BrainWars Playing Strategies for All BrainWars Players

BrainWars Playing Strategies
- for all BrainWars players -
Author: ctyl (Japan)
Twitter: @MLHC
User Code: JB4210
February 6th, 2015
Ver 1.0

Index
2
1. Abstract
2. Specifications
2.1 Rating Systems
2.2 Status Systems
3. Strategies & Tips
3.1 Operations
3.2 Flick Master
…
3.19 Quick Eye
3.20 Weathercast
3.21 Spinning Block
4. Further Strategies
4.1 Trainings
4.2 Difficulties
…
4.5 To clutch wins
5. Discussions
5.1 Correlations
5.2 PCA
6. Collaborators
7. References

3
1. Abstract
- This article is to improve the level of BrainWars
playing by sharing the strategies used by top
players from around the world.
- All player have their own approach to each
game. This is a summary of their ideas.
- 37 awesome players from around the world
cooperated in making this document.

- The leaderboard is reset at 0:00
(JST) every Monday.
- You get coins at the end of the
week depending on your world
rank and your friend rank. For
example, if you place in the top
30 you get 70 coins that week.
- If you don’t play enough in a
week, you drop to a lower
league. 5
2-1. Rating Systems

6
2-1. Rating Systems
A player’s rating transition
about 17000 RT
80
lose

7
2-1. Rating Systems
- At the beginning of this week, your rating starts at 5000.
Every win will drastically increase your rating. Be aware
that as your rating increases, the amount you win per
round decreases (See the figure in the previous slide).
- After you reach 17000 rating points, you receive about
80 points per every win. In contrast, you lose around
160 points per every loss. Therefore you have to keep
your winning rate over 67% if you want to get over
17000.

8
2-2. Status Systems
Parameter Games that modify the parameter
Judgement
Flick Master, Color of Deception,
Rainfall, Rapid Sorting
Calculation
Operations, Simplicity,
Addition Addiction, Addition Link,
Touch the Number +
Observation
Touch the Number, Matching,
Bird Watching, Quick Eye, Weathercast
Memory
Follow the Leader, Concentration,
High or Low, Unfollow the Leader,
Path to Safety, Spinning Block

9
2-2. Status Systems
- Judgement, Calculation, Observation, and Memory are calculated
by the average score of the last 10 games that belong to the
parameter. Scores that exceed 1000 points are calculated as 1000.
- Accuracy is calculated approximately as 10 times the percentage of
total accuracy in the last 10 games.
- How the speed parameter is calculated is still not cear. What we
have learned through our investigation is that you achieve more
points per correct answer when the answer are given at a faster
pace. Each game has its own speed in which you will achieve the
most points per answer, This is the limit for each correct answer
and no extra points are awarded if you surpass that speed.

10
3. Strategies & Tips for each game
Avg. 1104 pts (1st)
S.D. 140 pts (4th)
Score distribution and statistical data of
all the collaborators (Dec/29/2014~Jan/4/2015)
Brief descriptions
shown before playing

3-1. Operations
11
Avg. 1048 pts (3rd)
S.D. 91 pts (11th)

12
3-1. Strategies & Tips
- Focus on the order of the three
numbers shown for each equation.
- When the far right is the largest,
the answer is + or ×, and if the far
left is the largest, the answer is - or
÷.
- Since the locations of the operation
symbols do not change, it is only
necessary to look at the equation
on the top.

3-2. Flick Master
13
Avg. 932 pts (15th)
S.D. 67 pts (18th)

14
- It is EXTREMELY difficult in this
game to score over 1000
consistently (only 4 collaborators
average over that).
- A single mistake is enough to
keep you below 1000.
- Accuracy is key in this game.
Make sure you keep calm and
focused.

15
- Make the size of your flicks as small as possible to
increase speed.
- If you are about to flick in the wrong direction, keep your
finger down and correct the direction. By doing this, the
mistake will not be counted against you.
- Keeping a consistent tempo while training is effective (you
can try incorporating a metronome).

3-3. Simplicity
16
Avg. 938 pts (14th)
S.D. 178 pts (2nd)

17
- There is no trick for calculating.
- Normally, you should calculate
between the parenthesis first.
- If you are not good at mental
calculation, you can focus on only
the last digits (In the left example,
5+6+4=15 so you can figure out
that the answer is 45.)

18
- You have to compare which is
bigger 11 or 10+8 in the left
example.
- Because it has two answers by
calculating only the last digits.
i) 1-(0+8) = 1-8 = -7 ○
ii) 1-(0+8) = 11-8 = 3 ×
Disadvantages for calculating only the last digits

19
An example which belongs to a few exceptions
- In this case, you don’t have to
calculate between the parentheses
first.
- The example shows an equation in
which the two 7s cancel each other
out leaving you with -3.

20
3-4. Touch the Number
Avg. 1032 pts (6th)
S.D. 106 pts (10th)

21
- Observation, memorization, and
tapping speed are all tested in this
game.
- To observe where all the numbers
are located at the same time, keep
the device a healthy distance away
from you and try to visualize the
entire screen.

22
- It is best if you memorize every
move you are going to make first.
This allows you to make all the
moves as fast as possible without
having to think or look at the
numbers in between.
- If this is too difficult, you can divide
the blocks into multiple sections as
shown in the example
([9,8,7], [6,5,4], [3,2,1]).

23
3-5. Follow the Leader
Avg. 962 pts (11th)
S.D. 78 pts (15th)

24
Basis:
- Make sure to not only memorize
how the blocks appear, but also
prepare how you will tap them.
- It is important to know how many
blocks appear at one time.
(5,5,5,6,6,6,7,7,7,8,8,...)

25
2
1
3
4
5
67
- Try to imagine a rope connecting all
the blocks as they appear. (the
figure shows a visual description).
- The most important thing to
remember is that your score is
determined by how fast you make
your taps.
- Make sure to hit the first block of
each set as you will lose huge points
otherwise.

26
3-6. Addition Addiction
Avg. 1014 pts (7th)
S.D. 88 pts (13th)

27
- Focus on which panel respawns next.
- Reduce the time between touching
each panel.
- Use the best combination of panels
possible based on all problems you
can see in the queue.
- Each panel takes about 2.5 sec to
respawn.

28
- You should try to memorize all the
combinations of 3 numbers that
equal 15 (there are 8 of them.)
- Make sure not to tap a number that
is equal to half of the combination
you are on or you will be wasting
at least 3 tiles.

29
3-7. Matching
Avg. 1014 pts (4th)
S.D. 88 pts (11th)

30
- There is only one pair in each set.
- Some symbols look similar such as E-
F, ○-◎, and △-◇. Pay attention to
the differences.
- You can hit two tiles at once so it is
best if you use two fingers to play.

31
- Try to find a distance and an angle
that fit you the best. Remember you
should try to see all the symbols at
once.
- If you are stuck, you can try looking
away from the screen for a second to
refresh.

32
3-8. Color of Deception
Avg. 1104 pts (1st)
S.D. 140 pts (4th)

33
- There are two typical playing
styles. One is looking at all the
panels at once, and the other
is looking at only three panels.
- Some who score extremely
fast (mean time per answer
under 0.50 sec) choose to look
at all 4 tiles.

34
- Using two fingers is strongly recommended Playing with
one finger will slow your speed and it may get in your line of
vision.
- Do not focus on each panel in order. Try to practice until
you can feel like something is not right when you glance at
all the panels.
Tips for players who play with the former style

35
3-9. Concentration
Avg. 984 pts (9th)
S.D. 116 pts (7th)

36
- Tap each panel VERY
CAREFULLY. Because when
you fail to tap only one panel,
the tapping order shifts and
you’ll lose a lot of points at
once. To make matters worse,
you may forget the position of
each pair, which may make you
panic.

37
- Try to figure out your tapping
order before you press the
“Memorized!” button. Imagine
your fingers’ motions and how
they will connect each pair.
- It seems best to memorize from
the furthest pair to the closest
pair. Note that you may forget
the locations while you tap the
panels.
1 2
3

38
3-10. High or Low
Avg. 914 pts (16th)
S.D. 77 pts (16th)

39
- Accuracy is the most important
factor, similar to “Flick Master” or
“Rapid Sorting”.
- Do not predict which direction you
are flicking next.
- If you make a mistake, do not hurry.
It will only make matters worse.

40
3-11. Bird Watching
Avg. 1014 pts (4th)
S.D. 88 pts (11th)

41
- Adjust how long you take on one set
based on how difficult it is to
decipher.
- Since there are many patterns, it is
difficult to always know which color
is most prominent. When practicing,
try to make note of the tendencies
within each pattern.

42
- Once the blocks become smaller,
make sure to get used to tapping
the center of the blocks you choose.
- In a 5x5, you will make some
mistakes (especially when the
colors are 9-8-8) so it is important to
get used to correcting your answers
as quickly as possible.

43
3-12. Addition Link
Avg. 959 pts (12th)
S.D. 114 pts (8th)

44
- The numbers in the queue get
larger as the game progresses.
- It is better to see the answer before
you start linking or you will get stuck
often.
- Try to memorize as many
combinations of 3s, 2s, and 1s as
you can that add up to the sums
used (between 5 and 18).

45
- When the numbers in the queue
become large, make sure to check
where you are starting and finishing.
It is better to end where there are a
lot of 1s and 2s.
- If it seems like you are stuck,
remember that you can swap the
order of digits. 3+3+3+2, 3+3+2+3,
and 3+2+3+3 all add up to 11.

46
3-13. Unfollow the Leader
Avg. 942 pts (13th)
S.D. 84 pts (14th)

47
- This game is much more difficult
than “Follow the Leader”.
- Since this game is similar to “Follow
the Leader”, most of the same
strategies apply. One additional
thing is to make sure you focus on
the first block you are tapping.
- It may be better to practice “Follow
the Leader” before trying to get the
hang of this game.

48
3-14. Tap the Color
Avg. 1040 pts (5th)
S.D. 150 pts (3rd)

49
- When observing the queue, you will
notice that the order of tiles is
always grouped by color. Because
of this, you can figure out what the
last color will be before it appears in
the queue.
- You can tap all the tiles of one color
at once instead of one at a time
(using two or more fingers is
strongly recommended).

50
- Try to memorize the number of
colors in each group, not only the
location.
- Make sure to take care when there
are many colors present with only 1
block (like in groups of 5-2-1-1).
- You can still see the colors fade
after you have pressed the
“Memorized!” button so you can use
that time to remember as well.

51
3-15. Rainfall
Avg. 1050 pts (2nd)
S.D. 114 pts (9th)

52
There are some styles to play this game with
Two thumbs One index fingerTwo index fingers

53
- This game is the most physically demanding for most
players.
- You are able to see 4 objects at once so you can see the
upcoming objects in advance and prepare which side to tap.
- It is best to keep your tapping speed consistent.
- Do not get into a habit of hitting one side repeatedly without
paying attention to the number of drops. Doing this normally
cause you to run into a lightning.

54
3-16. Path to Safety
Avg. 1006 pts (8th)
S.D. 186 pts (1st)

55
- Make sure your finger follows the
exact path you are set on going or
you can end up crashing into bombs
unintentionally. This game requires a
sensitive touch.
- You should always try to grab the
stars on the screen first unless you
have forgotten where the bombs are.
In that case, head straight to the flag.

56
- While you are still able to see the
bombs, focus on the white free blocks
and see if you can predict where the
stars and flags might be before
pressing the “Memorized!” button.
- A single mistake wastes a lot of time
and points so make sure you move
your finger carefully.

57
3-17. Touch the Number +
Avg. 838 pts (17th)
S.D. 118 pts (6th)

58
Basis:
- This game adds a calculation portion
to the original “Touch the Number” so
being good at both of these aspects
allow for a high score.
- Big numbers take a long time to add,
so try to memorize addition patterns
to figure out the sum quicker.

59
3-17. Strategies & Tips [2]
There are many styles to sum up the numbers more quickly.
10
- Try to separate the numbers into two
partitions (e.g. 1,4,6,8-> 1+4=5,
6+8=14 thus 5+14=19)
- Try to memorize calculations that add
up to 10 such as 1+4+5 or 2+3+5. By
memorizing these, it will make other
calculations much easier.

60
- When you notice an arithmetic sequence such as 5,6,7,8,9, you
can multiply the center number by how many tiles there are (7 x
5 = 35).
- We can also do a similar process with numbers that have a
symmetrical structure such as 2,3,7,8. With this you can add up
the numbers on the ends and multiply by the amount of sets
there are (2 + 8 = 10, 10 x 2 =20).
※ These techniques may have disadvantages. For example, the
order of calculations and taps are often different.
Advanced Techniques

61
3-18. Rapid Sorting
Avg. 827 pts (19th)
S.D. 61 pts (19th)

62
- (The scoring has been modified since
the time that the statistics in the
previous slide were taken.)
- Make sure not to try to predict what
symbol is coming: rather, wait until
you see the symbol come down.
- Each shape has a separate color so
you can use that to differentiate them
as well.

3-19. Quick Eye
63
Avg. 835 pts (18th)
S.D. 125 pts (5th)

64
- Pay attention to both the queue
and the field.
- Memorize the queue as much as
possible even when you are
touching the panels.
- The number of open panels
increases as the game progresses.

65
- Sometimes the panels don’t
appear in the field even when they
show up in the queue. (The figure
shows that “6” doesn’t appear in
the field even when “6” is in the
queue.)
- Use your peripheral vision to see
the open tiles and the queue
simultaneously.

68
4. Further Strategies
- This chapter provides general advice from our
collaborators. This includes practice methods,
ways to stay at peak performance, etc.
- These excerpts are taken from direct interviews
with each collaborator.

69
4-1. Trainings
- Many players like to practice the games that they are very
good at. The amount of practicing tends to support the
extremely high scores that they are able to achieve.
- Some players practice games that they want to improve
thousands of times (SOY! said that he practiced Color of
Deception for over three thousand times).
- Another idea is to practice on the train and set a practice
goal to fulfill until getting off the train. For example, a goal
would be to quit training after scoring over 1500 on Addition
Link twice or playing it 10 times.

70
4-2.
- Everyone tends to have weaknesses; such as judgement,
calculation, or memory.
- It seems that calculation is the most difficult ability to
improve. Calculation speed depends on the amount of
calculations that we have done in our life.
- The second most difficult ability to improve may be short-
term memory. Almost all of the games that are categorized
as a memory game, require us to memorize information in a
short time. However, this ability can be improved through
practice.
Difficulties

71
4-3. Achieving a high rank
Comments from れあ (the highest rating holder as of Feb/1/2015)
There are four things necessary to finish in 1st. These are “The
number of games”, “Winning rate”, “Physical & mental strength”,
and “Coins”.
The number of games you play is what actually determines
your rating. You have no choice but to play a lot. Play everywhere
as long as you have hearts. Just to note, if you want to achieve a
rating of 100,000, you have to play at least 1200 games in a week.

72
Your win rate is also an important factor. Not only do you
lose 160 rating points, you also lose out on the extra 80 points
you would have gained if you won. So the total points you are
throwing away is 240!
So how do you keep your win rate high? The most simple
answer is to score as high as you can. Try spending time to
improve your skills. Another important factor is to try to play a
consistent game at a speed you are comfortable with for each
game. Sometimes you try to be too “greedy” it ends up costing
you (continued on next page).

73
Assume that you are losing by a small score gap before
round 3. The game chooses “High or Low” and you may decide
to try to score as high as possible in the 3rd round. However,
you are more likely to make mistakes if you get frustrated by
trying to score high. It can even cause you to lose the entire
game (I have often lost because of this).
For games such as “High or Low” or “Flick Master”, you will
get more points by playing slowly and not making any mistakes
than playing as fast as possible. Don’t forget that your rating
doesn’t go up unless you win the game. Try to play in a calm
controlled fashion.

74
Your weak games will strike fear into you, which affects your
performance in these games later on. I recommend you to practice
your weaker games because that also means you still have a lot of
room to grow.
You have to sleep enough if you want to be tough and get stable
scores. It is best to sleep at least 4 hours no matter how many games
you want to play.
Other high rankers will also make you anxious when you are at
the top, especially when their ratings rise as yours rises. Make sure
you play frequently when trying to gain position in the rankings.

75
Coins are also an important factor.
Save your coins for when you have the
chance to be in 1st place. If you don’t
have enough coins, you know what to
do!
※ He achieved 110034 rating points
from November 3rd to 9th, 2014. He
played over 1400 battles, and his
winning rate was about 94.5%.

76
4-4.
- Only a few players can achieve Phoenix rank without having to
raise their stats.
- Remember that if you can consistently score over 1000 in all
games, you can keep your stats high.
- If you are having trouble achieving the needed stats, you can
always do friend battles. Friend battles allow you to play without
using hearts while still changing your stats. If your friends aren’t on,
you can challenge them and battle their log instead. If you achieved
the needed stats to grade up in a friend battle, know that playing at
least 1 rating battle after is required for the grade to change. You
must not lose the required stats during that battle!
To be Phoenix

77
4-5. To clutch wins
- Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid glancing at your
opponents score during each round.
- If they are losing before round 3, you can calculate the
difference and select the game you have the highest chance
of winning.
- After the game is selected, prepare to play in your best
condition. For example, be mindful of the distance from your
device.

78
5. Discussions
- The following slides
discuss analyses of the
data.
- This chapter does not
benefit your playing
skills.
Operations
FlickMaster
Simplicity
TouchtheNumber
FollowtheLeaders
AdditionAddiction
Matching
ColorofDeception
Concentration
HighorLow
BirdWatching
AdditionLink
UnfollowtheLeaders
TaptheColor
Rainfall
PathtoSafety
TouchtheNumber+
RapidSorting
QuickEye

5-1. Correlations
- Using the data players surveyed, it
was found that out all games, the
average scores from Touch the
Number + and Simplicity were most
related (correlation of 0.78). This
indicates that Touch the Number+
requires your calculation skills
mainly.
- The 2nd most correlated scores
were in Quick Eye and Touch the
Number (correlation of 0.77). This
shows that they require very similar
observational features.
Correlations of scores among all games
79

80
5-2. Principal Components Analysis
1st Principal Component: Operations, Touch the Number +,
Touch the Number (Contribution: 36.2%)
2ndPrincipalComponent:TaptheColor,
Concentration,TouchtheNumber
(Contribution:12.1%)
Good
Bad
Bad Good
: Players

81
5-2. Principal Components Analysis [3]
I made this analysis to find out if there is a common category in
which could help determine how strong someone is at
BrainWars. According to the data recieved, I have discovered
that players who play well in calculation based games (mainly
Operations and Touch the Number +) seem to be better players
overall (contribution is 36.2%). The second most prominent
component is made of memory based games (mainly Tap the
Color and Concentration, contribution is 12.1%). This finding
shows that players who do well in these categories tend to be
the strongest players overall. This analysis also indicates that
calculation and memorization have to be improved
independently.

6. Collaborators
82
Player Name Nationality User Code Twitter ID
Crawling3 China FK2677 @helianghenry
Michael China UU6632 @MichaelMrGGG
ちさき Taiwan QQ3061 @yumibe31
Berent Turkey IT3215 @Berento1
ちるか Japan HE0953 @sopra3sca
Thank you for providing your scores and writing your thoughts!

6. Collaborators
83
seray Turkey PF0977 @bijeongsang1
SOY! Japan A0437 @soyamagic
Populaire Japan UD2350 @st76573
Я99 Japan UQ6091 @_R99_
C.Falcon Japan FD7956 @C_Falcon_bw
K Japan ND0960 @bouquet0217

6. Collaborators
84
almond Japan HT8811 @falmond
Remy Zane USA GH5133 @TriviaDJRemy
a01 Japan BD1449 -
tuboc Japan EL5548 -

6. Collaborators
85
Player Name Nationality
来深ゆら Japan
Adrian Hong Kong
Hi! China
Hector USA
Triple.P Korea
hoya Japan
yama Japan
KZ Hong Kong
taka Japan
あーさん Japan
のどか Japan
rairai Japan

6. Collaborators
86
ふぅりな Japan
na Japan
nori Japan
marble Japan
ryoma Japan
ひーとすぷれっだ Japan
CharlieBear Taiwan
れあ Japan
C3 Japan
FC Hong Kong

6. Collaborators
87
Hector USA - -
Remy Zane USA GH5133 @TriviaDJRemy
KZ Hong Kong - -
pooppig USA - -
They proposed the best expressions in these slides and
corrected my imperfect English.
Advisers

[1] All the informations from the collaborators. This document is mainly
summarized from this sheet.
http://goo.gl/m3YURr
[2] Touch the Number + Tips and Strategies (Japanese)
http://www.slideshare.net/ctyl/tips-by-ctyl
[3] BrainWars - Principal Components Analysis
http://goo.gl/i8ZqJa
※ If you want to ask some questions about these slides, please feel
free to contact me (E-mail: lim.0.ctyl@gmail.com, don’t forget to write
your name in BrainWars on E-mails). 88
7. References

Special Thanks
89
BrainWars developers
in Translimit Inc.
… and you.

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