stratagem

A tactic or artifice designed to gain the upper hand, especially one involving underhanded dealings or deception.

Near-synonyms: ploy, ruse

Tis pollicie and ſtratageme muſt doo / That you affect, and ſo muſt you reſolue, / That vvhat you cannot as you vvould atchiue, / You muſt perforce accompliſh as you may: […]

Specifically, such a tactic or artifice in military operation.

His fiery eies are fixt vpon the earth. As if he now deuiſ’d some Stratageme: Or meant to pierce Auernus darkſome vauts. To pull the triple headed dog from hell.

Military deception or artifice.

Cunning and artifice in general.

A violent deed.