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Minimal Example: One Action, One Interaction (v2.0)

This document demonstrates PCAM-24 v2.0 using the smallest possible complete example: - one attack with an Armor Overlay - one dodge with an Invulnerability Overlay - one Elastic Phase Stall (hit-stop)

The Scenario

  • An attacker performs an Armored Heavy Attack.
  • A defender attempts a Dodge Roll.
  • We resolve the interaction using the Deterministic Precedence Matrix.

Step 1: Define the Phase Space

PCAM-24 uses a fixed phase cycle: Phase ∈ {0, 1, 2, ..., 23}

Step 2: Define the Armored Attack (v2.0)

Action: HEAVY_ARMOR_ATK

Semantic Overlays

  • IMPACT: phases 10–13 (deals damage)
  • MITIGATE (Armor): phases 6–13 (absorbs one hit)

Phase Elasticity

  • stall_on_hit: 4 simulation ticks

Step 3: Define the Dodge Action

Action: DODGE_ROLL

Semantic Overlays

  • VOID (Invulnerability): phases 7–12

Step 4: Adjudication Logic

When the actions intersect, the engine checks the active overlays and resolves them by tier:

  1. VOID (Tier 1)
  2. COUNTER (Tier 2)
  3. MITIGATE (Tier 3)
  4. IMPACT (Tier 4)

Step 5: Example Outcomes

Case A — Clean Dodge

  • Attacker phase: 11 (IMPACT)
  • Defender phase: 9 (VOID)
  • Result: VOID wins (Tier 1 > Tier 4). The attack whiffs.

Case B — Armored Trade

  • Attacker phase: 11 (IMPACT)
  • Defender phase: 5 (No defensive overlay)
  • Third Entity phase: 10 (IMPACT landing on Attacker)
  • Result: Attacker is in MITIGATE (Armor) during phases 6-13. The incoming hit is absorbed. Attacker's own IMPACT continues.

Step 6: Phase Elasticity in Action

When Case B occurs and the Attacker's hit lands: 1. The simulation logic detects an IMPACT success. 2. The Attacker's action triggers a Phase Stall. 3. For the next 4 simulation ticks, the Attacker's phase remains locked at 11. 4. After the stall expires, phase progression resumes: (11 + 1) mod 24.

This provides "hit-stop" feel without pausing the global simulation time.

Key Takeaway

PCAM-24 v2.0 allows you to define complex, layered properties (Active + Armored) and non-linear flow (Stalls) while keeping the logic discrete, integer-based, and perfectly deterministic.

Autonomy, Engineered.