CODEX / CAMPAIGN / Core Bestiary

Core Bestiary

Brutal Campaign-Inspired AI System ★ 19 Enemies (Swarm/Elite/Boss)

"Know your enemy. Study their patterns. Exploit their weaknesses. Or die trying."
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Enemy Categories

Swarm (3–5 HP): Weak enemies deployed in large numbers (5–10 per mission). Simple AI. Elite (15–25 HP): 1–2 per mission. Medium complexity AI. Mini-bosses. Boss (30–60 HP): Mission capstone. Complex AI with phases. Anomalous: Reality-defying entities (see Anomalous Bestiary).

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Featured Boss Enemies

(Top 3 boss encounters featured. Complete enemy tables in dropdowns.)

Boss ★ Monster

9. Tainted Leviathan

HP
40
MOVE
4
ARMOR
5
SP
5

Phases: Phase 1 (40–25 HP) Basic attacks. Phase 2 (24–10 HP) Enraged (+2 dmg). Phase 3 (9–0 HP) Berserk + regeneration.

Abilities: Crushing Bite (5d6 + knockback), Tail Sweep (AOE), Charge (trample), Regenerate, Roar (terror).

Massive 4-hex creature. Must focus fire before reaching melee range.

Boss ★ Faction Champion

11. Bonelord Karath

HP
50
MOVE
4
ARMOR
3
SP
5

Phases: Phase 1 Summons undead. Phase 2 Lifesteal attacks. Phase 3 Resurrection + AOE corruption.

Abilities: Soul Harvest (lifesteal on kill), Raise Dead (summon minions), Vampiric Strike, Mass Raise Dead, Apocalyptic Harvest.

Ossuarium champion. Becomes stronger with each minion summoned.

Boss ★ Rival Pilot

10. Rogue Casket

HP
30
MOVE
5
ARMOR
2
SP
5

Mechanics: Uses full player rules. Example baseline 30-card deck; enemy Casket decks generally mirror v2.0 player construction (10 Universal + 6 Faction Core + Equipment + 2 Tactics, totaling ~26–50 by loadout). SP economy, Component Damage, Heat management.

AI Priority: Below 10 HP → defensive. In melee → attack. 3–6 hexes → move/ranged. 7+ → sprint.

Enemy pilot fights exactly like players do. Veteran (Grit 2) with faction abilities.

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▼ Swarm Enemies (3–5 HP), Deploy 5–10 per Mission

Fast, weak, and deployed in groups. Best countered with AOE attacks or focused fire. Individually harmless, but dangerous in numbers.

1. Tainted Rat Swarm
Swarm
HP: 3 | MOVE: 4 | ARMOR: 0 | SP: 2
AI: Swarm Tactics (×2) + Panic Scatter (×1). Diseased Bite (target gains 1 Taint on failed save). Deploy 5–10. Swarm from multiple directions. Die easily but overwhelm with numbers.
2. Corrupted Villager
Swarm
HP: 5 | MOVE: 3 | ARMOR: 0 | SP: 3
AI: Shambling Advance (×3) + Desperate Lunge (×1) + Tainted Scream (×1). Engine-Touched (explodes for 1d6 when killed). Deploy 3–5. Mix with rats for chaotic combat.
3. Scrap Drone
Swarm (Construct)
HP: 4 | MOVE: 5 | ARMOR: 1 | SP: 4
AI: Patrol (×2) + Self-Destruct (×1) + Repair Protocol (×1). Flying (ignores terrain). Deploy 4–6. Patrol, harass, kamikaze when low. Repair each other.
12. Tainted Wolf Pack
Swarm
HP: 5 | MOVE: 6 | ARMOR: 0 | SP: 3
AI: Pack Tactics (×3) + Flanking Strike (×2) + Howl (×1). Pack Hunter (synergy bonuses). Deploy 4–6. Surround target, flank, howl for reinforcements.
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▼ Elite Enemies (15–25 HP), Deploy 1–2 per Mission

Tactical threats with complex behavior decks. Often carry loot. Require focus fire or specific countermeasures. Mini-bosses that define encounters.

4. Bandit Raider
Elite
HP: 15 | MOVE: 4 | ARMOR: 1 | SP: 4
AI (15 cards): Aggressive Strike (×5) + Flank (×3) + Defend (×2) + Grenade Throw (×2) + Retreat (×2) + Rally Cry (×1). Scavenger Armor (1d6, on 6 reduce damage by 2). Hit-and-run tactics.
5. Bandit Captain
Elite (Leader)
HP: 20 | MOVE: 4 | ARMOR: 2 | SP: 5
AI (20 cards): Commanding Strike (×6, buffs allies) + Tactical Repositioning (×4) + Inspire Troops (×3) + Execute the Weak (×2). Leader Aura (all bandits +1 Attack within 4 hexes). Deploy with 3–5 Raiders. Kill Captain first.
6. Tainted Ogre
Elite (Brute)
HP: 25 | MOVE: 3 | ARMOR: 3 | SP: 4
AI (25 cards): Brutal Smash (×8, 5d6 + knockback) + Enraged Charge (×5) + Regenerate (×3) + Ground Slam (×3, AOE). Thick Hide (reduce damage by 3). Taint Regeneration (recover 1 card per turn at 5+ Taint). Slow but devastating.
7. Scrap Golem
Elite (Construct)
HP: 20 | MOVE: 3 | ARMOR: 4 | SP: 3
AI (20 cards): Hydraulic Punch (×6, armor-piercing) + Defensive Stance (×4, counter) + Repair Subroutine (×3) + Ram (×2) + Overload (×2). Heavy Armor (reduce damage by 4). Defensive tank. Repair Protocol if drones nearby.
8. Engine Wraith
Elite (Supernatural)
HP: 12 | MOVE: 6 | ARMOR: 0 | SP: 5
AI (12 cards): Phase Strike (×4, teleport attack + Taint) + Drain Life (×3, lifesteal) + Void Shift (×2, teleport echo). Ethereal (can't be hit by melee unless attacked). Kill fast before Taint accumulates.
13. Church Zealot
Elite (Faction)
HP: 18 | MOVE: 4 | ARMOR: 1 | SP: 5
AI (18 cards): Blood Offering + Strike (×5, self-harm for +3 dmg) + Martyrdom Protocol (×3, protect allies) + Divine Judgment (×2). Martyr's Blessing (at 8 HP or below, +2 dmg). Aggressive self-harm for massive damage.
14. Dwarven Ironclad
Elite (Faction)
HP: 22 | MOVE: 3 | ARMOR: 3 | SP: 4
AI (22 cards): Runic Strike (×6, armor-piercing) + Forge-Ward (×4, gain Rune) + Earthshaker (×3, AOE) + Rune Overcharge (×2). Rune Counter System (reduce damage by 1 per Rune, max 5). Ultimate tank. Requires sustained focus fire.
15. Elven Verdant Stalker
Elite (Faction)
HP: 16 | MOVE: 5 | ARMOR: 1 | SP: 5
AI (16 cards): Thorn Strike (×5, 3d6 + Bleed 2) + Piercing Arrow (×3, ranged, ignore Defense) + Root Bind (×2, immobilize). Bleed Master (stacks to max 10). Mobile hit-and-run. Catch early or suffer.
16. Exchange Enforcer
Elite (Faction)
HP: 20 | MOVE: 4 | ARMOR: 2 | SP: 5
AI (20 cards): Soul Drain (×5, 3d6 + steal 1 SP) + Contract Breach (×4, double damage vs marked). The Ledger (tracks damage, heals 1 HP per 5 damage). Compounding Interest (+1 dmg per turn vs same target). Economic warfare.
17. Nomad Outrider
Elite (Faction)
HP: 15 | MOVE: 7 | ARMOR: 1 | SP: 6
AI (15 cards): Hit-and-Run (×5, attack + retreat) + Scavenging Strike (×3, damage + steal Scrap). Fastest Unit (7 Move). Desert Born (immune to terrain penalties). Chase exhausts pursuers.
19. Crucible Pact Berserker
Elite (Faction)
HP: 24 | MOVE: 5 | ARMOR: 2 | SP: 5
AI (24 cards): Rage Strike (×8, 4d6 reckless) + War Cry (×4, buff allies) + Cleave (×3, multi-hit). Blood Rage (+1 damage per 5 HP lost). Unstoppable (cannot be stunned). Pure aggression. Gets stronger when wounded.
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▼ Boss Enemies (30–60 HP), Mission Capstone

Epic encounters. Complex AI with multiple phases. Every battle is a campaign moment. Bosses carry legendary loot and define the tone of your mission.

9. Tainted Leviathan
Boss (Monster)
HP: 40 | MOVE: 4 | ARMOR: 5 | SP: 5
Phases: Phase 1 (40–25 HP) Basic attacks. Phase 2 (24–10 HP) Enraged (+2 dmg, +1 Move). Phase 3 (9–0 HP) Berserk (AOE, regeneration). AI: Crushing Bite (×10, 5d6 + knockback) + Tail Sweep (×6, AOE) + Charge (×5) + Regenerate (×4). Massive (4 hexes). Armored Hide (reduce damage by 5). Loot: 500 Credits, 8d6 Scrap, Leviathan Fang (Legendary).
10. Rogue Casket (Enemy Pilot)
Boss (Rival Pilot)
HP: 30 | MOVE: 5 | ARMOR: 2 | SP: 5
Mechanics: Full player rules. Example baseline 30-card deck; enemy Casket decks generally mirror v2.0 player construction (10 Universal + 6 Faction Core + Equipment + 2 Tactics, totaling ~26–50 by loadout). AI Priority: Below 10 HP → defensive. In melee → attack. 3–6 hexes → move/ranged. 7+ hexes → sprint. Fights like player. Manages SP, uses cover, flanks, retreats. Loot: 300 Credits, 4d6 Scrap, deck loot per scenario, Legendary relic.
11. Bonelord Karath (Ossuarium Boss)
Boss (Faction Champion)
HP: 50 | MOVE: 4 | ARMOR: 3 | SP: 5
Phases: Phase 1 (50–35 HP) Summons undead. Phase 2 (34–15 HP) Lifesteal attacks. Phase 3 (14–0 HP) Resurrection + AOE corruption. AI Phase 1 (50 cards): Soul Harvest (×12, lifesteal on kill) + Raise Dead (×8, summon Bone Thralls) + Bone Armor (×6) + Necrotic Bolt (×5). Phase 2 adds: Vampiric Strike (×4) + Mass Raise Dead (×2). Phase 3 adds: Resurrection (×1, once per battle) + Apocalyptic Harvest (×3, 5d6 + 3 Taint AOE). Necromantic Aura (auto-summon Thralls from corpses). The Ledger (+1 dmg per kill). Loot: 600 Credits, 10d6 Scrap, The Ledger (Legendary cursed relic).
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