outflanker
Goes around defensively
One who outflanks—getting around an opponent's side to gain advantage.
The term comes from military tactics, where flanking means attacking from the side rather than head-on.
It extends to any clever maneuvering around opposition: He was an outflanker in boardroom politics, never confronting rivals directly.
Skilled planner of action
- plannerAgenda for scheduling
- schemerCrafty, deceitful planner
- maneuvererOne who steers skillfully
- innovatorCreator of new methods
chess-player · gambit · positioning · anticipation · countermove · deception · misdirection · calculated
Deliberate tactical movement
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
- pincerGrasping claw organ
- envelopmentAct of surrounding completely
- feintDeceptive mock attack
diversion · infiltration · ambush · skirmish · raid · reconnaissance · decoy · penetration
Surprise strike from concealment
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- wrong-footCatch unprepared tactically
- bushwhackSurprise attack from cover
startle · shock · preempt · undercut · circumvent · sucker-punch
tactician
Skilled planner of action
- plannerAgenda for scheduling
- schemerCrafty, deceitful planner
- maneuvererOne who steers skillfully
innovator · chess-player · gambit · positioning · anticipation · countermove · deception · misdirection · calculated · cunning
maneuver
Deliberate tactical movement
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
- pincerGrasping claw organ
- envelopmentAct of surrounding completely
feint · diversion · infiltration · ambush · skirmish · raid · reconnaissance · decoy · penetration · cavalry
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- wrong-footCatch unprepared tactically
bushwhack · startle · shock · preempt · undercut · circumvent · sucker-punch