tomevault-io /octave:battlecard - Competitive War Room
Dedicated competitive intelligence skill that generates living competitive artifacts — battlecards, displacement campaigns, trap questions, objection counters, and side-by-side comparisons — all grounded in your library's competitive data and real conversation evidence.
Usage
/octave:battlecard [mode] [--competitor <name>] [--persona <name>]
Modes
/octave:battlecard # Interactive - pick competitor and mode
/octave:battlecard battlecard --competitor "Acme" # Full competitive battlecard
/octave:battlecard displacement --competitor "Acme" # Displacement campaign
/octave:battlecard traps --competitor "Acme" # Trap questions to expose weaknesses
/octave:battlecard objections --competitor "Acme" # "They say X, we say Y" guide
/octave:battlecard compare --competitor "Acme" # Side-by-side comparison
/octave:battlecard landscape # Full competitive landscape overview
Instructions
When the user runs /octave:battlecard:
Step 1: Identify Competitor and Mode
If no competitor specified, list available competitors:
# Get all competitors
list_all_entities({ entityType: "competitor" })
Present:
Which competitor are you focused on?
COMPETITORS IN YOUR LIBRARY
1. [Competitor 1] - [Brief description]
2. [Competitor 2] - [Brief description]
3. [Competitor 3] - [Brief description]
OTHER
4. Research a new competitor (provide name/domain)
5. Full competitive landscape (all competitors)
Your choice:
If no mode specified, ask:
What do you need?
1. Full Battlecard - Comprehensive positioning guide for sales
2. Displacement Campaign - Outreach to steal their customers
3. Trap Questions - Discovery questions that expose their weaknesses
4. Objection Counters - "They say X, we say Y" paired responses
5. Side-by-Side Compare - Feature/capability comparison
6. Competitive Landscape - Overview of all competitors
Your choice:
Step 2: Gather Competitive Intelligence
# Get competitor entity
get_entity({ oId: "<competitor_oId>" })
# Search for playbooks that mention this competitor
search_knowledge_base({
query: "<competitor name> competitive positioning",
entityTypes: ["playbook"]
})
# Get relevant playbook with value props
get_playbook({ oId: "<playbook_oId>", includeValueProps: true })
# Search for proof points (especially competitive wins)
search_knowledge_base({
query: "<competitor name> win switch migration",
entityTypes: ["proof_point", "reference"]
})
# Search conversation data for competitor mentions
list_findings({
query: "<competitor name> objections competitive mentions",
startDate: "<90 days ago>",
eventFilters: {
competitors: ["<competitor_oId>"]
}
})
# Get won deals where this competitor was present
list_events({
startDate: "<180 days ago>",
filters: {
eventTypes: ["DEAL_WON"],
competitors: ["<competitor_oId>"]
}
})
# Get lost deals to this competitor
list_events({
startDate: "<180 days ago>",
filters: {
eventTypes: ["DEAL_LOST"],
competitors: ["<competitor_oId>"]
}
})
# Get product details for comparison
list_all_entities({ entityType: "product" })
get_entity({ oId: "<product_oId>" })
Step 3: Generate Mode-Specific Output
Mode: Full Battlecard
BATTLECARD: [Your Product] vs [Competitor]
==========================================
Last Updated: [Date]
Based on: [N] deal outcomes, [N] conversation mentions
---
QUICK POSITIONING
-----------------
When you hear: "[Competitor name]"
Lead with: "[Key differentiator in one sentence]"
30-Second Pitch:
"[Elevator pitch that positions against this competitor]"
---
COMPETITOR OVERVIEW
-------------------
What they do: [Brief description from library]
Target market: [Their focus]
Pricing: [If known]
Key customers: [Notable logos]
Recent moves: [Latest news, features, funding]
---
WHERE WE WIN
------------
| Capability | Us | Them |
|------------|-----|------|
| [Area 1] | ✓ [Our strength] | ✗ [Their weakness] |
| [Area 2] | ✓ [Our strength] | ~ [Partial/weaker] |
| [Area 3] | ✓ [Our strength] | ✗ [Their gap] |
Win Themes (from real deals):
1. [Theme 1] — "[Evidence from conversation data]"
2. [Theme 2] — "[Evidence from conversation data]"
3. [Theme 3] — "[Evidence from conversation data]"
---
WHERE THEY WIN (BE HONEST)
--------------------------
| Capability | Them | Our Response |
|------------|------|-------------|
| [Area] | ✓ [Their strength] | [How we counter/reframe] |
How to handle:
• "[Their advantage]" → "[Reframe that shifts the conversation]"
---
COMMON OBJECTIONS
-----------------
"[Competitor] is cheaper"
→ [Response: value, TCO, hidden costs, proof point]
"[Competitor] has [feature X]"
→ [Response: why it matters/doesn't, our alternative approach]
"We already use [Competitor]"
→ [Displacement angle: migration story, switching cost offset]
"[Competitor] has more [integrations/customers/etc.]"
→ [Response: quality vs quantity, specific advantage]
Evidence: [Cite real objections from conversation data if available]
---
TRAP QUESTIONS
--------------
Ask these to expose their weaknesses:
1. "[Question targeting known weakness]"
Why: [What this reveals]
If they say: "[Likely response]" → You say: "[Follow-up]"
2. "[Question about scalability/support/depth]"
Why: [What this reveals]
3. "[Question about specific capability gap]"
Why: [What this reveals]
---
LANDMINES TO SET
----------------
Plant these criteria early in the evaluation:
1. "[Evaluation criterion]" — plays to our strength in [area]
2. "[Technical requirement]" — exposes their limitation in [area]
3. "[Process question]" — highlights our advantage in [area]
---
PROOF POINTS
------------
• [Customer who switched from competitor] — [Outcome]
• [Metric: "X% better than [competitor] in Y"]
• [Industry analyst or review quote]
• [Head-to-head evaluation win]
---
DISPLACEMENT SUCCESS STORY
---------------------------
[Customer] switched from [Competitor] because:
• [Reason 1]
• [Reason 2]
Results after switching:
• [Metric improvement]
• [Time saved / value gained]
---
DEAL WIN/LOSS PATTERNS
-----------------------
Wins against [Competitor]: [N] in last 180 days
Losses to [Competitor]: [N] in last 180 days
Win Rate: [X%]
Common win factors:
• [Factor 1]
• [Factor 2]
Common loss factors:
• [Factor 1]
• [Factor 2]
---
Sources Used:
- Competitor entity: [name]
- Deals analyzed: [N] wins, [N] losses
- Conversation mentions: [N]
- Proof points: [list]
- Playbooks: [list]
---
Want me to:
1. Deep dive on a specific objection
2. Generate displacement outreach
3. Create persona-specific version
4. Add more trap questions
5. Update the competitor entity with new insights
Mode: Displacement Campaign
generate_email({
person: { firstName: "[Persona Name]", jobTitle: "[Persona Title]" },
numEmails: 4,
sequenceType: "COLD_OUTBOUND",
allEmailsContext: "This person currently uses [Competitor]. Key competitor weaknesses: [list]. Our advantages: [list]. Proof of successful switches: [proof points]. Do NOT name the competitor unless the prospect mentions them first.",
allEmailsInstructions: "Displacement campaign. Progressive structure: Email 1: Pain-point their current tool likely causes. Email 2: Vision of what's possible (results from switchers). Email 3: Specific differentiation without naming competitor. Email 4: Direct offer with migration support."
})
Present as:
DISPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN: [Your Product] vs [Competitor]
=====================================================
Target: [Persona] currently using [Competitor]
Strategy: [Lead with pain, prove with results, close with support]
---
POSITIONING STRATEGY
--------------------
Don't lead with: "[Competitor] is bad"
Lead with: "[Pain they're likely experiencing because of competitor limitations]"
Key angles:
1. [Pain point caused by competitor weakness]
2. [Results achieved by companies who switched]
3. [Capability they're missing]
---
EMAIL 1: [Subject]
Timing: Day 1 | Angle: Pain recognition
---
[Email body]
EMAIL 2: [Subject]
Timing: Day 4 | Angle: Social proof from switchers
---
[Email body]
EMAIL 3: [Subject]
Timing: Day 8 | Angle: Differentiation
---
[Email body]
EMAIL 4: [Subject]
Timing: Day 12 | Angle: Migration offer
---
[Email body]
---
LINKEDIN COMPANION MESSAGES
----------------------------
Connection note: [Short message]
Follow-up: [After connection]
---
TALK TRACK (if they respond)
-----------------------------
Opening: "[How to start the conversation]"
Discovery: "[Questions to understand their pain with current tool]"
Transition: "[How to introduce your solution]"
Close: "[Specific next step to offer]"
---
Sources: [Competitor entity, proof points, deal data]
Mode: Trap Questions
TRAP QUESTIONS: vs [Competitor]
================================
Use these discovery questions to expose [Competitor]'s weaknesses
without mentioning them directly.
---
QUESTION 1: [Area of weakness]
"[Natural discovery question]"
Why this works: [Competitor] struggles with [X], so their answer reveals gaps.
If they say "[typical response]": Follow up with "[deeper question]"
Our advantage: [What we do better here]
---
QUESTION 2: [Area of weakness]
"[Natural discovery question]"
Why this works: [Explanation]
If they say "[typical response]": Follow up with "[deeper question]"
Our advantage: [What we do better]
---
[Continue for 5-8 questions]
---
SEQUENCING ADVICE
-----------------
Ask in this order for maximum impact:
1. [Question N] — establishes [criterion] as important
2. [Question N] — builds on first, reveals gap
3. [Question N] — introduces area where we dominate
---
Sources: [Competitor weaknesses, deal win patterns, conversation data]
Mode: Objection Counters
OBJECTION COUNTERS: vs [Competitor]
====================================
PRICING OBJECTIONS
------------------
"[Competitor] is cheaper"
→ [Response with TCO analysis, value framing]
Proof: "[Customer quote or metric]"
"We don't have budget to switch"
→ [Response about migration support, ROI timeline]
Proof: "[Switching ROI proof point]"
---
FEATURE OBJECTIONS
------------------
"[Competitor] has [Feature X]"
→ [Response: our approach, why ours is better/different]
Proof: "[Evidence]"
"[Competitor] integrates with [Tool Y]"
→ [Response about our integrations or API]
Proof: "[Evidence]"
---
RELATIONSHIP OBJECTIONS
-----------------------
"We've been with [Competitor] for years"
→ [Response: switching cost vs. opportunity cost]
Proof: "[Long-time customer who finally switched]"
"Our team knows [Competitor]"
→ [Response: onboarding experience, time to value]
Proof: "[Evidence]"
---
RISK OBJECTIONS
---------------
"Switching is too risky"
→ [Response: migration support, phased approach]
Proof: "[Smooth migration story]"
---
FROM REAL CONVERSATIONS
-----------------------
[If conversation data available, cite actual objections heard and what worked]
• "[Real objection from call]" — Handled by: [rep name/approach] — Outcome: [won/lost]
---
Sources: [Competitor entity, conversation findings, deal outcomes]
Mode: Side-by-Side Compare
COMPARISON: [Your Product] vs [Competitor]
==========================================
| Category | [Your Product] | [Competitor] |
|----------|---------------|-------------|
| [Category 1] | [Our capability] | [Their capability] |
| [Category 2] | [Our capability] | [Their capability] |
| [Category 3] | [Our capability] | [Their capability] |
| ... | ... | ... |
DETAILED COMPARISON
-------------------
[Category 1]: [Category Name]
Us: [Detailed description of our approach]
Them: [Detailed description of their approach]
Verdict: [Where each wins and why it matters]
[Repeat for each major category]
---
SUMMARY
-------
Choose [Your Product] when: [Scenarios where you win]
[Competitor] may be better when: [Be honest about their strengths]
---
Sources: [Competitor entity, product entity, proof points]
Mode: Competitive Landscape
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
=====================
[Fetch all competitors and generate overview]
MARKET MAP
----------
| Competitor | Focus | Threat Level | Our Win Rate |
|-----------|-------|-------------|-------------|
| [Comp 1] | [Focus] | [High/Med/Low] | [X%] |
| [Comp 2] | [Focus] | [High/Med/Low] | [X%] |
| [Comp 3] | [Focus] | [High/Med/Low] | [X%] |
KEY THEMES
----------
• [Common competitive dynamic 1]
• [Common competitive dynamic 2]
• [Market trend affecting competition]
PER-COMPETITOR SNAPSHOT
-----------------------
[Short battlecard summary for each competitor]
---
Want me to deep-dive on any competitor?
Step 4: Offer Follow-Up Actions
What would you like to do next?
1. Deep dive on a specific area
2. Generate displacement outreach for a specific person
3. Create a persona-specific version
4. Re-generate any piece using a saved agent
5. Update competitor entity with new insights
6. Share with team (export)
7. Done
Generation Mode Note
This skill uses Octave's generate_content and generate_email tools by default. Two alternatives:
- Saved agents: Check for matching agents with
list_agentswhen relevant. See/octave:explore-agents. - Claude-direct: Skip
generate_*calls, gather Octave context, Claude writes directly. Offer when user wants more control.
For the full interactive mode selector, use /octave:generate.
MCP Tools Used
Competitive Intelligence
list_all_entities(competitor) - List all competitorsget_entity- Get competitor detailssearch_knowledge_base- Find competitive positioning, proof pointslist_findings- Real conversation mentions and objectionslist_events- Deal win/loss data against competitorget_event_detail- Deep dive into specific competitive deals
Library Context
get_playbook- Competitive playbooks and value propslist_value_props- Value propositions per personaget_entity(product) - Product capabilities for comparison
Content Generation
generate_email- Displacement email campaignsgenerate_content- Trap questions, objection guides, comparisons
Error Handling
No Competitors in Library:
No competitors found in your library.
Options:
- Add a competitor first:
/octave:library create competitor- Tell me the competitor name and I'll create a basic comparison
No Deal Data:
No win/loss data found against [Competitor].
I'll build the battlecard from library data and general positioning. As you log deals, the battlecard will get richer with real evidence.
Competitor Not in Library:
"[Name]" isn't in your library yet.
Options:
- Create the competitor entity first:
/octave:library create competitor "[name]"- I'll generate a basic comparison with available information
Related Skills
/octave:research- Research a specific account in a competitive deal/octave:campaign- Generate competitive campaign content/octave:insights- Surface competitive mentions from conversations/octave:wins-losses- Analyze win/loss patterns against competitors/octave:enablement- Package competitive intel for the team
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