using-simulation-tactics

# Using Simulation Tactics: The Router Meta-Skill

## Description

This is the PRIMARY ROUTER META-SKILL for the simulation-tactics skillpack. It teaches you how to:

1. **Analyze simulation requirements** - Understand what the user actually needs
2. **Route to appropriate skills** - Determine which of the 10 core skills apply
3. **Apply skills in correct order** - Use the optimal workflow for the situation
4. **Combine multiple skills** - Handle complex scenarios requiring several simulation types

This skill does NOT teach simulation implementation details. It teaches DECISION MAKING: which skill to use, when, and why.

## When to Use This Meta-Skill

Use this meta-skill when:
- Starting ANY simulation-related game development task
- User asks about simulation but unclear which type
- Facing complex scenarios requiring multiple simulation types
- Need to determine implementation order for multi-system games
- Debugging simulation issues and unclear where to start
- Planning architecture for simulation-heavy games

## How to Access Reference Sheets

**IMPORTANT**: All reference sheets are located in the SAME DIRECTORY as this SKILL.md file.

When this skill is loaded from:
  `skills/using-simulation-tactics/SKILL.md`

Reference sheets like `physics-simulation-patterns.md` are at:
  `skills/using-simulation-tactics/physics-simulation-patterns.md`

NOT at:
  `skills/physics-simulation-patterns.md` ← WRONG PATH

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## The 10 Core Skills

Before routing, understand what each skill provides:

### 1. simulation-vs-faking (FOUNDATIONAL)
**What it teaches**: The fundamental trade-off between full simulation and approximation/faking
**When to route**: ALWAYS FIRST - determines if you even need simulation
**Key question**: "Do I simulate this, fake it, or use a hybrid approach?"

### 2. physics-simulation-patterns
**What it teaches**: Rigid bodies, vehicles, cloth, fluids, integration methods
**When to route**: Need realistic physics for vehicles, ragdolls, destructibles,