When you encounter a card, you must attempt to acquire it (if it’s a boon) or defeat it (if it’s a bane) by going through a series of steps. No one else can perform these steps for you, though others might be able to play cards to help you deal with the encounter’s challenges.

During each step, characters may play only cards or use only powers that relate to that step, or that relate directly to cards played or powers used in that step. If a character power applies when a specific thing happens, you may use it each time that happens; otherwise, you may use each power no more than once per step. Each character may play any number of cards, but collectively, the party may play no more than one of each type of boon; powers that can be played freely do not count toward this limit. For example, if Amiri plays a weapon on a check, Valeros may play a weapon on that check only if it can be played freely. Characters may not play cards or use powers between these steps.

If the card you’re encountering is immune to a particular trait, during the encounter, characters may not use powers that would add that trait to any check against that card, or play cards that have the specified trait unless a power is used to remove or ignore that trait or the immunity. If the card you’re encountering requires or allows a check that can affect your check to acquire or defeat, resolve that check before you begin the check to acquire or defeat.

During the encounter, effects might cause the card you’re encountering to be acquired, defeated, or undefeated. This does not end the encounter unless the effect specifically says it does.

If you move during an encounter, any effects that would happen after the encounter do not happen.

If you are forced to end your turn before an encounter ends, shuffle the encountered card back into its location, or if it was summoned, banish it; it is neither defeated nor undefeated, and the encounter is over.

If the card you’re encountering is a villain, there are a few extra steps, labeled “villain steps.” If the card you’re encountering is not a villain, ignore these steps.

Start the encounter by reading the card, then go through all of the following steps that apply in order.

- Apply Any Effects That Happen When You Encounter a Card

- Apply Any Evasion Effects

- Villain Step: Attempt to Guard Distant Locations

- Apply Any Effects That Happen Before Acting

- Attempt the Check

- Attempt the Next Check, If Needed

- Apply Any Effects That Happen After Acting

- Resolve the Encounter

- Avenge the Encounter

- Villain Step: If You Defeated a Villain, Close the Villain's Location

- Villain Step: Determine Whether the Villain Escapes

- Villain Step: If the Villain Has Nowhere to Escape to, You Win!