Modifiers are the stage rules and enemy tags shown in Stage Effects before you deploy. Game Modifiers rewrite what the whole run allows: farms, anvils, traits, upgrades, range, speed, shields, and more. Enemy Modifiers sit on enemy groups as named tags (Sprinter, Commander, Veil, Cage) so you can counter the pack you actually fight, not a generic clear team.
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Game Modifiers
These rewrite the whole stage: disabled tools (farms, anvils, repair, research, tomes, cards, traits), combat pressure (speed, range cuts, shields, boss waves, upgrade caps), and Mirror or Resistance element rules. Enemy Resistances shown above enemies are the related stage mechanic; the Resistance Game Modifier is the one that cycles those elements every 30 seconds.
Boss Waves
Every enemy counts as a boss, so bring high single-target and boss-ready damage.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- All enemies are bosses.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), 8th Sword (Berserk), Cursed Student (True Love), Puppet (Telekinetic)
Cards Disabled
Blood Money and Bounty Hunter cards are turned off for the stage.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- Blood Money and Bounty Hunter Cards are disabled.
- Counters
- -
Mirror
Enemies gain resistances matching your units' elements, punishing mono-element teams.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- Enemies copy all units' elements as resistances.
- Counters
- 8th Sword (Berserk), Puppet (Telekinetic), Toy Maker
No Anvils
Stat Anvils cannot be used, so plan around base unit stats and upgrades only.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- Stat Anvils are disabled.
- Counters
- -
No Farms
Farm units cannot be placed, forcing economy from other sources.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- Farm units are disabled.
- Counters
- -
No Repair
The Repair Hammer is unavailable, so damaged setups stay damaged.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- The Repair Hammer is disabled.
- Counters
- -
No Research Tree
Research Tree upgrades are locked for the run.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- Research Tree Upgrades are disabled.
- Counters
- -
No Tomes
Trait Tomes cannot be used during the stage.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- Trait Tomes are disabled.
- Counters
- -
Resistance
Enemy elemental resistances rotate every 30 seconds through the full element cycle.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- Resistances cycle from Flame > Hydro > Gale > Terra > Light > Storm > Dark every 30s.
- Counters
- Bring multiple Elements such as Shadow (Dark), Flame Emperor (Flame), Elf Mage (Storm), Water Princess (Hydro), Lady Giant (Terra)
Shielded
All enemies spawn with ten shields, favoring shield-break and heavy DPS picks.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- All enemies spawn with 10 shields.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), 8th Sword (Berserk), String Demon (Awakened)
Short Range
Allied units lose 25% attack range, so favor naturally long-range damage.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- All ally units' ranges are decreased by -25%.
- Counters
- Elf Mage (Unleashed), Shadow (Divine), String Demon (Awakened), Flame Emperor
Speedy
Enemies move 50% faster, so crowd control and slows matter more than usual.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- Enemies are 50% faster.
- Counters
- Puppet (Telekinetic), Toy Maker, Reaper (Released), True Saint (Holy)
Traitless
Unit traits are disabled, so builds rely on base kits and equipment.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- All traits are disabled.
- Counters
- -
Upgrade Cap
The team can buy only 25 total unit upgrades for the whole stage.
- Type
- Game Modifier
- Effect
- Only 25 upgrades are allowed across all units.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), 8th Sword (Berserk), Cursed Student (True Love)
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Enemy Modifiers
These tags apply per enemy group and show up in Stage Effects alongside the Game rules. Read the pack before you deploy: auras and supports (Commander, Veil, Warlock), spawn and death effects (Summoner, Splitter, Zombie), and control threats (Stunner, Cage, Immunity) each ask for a different team answer.
Sprinter
Fast, lower-HP enemy that rushes lanes and needs slows or early damage.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Moves 45% faster but has 20% less health.
- Counters
- Puppet (Telekinetic), Toy Maker, Reaper (Released)
Tank
Slower enemy with extra health that soaks damage and stalls fights.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Moves 20% slower but has 20% increased health.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), 8th Sword (Berserk), Cursed Student (True Love)
Summoner
Periodically spawns extra enemies at its position until removed.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Every 5 seconds, summons enemies at its location (up to 5 enemies).
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), String Demon (Awakened), Flame Emperor (Reincarnate)
Explosive
Dies into a short stun blast, so keep key units out of the explosion radius.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- On death, explodes in a 10 range radius and stuns units for 2 seconds.
- Counters
- Long-range Units like Elf Mage (Unleashed) and Shadow (Divine)
Splitter
Splits into three weaker enemies on death, multiplying pressure if ignored.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- On death, splits into 3 enemies, each having 33% of its health.
- Counters
- Flame Emperor (Reincarnate), Hollow (Blaze), String Demon (Awakened)
Armored
Takes much less damage from full AoE attacks, so mix in focused damage.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Takes 33% less damage from full AoE attacks.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), 8th Sword (Berserk), Cursed Student (True Love)
Reinforced
Takes 30% less damage from every source and needs sustained high DPS.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Takes 30% less damage from all sources.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), Puppet (Telekinetic), 8th Sword (Berserk)
Regen I
Slow self-heal at 1% max HP per second.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Regenerates 1% maximum health per second.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), Cursed Student (True Love), Crimson (Brother)
Regen II
Moderate self-heal at 3% max HP per second.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Regenerates 3% maximum health per second.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), Cursed Student (True Love), Crimson (Brother)
Regen III
Strong self-heal at 5% max HP per second.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Regenerates 5% maximum health per second.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), Cursed Student (True Love), Crimson (Brother)
Regen IV
Very strong self-heal at 8% max HP per second; burn it down quickly.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Regenerates 8% maximum health per second.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), Cursed Student (True Love), Crimson (Brother)
Shield
Carries an attack-absorbing shield until broken.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Protected by an attack-absorbing shield.
- Counters
- String Demon (Awakened), Shadow (Divine), 8th Sword (Berserk)
Immunity
Cannot be affected by soft or hard crowd control.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Immune to all soft and hard crowd control effects.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), 8th Sword (Berserk), Flame Emperor (Reincarnate)
Momentum
Ramps movement speed over time up to a large bonus if left free.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Gains 2% movement speed per second up to a maximum of 50%.
- Counters
- Puppet (Telekinetic), Toy Maker, Reaper (Released)
Burrowing
Briefly becomes untargetable on a short burrow cycle.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Every 8 seconds, burrows underground for 2 seconds, becoming untargetable.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), 8th Sword (Berserk)
Zombie
Revives once at half health and pays less Yen on kill.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- On death, revives with 50% health, and drops 50% less Yen when killed.
- Counters
- Hollow (Blaze), Flame Emperor (Reincarnate), String Demon (Awakened)
Zombify
Turns nearby enemies into Zombified copies over time.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Periodically converts nearby enemies within 10 range into zombified enemies.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), Flame Emperor (Reincarnate), String Demon (Awakened)
Zombified
Revived enemy form that drops no Yen when killed.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Revived enemy that drops no Yen when killed.
- Counters
- Any strong AoE Unit, such as String Demon (Awakened) or Hollow (Blaze)
Commander
Buffs nearby enemies with more speed and health.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Grants nearby enemies within 5 range +20% movement speed and +20% health.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), Cursed Student (True Love), 8th Sword (Berserk)
Research Project
Killing or handling it advances your active Expedition Project.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Grants progress towards your active Expedition Project.
- Counters
- Any high-DPS Unit to eliminate it quickly.
Soldier
Gains a movement speed bonus while near a Commander.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Gains +20% movement speed while near a Commander.
- Counters
- Flame Emperor (Reincarnate), Hollow (Blaze), String Demon (Awakened)
Veil
Gives nearby enemies a large damage-absorbing AoE shield tied to the host.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Grants a 200% damage-absorbing AoE shield based on the host's health to all nearby enemies within 5 range.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), String Demon (Awakened), 8th Sword (Berserk)
Tartaros
Eats a nearby Basic enemy for temporary Regen I.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Every 10 seconds, consume a nearby Basic enemy and gain "Regen I" for 10 seconds.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), Puppet (Telekinetic)
Death
Stacks permanent speed on nearby enemies until soft CC resets it.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Grants nearby enemies a stacking +20% permanent speed boost. Applying soft cc will reset the stack to zero.
- Counters
- Puppet (Telekinetic), Toy Maker, Reaper (Released)
Sword
Can respawn twice unless finished while under a DoT.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Respawns up to 2 times unless killed while affected by a DoT effect.
- Counters
- Hollow (Blaze), Flame Emperor (Reincarnate)
Dawn
Splitter and Summoner spawns become frail but start with five shields.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Enemies spawned by Splitter or Summoner have 99% reduced health and 5 Shield.
- Counters
- String Demon (Awakened), Hollow (Blaze), Flame Emperor (Reincarnate)
Stunner
Periodically stuns the three nearest units for a long lockout.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Every 15 seconds, stuns the 3 nearest units for 5 seconds.
- Counters
- Elf Mage (Unleashed), Shadow (Divine), spread out your Unit placements.
Zone Debuff
Applies an unspecified debuff in a local area around the tagged enemy.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Applies a debuff within a specific area.
- Counters
- Long-range Units and strategic Unit placement.
Transformer
At half health, shifts into a second full-health phase.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- At 50% health, transforms into a second phase at full health.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), 8th Sword (Berserk), Cursed Student (True Love)
Bulwark
Briefly becomes damage-immune on a repeating timer.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Every 10 seconds, becomes immune to damage for 3 seconds.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), String Demon (Awakened)
Status Cleanse
Periodically strips crowd control from enemies across the map.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Every 10 seconds, removes all crowd control effects from enemies on the map.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), Cursed Student (True Love), 8th Sword (Berserk)
Retaliation Counter
Every 20 hits, stuns every unit for two seconds.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- After every 20 hits, stuns all units for 2 seconds.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), Cursed Student (True Love), Crimson (Brother)
Greed
Steals HP from nearby enemies on a short timer to keep itself topped up.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Every 10 seconds, steal 10% HP of all nearby enemies within 5 range.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), Puppet (Telekinetic)
Cage
Randomly cages a unit and shuts off its attacks, passives, and abilities.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Pick a random unit on the field, and cage them, disabling their attacks, passives and abilities.
- Counters
- Bring multiple DPS Units instead of relying on a single carry.
Fear
Periodically weakens nearby units' damage, SPA, and range.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Every 15 seconds, decrease DMG/SPA/RNG by -10% to all units within 30 range for 10 seconds.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), 8th Sword (Berserk), Puppet (Telekinetic)
Warlock
Keeps buffing nearby enemies with shields and speed on a short cycle.
- Type
- Enemy Modifier
- Effect
- Grants +1 Shield and +10% speed boost to surrounding enemies every 5 seconds within 10 range.
- Counters
- Shadow (Divine), String Demon (Awakened), 8th Sword (Berserk)
Open Stage Effects before every hard stage or raid reuse. Split what you see into two questions: which systems are locked for the whole run, and which tags sit on the enemy groups coming down the lane.
Game rules that change your plan
Disable-style rules cut tools you might lean on by habit. No Farms kills farm economy, No Anvils blocks Stat Anvils, No Repair removes the Repair Hammer, No Research Tree locks research upgrades, No Tomes blocks Trait Tomes, Cards Disabled turns off Blood Money and Bounty Hunter cards, and Traitless strips unit traits so kits and equipment have to carry the run.
Combat-style rules hit everyone on the field. Speedy makes enemies 50% faster, Short Range cuts allied range by 25%, Shielded gives every enemy ten shields, Boss Waves treats every enemy as a boss, Upgrade Cap limits the team to 25 total upgrades, and Mirror copies your units' elements into enemy resistances (mono-element comps get punished hard).
Resistance is the cycling rule: enemy elemental resistances rotate Flame → Hydro → Gale → Terra → Light → Storm → Dark every 30 seconds. Bring more than one element so you are not stuck hitting a bad matchup for half a minute.
Enemy tags worth reading first
Aura and support tags snowball if you ignore the host. Commander buffs nearby speed and health, Soldier only gets its speed bonus near a Commander, Veil wraps nearby enemies in a huge damage-absorbing shield, Warlock keeps dripping shields and speed, and Death stacks permanent speed nearby until soft CC resets it. Kill or pin the aura source early.
Spawn and death tags multiply pressure. Summoner keeps spawning adds, Splitter becomes three weaker enemies on death, Dawn makes Splitter or Summoner spawns frail but starts them with five shields, Explosive stuns on death, Zombie revives once at half HP, Zombify converts nearby enemies, and Sword can respawn twice unless you finish it under a DoT.
Lane and control tags change placement. Sprinter and Momentum want slows early, Immunity laughs at CC, Status Cleanse strips CC map-wide on a timer, Stunner locks your three nearest units, Retaliation Counter stuns everyone after enough hits, Cage randomly disables a unit's attacks, passives, and abilities (single-carry comps are risky), and Fear periodically softens nearby DMG, SPA, and range. Zone Debuff only documents an area debuff; treat it as a placement warning and keep key units out of the tagged zone when you can.
| Tag type | What to change |
|---|---|
| Disable rules (No Farms, Traitless, Upgrade Cap) | Drop the blocked tool; lean on base kits, equipment, and careful upgrade spending |
| Speed / range rules (Speedy, Short Range, Sprinter, Momentum) | Bring slows, long natural range, and earlier damage |
| Shield / armor (Shielded, Shield, Armored, Reinforced, Veil) | Mix shield-break and focused DPS, not pure full AoE |
| Aura hosts (Commander, Warlock, Death, Greed) | Focus the tagged enemy so the pack stops getting free buffs |
| Spawn / revive (Summoner, Splitter, Zombie, Sword) | Clear the host fast; use DoT when Sword is on the field |
Easy mistakes
Ignoring Stage Effects until wave one starts, bringing a mono-element team into Mirror or Resistance, parking one carry under Cage, AoEing Armored packs with no focused damage, and leaving Commander or Veil alive while you farm trash. Research Project is the friendly exception: that tag advances your Expedition Project, so clear it on purpose instead of treating it like a threat.
FAQ
What is the difference between Game Modifiers and Enemy Modifiers?
Game Modifiers change rules for the entire stage, such as disabling farms or making all enemies faster. Enemy Modifiers are tags on specific enemy groups, such as Sprinter, Commander, or Cage, and only apply to those enemies.
Where do you see modifiers before a run?
Check Stage Effects in the stage info screen before you deploy, and again during the run. Both Game and Enemy modifiers are listed there so you can rebuild the team against the rules and tags on that map.
What does the Resistance Game Modifier do?
It cycles enemy elemental resistances every 30 seconds through Flame, Hydro, Gale, Terra, Light, Storm, then Dark. Bring multiple elements so your damage stays useful when the cycle shifts. Enemy Resistances shown above enemies are the related stage mechanic this rule drives.
How is Shielded different from Shield?
Shielded is a Game Modifier that gives every enemy ten shields at spawn. Shield is an Enemy Modifier on a tagged group that carries an attack-absorbing shield until you break it.
How do you deal with Cage?
Cage picks a random unit on the field and disables its attacks, passives, and abilities. Bring more than one DPS option so a single caged carry does not stall the clear.
What does Zone Debuff actually do?
Sources only say it applies a debuff in a specific area around the tagged enemy. The exact debuff name is not documented, so treat it as a placement warning and keep important units out of that zone when you can.
Do raids use the same modifiers?
Raids reuse stage effects and enemy modifiers on familiar map names, usually with harder combinations. Always read Stage Effects for that raid entry instead of copying a normal stage team.
Should you always kill Research Project enemies?
Yes when you care about Expedition Project progress. Research Project is a beneficial tag that grants progress toward your active Expedition Project, so clear those enemies on purpose rather than ignoring them.
