diff --git a/assets/images/tetrisattack/background-beth.png b/assets/images/tetrisattack/background-beth-r1.png
similarity index 100%
rename from assets/images/tetrisattack/background-beth.png
rename to assets/images/tetrisattack/background-beth-r1.png
diff --git a/assets/images/tetrisattack/ta-stage.png b/assets/images/tetrisattack/ta-stage.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4190cfc
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/images/tetrisattack/ta-stage.png differ
diff --git a/data/tetrisattack.json b/data/tetrisattack.json
index 00a2bbb..4824fca 100644
--- a/data/tetrisattack.json
+++ b/data/tetrisattack.json
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
   },
   "stageClear": {
     "name": "Stage Clear",
-    "description": "Clear the starting stack before it tops out. Six challengers, one at a time.",
+    "description": "Six challengers, five stages each. Survive until the CLEAR line slides in, then wipe out every panel above it.",
+    "stagesPerRound": 5,
+    "stageSpeedStep": 0.2,
     "rounds": [
       {
         "characterId": "beth",
@@ -13,6 +15,7 @@
         "name": "Beth",
         "speedLevel": 1,
         "startRows": 6,
+        "clearLineRows": 3,
         "intro": "I ain't seen you 'round these parts before. Let's see whatcha got.",
         "winLine": "Well shoot, you got the better of me!",
         "loseLine": "Told ya you weren't ready, sugar."
@@ -23,6 +26,7 @@
         "name": "Jerry",
         "speedLevel": 2,
         "startRows": 6,
+        "clearLineRows": 3,
         "intro": "Well now, y'all know I came to play some'a them games!",
         "winLine": "Hoo-wee, you got me good!",
         "loseLine": "Better luck next time, partner!"
@@ -33,6 +37,7 @@
         "name": "Michael",
         "speedLevel": 3,
         "startRows": 7,
+        "clearLineRows": 3,
         "intro": "Hey mon! I been waitin' ta play on da Fertig Games — let's go mon!",
         "winLine": "Ya beat me fair, mon. Respect!",
         "loseLine": "Not today, mon, ya!"
@@ -43,6 +48,7 @@
         "name": "Steve",
         "speedLevel": 4,
         "startRows": 7,
+        "clearLineRows": 2,
         "intro": "I traveled WAY too far across the galaxy for this. Don't waste my time.",
         "winLine": "Impossible... a lifeform this primitive bested me?",
         "loseLine": "Exactly as I calculated. Predictable."
@@ -53,6 +59,7 @@
         "name": "Victor",
         "speedLevel": 5,
         "startRows": 8,
+        "clearLineRows": 2,
         "intro": "Patience. Every panel falls exactly where the ancients intended.",
         "winLine": "The ancients smile upon you today.",
         "loseLine": "Patience was never your virtue."
@@ -63,6 +70,7 @@
         "name": "Klaxon",
         "speedLevel": 6,
         "startRows": 8,
+        "clearLineRows": 2,
         "intro": "MISSION OBJECTIVE: victory. All other priorities rescinded.",
         "winLine": "ERROR. DEFEAT NOT IN PARAMETERS.",
         "loseLine": "OBJECTIVE COMPLETE. RESISTANCE FUTILE."
diff --git a/src/data/assetManifest.js b/src/data/assetManifest.js
index c222726..5fa81ab 100644
--- a/src/data/assetManifest.js
+++ b/src/data/assetManifest.js
@@ -47,12 +47,6 @@ function imagesFrom(scene, jsonKey) {
     .map((a) => ({ type: 'image', key: a.key, path: a.path }));
 }
 
-// Tetris Attack Stage Clear host backgrounds — drop-in art named
-// background-{hero}.png (hero = lowercase host name from data/tetrisattack.json's
-// stageClear.rounds). Speculatively declared for every host; hosts without art
-// yet just log a load warning and the scene's textures.exists fallback applies.
-const TETRISATTACK_HEROES = ['beth', 'jerry', 'michael', 'steve', 'victor', 'klaxon'];
-
 // Drop-in per-game soundtrack tracks declared in a cached `<name>-music.json`
 // (see services/soundtrack.js). Audio bytes lazy-load only when the owning
 // game is entered — never part of the shared default-soundtrack preload.
@@ -230,8 +224,10 @@ export const MANIFEST = {
     { type: 'json', key: 'tetrisattack', path: 'data/tetrisattack.json' },
     { type: 'json', key: 'tetrisattack-puzzles', path: 'data/tetrisattack-puzzles.json' },
     (scene) => sheetsFrom(scene, 'tetrisattack-artwork', ['panelSheet', 'characterSheet']),
-    ...TETRISATTACK_HEROES.map((hero) =>
-      image(`tetrisattack-bg-${hero}`, `assets/images/tetrisattack/background-${hero}.png`)),
+    // Stage Clear backgrounds (background-{hero}-r{stage}.png, 6 hosts × 5
+    // stages) are NOT declared here — 30 full-screen images is far too much to
+    // pull on entering the game room. TetrisAttackGame.ensureRoundBackgrounds()
+    // loads one character's set as their round begins.
     (scene) => musicFrom(scene, 'nintendo-music'),
   ],
   coloradodefense: [
diff --git a/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackGame.js b/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackGame.js
index 0511964..bbdc1b8 100644
--- a/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackGame.js
+++ b/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackGame.js
@@ -5,10 +5,11 @@ import { getGameSoundtrack } from '../../services/soundtrack.js';
 import { playSound, SFX } from '../../ui/Sounds.js';
 import {
   COLS, ROWS, PANEL_COLORS, TUNING,
-  newGame, step, moveCursor, trySwap, setRaise,
+  newGame, step, moveCursor, trySwap, setRaise, advanceStage,
 } from './TetrisAttackLogic.js';
 import {
-  showMenu, showPuzzleSelect, showStageIntro, showResult, createHostPortrait, FONT,
+  showMenu, showPuzzleSelect, showStageSelect, showStageIntro, showResult,
+  createHostPortrait, FONT,
 } from './TetrisAttackScreens.js';
 
 // ── Layout ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -33,6 +34,9 @@ const PANEL_PAL = {
 };
 
 const BEST_KEY = 'tetrisattack-best';
+// Stage Clear progress: { [characterId]: highest stage number completed }.
+// Drives the stage-select squares and which characters are unlocked.
+const PROGRESS_KEY = 'tetrisattack-stage-progress';
 
 export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
   constructor() { super('TetrisAttackGame'); }
@@ -46,7 +50,8 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.acc = 0;
     this.sprites = new Map();      // panel.id -> Phaser image
     this.incomingSprites = [];
-    this.stageIndex = 0;
+    this.roundIndex = 0;    // which character (0-5)
+    this.stageNumber = 1;   // stage within that character's round (1-5)
     this.puzzleIndex = 0;
     this.hostPortrait = null;
     this.heroBg = null;
@@ -87,22 +92,49 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
   // ── Menus / flow (delegates to Screens) ───────────────────────────────────
   showMenu() { this.clearOverlay(); this.teardownGameplay(); showMenu(this); }
   startEndless() { this.beginGame({ mode: 'endless' }); }
-  startStageClear() { this.stageIndex = 0; this.showStageIntro(); }
+  startStageClear() { this.clearOverlay(); this.teardownGameplay(); showStageSelect(this); }
   startPuzzleMode() { showPuzzleSelect(this); }
 
-  showStageIntro() {
-    const rounds = this.config?.stageClear?.rounds ?? [];
-    const round = rounds[this.stageIndex];
+  get rounds() { return this.config?.stageClear?.rounds ?? []; }
+  get stagesPerRound() { return this.config?.stageClear?.stagesPerRound ?? 5; }
+  get stageSpeedStep() { return this.config?.stageClear?.stageSpeedStep ?? TUNING.STAGE_SPEED_STEP; }
+
+  // ── Stage Clear progress (localStorage) ───────────────────────────────────
+  loadStageProgress() {
+    try { return JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(PROGRESS_KEY) ?? '{}') ?? {}; } catch (_) { return {}; }
+  }
+
+  markStageComplete(characterId, stageNumber) {
+    const progress = this.loadStageProgress();
+    if ((progress[characterId] ?? 0) >= stageNumber) return;
+    progress[characterId] = stageNumber;
+    try { localStorage.setItem(PROGRESS_KEY, JSON.stringify(progress)); } catch (_) { /* ignore */ }
+  }
+
+  // The first character is always open; each later one unlocks when the
+  // previous character's whole round has been beaten.
+  isRoundUnlocked(index) {
+    if (index <= 0) return true;
+    const prev = this.rounds[index - 1];
+    return (this.loadStageProgress()[prev?.characterId] ?? 0) >= this.stagesPerRound;
+  }
+
+  // Start a character's round from its first stage.
+  beginRound(index) {
+    const round = this.rounds[index];
     if (!round) { this.showStageComplete(); return; }
-    showStageIntro(this, round, this.stageIndex, () => {
-      this.beginGame({ mode: 'stageclear', round });
+    this.roundIndex = index;
+    this.stageNumber = 1;
+    this.ensureRoundBackgrounds(round);
+    showStageIntro(this, round, index, () => {
+      this.beginGame({ mode: 'stageclear', round, stageNumber: 1 });
     });
   }
 
   beginStagePuzzleFromSelect(index) { this.puzzleIndex = index; this.beginGame({ mode: 'puzzle', puzzleIndex: index }); }
 
   // ── Gameplay setup ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-  beginGame({ mode, round, puzzleIndex }) {
+  beginGame({ mode, round, puzzleIndex, stageNumber = 1 }) {
     this.clearOverlay();
     this.teardownGameplay();
     this.mode = mode;
@@ -115,12 +147,24 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       this.state = newGame({ mode: 'puzzle', puzzle: { grid: p.grid, maxMoves: p.maxMoves }, rng });
     } else if (mode === 'stageclear') {
       this.currentRound = round;
-      this.state = newGame({ mode: 'stageclear', stage: { speedLevel: round.speedLevel, startRows: round.startRows }, rng });
+      this.stageNumber = stageNumber;
+      this.state = newGame({
+        mode: 'stageclear',
+        stage: {
+          speedLevel: round.speedLevel,
+          startRows: round.startRows,
+          clearLineRows: round.clearLineRows,
+          stageNumber,
+          speedStep: this.stageSpeedStep,
+        },
+        rng,
+      });
     } else {
       this.state = newGame({ mode: 'endless', rng });
     }
 
-    this.setHeroBackground(mode === 'stageclear' ? round.name : null);
+    if (mode === 'stageclear') this.setStageBackground(round.characterId, stageNumber);
+    else this.setStageBackground(null);
     this.buildHUD();
     this.playing = true;
     this.acc = 0;
@@ -134,25 +178,56 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     for (const s of this.incomingSprites) s.destroy();
     this.incomingSprites = [];
     if (this.cursorGfx) { this.cursorGfx.destroy(); this.cursorGfx = null; }
+    if (this.clearLineGfx) { this.clearLineGfx.destroy(); this.clearLineGfx = null; }
+    if (this.clearLineLabel) { this.clearLineLabel.destroy(); this.clearLineLabel = null; }
     if (this.hudLayer) { this.hudLayer.destroy(); this.hudLayer = null; }
     if (this.boardWell) { this.boardWell.destroy(); this.boardWell = null; }
     if (this.boardFrame) { this.boardFrame.destroy(); this.boardFrame = null; }
     if (this.hostPortrait) { this.hostPortrait.destroy(); this.hostPortrait = null; }
-    this.setHeroBackground(null);
+    this.setStageBackground(null);
     this.state = null;
   }
 
-  // Stage Clear background art, drop-in per host (assets/images/tetrisattack/
-  // background-{hero}.png, see data/assetManifest.js). Falls back to the
-  // procedural gradient backdrop when a host has no art yet.
-  setHeroBackground(heroName) {
+  // Stage Clear background art, drop-in per host and stage (assets/images/
+  // tetrisattack/background-{hero}-r{stage}.png). Falls back to the legacy
+  // unsuffixed background-{hero}.png, then to the procedural gradient backdrop.
+  setStageBackground(hero, stageNumber = 1) {
     if (this.heroBg) { this.heroBg.destroy(); this.heroBg = null; }
-    if (!heroName) return;
-    const key = `tetrisattack-bg-${heroName.toLowerCase()}`;
-    if (!this.textures.exists(key)) return;
+    if (!hero) return;
+    const key = [`tetrisattack-bg-${hero}-r${stageNumber}`, `tetrisattack-bg-${hero}`]
+      .find((k) => this.textures.exists(k));
+    if (!key) return;
     this.heroBg = this.add.image(GAME_WIDTH / 2, GAME_HEIGHT / 2, key).setDepth(D.bg + 2);
   }
 
+  // Pull in a round's five stage backgrounds on demand — 30 full-screen images
+  // is far too much to preload up front (see data/assetManifest.js). Called as
+  // a round begins so the download hides behind the intro cutscene; art that
+  // arrives late just swaps in over the gradient.
+  ensureRoundBackgrounds(round) {
+    const hero = round?.characterId;
+    if (!hero) return;
+    const wanted = [];
+    for (let n = 1; n <= this.stagesPerRound; n++) {
+      wanted.push([`tetrisattack-bg-${hero}-r${n}`, `assets/images/tetrisattack/background-${hero}-r${n}.png`]);
+    }
+    wanted.push([`tetrisattack-bg-${hero}`, `assets/images/tetrisattack/background-${hero}.png`]);
+    const missing = wanted.filter(([key]) => !this.textures.exists(key));
+    if (!missing.length) return;
+    for (const [key, path] of missing) this.load.image(key, path);
+    const onError = (file) => console.warn(`[tetrisattack] no background ${file.key}`);
+    this.load.on('loaderror', onError);
+    this.load.once('complete', () => {
+      this.load.off('loaderror', onError);
+      // re-apply: the art for the stage in play may only just have arrived
+      if (this.mode === 'stageclear' && this.currentRound) {
+        this.setStageBackground(this.currentRound.characterId, this.stageNumber);
+      }
+    });
+    // files queued mid-pass ride along with the load already in flight
+    if (!this.load.isLoading()) this.load.start();
+  }
+
   // ── Main loop ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   update(time, delta) {
     if (!this.playing || !this.state) return;
@@ -172,6 +247,7 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     for (const e of events) {
       if (e.type === 'clear') this.onClear(e);
       else if (e.type === 'rowShift') playSound(this, SFX.EIGHTBIT_MOVE);
+      else if (e.type === 'clearLineAppear') this.onClearLineAppear();
       else if (e.type === 'danger') this.onDanger(e.on);
       else if (e.type === 'gameOver') this.onGameOver();
       else if (e.type === 'win') this.onWin();
@@ -224,6 +300,21 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     }
   }
 
+  // The boundary line has slid in under the stack: everything above it is now
+  // the objective. Announce it over the board.
+  onClearLineAppear() {
+    playSound(this, SFX.EIGHTBIT_ACTIVATE);
+    const t = this.add.text(BOARD_LEFT + BOARD_W / 2, BOARD_TOP + BOARD_H / 2, 'CLEAR LINE!', {
+      fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '54px', color: '#ffffff', stroke: '#101018', strokeThickness: 8,
+    }).setOrigin(0.5).setDepth(D.fx);
+    this.tweens.add({
+      targets: t, scale: { from: 0.4, to: 1.15 }, duration: 320, ease: 'Back.easeOut',
+      onComplete: () => this.tweens.add({
+        targets: t, alpha: 0, y: t.y - 50, delay: 550, duration: 450, onComplete: () => t.destroy(),
+      }),
+    });
+  }
+
   onDanger(on) {
     if (this.boardFrame) this.boardFrame.setStrokeStyle(6, on ? 0xff4d5e : 0x40506a);
     if (on) {
@@ -262,7 +353,8 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
         lines: [`${round.name}: "${round.loseLine}"`],
         round,
         buttons: [
-          { label: 'Retry', action: () => this.showStageIntro() },
+          { label: 'Retry Stage', action: () => this.beginGame({ mode: 'stageclear', round, stageNumber: this.stageNumber }) },
+          { label: 'Stage Select', action: () => this.startStageClear() },
           { label: 'Menu', action: () => this.showMenu() },
         ],
       });
@@ -284,16 +376,19 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     playSound(this, SFX.VICTORY_SHORT);
     if (this.mode === 'stageclear') {
       const round = this.currentRound;
+      this.markStageComplete(round.characterId, this.stageNumber);
+      // Mid-round: the match doesn't end. Banner, new background, faster rise,
+      // fresh CLEAR line — but the same stack keeps coming up.
+      if (this.stageNumber < this.stagesPerRound) { this.advanceToNextStage(); return; }
       this._resultPose = 'worried';
-      // record the win so the puzzle/stage progress could be surfaced later
-      const last = this.stageIndex >= (this.config.stageClear.rounds.length - 1);
+      const last = this.roundIndex >= (this.rounds.length - 1);
       showResult(this, {
         title: `${round.name.toUpperCase()} DEFEATED`,
         lines: [`${round.name}: "${round.winLine}"`, `Score  ${this.state.score}`],
         round,
         buttons: last
           ? [{ label: 'Finish', action: () => this.showStageComplete() }]
-          : [{ label: 'Next Challenger', action: () => { this.stageIndex++; this.showStageIntro(); } },
+          : [{ label: 'Next Challenger', action: () => this.beginRound(this.roundIndex + 1) },
              { label: 'Menu', action: () => this.showMenu() }],
       });
     } else if (this.mode === 'puzzle') {
@@ -315,6 +410,30 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     }
   }
 
+  // Stage cleared inside a round: hold the board for a beat under a banner,
+  // then keep playing on the same stack one notch faster.
+  advanceToNextStage() {
+    const round = this.currentRound;
+    const banner = this.add.text(BOARD_LEFT + BOARD_W / 2, BOARD_TOP + BOARD_H / 2, `STAGE ${this.stageNumber}\nCLEAR!`, {
+      fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '64px', color: '#ffe66e', align: 'center',
+      stroke: '#3a2a00', strokeThickness: 9, lineSpacing: 10,
+    }).setOrigin(0.5).setDepth(D.fx);
+    this.tweens.add({ targets: banner, scale: { from: 0.4, to: 1 }, duration: 340, ease: 'Back.easeOut' });
+    this.hostPortrait?.setPose('worried');
+
+    this.time.delayedCall(1400, () => {
+      this.tweens.add({
+        targets: banner, alpha: 0, duration: 300, onComplete: () => banner.destroy(),
+      });
+      if (!this.state) return;
+      this.stageNumber++;
+      advanceStage(this.state, { speedStep: this.stageSpeedStep });
+      this.setStageBackground(round.characterId, this.stageNumber);
+      this.updateHUD();
+      this.playing = true;
+    });
+  }
+
   showStageComplete() {
     this.teardownGameplay();
     showResult(this, {
@@ -382,9 +501,41 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       const pos = this.cellCenter(ROWS, c);
       spr.x = pos.x; spr.y = pos.y;
     }
+    this.drawClearLine();
     this.drawCursor();
   }
 
+  // Stage Clear boundary line: a pulsing white bar sitting on the top edge of
+  // row state.clearLine, riding the stack (it shares riseOffset with the
+  // panels), with a "CLEAR" label just outside the playfield to its right.
+  drawClearLine() {
+    const line = this.state.clearLine;
+    if (line == null) {
+      if (this.clearLineGfx) this.clearLineGfx.setVisible(false);
+      if (this.clearLineLabel) this.clearLineLabel.setVisible(false);
+      return;
+    }
+    if (!this.clearLineGfx) {
+      // inside boardLayer so the mask clips it and the danger shake carries it
+      this.clearLineGfx = this.add.graphics().setDepth(D.cursor);
+      this.boardLayer.add(this.clearLineGfx);
+      // the label lives OUTSIDE the masked playfield, so not in boardLayer
+      this.clearLineLabel = this.add.text(BOARD_LEFT + BOARD_W + 30, 0, '◀ CLEAR', {
+        fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '30px', color: '#ffffff', stroke: '#101018', strokeThickness: 6,
+      }).setOrigin(0, 0.5).setDepth(D.hud);
+    }
+    const y = this.cellCenter(line, 0).y - CELL / 2;
+    const pulse = 0.55 + 0.45 * Math.sin(this.time.now / 160);
+    const g = this.clearLineGfx;
+    g.clear();
+    g.setVisible(true);
+    g.fillStyle(0xffffff, 0.22 * pulse);
+    g.fillRect(BOARD_LEFT, y - 9, BOARD_W, 18);
+    g.fillStyle(0xffffff, 0.45 + 0.55 * pulse);
+    g.fillRect(BOARD_LEFT, y - 3, BOARD_W, 6);
+    this.clearLineLabel.setVisible(true).setY(y).setAlpha(0.5 + 0.5 * pulse);
+  }
+
   drawCursor() {
     if (!this.cursorGfx) this.cursorGfx = this.add.graphics().setDepth(D.cursor);
     const g = this.cursorGfx;
@@ -448,7 +599,8 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       this.hudTexts.best = mk(410, 'BEST');
       this.hudTexts.level = mk(520, 'SPEED');
     } else if (this.mode === 'stageclear') {
-      this.hudTexts.targets = mk(410, 'PANELS LEFT');
+      // no objective counter — the CLEAR line itself is the indicator
+      this.hudTexts.stage = mk(410, 'STAGE');
       this.hudTexts.level = mk(520, 'SPEED');
     } else {
       this.hudTexts.moves = mk(410, 'SWAPS LEFT');
@@ -462,10 +614,11 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       }).setOrigin(0.5));
     }
 
-    const controls = this.mode === 'puzzle'
-      ? ['◀ ▲ ▼ ▶  move', 'SPACE / Z  swap', '', 'Clear every panel!']
-      : ['◀ ▲ ▼ ▶  move', 'SPACE / Z  swap', 'SHIFT  raise stack'];
-    this.hudLayer.add(this.add.text(GAME_WIDTH - 420, 700, controls.join('\n'), {
+    const controls = ['◀ ▲ ▼ ▶  move', 'SPACE / Z  swap'];
+    if (this.mode === 'puzzle') controls.push('', 'Clear every panel!');
+    else controls.push('SHIFT  raise stack');
+    if (this.mode === 'stageclear') controls.push('', 'Clear everything above', 'the CLEAR line!');
+    this.hudLayer.add(this.add.text(GAME_WIDTH - 420, 660, controls.join('\n'), {
       fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '26px', color: '#9fb0c8', lineSpacing: 10,
     }));
 
@@ -490,7 +643,7 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
 
   restartCurrent() {
     if (this.mode === 'endless') this.startEndless();
-    else if (this.mode === 'stageclear') this.beginGame({ mode: 'stageclear', round: this.currentRound });
+    else if (this.mode === 'stageclear') this.beginGame({ mode: 'stageclear', round: this.currentRound, stageNumber: this.stageNumber });
     else this.beginStagePuzzleFromSelect(this.puzzleIndex);
   }
 
@@ -499,16 +652,10 @@ export default class TetrisAttackGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.hudTexts.score?.setText(String(this.state.score));
     this.hudTexts.best?.setText(String(this.best));
     this.hudTexts.level?.setText(String(this.state.level));
-    if (this.hudTexts.targets) this.hudTexts.targets.setText(String(this.state.targetsTotal ? this.countTargets() : 0));
+    this.hudTexts.stage?.setText(`${this.state.stage}/${this.stagesPerRound}`);
     if (this.hudTexts.moves) this.hudTexts.moves.setText(String(Math.max(0, this.state.movesLeft ?? 0)));
   }
 
-  countTargets() {
-    let n = 0;
-    for (const row of this.state.board) for (const p of row) if (p && p.target) n++;
-    return n;
-  }
-
   // ── Input ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   registerInput() {
     const kb = this.input.keyboard;
diff --git a/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackLogic.js b/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackLogic.js
index 59ccadd..9edab42 100644
--- a/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackLogic.js
+++ b/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackLogic.js
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ export const TUNING = {
   BASE_RISE: 0.0016,
   RISE_PER_LEVEL: 0.0009,
   ROWS_PER_LEVEL: 8,      // emerged rows between speed-ups
+  CLEAR_LINE_ROWS: 3,     // Stage Clear: rows that must rise before the line appears
+  STAGE_SPEED_STEP: 0.2,  // Stage Clear: speed-level bump per stage within a round
   // Scoring
   BASE_PANEL: 10,
 };
@@ -75,9 +77,15 @@ function isBoardEmpty(board) {
   return board.every((row) => row.every((p) => p === null));
 }
 
-function countTargets(board) {
+// Panels still sitting above the Stage Clear boundary line (the objective).
+// The line is drawn along the TOP edge of row `state.clearLine`, so rows
+// 0..clearLine-1 are above it. Zero while the line has not appeared yet.
+function countAboveLine(state) {
+  if (state.clearLine == null) return 0;
   let n = 0;
-  for (const row of board) for (const p of row) if (p && p.target) n++;
+  for (let r = 0; r < state.clearLine; r++) {
+    for (const p of state.board[r]) if (p) n++;
+  }
   return n;
 }
 
@@ -142,35 +150,47 @@ export function newGame(opts = {}) {
     nextId: 1,
     // mode-specific
     movesLeft: null,
-    targetsTotal: 0,
+    // Stage Clear: index of the row whose top edge carries the boundary line
+    // (null until it appears). Rides the stack — decremented on every row shift.
+    clearLine: null,
+    clearLineRows: TUNING.CLEAR_LINE_ROWS,
+    clearLineAt: TUNING.CLEAR_LINE_ROWS, // rowsRaised value that spawns the line
+    stage: 1,             // stage within the round (1..stagesPerRound)
+    speed: opts.level ?? 1, // fractional speed level (level + per-stage steps)
   };
 
   if (mode === 'puzzle') {
     loadPuzzle(state, opts.puzzle);
     state.riseRate = 0;
   } else if (mode === 'stageclear') {
+    // A round is `stagesPerRound` stages hosted by one character. `level` is the
+    // round's integer difficulty (what the HUD and the select screen show);
+    // `speed` adds a fraction of a level per stage for a slow continuous ramp.
     const speedLevel = opts.stage?.speedLevel ?? 1;
+    const speedStep = opts.stage?.speedStep ?? TUNING.STAGE_SPEED_STEP;
     state.level = speedLevel;
-    state.riseRate = TUNING.BASE_RISE + (speedLevel - 1) * TUNING.RISE_PER_LEVEL;
-    fillInitial(state, rng, opts.stage?.startRows ?? 7, true);
-    state.targetsTotal = countTargets(state.board);
+    state.stage = opts.stage?.stageNumber ?? 1;
+    state.speed = speedLevel + (state.stage - 1) * speedStep;
+    state.riseRate = TUNING.BASE_RISE + (state.speed - 1) * TUNING.RISE_PER_LEVEL;
+    state.clearLineRows = opts.stage?.clearLineRows ?? TUNING.CLEAR_LINE_ROWS;
+    state.clearLineAt = state.clearLineRows;
+    fillInitial(state, rng, opts.stage?.startRows ?? 7);
   } else {
     // endless
     state.level = opts.level ?? 1;
+    state.speed = state.level;
     state.riseRate = TUNING.BASE_RISE + (state.level - 1) * TUNING.RISE_PER_LEVEL;
     fillInitial(state, rng, TUNING.START_ROWS, false);
   }
   return state;
 }
 
-// Fill the bottom `nRows` rows with panels (no starting matches). When
-// `asTargets` the placed panels are flagged as Stage-Clear objectives.
-function fillInitial(state, rng, nRows, asTargets) {
+// Fill the bottom `nRows` rows with panels (no starting matches).
+function fillInitial(state, rng, nRows) {
   const { board } = state;
   for (let r = ROWS - nRows; r < ROWS; r++) {
     for (let c = 0; c < COLS; c++) {
-      const color = safeColor(board, r, c, rng);
-      board[r][c] = newPanel(state, color, asTargets ? { target: true } : {});
+      board[r][c] = newPanel(state, safeColor(board, r, c, rng));
     }
   }
 }
@@ -195,6 +215,22 @@ export function loadPuzzle(state, puzzle) {
   return state;
 }
 
+// ── Stage Clear: next stage, same board ─────────────────────────────────────
+// Clearing a stage does not end the match — the stack that was below the line
+// keeps rising exactly where it is, a fresh line is scheduled a few rows out,
+// and the rise speeds up a notch. Board / riseOffset / score / cursor are all
+// deliberately left alone; only the objective and the pace change.
+export function advanceStage(state, opts = {}) {
+  state.won = false;
+  state.clearLine = null;
+  state.clearLineRows = opts.clearLineRows ?? state.clearLineRows;
+  state.clearLineAt = state.rowsRaised + state.clearLineRows;
+  state.stage++;
+  state.speed += opts.speedStep ?? TUNING.STAGE_SPEED_STEP;
+  state.riseRate = TUNING.BASE_RISE + (state.speed - 1) * TUNING.RISE_PER_LEVEL;
+  return state;
+}
+
 // ── Cursor & swap ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 export function moveCursor(state, dir) {
   const { cursor } = state;
@@ -358,10 +394,21 @@ function emergeRow(state, rng) {
   state.incoming = generateRowColors(rng);
   state.cursor.row = Math.max(0, state.cursor.row - 1);
   state.rowsRaised++;
+  // Stage Clear boundary line: once placed it is glued to the two rows it sits
+  // between, so it moves up one index with them. It appears between the row
+  // that just emerged and the one above it, making the whole current stack the
+  // objective — everything fed in afterwards arrives below the line.
+  if (state.clearLine != null) {
+    state.clearLine--;
+  } else if (state.mode === 'stageclear' && state.rowsRaised >= state.clearLineAt) {
+    state.clearLine = ROWS - 1;
+    state._lineJustSpawned = true;
+  }
   if (state.mode === 'endless') {
     const lvl = 1 + Math.floor(state.rowsRaised / TUNING.ROWS_PER_LEVEL);
     if (lvl !== state.level) {
       state.level = lvl;
+      state.speed = lvl;
       state.riseRate = TUNING.BASE_RISE + (state.level - 1) * TUNING.RISE_PER_LEVEL;
     }
   }
@@ -446,7 +493,6 @@ export function step(state, rng = Math.random) {
         const p = board[r][c];
         p.state = 'clearing';
         p.chain = false;
-        p.target = false; // Stage Clear: cleared objectives count as done
         const cell = { r, c, color: g.color, id: p.id };
         cells.push(cell);
         allCells.push(cell);
@@ -493,6 +539,10 @@ export function step(state, rng = Math.random) {
         state.riseOffset -= 1;
         emergeRow(state, rng);
         events.push({ type: 'rowShift' });
+        if (state._lineJustSpawned) {
+          state._lineJustSpawned = false;
+          events.push({ type: 'clearLineAppear', row: state.clearLine });
+        }
       }
       state.dangerTicks = 0;
     }
@@ -514,7 +564,12 @@ function finishStep(state, events) {
       if (isBoardEmpty(board)) { state.won = true; events.push({ type: 'win' }); }
       else if (idleSettled && state.movesLeft <= 0) { state.over = true; events.push({ type: 'gameOver' }); }
     } else if (state.mode === 'stageclear') {
-      if (countTargets(board) === 0) { state.won = true; events.push({ type: 'win' }); }
+      // Win once every panel above the boundary line is gone. Clearing panels
+      // stay on the board until they pop, so this waits for the pop naturally.
+      if (state.clearLine != null && countAboveLine(state) === 0) {
+        state.won = true;
+        events.push({ type: 'win' });
+      }
     }
   }
   return events;
@@ -525,8 +580,8 @@ export function isSettled(state) {
   return state.clears.length === 0 && !anyFalling(state.board) && !state._justLanded;
 }
 
-export function remainingTargets(state) {
-  return countTargets(state.board);
+export function panelsAboveClearLine(state) {
+  return countAboveLine(state);
 }
 
 // Find a cursor position whose swap immediately creates a match (greedy helper
diff --git a/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackScreens.js b/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackScreens.js
index b7c3a15..50a6b6d 100644
--- a/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackScreens.js
+++ b/src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackScreens.js
@@ -108,6 +108,83 @@ export function showPuzzleSelect(scene) {
   textButton(scene, cx, GAME_HEIGHT - 100, 'BACK', () => scene.showMenu(), { width: 240 });
 }
 
+// ── Stage Clear round select ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
+// The SNES "NEXT STAGE" overview: one card per character, each showing their
+// five stage squares (filled once cleared) and the round's difficulty level.
+// Characters unlock in order — you may restart any round you have reached, but
+// always from its first stage.
+export function showStageSelect(scene) {
+  scene.clearOverlay();
+  scene.teardownGameplay();
+  dim(scene, 0.92);
+  const cx = GAME_WIDTH / 2;
+  const rounds = scene.rounds;
+  const perRound = scene.stagesPerRound;
+  const progress = scene.loadStageProgress();
+
+  scene.overlayObjs.push(scene.add.text(cx, 110, 'STAGE CLEAR', {
+    fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '72px', color: '#ffe66e',
+  }).setOrigin(0.5).setDepth(OVL_UI));
+  scene.overlayObjs.push(scene.add.text(cx, 180, 'Pick a challenger — six rounds of five stages', {
+    fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '26px', color: '#7de6ff',
+  }).setOrigin(0.5).setDepth(OVL_UI));
+
+  const cardW = 700, cardH = 200, gapX = 60, gapY = 26;
+  const startX = cx - (cardW + gapX / 2) + cardW / 2;
+  const startY = 330;
+  rounds.forEach((round, i) => {
+    const x = startX + (i % 2) * (cardW + gapX);
+    const y = startY + Math.floor(i / 2) * (cardH + gapY);
+    const unlocked = scene.isRoundUnlocked(i);
+    const done = progress[round.characterId] ?? 0;
+
+    const bg = scene.add.rectangle(x, y, cardW, cardH, unlocked ? 0x1a2440 : 0x12161f, 1)
+      .setStrokeStyle(4, unlocked ? 0x9a5ee8 : 0x2e3644).setDepth(OVL_UI);
+    scene.overlayObjs.push(bg);
+
+    // portrait thumb on the left of the card
+    const px = x - cardW / 2 + 110;
+    const frame = scene.add.rectangle(px, y, 170, 170, 0x0e1526, 1)
+      .setStrokeStyle(3, unlocked ? 0x4a6ea8 : 0x2e3644).setDepth(OVL_UI);
+    scene.overlayObjs.push(frame);
+    const img = buildPortraitImage(scene, round, i, 'neutral', px, y, 0.45);
+    img.setDepth(OVL_UI + 1);
+    if (!unlocked) img.setTint(0x333a48);
+    scene.overlayObjs.push(img);
+
+    const tx = px + 300;
+    scene.overlayObjs.push(scene.add.text(tx, y - 66, `ROUND ${i + 1}`, {
+      fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '38px', color: unlocked ? '#7de6ff' : '#4d5768',
+    }).setOrigin(0.5).setDepth(OVL_UI));
+
+    // the five stage squares, filled for stages already cleared
+    const sq = 34, sgap = 14;
+    let sx = tx - ((perRound * (sq + sgap) - sgap) / 2) + sq / 2;
+    for (let n = 1; n <= perRound; n++) {
+      const cleared = done >= n;
+      scene.overlayObjs.push(scene.add.rectangle(sx, y + 4, sq, sq, cleared ? 0xffe66e : 0x0e1526, 1)
+        .setStrokeStyle(3, unlocked ? 0x9fb0c8 : 0x39414f).setDepth(OVL_UI));
+      scene.overlayObjs.push(scene.add.text(sx, y - 30, String(n), {
+        fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '20px', color: unlocked ? '#9fb0c8' : '#4d5768',
+      }).setOrigin(0.5).setDepth(OVL_UI));
+      sx += sq + sgap;
+    }
+
+    scene.overlayObjs.push(scene.add.text(tx, y + 62, unlocked ? `LEVEL - ${round.speedLevel}` : 'LOCKED', {
+      fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '30px', color: unlocked ? '#e07be0' : '#4d5768',
+    }).setOrigin(0.5).setDepth(OVL_UI));
+
+    if (unlocked) {
+      bg.setInteractive({ useHandCursor: true });
+      bg.on('pointerover', () => bg.setStrokeStyle(4, 0xffe66e));
+      bg.on('pointerout', () => bg.setStrokeStyle(4, 0x9a5ee8));
+      bg.on('pointerdown', () => { playSound(scene, SFX.UI_ACTIVATE); scene.beginRound(i); });
+    }
+  });
+
+  textButton(scene, cx, GAME_HEIGHT - 60, 'BACK', () => scene.showMenu(), { width: 240, height: 58 });
+}
+
 // ── Stage Clear intro cutscene ────────────────────────────────────────────────
 export function showStageIntro(scene, round, index, onContinue) {
   scene.clearOverlay();
@@ -116,9 +193,12 @@ export function showStageIntro(scene, round, index, onContinue) {
   const cx = GAME_WIDTH / 2;
   const total = (scene.config?.stageClear?.rounds ?? []).length;
 
-  scene.overlayObjs.push(scene.add.text(cx, 120, `STAGE ${index + 1} OF ${total}`, {
+  scene.overlayObjs.push(scene.add.text(cx, 120, `ROUND ${index + 1} OF ${total}`, {
     fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '40px', color: '#7de6ff',
   }).setOrigin(0.5).setDepth(OVL_UI));
+  scene.overlayObjs.push(scene.add.text(cx, 172, `${scene.stagesPerRound} STAGES`, {
+    fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '28px', color: '#9fb0c8',
+  }).setOrigin(0.5).setDepth(OVL_UI));
 
   // portrait slides in from the left
   const portrait = buildPortraitImage(scene, round, index, 'neutral', 480, GAME_HEIGHT / 2 + 40, 2.0);
@@ -181,7 +261,7 @@ export function showResult(scene, { title, lines = [], buttons = [], round = nul
   }).setOrigin(0.5).setDepth(OVL_UI));
 
   if (round) {
-    const p = buildPortraitImage(scene, round, scene.stageIndex, scene._resultPose ?? 'neutral', cx, cy - 60, 0.85);
+    const p = buildPortraitImage(scene, round, scene.roundIndex, scene._resultPose ?? 'neutral', cx, cy - 60, 0.85);
     p.setDepth(OVL_UI);
     scene.overlayObjs.push(p);
   }
@@ -203,7 +283,7 @@ export function showResult(scene, { title, lines = [], buttons = [], round = nul
 }
 
 // ── Host portrait (in-game HUD) ───────────────────────────────────────────────
-export function createHostPortrait(scene, x, y, round, index = scene.stageIndex) {
+export function createHostPortrait(scene, x, y, round, index = scene.roundIndex) {
   const frameBg = scene.add.rectangle(x, y, 300, 380, 0x0e1526, 1).setStrokeStyle(5, 0x4a6ea8).setDepth(20);
   const img = buildPortraitImage(scene, round, index, 'neutral', x, y, 1.0);
   img.setDepth(21);
diff --git a/tools/verifyTetrisAttack.js b/tools/verifyTetrisAttack.js
index 80644ed..9654a7e 100644
--- a/tools/verifyTetrisAttack.js
+++ b/tools/verifyTetrisAttack.js
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
 import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
 import { dirname, join } from 'node:path';
 import {
-  COLS, ROWS, TUNING, mulberry32, newGame, step, trySwap, moveCursor,
-  findMatchGroups, findClearingSwap, isSettled, remainingTargets,
+  COLS, ROWS, TUNING, mulberry32, newGame, step, trySwap, moveCursor, setRaise, advanceStage,
+  findMatchGroups, findClearingSwap, isSettled, panelsAboveClearLine,
   loadPuzzle, solvePuzzle, resolveFully, comboBonus, chainBonus,
 } from '../src/games/tetrisattack/TetrisAttackLogic.js';
 
@@ -167,21 +167,111 @@ section('7. Top-out');
   check('full board tops out', over && s.over);
 }
 
-// ── 8. Stage Clear win condition ────────────────────────────────────────────
+// ── 8. Stage Clear boundary line ────────────────────────────────────────────
 section('8. Stage Clear');
 {
-  // one target row of 3 that clears immediately → win
-  const s = newGame({ mode: 'stageclear', rng: mulberry32(5), stage: { speedLevel: 1, startRows: 0 } });
-  // hand-place a single clearing target group
-  for (let c = 0; c < 3; c++) s.board[ROWS - 1][c] = { color: 'green', id: c + 1, state: 'idle', chain: false, target: true };
-  s.targetsTotal = 3;
+  // The line appears once `clearLineRows` rows have risen, lands between the
+  // row that just emerged and the stack above it, then rides that boundary up.
+  const s = newGame({ mode: 'stageclear', rng: mulberry32(5), stage: { speedLevel: 1, startRows: 3, clearLineRows: 2 } });
+  setRaise(s, true); // rush the rise so the line arrives within the tick budget
+  check('no line on a fresh stage', s.clearLine === null);
+
+  let spawns = 0;
+  let lineAtSpawn = null;
+  let rowsAtSpawn = null;
+  let shiftsAfterSpawn = 0;
+  let glued = true;
+  let wonBeforeLine = false;
+  for (let i = 0; i < 4000; i++) {
+    const before = s.clearLine;
+    const events = step(s, mulberry32(100 + i));
+    for (const e of events) {
+      if (e.type === 'clearLineAppear') { spawns++; lineAtSpawn = s.clearLine; rowsAtSpawn = s.rowsRaised; }
+      if (e.type === 'win' && spawns === 0) wonBeforeLine = true;
+      if (e.type === 'rowShift' && before !== null) {
+        shiftsAfterSpawn++;
+        if (s.clearLine !== before - 1) glued = false;
+      }
+    }
+    if (s.over || s.won) break;
+  }
+  check('the line appears exactly once', spawns === 1, `${spawns}`);
+  check('the line appears after clearLineRows rows', rowsAtSpawn === 2, `${rowsAtSpawn}`);
+  check('the line lands under the whole stack', lineAtSpawn === ROWS - 1, `${lineAtSpawn}`);
+  check('no stage win before the line exists', !wonBeforeLine);
+  check('the line rises with the stack', glued && shiftsAfterSpawn > 0, `${shiftsAfterSpawn} shifts`);
+}
+{
+  // Clearing everything above the line wins — panels below it are irrelevant.
+  const s = fromGrid(['ggg...', 'rybrgb', 'brygbr', 'ybgrby'], 'stageclear');
+  s.clearLine = ROWS - 3;
+  check('objective counts only panels above the line', panelsAboveClearLine(s) === 3, `${panelsAboveClearLine(s)}`);
   let won = false;
   for (let i = 0; i < 200 && !won; i++) {
-    const ev = step(s, mulberry32(50 + i));
-    if (ev.some((e) => e.type === 'win')) won = true;
+    if (step(s, mulberry32(50 + i)).some((e) => e.type === 'win')) won = true;
   }
-  check('clearing all targets wins the stage', won && s.won);
-  check('no targets remain on win', remainingTargets(s) === 0);
+  check('clearing above the line wins the stage', won && s.won);
+  check('nothing remains above the line on win', panelsAboveClearLine(s) === 0);
+  let below = 0;
+  for (let r = s.clearLine; r < ROWS; r++) for (const p of s.board[r]) if (p) below++;
+  check('panels below the line survive the win', below === 18, `${below}`);
+}
+{
+  // Same board with no line yet: the stage can never be won.
+  const s = fromGrid(['ggg...', 'rybrgb'], 'stageclear');
+  let won = false;
+  for (let i = 0; i < 300 && !won; i++) {
+    if (step(s, mulberry32(9 + i)).some((e) => e.type === 'win')) won = true;
+  }
+  check('an emptied board without a line does not win', !won && !s.won);
+}
+
+// ── 8b. Stage rounds (5 stages per character, same board) ───────────────────
+section('8b. Stage rounds');
+{
+  const stageOpts = { speedLevel: 2, startRows: 4, clearLineRows: 2, stageNumber: 1, speedStep: 0.2 };
+  const s = newGame({ mode: 'stageclear', rng: mulberry32(11), stage: stageOpts });
+  check('a round opens on stage 1', s.stage === 1 && s.speed === 2);
+
+  // stage 4 of the same round starts faster than stage 1 but keeps the round level
+  const later = newGame({ mode: 'stageclear', rng: mulberry32(11), stage: { ...stageOpts, stageNumber: 4 } });
+  check('a later stage starts faster', later.riseRate > s.riseRate && later.stage === 4);
+  check('the round level is unchanged by the stage', later.level === s.level, `${later.level}`);
+
+  // run until the line appears, then hand it a cleared objective
+  setRaise(s, true);
+  for (let i = 0; i < 4000 && s.clearLine === null; i++) step(s, mulberry32(200 + i));
+  check('stage 1 got its line', s.clearLine !== null);
+  for (let r = 0; r < s.clearLine; r++) for (let c = 0; c < COLS; c++) s.board[r][c] = null;
+  let won = false;
+  for (let i = 0; i < 60 && !won; i++) {
+    if (step(s, mulberry32(300 + i)).some((e) => e.type === 'win')) won = true;
+  }
+  check('emptying above the line ends stage 1', won && s.won);
+
+  const idsBefore = s.board.map((row) => row.map((p) => p?.id ?? 0).join(',')).join('|');
+  const rateBefore = s.riseRate;
+  const scoreBefore = s.score;
+  const rowsAtAdvance = s.rowsRaised;
+  advanceStage(s, { speedStep: 0.2 });
+  check('advancing resumes play on stage 2', !s.won && s.stage === 2);
+  check('advancing keeps the whole stack', s.board.map((row) => row.map((p) => p?.id ?? 0).join(',')).join('|') === idsBefore);
+  check('advancing keeps the score', s.score === scoreBefore);
+  check('advancing clears the old line', s.clearLine === null);
+  check('advancing speeds up the rise', s.riseRate > rateBefore && Math.abs(s.speed - 2.2) < 1e-9, `speed ${s.speed}`);
+  check('advancing re-arms the line', s.clearLineAt === rowsAtAdvance + 2, `${s.clearLineAt}`);
+
+  // and the next line really does show up, clearLineRows further on
+  let respawned = false;
+  let rowsAtRespawn = null;
+  for (let i = 0; i < 4000 && !respawned && !s.over; i++) {
+    if (step(s, mulberry32(500 + i)).some((e) => e.type === 'clearLineAppear')) {
+      respawned = true;
+      rowsAtRespawn = s.rowsRaised;
+    }
+  }
+  check('stage 2 gets a fresh line', respawned && s.clearLine === ROWS - 1);
+  check('the fresh line waits clearLineRows rows', rowsAtRespawn === rowsAtAdvance + 2, `${rowsAtRespawn} vs ${rowsAtAdvance}`);
 }
 
 // ── 9. Puzzle bank ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -266,6 +356,54 @@ section('11. Self-play invariants');
   console.log(`  (ran ${games} games, ${totalTicks} ticks, ${gameOvers} top-outs, peak score ${maxScore})`);
 }
 
+// ── 12. Stage Clear soak (every shipped round must be beatable) ─────────────
+section('12. Stage Clear soak');
+{
+  const cfg = JSON.parse(readFileSync(join(__dirname, '..', 'data', 'tetrisattack.json'), 'utf8'));
+  const rounds = cfg.stageClear?.rounds ?? [];
+  const perRound = cfg.stageClear?.stagesPerRound;
+  const speedStep = cfg.stageClear?.stageSpeedStep;
+  check('every round is fully configured', rounds.every((r) => (
+    Number.isInteger(r.clearLineRows) && Number.isInteger(r.startRows) && Number.isInteger(r.speedLevel)
+    && r.characterId && r.intro && r.winLine && r.loseLine)));
+  check('the ladder is 6 rounds × 5 stages', rounds.length === 6 && perRound === 5, `${rounds.length}×${perRound}`);
+  // the per-stage ramp must not overtake the next character's opening stage
+  const lastStageSpeed = (r) => r.speedLevel + (perRound - 1) * speedStep;
+  check('the difficulty ramp stays monotonic',
+    rounds.every((r, i) => i === rounds.length - 1 || lastStageSpeed(r) <= rounds[i + 1].speedLevel),
+    `step ${speedStep}`);
+  let lineless = 0;
+  const won = [];
+  for (const round of rounds) {
+    let wins = 0;
+    for (let g = 0; g < 3; g++) {
+      const rng = mulberry32(7000 + g);
+      const s = newGame({
+        mode: 'stageclear',
+        stage: { speedLevel: round.speedLevel, startRows: round.startRows, clearLineRows: round.clearLineRows },
+        rng,
+      });
+      for (let t = 0; t < 20000 && !s.over && !s.won; t++) {
+        if (t % 5 === 0) {
+          const mv = findClearingSwap(s);
+          if (mv) { s.cursor = { row: mv.row, col: mv.col }; trySwap(s); }
+        }
+        step(s, rng);
+      }
+      if (s.won) wins++;
+      if (s.clearLine === null) lineless++;
+    }
+    won.push(`${round.name} ${wins}/3`);
+  }
+  // The line must always show up before the stack tops out — otherwise the
+  // round has no reachable objective at all. (Winning is a different bar: the
+  // greedy 1-ply player only beats the first two rounds, which was equally true
+  // of the old clear-the-whole-starting-stack rule.)
+  check('every soak game saw its CLEAR line appear', lineless === 0, `${lineless} without a line`);
+  check('the opening rounds are beatable by a greedy player', won.slice(0, 2).every((w) => !w.endsWith('0/3')), won.slice(0, 2).join(', '));
+  console.log(`  (greedy wins — ${won.join(', ')})`);
+}
+
 // ── Summary ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 console.log(`\n${failures === 0 ? '✓ ALL PASSED' : '✗ FAILURES'} — ${checks - failures}/${checks} checks passed`);
 process.exit(failures ? 1 : 0);