# Return to Dark Tower — Adversaries

## Overview

The adversary is the main villain the heroes must defeat to win the game. Each game has one adversary selected during setup. The adversary is a **level 5 foe** — the most powerful enemy.

The adversary spawns on the game board after the heroes complete the main goal. Defeating the adversary in battle wins the game.

---

## Adversary Mechanics

### Spawning

The adversary spawns somewhere on the game board when the main goal is completed. The app determines the spawn location.

### Battling the Adversary

Battling the adversary works like a normal battle with two key exceptions:

1. **You may retreat** — After resolving at least one battle card, you can choose to retreat or continue.
2. **Advantages persist** — Advantages applied to the adversary's battle cards **remain for future battles**. The fight is cumulative across multiple heroes and turns.

> Heroes might need to battle the adversary multiple times before striking the final blow.

### Adversary Quests

Each month, the app may present an **Adversary Quest**. If this quest is not completed by the end of the month, the adversary advances their plans, making the world worse for the heroes.

### Adversary Strike Events

Like other foes, the adversary has a **strike event** that triggers approximately once per month. The adversary strikes from within the Tower even before spawning.

---

## Known Adversaries

> **Note:** Specific adversary abilities, cards, and mechanics are defined on the adversary cards and in the app. Below is information available from the rulebook. Detailed abilities should be expanded from game components.

### Ashstrider

- **Recommended for first game**
- **Special token:** River of Fire tokens
- River of fire tokens turn normal rivers into rivers of fire
- When you move across a river of fire, you **lose 6 warriors**
- River of fire tokens **cannot be removed**

### Vorantrix

- Referenced in game materials
- Specific abilities defined on adversary card

### Lingering Rot

- **Special token:** Spore tokens
- When you gain a spore token, place it on your hero board
- If you would gain a **3rd spore token**, return all your spore tokens to the supply and **gain a corruption** instead

### Other Adversaries

Additional adversaries may be included in the base game or expansions. Each has:

- A unique adversary card
- An adversary token
- A level of 5 (5 battle cards)
- Unique traits and battle card effects
- A unique critical hit card
- Special strike events

---

> **TODO:** Expand with complete adversary list, specific abilities, traits, battle card themes, and escalation mechanics from the adversary cards and companion app data.