goes on until one of the players is completely naked.

Osaka Janken

Originating in Kansai, Osaka janken follows the chant "Osaka janken, maketara kachi yo" (Osaka janken, the loser is the winner).

Extreme Rock, Paper, Scissors

Another variation is Extreme Rock, Paper, Scissors, in which the winner of each game may use their winning hand position to assault the loser. Paper becomes a slap, rock a punch and scissors a poke (usually in the sternum, but sometimes in the eye). This adds the extra challenge of trying to get the more painful positions without the opponent realizing it, while offering a chance to legitimately hit them. This is also known as Rock, Paper, Scissors, Brutality in some areas.

Animal Brutality

Derived from Extreme Rock, Paper, Scissors, Animal Brutality is a game which involves symbols for a goose, a crab, and a claw. The goose beats the crab, and retaliation is pulling the arm hairs of the loser. Its sign is bringing all fingers together to meet at the tips in a point, forming a beak. The crab beats the claw, and the loser suffers from a severe pinch at any area favored by the winner. Its sign is similar to making the okay sign with the middle finger meeting the thumb instead of the index finger. The claw beats the goose and results in raking fingernails down the opponent's arm. Obviously, its sign is a claw-shaped hand. This game is most entertaining when played by several people, as everyone is being pinched, scratched, or pulled at once in a mad frenzy at the end of the round. The loser is the one who bails first from extensive injury or a pathetic level of pain tolerance.

Functional variations

Functional variations actually change game play, including associated strategies. These include the number of players and number of symbols (either as additional symbols in the circle, or a more complex topology).

Number of players

The game is easily adaptable to more than just two players. This variant works remarkably well, even for large groups. The rules are the same, with the following exceptions:

If all three weapon types are played, or only one type of weapon is played, the round is considered to be a draw. A new round begins.
If there are only two different weapon types showing between all of the players, then all of the players showing the losing weapon are eliminated.

Another adaptation of Rock, Paper, Scissors for more than two players is Richard Garfield's Ready, Aim, Fire.

Odd or Even (2 symbols)

In Odd or Even, one player selects odd or even. The only choice in weapons are "one" (a fist with outstretched thumb) or "two" (a fist with outstretched thumb and forefinger). The values signified by the players are added, with the first player winning on a correct prediction about the result. With a choice between two values (it does not matter that they are 1 and 2, only that they are not both odd or even) the game is balanced, and there is no benefit from making the call. Should the player allow three (or any odd number) values to choose from, either odd or even would be a more probable outcome with both players acting randomly. (That is because n choices make n² possible outcomes. Squares of even numbers are even, squares of odd numbers odd.)

Five-hand variations

Cantonese have been playing God, Chicken, Gun, Fox, Termite, which is an asymmetrical game unlike Rock, Paper, Scissors. God beats Chicken and Gun; Chicken beats Termite; Gun beats Chicken and Fox; Fox beats Chicken; and Termite beats God. God and Fox draw; Gun and Termite draw; and Fox and Termite draw.

Malaysians also have an asymmetrical five-hand variation, Bird, Rock, Gun, Board, Water. Bird beats Water; Rock beats Bird and Board; Gun beats Bird, Rock, and Board; Board beats Bird and Water; and Water beats Rock and Gun.

There exists a modern five-hand variation called Rock, Paper, Scissors, Spock, Lizard, which is carefully crafted so that each weapon defeats exactly two other weapons, and is defeated by exactly two other weapons. Specifically, rock defeats scissors and lizard, paper defeats rock and Spock, scissors defeat paper and lizard, Spock defeats scissors and rock, and lizard defeats Spock and paper. (The rationale is that Spock smashes scissors and vaporizes rock, but is disproved by paper, while the lizard is crushed by rock and decapitated by scissors, but eats paper and poisons Spock.) The game can be similarly altered for 7, 9, 11, etc. As long as there are an odd number of weapons, a balanced game can be created, with each weapon beating half the weapons and losing to half the weapons. The advantage of playing with more weapons is that ties become increasingly unlikely. The disadvantage is that an increasingly complex resolution table must be memorized (as well as any accompanying gestures).

While not exactly five gestures, there exists 7, 9, 11, 15 and 25-hand variations of RPS created by David C. Lovelace. The gestures for RPS-7 were Rock, Paper, Scissors, plus Fire, Sponge, Air and Water. The number of combinations for the RPS-7 variation were 5,040. RPS-9 introduced Gun and Human. RPS-11 added Devil and Wolf, RPS-15 added Lightning, Snake, Dragon and Tree, and RPS-25 split Human into Man and Woman and added Dynamite, Nuke, Alien, Bowl, Moon, Cockroach, Monkey, Axe and Sun. According to the creator, there were 15.5 octillion layouts for RPS-25.

The game of Monkey Kombat from Escape from Monkey Island is effectively a five-object variation, with stances (known as Anxious Ape, Bobbing Baboon, Charging Chimp, Drunken Monkey and Gimpy Gibbon) replacing the objects. The trickiest part of this exercise is the learning of the transitions between the stances (achieved by permutations of the four sacred monkey words Ack, Oop, Eek and Chee).

Trumps (3+)

Players often add other "weapons" to the game on an ad-hoc basis, but it is very likely that this will result in an unbalanced game. In particular, four (or any even number) of weapons cannot be made balanced, unless some pairs of weapons result in a draw; there will always be some weapons that will be superior to others. Although this adds possible psychological elements to the game, some of its aesthetic simplicity is lost. Otherwise it is one of the simplest possible games of skill.

Dynamite is an example of a trump play. It is expressed as the extended index finger or thumb, defeats rock and paper, but scissors cuts the fuse.

Fire and water are also potential "trumps", and have been used in Ultimate tournaments. Fire will beat any of the standard weapons (rock, paper, scissors), but because of the power its play is restricted to a single use in the player's entire lifetime. Thus, the subject of when to "throw fire" is quite controversial. Water, which is referred to as "piss" in some circles, may be played as many times as one wishes, but will lose to anything except fire. Fire is typically played by gently waving all fingers; water is played by forming a circle with the thumb and index finger.

Another possible addition is that of well to the original three. Well beats both rock and scissors, because when a rock or a pair of scissors are thrown down a well, they'll fall, but loses to paper because when a paper sheet is thrown, it is likely that it will simply float to the side of the well. The use of this new weapon makes for an extremely unbalanced game, since it doubles the chances of winning while retaining the same amount of chances of losing. In principle, this variation makes Rock useless (as Well beats Scissors and loses to Paper just like Rock does, yet Well beats Rock) and replaces it, leaving the players with the same game and different symbols.

Yet another variation includes string, which wraps around both Rock and Paper, but is cut by Scissors. As Well renders Rock useless, this variation renders Paper useless, as String defeats it and interacts with Rock and Scissors the same.

Then there are the "Invincibles" where they automatically win such as the Volcano, Hand of God, Flagon tri and many others.

Staff at the Lancaster, PA site of the Center for Talented Youth have created new trump throws for the past 10 years, with 2005 RPS Tournament being a retrospective of all 20-odd of these throws.

Inversions

In some sub-groups of Ultimate, the use of "Inversion" is allowed as an additional strategic element. In this variation, at the last moment before the actual throw, any player involved may call out "Inverted". If invoked, this effectively reverses the relationship of each of the throws involved (ie. rock beats paper beats scissors beats rock). In situations where multiple players simultaneously call out "Inverted", the inversion is applied in an odd/even way whereby an odd number of Invert calls equals an inverted throw (ex. scissors beats rock), while an even number of Invert calls equals a negation of inversion and the throw results are interpreted as originally intended (ex. rock beats scissors).

As an added level of sophistication, the additional trump throw of "Kring" may be introduced in games involving inversions. The Kring hand symbol is a claw-like gesture with the bent fingers curled downward. The Kring will beat everything. It can also be thrown any number of times. While at first this throw would seem to be unbalancing, the addition of the inversion call will subsequently turn the Kring into a "loses to everything" throw. Traditionally, the person throwing the Kring will physically invert their hand a number of times equal to the number of inverts called upon the throw. A upside-down Kring (claw-like hand palm upward) is an all around loser.

Hand of God

The Hand of God variation is slightly related to the above Kring addition to Rock, Paper, Scissors: players may throw the "Hand of God", a fist with the thumb, index, and pinky fingers extended, which beats everything but the Flagon Tri. If both players throw the Hand of God, a draw is declared, and both players must punch each other in the head. Easily intimidated players will thus shy away from throwing this hand.

Flagon Tri

The Flagon Tri variation is yet another automatic victory, only the most powerful play in the whole game. It is played the same way as scissors except with the thumb being parallel to the two fingers. This beats hand of god, if two players choose this then it is a tie and they must poke each other in the eyes, the first one to surrender loses.

Ultimate Rock Paper Scissors/Existential Rock Paper Scissors

The game works under the idea of one throw beating another, except players may throw anything, as long as whatever is thrown can fit inside of a substantially large box. This means that anything from the range of a person, action, object or event can be used against the opponent. Weapons and abstract concepts, such as existentialism, cannot be used. Typically, because the two throws may not be compatible to each other, a third party will often judge which throw wins. Any amount of people may play and/or judge. It is a favorite game at Demarest Hall dormitory at Rutgers University.

Metamorphic Rock Paper Scissors

This game is a rather humorous and time-consuming version. After each player has selected either Rock, Paper, or Scissors, they may change it so that it beats their opponent's selection. The game continues until one player touches the other's hand with the correct selection to beat his current selection.

Rock Paper Politics

This game is a humorous take on RPS and consists of a Pretzel, George Bush, and the City of New Orleans, Pretzel beats Bush, Bush beats New Orleans, New Orleans beats Pretzel.

International variations

Australians often play the game as "scissors, paper, rock!" or "paper, scissors, rock!", with emphasis placed on the word "rock". The throw is made on the final word so that players only have two calls to synchronize the play. Alternatively, in Britain, it's often just called "scissors, paper, stone".

In Japan the game is known as Jan-ken-pon, often shortened to Janken. When there is a tie, an alternate chant of Aiko-De-Sho (we're even) may replace the primary chant.

Due to the influence of the Japanese-Brazilians, Brazilians prime the game as "jan ... ken ... po!", with emphasis placed on the "po". The throw is made as "po" is called, so that as with the Iranian variation, only two calls are made before the play.

In Taiwan, there is commonly no priming. Both players simultaneously throw the hands after a chant of "scissor, rock, cloth!", with no hand-bouncing. This is often confusing to visitors—seeing that the fist-bouncing can be interpreted as rock, most Taiwanese start with paper when playing foreigners.

In the Philippines, the game is called "Jack en Poy" or "Jack n' Poy", derived from the original Japanese Jan Ken Pon. As with many Japanese references in the Filipino culture, it may have originated from the Japanese occupation during World War II. The game is usually primed with a rhyme: "Jack En Poy, Hali-hali-hoy. Sinong matalo, siyang unggoy." (Translated as: Jack en Poy, Hali-hali-hoy. The loser is a monkey.) Also, there is a chant other than "Jack en Poy." It can be chanted as "papel, gunting, bato" which translate into paper, scissors, rock.

In Iran, the games is called "Sang Kaqaz Qeychi" (which literally means "Rock Paper and Scissors"), with emphasis placed on the "Qeychi". The throw is made as "Qeychi" is called, so that as with the Australian variation, only two calls are made before the play.

In Israel, the game is called "Even Neyar uMisparayim" (literally, "Rock Paper and Scissors"). As in the Philippines, a short rhyme precedes the game to indicate the throw: "Even Nyar uMisparayim, hamnatze'ah bein hashnayim, ahat shatayim shalosh!" (Rock Paper and Scissors, here's the winner of the two, one two three!)

In Sweden, the game is called sten, sax, påse (rock, scissors, bag). The gestures are the same - the flat hand is considered a bag, which can contain a rock.

In Iceland, the game is called "skæri, blað, steinn" (scissors, paper, rock), with the emphasis placed on the last word.

In Latvia, the game is called "Akmens, šķēres, papīrīts". The rhyme is "Akmens, šķēres, papīrīts, viens, divi, trīs", which translates as "Rock, scissors, paper, one, two, three".

In some parts of India, the game is played as Man, Gun, Tiger (man is greater than gun, gun greater than tiger, tiger greater than man)

In Germany, the game is called Schere, Stein, Papier (scissors, rock, paper) or simply Knobeln. Regionally the game is also known by the rhyme Schnick, schnack, schnuck, Ching, chang, chong or Klick, klack, kluck or similar. The emphasis is almost always placed on the final (third) word of the rhyme.

In Russia, the game is called "камень, ножницы, бумага" (rock, scissors, paper).

In Chile the game is named Cachipun, and it is played saying Ca... Chi... Pun!. However, the symbols are the same and in Spanish the game should be called Piedra, Papel, Tijeras.

In Catalonia the game is named Pedra, Paper, Estissores(rock, scissors, paper), and it is played saying Un, dos, tres...pedra, paper o estissores...un, dos, tres.

In South Africa, the game is most commonly known as "Ching, Chong, Cha", with emphasis on the "Cha". It is also known by "Rock, Paper, Scissors", but this is less common

In Quebec, occasionally, "Rock, Paper, Scissors, match" is called, with the emphasis on "match" as the synchronizing syllable. However, this has lead to a variation among school children where a "match" as an object is a fourth (weaker) option which burns paper but gets cut by scissors and crushed by rock. This variation found it's way to the province's French speaking children and the translation used featured the word for the "object" match as well (Roche Papier Ciseaux Alumettes)

In the United States, occasionally, "Rock, Paper, Scissors, shoot" is called, with the emphasis on "shoot" as the synchronizing syllable.

In the Argentina, the game is called Piedra, Papel o Tijera (Rock, Paper Scissors), with the emphasis on "Tijera" usually with bouncing hands, but it can be played with the hands starting behind the back.

The name "roshambo" is also used on occasion during serious competition. In the Comedy central show South Park "Roshambo" refers to another game, in which two participants take turns kicking each other in the crotch until one gives up.

Related games

Pointing version: In this variant the winner of each round of the game must make a pointing gesture - up, down, left, or right - with the aim of making their opponent look in that direction. If the loser of the initial rock-paper-scissors can avoid looking in that direction they steal the victory. However if they even glance in the pointed direction, they are confirmed as losers.
During the 1980s, an action figure line called Battle Beasts was released by Hasbro in both America and Japan. Each sci-fi themed figure had, in the middle of its chest, a random symbol revealed through warming it via body heat through a finger. Players would randomly select a figure and challenge each other to "battle." The three symbols (wood, water, and fire) had a Rock, Paper, Scissors relationship (wood beats water, water puts out fire, fire burns wood). Later, the "sunburst" symbol, which could beat all other symbols, was introduced. The toy line was vaguely connected to the Transformers series.
In many real-time strategy computer games, there are three types of troops, with each troop type beating one and losing to another. For example, archers beat pikemen, cavalry beat archers and pikemen beat cavalry or, in a modern setting, light armored vehicles beat infantry, tanks beat light armored vehicles and infantry beat tanks. There are also some turn-based strategy games with a similar dominance structure; however, sometimes the troops are replaced with weapons regarding what dominates what.
In , the deckbuilding strategies tend to break down into a few major types. Though only an approximation, usually paper-rock-scissors is compared to aggro-control-combo. Since there is a random element, a matchup is not usually a 100% chance of victory for the dominant deck. The optimal strategy can be found using probability, and depends on what you expect other players to do. Additionally, references to the classical version of Rock, Paper, Scissors were made in the Unglued expansion set, in the form of the summonable creatures Paper Tiger, Rock Lobster, and Scissor Lizard.
Pokémon is sometimes compared to a very complex variant of paper-rock-scissors, particularly the trio of starting Pokémon available in all the games, except Pokémon Yellow. Although the overall type chart is likely unbalanced (which in practice doesn't usually matter too much), the three starting Pokémon's types are very balanced, with Grass (dries up Water), Fire (burns Grass), and Water (douses Fire). However, there are similar trios of Pokémon that do not have balanced type relations – Eevee's three stone-evolved forms, Vaporeon, Jolteon and Flareon; the three legendary birds, Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres; and the legendary trio from the Gold, Silver and Crystal versions, which are Suicune, Raikou and Entei. In each case, the Electric-type Pokémon (Jolteon, Zapdos and Raikou) is superior. Note, however, that just as with , a type advantage does not provide a 100% chance of beating your opponent, only an increased chance.
Many role-playing games also have an elemental system (usually involved with the magic system) which, while usually less complex, also provides superiority to certain types when used against other types. Examples: using ice powers gives you increased attack and defense against fire enemies, wind and dizzy attacks are more effective against floating enemies, and fire attacks on fire enemies have no effect.
Eon Games' Darkover board game used a rock-paper-scissors style combat system. The two players would each hide a "power disk", which could be a sword, a keeper, or a starstone. The power disks are revealed simultaneously; sword beats keeper, which beats starstone, which beats sword. Two swords or two keepers would tie, but ties between starstones were resolved through "psychic combat".
In Uru Live, the short-lived online component of the computer game , explorers could play a D'ni game called "Ahyoheek", which is a sophisticated Rock, Paper, Scissors implementation. This has been re-enabled in Untìl Uru, the new fan-run online service. It is played on a special pentagonal table with electronic scorekeeping and holographic display built in.
Taasen is a chess-like game with a complex capturing move based on Rock Paper Scissors. It is featured in Unicorn Jelly.
Trimok is a fast chess-like game based on rock paper scissors. A freeware version is available and actual game boards and pieces have been made (see external links).
The Super Famicom puzzle game Ougijanken, similar to Dr. Mario, is branded as a Ranma ½ game, but is essentially based on Rock, Paper, Scissors.
In the Looney Labs board game Cosmic Coasters, the two players decide the outcome of battles between spaceships by playing Rock, Paper, Scissors.
In Zork Grand Inquisitor, the player, as Lucy Flathead plays a game of Strip Grue-Fire-Water against Antharia Jack, essentially the same as Rock, Paper Scissors, except the game kept score by the number of items of clothing players removed. (No nudity was ever shown).
The Video Fighting game Dead or Alive uses a combat system that can be broken down in to a rock, scissors, paper strategy. A player can Strike, Throw or Block. A Strike beats a Throw, A Throw beats a Block, and a Block beats a Strike.
In the Sega Master System game Alex Kidd in Miracle World the boss fights were represented by playing 'Janken'. This was effectively Rock, Paper, Scissors, but with the added strategy that you could use telepathy to see what your opponent was going to play, although they often changed their choice at the last minute

External links

[Paper/Rock/Scissors/Lizard/Spock], a variation
[Regional variations on Rock Paper Scissors]
[Rock Paper Scissors aka RoShamBo], using Christmas lights and a webcam
[Trimok], Chess-like game based on Rock Paper Scissors
[Taasen], Chess-like game featured in Unicorn Jelly
[Variations of Rock Paper Scissors] using 7, 9, 11, 15 and 25 different hand gestures.

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