Life is a Test: A Series of Pony Logic Puzzles

by Brony_of_Brody


Rock, Rock, Rock (No Fingers, Genius)

Did you know the population of ponies have never heard of Rock Paper Scissors? Unsurprising, given the lack of fingers necessary to play such a truly insightful and fascinating game with such an interesting history.

Alicorns, however, have a special pony-equivalent variation called Hoof, Horn, Wings. A Hoof beats Horn (Twilight Sparkle would object vehemently to the idea of brawn beating brain, but Ogres & Oubliettes players could make a convincing argument otherwise), a Horn wins against Wings by attacking from a distance, and Wings beat Hoof by flying out of reach. Since Alicorns are the only ones with the appendages to play such a game, it's well-known among royalty, and some unicorns who know how to create images with magic, quickly.

Princess Celestia is a particularly big player of the game: you'd be surprised at just how often incredibly big decisions as princess basically boil down to being decided by such a game. But of course, such a simple game of chance invariably gets a bit dull, and so on occasion she does house-rule in another play: the DOUBLE HORN.

It's been said that Bicorns don't exist, but then the same was said of Pinkie's capacity to hold her breath for nearly a day when Trixie rubbed out her mouth and nostrils with the Alicorn Amulet, and she did, just out of spite. Anyway, this special Double Horn that she has introduced adds a twist of thought to such a game. Double Horn defeats Horn, the same way Hoof does, it also beats Wings like regular Horn, and loses to Hoof.

Princess Celestia has always favoured the Best-of-3 approach to these sorts of games, but really, introducing just one new play is hardly going to be mind-blowing: indeed, some may considering it rather unsporting. As a result, Celestia has another rule during any time she house-rules Double Horn in: if at any point regular Horn is played when the opposing pony puts forward Wings, whoever played Horn wins the match, regardless of score.

Of course, hopefully there should never be such a time when you need to pit your wits and/or your neck against her, but it always pays to be crazy prepared for such scenarios. Supposing you were challenged to such a game: there are a number of ways it can play out, so for each phase of the game, how should you approach it to maximise your odds of winning?