# Core Mechanics
Valiants: Arena centers around accessible, strategic gameplay that rewards thoughtful team-building, timing, and skillful resource management. Here's how the core mechanics come together:
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**Valiant Selection & Team Building**
*Choose four Valiants* to field in every match. Each creature carries two elemental types, a clear role, and its own set of skill cards. Attackers hit hard, defenders soak damage, and supporters keep the squad in shape. Mixing these roles lets your team handle most threats. Small power-ups raise speed, armor, or other stats, giving you extra control over the lineup.
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**Skill Card System**
Each Valiant owns a deck of cards that defines its tricks. Before a battle you pick only a few, so the first layer of strategy happens at the draft table. Every card costs **Spirit Points (SP)**, and that cost matters spend SP too fast and you run out of options when you need them most.
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**Strategic Battles**
On your turn you play a card, pay its SP, and act. Good timing wins fights: land a heavy blow when the opponent can’t block, or shield an ally just before a counterattack. The arena itself shifts between rounds, sometimes favoring raw offense, other times tighter defense. Stay alert, adapt, and press any edge you find.
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