{
  "version": 1,
  "updated": "2026-09-06",
  "note": "Design concepts. Abilities and armies are not yet playable; numerical balance is intentionally pending prototype tests.",
  "heroes": [
    {
      "id": "rook",
      "name": "Captain Rook",
      "title": "The Last Expedition",
      "faction": "Expedition marines",
      "role": "Ranged tactician",
      "color": "#a5b78c",
      "summary": "A rifle captain who turns careful positioning into concentrated fire.",
      "visual": "Olive carbide plates, orange identification tape, a weathered rifle and a hovering survey drone. Low, deliberate silhouettes distinguish infantry from tall mechs.",
      "passive": "Fire discipline: standing still for 1.2s primes a basic shot for 20% bonus damage. Moving or firing resets the charge.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Pinpoint burst",
          "description": "Deal 135 focused damage."
        },
        {
          "name": "Combat roll",
          "description": "Roll toward the cursor and gain 2s of protection."
        },
        {
          "name": "Smoke line",
          "description": "Deal 70 damage and weaken the target by 45% for 3s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Dead center",
          "description": "Deal 250 damage, 50% more against a target below 40% health."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Suppressing fire",
          "description": "Deal 140 area damage and slow troops for 3s. Heroes take 20%."
        },
        {
          "name": "Field supplies",
          "description": "An 8s supply station heals troops for 24/s and heroes for 4.8/s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Rally beacon",
          "description": "Nearby allies gain 45% damage and 25% speed for 5s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Orbital lance",
          "description": "Mark an 8-unit circle at the cursor. After 1.5s it deals 300 damage; heroes take 20%."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Recruit bay",
          "unit": "Line rifleman",
          "description": "Line rifleman. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Breach pod",
          "unit": "Shield breacher",
          "description": "Shield breacher. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Marksman nest",
          "unit": "Sharpshooter",
          "description": "Sharpshooter. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Medic station",
          "unit": "Field medic",
          "description": "Field medic. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 28 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Drone hangar",
          "unit": "Survey drone",
          "description": "Survey drone. Attacks apply curse for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Exosuit depot",
          "unit": "Bulwark exosuit",
          "description": "Bulwark exosuit. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Artillery cradle",
          "unit": "Mortar crawler",
          "description": "Mortar crawler. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Signal bunker",
          "unit": "Signal bunker",
          "description": "Support structure. Every 2s, grants nearby allies 45% damage and 25% movement for 2.5s."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Force him to move before his firing line settles. Flank his medics and punish the orbital warning window.",
      "synergy": "Pairs with rooted frontlines that hold enemies inside suppressing fire.",
      "difficulty": "Medium",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 0
    },
    {
      "id": "veyra",
      "name": "Sister Veyra",
      "title": "The Void Covenant",
      "faction": "Powered crusaders",
      "role": "Armored initiator",
      "color": "#c3b4e9",
      "summary": "A walking bulwark whose crusaders advance behind overlapping shields.",
      "visual": "Ivory powered armor, violet reactor seams, a cathedral-shaped backpack and a heavy rail pilum. Armor opens visibly before venting.",
      "passive": "Oath reactor: damage taken stores up to 100 charge. The next shield cast spends it to extend protection by up to 2s.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Rail thrust",
          "description": "After 0.35s, pierce a 17-unit line for 145 damage."
        },
        {
          "name": "Bastion step",
          "description": "Surge toward the cursor and gain 2s protection. Reactor charge extends protection."
        },
        {
          "name": "Gravity vow",
          "description": "Deal 75 damage and slow one target for 3s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Reactor absolution",
          "description": "Mark a close 6-unit circle. After 1s, deal 240 damage."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Procession",
          "description": "Nearby allies take 60% less damage for 3s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Sanctuary plates",
          "description": "Place a 6s sanctuary at the cursor. Allies inside receive protection."
        },
        {
          "name": "Judgment rounds",
          "description": "Nearby allied troops gain 50% splash damage around their basic target for 5s."
        },
        {
          "name": "The long march",
          "description": "Carry a 7s protection field around Veyra as she moves."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Novitiate dock",
          "unit": "Power initiate",
          "description": "Power initiate. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Pilum chapel",
          "unit": "Lance crusader",
          "description": "Lance crusader. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Aegis forge",
          "unit": "Shield bearer",
          "description": "Shield bearer. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Choir vault",
          "unit": "Resonance cantor",
          "description": "Resonance cantor. Every 2s, grants nearby allies 25% damage reduction for 2.5s."
        },
        {
          "building": "Grav foundry",
          "unit": "Anchor walker",
          "description": "Anchor walker. Attacks apply slow for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Reliquary",
          "unit": "Relic knight",
          "description": "Relic knight. Attacks apply exposed for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Siege altar",
          "unit": "Judgment engine",
          "description": "Judgment engine. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Oath spire",
          "unit": "Oath spire",
          "description": "Support structure. Every 2s, grants nearby allies 25% damage reduction for 2.5s."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Attack from two directions and disengage during the march. Her committed movement has long recovery.",
      "synergy": "Benefits from ranged allies who can safely fire behind her shield wall.",
      "difficulty": "Low",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "morrow",
      "name": "Mother Morrow",
      "title": "The Second Breath",
      "faction": "Undead quarantine",
      "role": "Attrition support",
      "color": "#9fc299",
      "summary": "A plague surgeon who recycles fallen troops into one final advance.",
      "visual": "Porcelain surgeon mask, oxidized surgical steel, stitched robes and green specimen lamps. Her army lurches in uneven rhythms.",
      "passive": "Triage ledger: permanent allied troop deaths within 18 grant one remain, up to six. Healing casts spend remains for 20% more healing each. Temporary or revived troops grant none.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Suture hook",
          "description": "Hook the first enemy in a narrow line, dealing 90 damage and pulling it up to 5 units."
        },
        {
          "name": "Borrowed pulse",
          "description": "Restore 110 health to yourself. Remains increase the heal."
        },
        {
          "name": "Fever touch",
          "description": "Deal 85 damage and halve the target’s healing for 4s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Last diagnosis",
          "description": "Warn a 3-unit circle for 1s, then deal 270 damage and apply a 4s infection."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Stitch together",
          "description": "Restore 120 health to nearby troops and 24 to heroes. Remains increase recovery."
        },
        {
          "name": "Grave procession",
          "description": "Raise four temporary shamblers for 18s. They grant no remains or bounty."
        },
        {
          "name": "Quarantine",
          "description": "Place a 6s slowing disease field: 22 damage/s to troops, 20% against heroes."
        },
        {
          "name": "Second breath",
          "description": "For 7s, up to six nearby permanent allied troops revive once at 35% health. Revival grants no extra bounty or remains."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Morgue",
          "unit": "Shambler",
          "description": "Shambler. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Ossuary",
          "unit": "Bone pikeman",
          "description": "Bone pikeman. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Apothecary",
          "unit": "Bile thrower",
          "description": "Bile thrower. Attacks apply poison for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Suture ward",
          "unit": "Stitch nurse",
          "description": "Stitch nurse. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 30 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Graft theater",
          "unit": "Grafted brute",
          "description": "Grafted brute. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Bell crypt",
          "unit": "Mourning herald",
          "description": "Mourning herald. Attacks apply curse for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Plague kiln",
          "unit": "Corpse lobber",
          "description": "Corpse lobber. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Quarantine post",
          "unit": "Quarantine post",
          "description": "Defensive tower. Attacks apply slow for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Burst priority targets and leave disease fields. Deny nearby troop deaths before a major engagement.",
      "synergy": "Works with inexpensive allied armies, but her capped resource prevents endless revival.",
      "difficulty": "High",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 2
    },
    {
      "id": "xyrix",
      "name": "Xyrix",
      "title": "The Emerald Hunger",
      "faction": "Alien brood",
      "role": "Adaptive skirmisher",
      "color": "#61c9a0",
      "summary": "A chitin sovereign that chooses when a brood should hunt or harden.",
      "visual": "Emerald blade-like carapace, a triangular crown and articulated scythe arms. Organisms share bright sensory nodes.",
      "passive": "Adaptation: after a basic attack, casting grants 3s haste in Duel form or 3s protection in Horde form. Only one adaptation is active.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Rending arc",
          "description": "Rend an 11-unit cone-like corridor and expose victims to 15% more damage for 3s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Chitin molt",
          "description": "Clear slow and root, gain 2s protection and leave one harmless 5s husk."
        },
        {
          "name": "Neural barb",
          "description": "Fire a narrow barb. The first target takes 110 damage and is silenced for 1.5s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Apex mutation",
          "description": "For 7s, Xyrix gains 40% basic damage and 4 extra reach."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Brood surge",
          "description": "Nearby allies gain 30% attack speed and 25% movement for 5s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Harden carapace",
          "description": "Nearby troops take 60% less damage but move 35% slower for 5s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Acid rain",
          "description": "Warn a 7-unit circle for 1s. Deal 210 damage and expose victims for 4s. Heroes take 20%."
        },
        {
          "name": "Evolution pulse",
          "description": "Nearby brood troops gain 40% basic damage and 4 reach for 6s."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Spawning pool",
          "unit": "Razorling",
          "description": "Razorling. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Spine mound",
          "unit": "Spine thrower",
          "description": "Spine thrower. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Chitin nest",
          "unit": "Shellguard",
          "description": "Shellguard. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Nutrient sac",
          "unit": "Mender grub",
          "description": "Mender grub. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 26 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Synapse cyst",
          "unit": "Mind stinger",
          "description": "Mind stinger. Attacks apply curse for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Wing chamber",
          "unit": "Skitter glider",
          "description": "Skitter glider. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Acid stomach",
          "unit": "Bile siege beast",
          "description": "Bile siege beast. Attacks apply exposed for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Synapse node",
          "unit": "Synapse node",
          "description": "Support structure. Every 2s, grants nearby allies 30% attack speed and 25% movement for 2.5s."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Punish the wrong adaptation and clear fragile support organisms. Sustained area damage limits the brood.",
      "synergy": "Pairs with control mages who let acid and rending attacks land together.",
      "difficulty": "High",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 3
    },
    {
      "id": "thessa",
      "name": "Queen Thessa",
      "title": "The Amber Colony",
      "faction": "Ant supercolony",
      "role": "Swarm commander",
      "color": "#dfae59",
      "summary": "A true ant matriarch who directs dense worker and soldier formations with pheromone trails.",
      "visual": "Amber segmented armor, crown-like antennae, six-limbed attendants and polished resin. Tiny workers contrast with enormous majors.",
      "passive": "Colony discipline: colony troops take 12% less damage beside another living allied colony troop within 5 units. The bonus never stacks.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Mandible lock",
          "description": "Deal 120 damage and root one enemy for 1.2s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Royal retreat",
          "description": "Scuttle toward the cursor and restore 65 health."
        },
        {
          "name": "Alarm scent",
          "description": "Deal 90 damage and slow one enemy for 3s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Soldier’s decree",
          "description": "Call one temporary major ant for 18s, within your troop cap."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Pheromone trail",
          "description": "Nearby allies gain 45% damage and 25% speed for 5s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Resin bulwark",
          "description": "Nearby allies take 60% less damage for 4s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Foraging rush",
          "description": "Your existing hatcheries produce 40% faster for 8s. Troop caps still apply."
        },
        {
          "name": "Colony ascendant",
          "description": "Call three temporary major ants for 18s, within your troop cap."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Worker chamber",
          "unit": "Worker ant",
          "description": "Worker ant. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Soldier chamber",
          "unit": "Soldier ant",
          "description": "Soldier ant. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Spitter chamber",
          "unit": "Acid ant",
          "description": "Acid ant. Attacks apply curse for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Nursery",
          "unit": "Nurse ant",
          "description": "Nurse ant. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 25 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Major chamber",
          "unit": "Major ant",
          "description": "Major ant. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Wing nursery",
          "unit": "Alate scout",
          "description": "Alate scout. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Resin foundry",
          "unit": "Siege beetle ally",
          "description": "Siege beetle ally. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Pheromone mound",
          "unit": "Pheromone mound",
          "description": "Support structure. Every 2s, grants nearby allies 45% damage and 25% movement for 2.5s."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Use area attacks and narrow chokepoints against clumping. Destroy trail posts to break reinforcements.",
      "synergy": "Rewards teammates who can defend a fixed advance route.",
      "difficulty": "Medium",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 4
    },
    {
      "id": "elowen",
      "name": "Elowen",
      "title": "The Silver Bough",
      "faction": "Elven wardens",
      "role": "Precision ranger",
      "color": "#a9d6b0",
      "summary": "A moonlit archer who binds enemies at the edge of her range.",
      "visual": "Silver leaf armor, deep green cloth, a recurved moonwood bow and drifting seed lights. Lean vertical silhouettes.",
      "passive": "Patient aim: basic hits from at least 10 units build up to four focus. The next damaging ability consumes focus for 8% extra damage per stack.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Moon-thread",
          "description": "Pierce a narrow line for 130 damage and slow enemies for 2s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Leafstep",
          "description": "Sidestep toward the cursor and prime a 35% stronger basic attack."
        },
        {
          "name": "Briar tether",
          "description": "After a 0.6s warning, root enemies in a 2-unit corridor for 1.4s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Falling star",
          "description": "Charge a narrow 32-unit arrow for 1.2s. Enemies can sidestep the warning."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Volley of leaves",
          "description": "Warn a 7-unit circle for 0.7s, then deal 180 troop damage. Heroes take 20%."
        },
        {
          "name": "Grove shelter",
          "description": "Plant a 7s shelter that heals troops for 22/s and heroes for 4.4/s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Wind through branches",
          "description": "Nearby ranged troops gain 30% attack speed and 25% movement for 5s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Ancient awakening",
          "description": "Call a temporary bark guardian for 24s within the troop cap."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Fletcher grove",
          "unit": "Bough archer",
          "description": "Bough archer. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Thorn lodge",
          "unit": "Thorn sentinel",
          "description": "Thorn sentinel. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Moon shrine",
          "unit": "Moon seer",
          "description": "Moon seer. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Spring glade",
          "unit": "Spring tender",
          "description": "Spring tender. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 32 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Stag hall",
          "unit": "Stag rider",
          "description": "Stag rider. Moving for 1s primes 35% extra basic damage; the charge is consumed on attack."
        },
        {
          "building": "Ancient nursery",
          "unit": "Bark guardian",
          "description": "Bark guardian. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Star platform",
          "unit": "Star ballista",
          "description": "Star ballista. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Ward tree",
          "unit": "Ward tree",
          "description": "Defensive tower. Attacks apply root for 0.6s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Close distance after Leafstep and exploit her light armor. Wide approaches weaken line-based roots.",
      "synergy": "Fits behind giants or shield infantry that protect her firing distance.",
      "difficulty": "Medium",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 5
    },
    {
      "id": "brann",
      "name": "Brann Ironroot",
      "title": "The Deepworks",
      "faction": "Dwarven machinery",
      "role": "Siege engineer",
      "color": "#d49e68",
      "summary": "A stubborn engineer whose army advances in short, fortified stages.",
      "visual": "Bronze rivets, soot-black iron, a square hammer and a compact furnace pack. All machines show pistons and recoil.",
      "passive": "Pressure gauge: basic attacks store up to four pressure. The next damaging ability spends it for up to 24% bonus damage.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Hammerfall",
          "description": "Deal 155 focused hammer damage."
        },
        {
          "name": "Brace",
          "description": "Take 60% less damage for 3s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Rivet shot",
          "description": "Deal 100 damage and weaken the target by 45% for 3s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Overpressure",
          "description": "Deal 240 damage and stun one enemy for 1s."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Field repairs",
          "description": "Restore 150 health to nearby troops and 30 to heroes."
        },
        {
          "name": "Entrench",
          "description": "Nearby allies take 60% less damage for 4s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Bombardment order",
          "description": "Mark a 7-unit circle. After 1.8s it deals 230 damage; heroes take 20%."
        },
        {
          "name": "Walking foundry",
          "description": "Deploy one temporary rune golem for 24s, within your troop cap."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Clan hall",
          "unit": "Axe clansman",
          "description": "Axe clansman. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Gunnery",
          "unit": "Thunder gunner",
          "description": "Thunder gunner. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Shield forge",
          "unit": "Ironbreaker",
          "description": "Ironbreaker. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Repair shed",
          "unit": "Gear tender",
          "description": "Gear tender. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 34 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Steam stable",
          "unit": "Ram engine",
          "description": "Ram engine. Attacks apply slow for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Rune forge",
          "unit": "Rune golem",
          "description": "Rune golem. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Mortar works",
          "unit": "Siege mortar",
          "description": "Siege mortar. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Pressure valve",
          "unit": "Pressure valve",
          "description": "Support structure. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 36 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Keep moving around entrenched positions and focus repair crews. His army turns and advances slowly.",
      "synergy": "Pairs with long-range allies and outpost defenses.",
      "difficulty": "Medium",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 6
    },
    {
      "id": "hroth",
      "name": "Hroth",
      "title": "The Winter That Walks",
      "faction": "Glacial giants",
      "role": "Disruption tank",
      "color": "#a7d9ed",
      "summary": "A giant who makes a wide bridge feel narrow with deliberate, crushing attacks.",
      "visual": "Blue stone-like skin, wool, glacier chains and an immense ice maul. Heavy anticipation, footfall snow and long recovery.",
      "passive": "Permafrost: after standing still for 1.5s gain 15% damage reduction. Moving stores a slowing first hit for 4s; attacking consumes the frost.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Icebreaker",
          "description": "Slam a 3-unit corridor after 0.6s for 165 damage and a 2s slow."
        },
        {
          "name": "Chain haul",
          "description": "Hook the first target after 0.4s, dealing 85 damage and pulling it up to 6 units."
        },
        {
          "name": "Glacier hide",
          "description": "Take 60% less damage and move 35% slower for 4s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Mountain falls",
          "description": "Mark a landing up to 15 units away. After 1.2s, leap there and deal 230 damage in radius 6."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Rime field",
          "description": "A 7s frost patch slows enemies and deals 18 troop damage/s. Heroes take 20%."
        },
        {
          "name": "Sheltering bulk",
          "description": "Nearby allies take 60% less damage for 4s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Avalanche order",
          "description": "Nearby allied troops gain one 35% stronger basic attack within 6s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Winter procession",
          "description": "A broad frost front travels through a 30-unit corridor after a 1.2s warning. Slows for 4s; heroes take 20%."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Stone hearth",
          "unit": "Hillkin",
          "description": "Hillkin. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Ice shelf",
          "unit": "Shard hurler",
          "description": "Shard hurler. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Chain hall",
          "unit": "Chain giant",
          "description": "Chain giant. Basic hits pull targets up to 2 units; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Snow shrine",
          "unit": "Frost shaman",
          "description": "Frost shaman. Every 2s, grants nearby allies 25% damage reduction for 2.5s."
        },
        {
          "building": "Mammoth pen",
          "unit": "Wool mammoth",
          "description": "Wool mammoth. Moving for 1s primes 35% extra basic damage; the charge is consumed on attack."
        },
        {
          "building": "Glacier cradle",
          "unit": "Ice colossus",
          "description": "Ice colossus. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Boulder ramp",
          "unit": "Siege giant",
          "description": "Siege giant. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Rime pillar",
          "unit": "Rime pillar",
          "description": "Defensive tower. Attacks apply slow for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Dodge his windups and kite between attacks. Percent-health pressure and armor reduction punish expensive heavies.",
      "synergy": "Gives archers and artillery time to deal damage.",
      "difficulty": "Low",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 7
    },
    {
      "id": "kage",
      "name": "Kage Sable",
      "title": "The Raven Veil",
      "faction": "Shadow clans",
      "role": "Ambush assassin",
      "color": "#aab4cc",
      "summary": "A raven-masked duelist who uses visible decoys and short misdirection windows.",
      "visual": "Black layered wraps, feathered shoulders and a curved short blade. Quick footwork resolves into crisp held poses.",
      "passive": "Afterimage: moving then landing a basic attack creates one harmless 3s decoy, at most once every 8s. Decoys never damage or capture objectives.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Raven cut",
          "description": "Dash toward the cursor and prime a 35% stronger basic attack."
        },
        {
          "name": "Smoke double",
          "description": "Leave one harmless 6s clone and gain 2s protection. The clone is visible and targetable."
        },
        {
          "name": "Thread needle",
          "description": "The first enemy hit takes 105 damage and is exposed for 4s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Black-feather finish",
          "description": "Deal 230 damage, or 345 to an exposed target. Move safely toward it after striking."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Veil passage",
          "description": "Nearby allies gain 25% movement and 30% attack speed for 5s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Thousand needles",
          "description": "Fan needles down a broad corridor after 0.3s. Heroes take 20%."
        },
        {
          "name": "False formation",
          "description": "Create four harmless 8s decoys. They use troop slots and grant no bounty."
        },
        {
          "name": "Nightfall order",
          "description": "Nearby troops deal 35% more basic damage to isolated enemies for 6s."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Clan house",
          "unit": "Veil runner",
          "description": "Veil runner. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Needle school",
          "unit": "Needle thrower",
          "description": "Needle thrower. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Hook dojo",
          "unit": "Chain adept",
          "description": "Chain adept. Basic hits pull targets up to 1.5 units; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Herbalist hut",
          "unit": "Mist healer",
          "description": "Mist healer. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 26 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Raven roost",
          "unit": "Raven handler",
          "description": "Raven handler. Attacks apply exposed for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Shadow temple",
          "unit": "Oath assassin",
          "description": "Oath assassin. Deals 30% extra damage to enemies without an ally within 6."
        },
        {
          "building": "Powder store",
          "unit": "Bomb carrier",
          "description": "Bomb carrier. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Watch lantern",
          "unit": "Watch lantern",
          "description": "Support structure. Destroys nearby enemy decoys within 16."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Stay grouped and save interrupts for his finish. Area damage exposes decoys and threatens his low health.",
      "synergy": "Needs a durable teammate to draw attention before he enters.",
      "difficulty": "High",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 8
    },
    {
      "id": "akari",
      "name": "Lady Akari",
      "title": "The Vermilion Banner",
      "faction": "Samurai warbands",
      "role": "Counter duelist",
      "color": "#e2a092",
      "summary": "A disciplined swordmaster whose best offense begins with a well-timed defense.",
      "visual": "Red lamellar, lacquered scabbard, ivory cords and a curved katana. Restrained idle motion and explosive draw cuts.",
      "passive": "Composure: parrying a direct frontal basic attack primes a 75% stronger counterattack. A missed parry still spends mana and cooldown.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Drawn dawn",
          "description": "Cut a thin corridor for 145 damage after a 0.2s warning."
        },
        {
          "name": "Still water",
          "description": "For 0.8s block the next frontal basic attack and prime Composure."
        },
        {
          "name": "Crimson pursuit",
          "description": "Step toward the cursor without crossing walls and gain 2s haste."
        },
        {
          "name": "One perfect stroke",
          "description": "Warn a straight corridor for 1s, then deal 310 damage. Sidestep to evade."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Banner advance",
          "description": "Nearby troops gain one 35% stronger basic attack and 3s haste."
        },
        {
          "name": "Hold the line",
          "description": "Nearby troops resist pulls and take 20% less damage for 5s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Arrow ceremony",
          "description": "Warn an 8-unit circle for 1s, then deal 220 troop damage. Heroes take 20%."
        },
        {
          "name": "Unbroken oath",
          "description": "Nearby allied troops survive one lethal hit at 1 health during the next 5s."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Ashigaru camp",
          "unit": "Spear ashigaru",
          "description": "Spear ashigaru. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Yumi range",
          "unit": "Yumi archer",
          "description": "Yumi archer. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Sword dojo",
          "unit": "Katana retainer",
          "description": "Katana retainer. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Tea shrine",
          "unit": "Oath keeper",
          "description": "Oath keeper. Every 2s, grants nearby allies 20% damage reduction and pull resistance for 2.5s."
        },
        {
          "building": "Cavalry yard",
          "unit": "Banner rider",
          "description": "Banner rider. Moving for 1s primes 35% extra basic damage; the charge is consumed on attack."
        },
        {
          "building": "Honor hall",
          "unit": "Armored samurai",
          "description": "Armored samurai. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Firework foundry",
          "unit": "Rocket cart",
          "description": "Rocket cart. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Banner tower",
          "unit": "Banner tower",
          "description": "Support structure. Every 2s, grants nearby allies 20% damage reduction and pull resistance for 2.5s."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Bait the parry, then attack during recovery. Spread out before the ceremonial volley.",
      "synergy": "Strengthens armies that arrive together rather than trickling into battle.",
      "difficulty": "High",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 9
    },
    {
      "id": "nami",
      "name": "Nami Tideglass",
      "title": "The Sapphire Court",
      "faction": "Reefborn hosts",
      "role": "Flow controller",
      "color": "#86d8d5",
      "summary": "A coral lancer who shapes the lane with currents and timed recovery.",
      "visual": "Turquoise scales, translucent fin ribbons, coral plates and a glass-tipped spear. Water ribbons trace motion without hiding targets.",
      "passive": "Undertow: alternating offensive and supportive casts primes a 2s slowing basic attack. Repeating the same cast category does not recharge it.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Glass current",
          "description": "Send a narrow water lance through a 22-unit corridor for 140 damage."
        },
        {
          "name": "Reef slip",
          "description": "Glide toward the cursor and gain 2s haste."
        },
        {
          "name": "Tidal ward",
          "description": "Protect the most wounded nearby allied hero for 3s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Breaker",
          "description": "A 3-unit crest warns for 0.8s, then deals 220 damage and stuns for 0.8s."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Healing tide",
          "description": "Heal nearby troops for 140 and heroes for 28."
        },
        {
          "name": "Ebb current",
          "description": "Place a 7s current that slows enemies and deals 16 troop damage/s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Reef armor",
          "description": "Nearby allies take 60% less damage for 4s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Leviathan’s wake",
          "description": "A spectral wake sweeps a 7-unit corridor after 1.1s. Deals 290 damage and slows for 3s; heroes take 20%."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Pearl barracks",
          "unit": "Reef lancer",
          "description": "Reef lancer. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Coral range",
          "unit": "Spine caster",
          "description": "Spine caster. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Shell keep",
          "unit": "Crab sentinel",
          "description": "Crab sentinel. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Tide shrine",
          "unit": "Pearl mender",
          "description": "Pearl mender. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 31 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Ray pool",
          "unit": "Ray rider",
          "description": "Ray rider. Attacks apply slow for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Abyss gate",
          "unit": "Deep guardian",
          "description": "Deep guardian. Attacks apply slow for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Conch works",
          "unit": "Shell bombard",
          "description": "Shell bombard. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Current pillar",
          "unit": "Current pillar",
          "description": "Defensive tower. Attacks apply slow for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Engage between healing pulses and sidestep the narrow breakers. Her troops lose momentum outside supportive zones.",
      "synergy": "Supports aggressive melee armies that can ride a moving heal.",
      "difficulty": "Medium",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 10
    },
    {
      "id": "sefu",
      "name": "Sefu Sunmane",
      "title": "The Golden Migration",
      "faction": "Wild animal hosts",
      "role": "Pack bruiser",
      "color": "#e7bd72",
      "summary": "A lion lord who coordinates the charge of familiar, powerful beasts.",
      "visual": "A leonine face and mane, sun-stamped leather and gold armguards. Distinct gait cycles for cats, birds and heavy mammals.",
      "passive": "Pack instinct: basic attacks heal Sefu for 20 when an allied beast is within 6 of the target. Recovery can occur once every 2s.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Sunclaw",
          "description": "Swipe a broad close corridor for 150 damage after 0.25s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Pounce",
          "description": "Pounce toward the cursor and prime a 35% stronger basic attack."
        },
        {
          "name": "Defiant roar",
          "description": "Roar for 75 area damage and weaken enemy attacks by 45% for 3s. Heroes receive 20% damage and control."
        },
        {
          "name": "King’s challenge",
          "description": "Deal 185 damage, expose a target for 4s and gain 4s haste."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Migration call",
          "description": "Nearby allies gain 30% attack speed and 25% movement for 5s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Protect the young",
          "description": "Protect the four lowest-health nearby allied troops for 4s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Hunting circle",
          "description": "Mark an 8s hunting ground. Allied troops inside gain haste."
        },
        {
          "name": "Great stampede",
          "description": "A broad stampede warns for 1.2s then deals 300 damage and pushes enemies up to 4 units. Heroes take 20%."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Lion den",
          "unit": "Lion hunter",
          "description": "Lion hunter. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Hawk perch",
          "unit": "War hawk",
          "description": "War hawk. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Boar thicket",
          "unit": "Tusk boar",
          "description": "Tusk boar. Attacks apply slow for 2.5s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration. Moving for 1s primes 35% extra basic damage; the charge is consumed on attack."
        },
        {
          "building": "Spring sanctuary",
          "unit": "Crane keeper",
          "description": "Crane keeper. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 28 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Rhino wallow",
          "unit": "Ironhide rhino",
          "description": "Ironhide rhino. Moving for 1s primes 35% extra basic damage; the charge is consumed on attack."
        },
        {
          "building": "Elephant grove",
          "unit": "War elephant",
          "description": "War elephant. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Stoneback paddock",
          "unit": "Siege tortoise",
          "description": "Siege tortoise. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Sun totem",
          "unit": "Sun totem",
          "description": "Support structure. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 30 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Root the charging packs and separate Sefu from allied beasts. His recovery falls sharply when isolated.",
      "synergy": "Thrives with movement buffs but needs help against entrenched ranged fire.",
      "difficulty": "Low",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 11
    },
    {
      "id": "ixara",
      "name": "Ixara",
      "title": "The Violet Communion",
      "faction": "Fungal colonies",
      "role": "Territory mage",
      "color": "#c6a4e8",
      "summary": "A luminous spore queen whose army is strongest inside a connected garden.",
      "visual": "Violet gills, a broad mushroom crown, translucent fibers and teal bioluminescence. Breathing caps and spore trails identify living structures.",
      "passive": "Mycelial link: inside an allied healing field, Ixara regenerates 10 health/s. Overlapping fields never stack this bonus.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Spore needle",
          "description": "A narrow spore hits the first target for 115 damage and weakens attacks for 3s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Cap shield",
          "description": "Wrap yourself in protection for 3s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Dream dust",
          "description": "Warn a small circle for 0.8s, then sleep enemies for 2s. Damage wakes them."
        },
        {
          "name": "Bloom rupture",
          "description": "Warn all your active fields within 26 units for 0.9s, then rupture each for 190 damage and consume them. Requires a field."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Seed the bridge",
          "description": "Plant a 9s spore field. It deals 18 damage/s to enemy troops and heals allies for 10/s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Symbiosis",
          "description": "Create an 8s healing field: 26 health/s to troops and 5.2/s to heroes."
        },
        {
          "name": "Choking bloom",
          "description": "Plant a 7s patch that reduces enemy attack speed by 30%."
        },
        {
          "name": "The great fruiting",
          "description": "Grow up to three temporary 18s fungal sentinels from your active fields. Requires a field; troop caps apply."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Spore bed",
          "unit": "Myceling",
          "description": "Myceling. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Cap grove",
          "unit": "Spore lobber",
          "description": "Spore lobber. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Bark bed",
          "unit": "Fungal sentinel",
          "description": "Fungal sentinel. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Glow garden",
          "unit": "Glow tender",
          "description": "Glow tender. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 30 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Tendril pool",
          "unit": "Tendril walker",
          "description": "Tendril walker. Attacks apply root for 0.6s; troop control affects heroes at 20% duration."
        },
        {
          "building": "Ancient cap",
          "unit": "Bloom titan",
          "description": "Bloom titan. Regenerates 8 health/s."
        },
        {
          "building": "Puffball mound",
          "unit": "Siege puffball",
          "description": "Siege puffball. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Root nexus",
          "unit": "Root nexus",
          "description": "Support structure. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 22 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Destroy visible fields and move fights away from her garden. Burst damage beats gradual recovery.",
      "synergy": "Works with patient siege armies that can defend a growing position.",
      "difficulty": "High",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 12
    },
    {
      "id": "khepri",
      "name": "Khepri",
      "title": "The Obsidian Dynasty",
      "faction": "Scarab revenants",
      "role": "Resource mage",
      "color": "#d8bc75",
      "summary": "A tomb sovereign who spends stored sunlight on decisive windows of power.",
      "visual": "Obsidian carapace, geometric gold plates, a scarab face and a solar disk. Sand streams reveal casting direction.",
      "passive": "Solar vessel: basic attacks gather one sunlight, up to five. Damaging and protection casts consume sunlight for 8% damage or 0.3s shield duration per stack. Sundials add one sunlight every 2s nearby, without stacking.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Sun shard",
          "description": "Deal 130 focused damage. Sunlight increases the damage."
        },
        {
          "name": "Sandskin",
          "description": "Gain 3s protection, extended by stored sunlight."
        },
        {
          "name": "Scarab seal",
          "description": "After a 0.7s warning, deal 100 damage and slow enemies in radius 3 for 3s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Eclipse verdict",
          "description": "Warn a 5-unit circle for 1.1s then strike for 270 damage. Sunlight amplifies it."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Raise the guard",
          "description": "Raise three temporary tomb guards for 20s, with no bounty and within troop caps."
        },
        {
          "name": "Sandstorm",
          "description": "A 7s sandstorm weakens enemy attacks and deals 16 troop damage/s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Dynastic command",
          "description": "Protect nearby allies for 3s, extended by stored sunlight."
        },
        {
          "name": "Return of the sun",
          "description": "For 8s a moving solar field alternates each second between protection and 40 troop damage/s. Heroes take 20%."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Burial chamber",
          "unit": "Tomb guard",
          "description": "Tomb guard. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Obelisk hall",
          "unit": "Sun archer",
          "description": "Sun archer. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Scarab vault",
          "unit": "Scarab bulwark",
          "description": "Scarab bulwark. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Ritual chamber",
          "unit": "Embalmer",
          "description": "Embalmer. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 29 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Dune stable",
          "unit": "Dune stalker",
          "description": "Dune stalker. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "King’s crypt",
          "unit": "Obsidian guardian",
          "description": "Obsidian guardian. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Solar foundry",
          "unit": "Sun engine",
          "description": "Sun engine. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Sundial",
          "unit": "Sundial",
          "description": "Support structure. Grants nearby allied Khepri one sunlight every 2s, capped at five. Collectors do not stack."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Force defensive sunlight spending before committing. His empty resource bar creates a clear attack window.",
      "synergy": "Pairs with allies who can hold enemies inside delayed strikes.",
      "difficulty": "Medium",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 13
    },
    {
      "id": "orin",
      "name": "Orin Coilbound",
      "title": "The Brass Accord",
      "faction": "Clockwork companies",
      "role": "Tempo duelist",
      "color": "#a7cbe5",
      "summary": "A mechanical swordmaster whose automata fight to a shared electrical rhythm.",
      "visual": "A brass mechanical face, exposed escapements, blue glass coils and an electric sabre. Ticking preparation becomes clean accelerating motion.",
      "passive": "Escapement: every third basic attack stores one coil, capped at one. The next ability consumes it to grant 3s haste and restore 12 mana.",
      "duel": [
        {
          "name": "Arc cut",
          "description": "Deal 135 damage to up to two nearby enemies. Heroes take 20%."
        },
        {
          "name": "Springstep",
          "description": "Dash toward the cursor and prime a 35% stronger basic attack."
        },
        {
          "name": "Ground circuit",
          "description": "Gain 2.5s protection and prime a 2s slowing basic attack."
        },
        {
          "name": "Perfect interval",
          "description": "Warn a 2.5-unit corridor for 0.7s, then release a 285-damage sequence of cuts."
        }
      ],
      "horde": [
        {
          "name": "Synchronize",
          "description": "Nearby allied troops gain 30% attack speed and 25% movement for 5s."
        },
        {
          "name": "Repair current",
          "description": "Heal the four most wounded nearby troops for 150, 112.5, 84.4 and 63.3 health."
        },
        {
          "name": "Static net",
          "description": "Lay a 7s net that slows enemies crossing it."
        },
        {
          "name": "Grand mechanism",
          "description": "Nearby automata gain haste and 45% basic damage for 6s, followed by a 2s movement slowdown."
        }
      ],
      "army": [
        {
          "building": "Assembly bench",
          "unit": "Clockwork fencer",
          "description": "Clockwork fencer. Fights automatically down the bridge."
        },
        {
          "building": "Coil range",
          "unit": "Arc gunner",
          "description": "Arc gunner. A secondary nearby enemy takes a 40% chain spark."
        },
        {
          "building": "Plate press",
          "unit": "Brass guardian",
          "description": "Brass guardian. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Service bay",
          "unit": "Repair spider",
          "description": "Repair spider. Heals the most wounded nearby ally for 28 every 2s; heroes receive 20%."
        },
        {
          "building": "Spring mill",
          "unit": "Gear hound",
          "description": "Gear hound. Moving for 1s primes 35% extra basic damage; the charge is consumed on attack."
        },
        {
          "building": "Grand workshop",
          "unit": "Chrono knight",
          "description": "Chrono knight. Armored elite frontline."
        },
        {
          "building": "Coil gantry",
          "unit": "Rail automaton",
          "description": "Rail automaton. Deals bonus damage to structures."
        },
        {
          "building": "Grounding rod",
          "unit": "Grounding rod",
          "description": "Support structure. Every 2s, grants nearby allies 25% damage reduction for 2.5s."
        }
      ],
      "counterplay": "Disengage during overclock and strike during recovery. Interrupt his obvious final-cut preparation.",
      "synergy": "Combines well with durable tanks that bridge the army’s recovery window.",
      "difficulty": "High",
      "status": "playable",
      "portrait": 14
    }
  ]
}