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GM resource

Encounters for Draw Steel

Building scenes that challenge without stalling. Draw Steel encounters are tactical set pieces. Geometry, forced movement, and the three-tier result are the levers, not HP attrition.

Checklist

  • Build maps with cover, elevation, hazards, and at least one chokepoint.
  • Pick enemy roles (artillery, brute, skirmisher) so power rolls hit different defenses.
  • Use forced movement to threaten heroic-resource economies.
  • Set the win condition, objective, not enemy HP.
Common pitfalls
  • Open rooms with mob fights
  • Same role × 4 enemies
  • Ignoring conditions and edges/banes
Combat cheat sheet
Quick lookup during play.
Rules reference
Combat, skills, and conditions for quick lookup.

Keep sessions moving

Use quick pages, then get back to the scene.