Characters played, along with any abilities they might have, will have a strength value and up to three different challenge icons Military (the hilt of a sword with a red background), Intrigue (an eye with a green background), and Power (a crown with a blue background). In player order each player may declare each challenge once in any order they choose. First the attacking player will declare which of their characters are participating in the challenge and kneel them. Next the defending player will select characters to defend with and kneel them. Players will then take turns using actions on characters, locations, and attachments they have on the table, and also event cards from hand to tilt the challenge in their favor. Once both players pass without an action the player with the higher total strength in the will win it, with a tie going to the attacker. If the attacker wins to an amount equal to the claim value on the attacker's revealed plot, the effect that occurs is based on the type of challenge won, in a martial challenge the defending player will choose characters they control to die, in an intrigue challenge cards will be randomly discarded from the defending player's hand, and in a power challenge power will be taken from the defender and added to the attacker. Additionally if any challenge is undefended the attacker will get a free power.