Builder's Manual · Chapter 4
Adversary & Encounter Design
This project has no adversary records yet, only the stat blocks in the reference volumes. New adversaries go in as adversary records.
Stat Block Anatomy
- Tier. Tier 1 suits level 1, Tier 2 levels 2–4, Tier 3 levels 5–7, Tier 4 levels 8–10.
- Type. One of the ten types below.
- Description and Motives & Tactics. The tactics are suggestions, not rules.
- Difficulty. Every roll against the adversary uses it. Adversaries don't have Evasion.
- Thresholds, HP, and Stress. Thresholds "8/14" mean Major 8 and Severe 14. These work as they do for player characters.
- Attack modifier and standard attack: name, range, and damage.
- Experiences. The GM spends a Fear to apply one.
- Features: passives, actions, and reactions, plus rare Fear Features that cost Fear to activate.
Example, the Jagged Knife Bandit, Tier 1 Standard: Difficulty 12, thresholds 8/14, HP 5, Stress 3, ATK +1, Daggers (Melee, 1d8+1 phy), Experience Thief +2.
The Ten Adversary Types
| Type | Role |
|---|---|
| Bruiser | Tough, with powerful attacks |
| Horde | A group of identical creatures acting as a single unit |
| Leader | Commands and summons other adversaries |
| Minion | Easily dispatched, dangerous in numbers |
| Ranged | Fragile up close, high damage at a distance |
| Skulk | Maneuvers and exploits openings to ambush |
| Social | A challenge overcome through conversation |
| Solo | A formidable challenge for a whole party |
| Standard | Rank-and-file members of their group |
| Support | Enhances allies and disrupts opponents |
These are exactly the values the adversaryType field accepts.
Signature Passives
- Minion (X): defeated by any damage. For every X damage dealt, defeat one more Minion in range.
- Horde (X): once half its HP is marked, its standard attack deals X instead.
- Relentless (X): can be spotlighted up to X times per GM turn, spending Fear as usual.
- Slow: needs a token placed before it can act.
Building an Encounter: Battle Points
Start with (3 × number of PCs) + 2 points.
| Adjustment | Points |
|---|---|
| Fight should be easier or shorter | −1 |
| Two or more Solos | −2 |
| +1d4 (or +2) to all adversary damage | −2 |
| An adversary from a lower tier | +1 |
| No Bruisers, Hordes, Leaders, or Solos | +1 |
| Fight should be more dangerous or longer | +2 |
| Spend | Cost |
|---|---|
| Group of Minions equal to party size | 1 |
| Social or Support | 1 |
| Horde, Ranged, Skulk, or Standard | 2 |
| Leader | 3 |
| Bruiser | 4 |
| Solo | 5 |
Adversaries summoned by features don't count against the budget.
Fear Per Scene
| Scene | Fear |
|---|---|
| Incidental | 0–1 |
| Minor | 1–3 |
| Standard | 2–4 |
| Major | 4–8 |
| Climactic | 6–12 |
Manual updated Oct 13, 2026.