Remove impossible mechanics and fix game balance

- Remove lifesteal from spells (player has no health to heal)
- Remove execute effects (too powerful instant-kill mechanic)
- Remove freeze status effect (doesn't fit game design)
- Remove knowledgeRetention skill (study progress is now always saved)
- Fix soulBinding skill (now binds guardian essence to equipment)
- Buff ancientEcho skill (+1 capacity per level instead of per 2 levels)
- Rename lifesteal_5 to mana_siphon_5 in enchantment effects
- Update guardian perks:
  - Water: 10% double cast chance instead of lifesteal
  - Dark: 25% crit chance instead of lifesteal
  - Life: 30% damage restored as mana instead of healing
  - Death: +50% damage to enemies below 50% HP instead of execute
- Add floor armor system (flat damage reduction)
- Update spell effects display in UI
- Fix study cancellation - progress is always saved when pausing

src/components/game/SpellsTab.tsx

@@ -102,7 +102,10 @@ export function SpellsTab() {
                         <div className="flex gap-1 flex-wrap">
                           {def.effects.map((eff, i) => (
                             <Badge key={i} variant="outline" className="text-xs">
-                              {eff.type === 'lifesteal' && `🩸 ${Math.round(eff.value * 100)}% lifesteal`}
+                              {eff.type === 'burn' && `🔥 Burn`}
+                              {eff.type === 'stun' && `⚡ Stun`}
+                              {eff.type === 'pierce' && `🎯 Pierce`}
+                              {eff.type === 'multicast' && `✨ Multicast`}
                             </Badge>
                           ))}
                         </div>

src/components/game/tabs/SpireTab.tsx

@@ -380,9 +380,10 @@ export function SpireTab({ store }: SpireTabProps) {
                         <div className="flex gap-1 flex-wrap mt-1">
                           {spellDef.effects.map((eff, i) => (
                             <Badge key={i} variant="outline" className="text-xs py-0">
-                              {eff.type === 'lifesteal' && `🩸 ${Math.round(eff.value * 100)}%`}
                               {eff.type === 'burn' && `🔥 Burn`}
-                              {eff.type === 'freeze' && `❄️ Freeze`}
+                              {eff.type === 'stun' && `⚡ Stun`}
+                              {eff.type === 'pierce' && `🎯 Pierce`}
+                              {eff.type === 'multicast' && `✨ Multicast`}
                             </Badge>
                           ))}
                         </div>

src/lib/game/constants.ts

@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ export const GUARDIANS: Record<number, GuardianDef> = {
     ],
     pactCost: 1000,
     pactTime: 4,
-    uniquePerk: "Water spells have 10% lifesteal"
+    uniquePerk: "Water spells have 10% chance to cast twice"
   },
   30:  { 
     name: "Ventus Rex", element: "air", hp: 30000, barrier: 15000, pact: 2.0, color: "#00D4FF",
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ export const GUARDIANS: Record<number, GuardianDef> = {
     ],
     pactCost: 15000,
     pactTime: 12,
-    uniquePerk: "Dark spells have 20% lifesteal"
+    uniquePerk: "Dark spells have 25% crit chance"
   },
   70:  { 
     name: "Vita Sempiterna", element: "life", hp: 180000, barrier: 90000, pact: 3.0, color: "#2ECC71",
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ export const GUARDIANS: Record<number, GuardianDef> = {
     ],
     pactCost: 25000,
     pactTime: 14,
-    uniquePerk: "Life spells heal for 30% of damage dealt"
+    uniquePerk: "Life spells restore 30% of damage dealt as mana"
   },
   80:  { 
     name: "Mors Ultima", element: "death", hp: 250000, barrier: 125000, pact: 3.25, color: "#778CA3",
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ export const GUARDIANS: Record<number, GuardianDef> = {
     ],
     pactCost: 40000,
     pactTime: 16,
-    uniquePerk: "Death spells execute enemies below 20% HP"
+    uniquePerk: "Death spells deal +50% damage to enemies below 50% HP"
   },
   90:  { 
     name: "Primordialis", element: "void", hp: 400000, barrier: 200000, pact: 4.0, color: "#4A235A",
@@ -323,14 +323,13 @@ export const SPELLS_DEF: Record<string, SpellDef> = {
   drain: {
     name: "Drain",
     elem: "death",
-    dmg: 10,
+    dmg: 12,
     cost: elemCost("death", 2),
     tier: 1,
     castSpeed: 2,
     unlock: 150,
     studyTime: 3,
-    desc: "Drain life force from your enemy.",
+    desc: "Drain essence from your enemy, restoring mana."
-    effects: [{ type: 'lifesteal', value: 0.2 }]
   },
   rotTouch: {
     name: "Rot Touch",
@@ -346,14 +345,13 @@ export const SPELLS_DEF: Record<string, SpellDef> = {
   lifeTap: {
     name: "Life Tap",
     elem: "life",
-    dmg: 8,
+    dmg: 10,
     cost: elemCost("life", 1),
     tier: 1,
     castSpeed: 3,
     unlock: 100,
     studyTime: 2,
-    desc: "Tap into life energy for a weak attack.",
+    desc: "Tap into life energy for a quick attack."
-    effects: [{ type: 'lifesteal', value: 0.3 }]
   },
   thornWhip: {
     name: "Thorn Whip",
@@ -503,14 +501,13 @@ export const SPELLS_DEF: Record<string, SpellDef> = {
   soulRend: {
     name: "Soul Rend",
     elem: "death",
-    dmg: 50,
+    dmg: 55,
     cost: elemCost("death", 7),
     tier: 2,
     castSpeed: 1.1,
     unlock: 1100,
     studyTime: 9,
-    desc: "Tear at the enemy's soul.",
+    desc: "Tear at the enemy's soul."
-    effects: [{ type: 'lifesteal', value: 0.25 }]
   },
   entangle: {
     name: "Entangle",
@@ -594,26 +591,24 @@ export const SPELLS_DEF: Record<string, SpellDef> = {
   deathMark: {
     name: "Death Mark",
     elem: "death",
-    dmg: 200,
+    dmg: 220,
     cost: elemCost("death", 20),
     tier: 3,
     castSpeed: 0.7,
     unlock: 10000,
     studyTime: 24,
-    desc: "Mark for death.",
+    desc: "Mark for death, dealing massive damage."
-    effects: [{ type: 'lifesteal', value: 0.35 }]
   },
   worldTree: {
     name: "World Tree",
     elem: "life",
-    dmg: 180,
+    dmg: 200,
     cost: elemCost("life", 18),
     tier: 3,
     castSpeed: 0.75,
     unlock: 9000,
     studyTime: 22,
-    desc: "Power of the world tree itself.",
+    desc: "Power of the world tree itself."
-    effects: [{ type: 'lifesteal', value: 0.4 }]
   },
   
   // Tier 4 - Legendary Spells (40-60 hours study, require exotic elements)
@@ -673,7 +668,6 @@ export const SKILLS_DEF: Record<string, SkillDef> = {
   quickLearner:  { name: "Quick Learner",   desc: "+10% study speed",     cat: "study",  max: 10, base: 250, studyTime: 4 },
   focusedMind:   { name: "Focused Mind",    desc: "-5% study mana cost",  cat: "study",  max: 10, base: 300, studyTime: 5 },
   meditation:    { name: "Meditation Focus", desc: "Up to 2.5x regen after 4hrs meditating", cat: "study", max: 1, base: 400, studyTime: 6 },
-  knowledgeRetention: { name: "Knowledge Retention", desc: "+20% study progress saved on cancel", cat: "study", max: 3, base: 350, studyTime: 5 },
   deepTrance:    { name: "Deep Trance",     desc: "Extend meditation to 6hrs for 3x", cat: "study", max: 1, base: 900, studyTime: 48, req: { meditation: 1 } },
   voidMeditation:{ name: "Void Meditation", desc: "Extend meditation to 8hrs for 5x", cat: "study", max: 1, base: 1500, studyTime: 72, req: { deepTrance: 1 } },
 
@@ -698,8 +692,8 @@ export const SKILLS_DEF: Record<string, SkillDef> = {
   crystalEmbedding: { name: "Crystal Embedding", desc: "Embed elemental crystals in golems for variants", cat: "enchant", attunement: 'enchanter', attunementLevel: 3, max: 1, base: 600, studyTime: 12, req: { enchanting: 4 } },
   
   // Master Enchanting (Lv 5+)
-  soulBinding:      { name: "Soul Binding",    desc: "Enchantments persist through loops", cat: "enchant", attunement: 'enchanter', attunementLevel: 5, max: 2, base: 1500, studyTime: 24, req: { essenceRefining: 3 } },
+  ancientEcho:      { name: "Ancient Echo",     desc: "+1 enchantment capacity per Enchanter level", cat: "enchant", attunement: 'enchanter', attunementLevel: 5, max: 3, base: 1000, studyTime: 16 },
-  ancientEcho:      { name: "Ancient Echo",     desc: "+1 enchantment capacity per 2 Enchanter levels", cat: "enchant", attunement: 'enchanter', attunementLevel: 5, max: 5, base: 1000, studyTime: 16 },
+  soulBinding:      { name: "Soul Binding",    desc: "Bind a defeated guardian's essence to equipment for unique effects", cat: "enchant", attunement: 'enchanter', attunementLevel: 5, max: 2, base: 1500, studyTime: 24, req: { essenceRefining: 3 } },
   
   // Effect Research (Lv 2+)
   researchManaSpells: { name: "Mana Spell Research", desc: "Unlock Mana Strike spell enchantment", cat: "effectResearch", attunement: 'enchanter', attunementLevel: 1, max: 1, base: 200, studyTime: 4, req: { enchanting: 1 } },
@@ -905,7 +899,7 @@ export const EFFECT_RESEARCH_MAPPING: Record<string, string[]> = {
   researchUtilityEffects: ['meditate_10', 'study_10', 'insight_5'],
   
   // Special Effect Research
-  researchSpecialEffects: ['spell_echo_10', 'lifesteal_5', 'guardian_dmg_10'],
+  researchSpecialEffects: ['spell_echo_10', 'mana_siphon_5', 'guardian_dmg_10'],
   researchOverpower: ['overpower_80'],
 };
 

src/lib/game/data/enchantment-effects.ts

@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ export const ENCHANTMENT_EFFECTS: Record<string, EnchantmentEffectDef> = {
   spell_drain: {
     id: 'spell_drain',
     name: 'Drain',
-    description: 'Grants the ability to cast Drain (10 death damage, 20% lifesteal)',
+    description: 'Grants the ability to cast Drain (12 death damage)',
     category: 'spell',
     baseCapacityCost: 85,
     maxStacks: 1,
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ export const ENCHANTMENT_EFFECTS: Record<string, EnchantmentEffectDef> = {
   spell_lifeTap: {
     id: 'spell_lifeTap',
     name: 'Life Tap',
-    description: 'Grants the ability to cast Life Tap (8 life damage, 30% lifesteal)',
+    description: 'Grants the ability to cast Life Tap (10 life damage, fast cast)',
     category: 'spell',
     baseCapacityCost: 70,
     maxStacks: 1,
@@ -538,15 +538,15 @@ export const ENCHANTMENT_EFFECTS: Record<string, EnchantmentEffectDef> = {
     allowedEquipmentCategories: ALL_CASTER,
     effect: { type: 'special', specialId: 'spellEcho10' }
   },
-  lifesteal_5: {
+  mana_siphon_5: {
-    id: 'lifesteal_5',
+    id: 'mana_siphon_5',
-    name: 'Siphoning',
+    name: 'Mana Siphon',
     description: '5% of damage dealt is returned as mana',
     category: 'special',
     baseCapacityCost: 45,
     maxStacks: 2,
     allowedEquipmentCategories: CASTER_AND_HANDS,
-    effect: { type: 'special', specialId: 'lifesteal5' }
+    effect: { type: 'special', specialId: 'manaSiphon5' }
   },
   guardian_dmg_10: {
     id: 'guardian_dmg_10',

src/lib/game/store.ts

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ import {
 import { EQUIPMENT_TYPES } from './data/equipment';
 import { ENCHANTMENT_EFFECTS, calculateEffectCapacityCost } from './data/enchantment-effects';
 import { ATTUNEMENTS_DEF, getTotalAttunementRegen, getAttunementConversionRate, getAttunementXPForLevel, MAX_ATTUNEMENT_LEVEL } from './data/attunements';
-import { getGuardianPerks, type GuardianPerks } from './utils';
+import { getGuardianPerks, getFloorArmor, type GuardianPerks } from './utils';
 
 // Default empty effects for when effects aren't provided
 const DEFAULT_EFFECTS: ComputedEffects = {
@@ -1010,9 +1010,31 @@ export const useGameStore = create<GameStore>()(
               // Apply upgrade damage multipliers and bonuses
               dmg = dmg * effects.baseDamageMultiplier + effects.baseDamageBonus;
               
-              // Death execute perk: instant kill below 20% HP
+              // Death perk: +50% damage when enemy is below 50% HP
-              if (spellDef.elem === 'death' && guardianPerks.deathExecute > 0 && floorHP / floorMaxHP < guardianPerks.deathExecute && floorBarrier <= 0) {
+              if (spellDef.elem === 'death' && guardianPerks.deathLowHpDmg > 0 && floorHP / floorMaxHP < 0.5 && floorBarrier <= 0) {
-                dmg = floorHP; // Execute
+                dmg *= (1 + guardianPerks.deathLowHpDmg);
+              }
+              
+              // Life perk: restore mana based on damage dealt
+              let manaRestored = 0;
+              if (spellDef.elem === 'life' && guardianPerks.lifeManaRestore > 0) {
+                manaRestored = dmg * guardianPerks.lifeManaRestore;
+              }
+              
+              // Water perk: chance to cast twice
+              if (spellDef.elem === 'water' && guardianPerks.waterDoubleCast > 0 && Math.random() < guardianPerks.waterDoubleCast) {
+                dmg *= 2;
+                log = [`🌊 Water Echo! Double damage!`, ...log.slice(0, 49)];
+              }
+              
+              // Dark perk: extra crit chance for dark spells
+              let totalCritChance = 0;
+              if (spellDef.elem === 'dark' && guardianPerks.darkCritChance > 0) {
+                totalCritChance += guardianPerks.darkCritChance;
+              }
+              if (Math.random() < totalCritChance) {
+                dmg *= 1.5;
+                log = ['💥 Critical hit!', ...log.slice(0, 49)];
               }
               
               // Executioner: +100% damage to enemies below 25% HP (only on main HP, not barrier)
@@ -1032,35 +1054,24 @@ export const useGameStore = create<GameStore>()(
                 log = [`✨ Spell Echo! Double damage!`, ...log.slice(0, 49)];
               }
               
-              // Lifesteal effect from spell
+              // Restore mana from life perk
-              const spellLifesteal = spellDef.effects?.find(e => e.type === 'lifesteal');
+              if (manaRestored > 0) {
-              let totalLifesteal = spellLifesteal?.value || 0;
+                rawMana = Math.min(rawMana + manaRestored, maxMana);
-              
-              // Add guardian perk lifesteal for specific elements
-              if (spellDef.elem === 'water' && guardianPerks.waterLifesteal > 0) {
-                totalLifesteal += guardianPerks.waterLifesteal;
-              }
-              if (spellDef.elem === 'dark' && guardianPerks.darkLifesteal > 0) {
-                totalLifesteal += guardianPerks.darkLifesteal;
-              }
-              if (spellDef.elem === 'life' && guardianPerks.lifeHealRatio > 0) {
-                totalLifesteal += guardianPerks.lifeHealRatio;
               }
               
-              if (totalLifesteal > 0) {
+              // Apply floor armor (flat damage reduction)
-                const healAmount = dmg * totalLifesteal;
+              const floorArmor = getFloorArmor(currentFloor);
-                rawMana = Math.min(rawMana + healAmount, maxMana);
+              const effectiveDmg = Math.max(1, dmg - floorArmor);
-              }
               
               // Apply damage to barrier first (if guardian floor)
               if (isGuardianFloor && floorBarrier > 0) {
-                floorBarrier = Math.max(0, floorBarrier - dmg);
+                floorBarrier = Math.max(0, floorBarrier - effectiveDmg);
                 if (floorBarrier <= 0) {
                   log = [`🛡️ Guardian barrier shattered!`, ...log.slice(0, 49)];
                 }
               } else {
                 // Apply damage to main HP
-                floorHP = Math.max(0, floorHP - dmg);
+                floorHP = Math.max(0, floorHP - effectiveDmg);
               }
               
               // Reduce cast progress by 1 (one cast completed)
@@ -1361,12 +1372,8 @@ export const useGameStore = create<GameStore>()(
         const state = get();
         if (!state.currentStudyTarget) return;
         
-        // Knowledge retention bonus
+        // Progress is always saved when pausing study - no penalty
-        const retentionBonus = 1 + (state.skills.knowledgeRetention || 0) * 0.2;
+        const savedProgress = state.currentStudyTarget.progress;
-        const savedProgress = Math.min(
-          state.currentStudyTarget.progress,
-          state.currentStudyTarget.required * retentionBonus
-        );
 
         // Save progress
         if (state.currentStudyTarget.type === 'skill') {
@@ -1377,7 +1384,7 @@ export const useGameStore = create<GameStore>()(
               ...state.skillProgress,
               [state.currentStudyTarget.id]: savedProgress,
             },
-            log: [`📖 Study interrupted. Progress saved.`, ...state.log.slice(0, 49)],
+            log: [`📖 Study paused. Progress saved.`, ...state.log.slice(0, 49)],
           });
         } else if (state.currentStudyTarget.type === 'spell') {
           set({
@@ -1390,7 +1397,7 @@ export const useGameStore = create<GameStore>()(
                 studyProgress: savedProgress,
               },
             },
-            log: [`📖 Study interrupted. Progress saved.`, ...state.log.slice(0, 49)],
+            log: [`📖 Study paused. Progress saved.`, ...state.log.slice(0, 49)],
           });
         }
       },

src/lib/game/store/combatSlice.ts

@@ -116,13 +116,6 @@ export const createCombatSlice = (
         log.unshift('✨ Spell Echo! Double damage!');
       }
 
-      // Lifesteal effect
-      const lifestealEffect = spellDef.effects?.find(e => e.type === 'lifesteal');
-      if (lifestealEffect) {
-        const healAmount = dmg * lifestealEffect.value;
-        rawMana = Math.min(rawMana + healAmount, maxMana);
-      }
-
       // Apply damage
       floorHP = Math.max(0, floorHP - dmg);
       castProgress -= 1;

src/lib/game/stores/combatStore.ts

@@ -197,13 +197,6 @@ export const useCombatStore = create<CombatState>()(
           floorHP = Math.max(0, floorHP - damage);
           castProgress -= 1;
           
-          // Handle lifesteal
-          const lifestealEffect = spellDef.effects?.find(e => e.type === 'lifesteal');
-          if (lifestealEffect) {
-            const healAmount = damage * lifestealEffect.value;
-            rawMana = Math.min(rawMana + healAmount, maxMana);
-          }
-          
           // Check if floor is cleared
           if (floorHP <= 0) {
             const wasGuardian = GUARDIANS[currentFloor];

src/lib/game/stores/gameStore.ts

@@ -278,13 +278,6 @@ export const useGameStore = create<GameCoordinatorStore>()(
                 addLog(`✨ Spell Echo! Double damage!`);
               }
 
-              // Lifesteal effect
-              const lifestealEffect = spellDef.effects?.find(e => e.type === 'lifesteal');
-              if (lifestealEffect) {
-                const healAmount = dmg * lifestealEffect.value;
-                rawMana = Math.min(rawMana + healAmount, maxMana);
-              }
-
               // Apply damage
               floorHP = Math.max(0, floorHP - dmg);
               castProgress -= 1;

src/lib/game/types.ts

@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ export interface SpellDef {
 }
 
 export interface SpellEffect {
-  type: 'lifesteal' | 'burn' | 'freeze' | 'stun' | 'pierce' | 'multicast' | 'shield' | 'buff';
+  type: 'burn' | 'stun' | 'pierce' | 'multicast' | 'buff';
   value: number;            // Effect potency
   duration?: number;        // Duration in hours for timed effects
 }

src/lib/game/utils.ts

@@ -41,6 +41,21 @@ export function getFloorElement(floor: number): string {
   return FLOOR_ELEM_CYCLE[(floor - 1) % 8];
 }
 
+// Get floor armor (flat damage reduction)
+// Higher floors have more armor to make them harder to damage
+// Guardian floors have significantly more armor
+export function getFloorArmor(floor: number): number {
+  const isGuardianFloor = !!GUARDIANS[floor];
+  
+  // Base armor scales with floor
+  // Non-guardian: 0-10 armor (linear scaling)
+  // Guardian: 5-50 armor (much higher)
+  if (isGuardianFloor) {
+    return Math.floor(5 + floor * 0.5);
+  }
+  return Math.floor(floor * 0.1);
+}
+
 // ─── Computed Stats Functions ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 export function computeMaxMana(
@@ -227,13 +242,13 @@ export function getBoonBonuses(signedPacts: number[]): {
 // Each guardian grants a unique perk when pact is signed
 export interface GuardianPerks {
   fireSpellSpeed: number;      // Floor 10: Fire spells cast 10% faster
-  waterLifesteal: number;      // Floor 20: Water spells have 10% lifesteal
+  waterDoubleCast: number;     // Floor 20: Water spells have 10% chance to cast twice
   airCritChance: number;       // Floor 30: Air spells have 15% crit chance
   earthGuardianDmg: number;    // Floor 40: Earth spells deal +25% damage to guardians
   lightDmgBonus: number;       // Floor 50: Light spells deal +20% damage
-  darkLifesteal: number;       // Floor 60: Dark spells have 20% lifesteal
+  darkCritChance: number;      // Floor 60: Dark spells have 25% crit chance
-  lifeHealRatio: number;       // Floor 70: Life spells heal 30% of damage
+  lifeManaRestore: number;     // Floor 70: Life spells restore 30% of damage as mana
-  deathExecute: number;        // Floor 80: Death spells execute below 20% HP
+  deathLowHpDmg: number;       // Floor 80: Death spells deal +50% damage to enemies below 50% HP
   voidPierce: number;          // Floor 90: Void spells ignore 30% resistance
   stellarAllDmg: number;       // Floor 100: All spells deal +50% damage
   stellarSpeed: number;        // Floor 100: All spells cast 25% faster
@@ -242,13 +257,13 @@ export interface GuardianPerks {
 export function getGuardianPerks(signedPacts: number[]): GuardianPerks {
   const perks: GuardianPerks = {
     fireSpellSpeed: 0,
-    waterLifesteal: 0,
+    waterDoubleCast: 0,
     airCritChance: 0,
     earthGuardianDmg: 0,
     lightDmgBonus: 0,
-    darkLifesteal: 0,
+    darkCritChance: 0,
-    lifeHealRatio: 0,
+    lifeManaRestore: 0,
-    deathExecute: 0,
+    deathLowHpDmg: 0,
     voidPierce: 0,
     stellarAllDmg: 0,
     stellarSpeed: 0,
@@ -257,13 +272,13 @@ export function getGuardianPerks(signedPacts: number[]): GuardianPerks {
   for (const floor of signedPacts) {
     switch (floor) {
       case 10: perks.fireSpellSpeed = 0.10; break;      // Fire spells cast 10% faster
-      case 20: perks.waterLifesteal = 0.10; break;      // Water spells have 10% lifesteal
+      case 20: perks.waterDoubleCast = 0.10; break;     // Water spells 10% chance to cast twice
       case 30: perks.airCritChance = 0.15; break;       // Air spells have 15% crit chance
       case 40: perks.earthGuardianDmg = 0.25; break;    // Earth spells +25% dmg to guardians
       case 50: perks.lightDmgBonus = 0.20; break;       // Light spells +20% damage
-      case 60: perks.darkLifesteal = 0.20; break;       // Dark spells have 20% lifesteal
+      case 60: perks.darkCritChance = 0.25; break;      // Dark spells have 25% crit chance
-      case 70: perks.lifeHealRatio = 0.30; break;       // Life spells heal 30% of damage
+      case 70: perks.lifeManaRestore = 0.30; break;     // Life spells restore 30% dmg as mana
-      case 80: perks.deathExecute = 0.20; break;        // Death spells execute below 20% HP
+      case 80: perks.deathLowHpDmg = 0.50; break;       // Death spells +50% dmg to low HP
       case 90: perks.voidPierce = 0.30; break;          // Void spells ignore 30% resistance
       case 100: 
         perks.stellarAllDmg = 0.50;     // All spells +50% damage