Frame Trap

About this model

The diagram models a strategy interaction between two characters, "Lion" and "Phantom Lancer," from the video game Dota 2, specifically focusing on the tactic known as a "frame trap." This interaction involves Lion attempting to cast the "Finger of Death" ability on Phantom Lancer, who can use the "Doppelganger" ability in response to evade it. The diagram intricately outlines the process where Lion starts casting "Finger of Death," which can be canceled to bait Phantom Lancer into using "Doppelganger." Upon the successful bait, if Phantom Lancer becomes "Vulnerable" (presumably having used "Doppelganger" and being in a state where he can be targeted again), the setup allows Lion to ultimately "Kill Phantom Lancer" by recasting "Finger of Death."

The mechanics include pools representing the states of Lion and Phantom Lancer, gates to enable or cancel actions, and state connections that determine the outcomes based on the conditions met (such as Phantom Lancer becoming vulnerable). The use of resource and state connections between pools and gates dictates the flow of actions, creating a detailed representation of the strategic decision-making involved in executing or baiting out actions within the game. This allows for the visualization of complex player interactions and decisions in a competitive scenario, highlighting the tactical depth attainable through understanding and exploiting game mechanics.

“Frame Trap” is a diagram in the Machinations Community by Anıl Akhan.

You can open the original diagram in the Machinations app, press Play to watch how resources move through it, and change its values to see how the system responds. Machinations is a visual tool for designing, simulating and balancing game economies and other systems, where resources flow through sources, pools, drains, converters and gates.