# 02 Shape Language

Shape language gives emotion before detail.

| Shape | Emotion | Use |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Squares | Stability, weight, toughness | Tanks, bosses, armor, heavy enemies. |
| Triangles | Speed, danger, aggression | Assassins, claws, lightning, sharp attacks. |
| Circles | Safety, friendliness, energy flow | Heroes, readable joints, UI-friendly silhouettes. |
| Diamonds | Precision, rarity, power focus | Cores, gems, elite details, energy emitters. |
| Vertical emphasis | Nobility, height, command | Leaders, bosses, elite stance. |
| Horizontal emphasis | Mass, defense, grounded strength | Brutes, shields, heavy armor. |
| Diagonal emphasis | Motion, attack, instability | Dash, jump, strike, fall, stagger. |

## ASCII Examples

```text
square strength

#####
#####
#####
```

```text
triangle danger

  ^
 ^^^
^^^^^
```

```text
circle friendliness

 .OO.
OOOOOO
 .OO.
```

```text
diamond focus

  D
 DDD
DDDDD
 DDD
  D
```

## Combined Language

Heroes use clean readable combinations. Enemies use more aggressive or compressed shapes. Bosses exaggerate the dominant shape until it reads at distance.