losing consecutive battles, one after another

knead (to work and press into a mass) / elaborate, work out (an idea etc.) / polish (refine; improve imperfections from) / soften, gloss (silk)

(formal, literary) new, novel / fresh / renewed / 灼: efficacious

a losing streak, consecutive losses (especially in sports)

be on a losing streak

strategy

needed, necessary

need, necessity

(chiefly women's speech) first person singular pronoun: I, me

private; mine