imagine vizier scheming but you think everyone else is just about as clever as you are, so all your hints and prodding are just way way too subtle. you're operating on ten levels of Vizinni's gambit but everyone else is at 1, so it just doesn't pan out. you're tryin to play 4D chess but you show up and the board is snakes & ladders.
you: "hoo hoo..... by wearing this silk shirt from the northern provinces, I'll give the impression that I'm in league with the baron there... when in fact my investments have all moved to the south!"
your political "rival": "wow nice shirt
"
me: "we're close enough to the corner for a full combo pickup so now that I've conditioned my opponent with staggered offense and tick throws I'll brutally punish their mid-string mash attempt with a c.S>6H frame trap!"
my fighting game "rival": "i haven't DP'd in a while"