What is an Enemy?

Enemy in game design is not just a target — it’s a challenge with intent. An enemy is a living rule that pushes back against the player’s actions, choices, and rhythm.

Enemies define what needs to be overcome — and how that struggle feels.

1️⃣ Definition

An enemy is a hostile non-player agent designed to obstruct, challenge, or pressure the player through behavior, stats, tactics, or systems.

It is a core tool of gameplay tension, pacing, and mastery.

📍An enemy isn’t just there to hurt the player. It’s there to ask a question:"Can you handle me?"

2️⃣ Why Enemies Matter

Purpose	What It Enables	Example
Test of mastery	Enforces system understanding	Dark Souls trash mobs require timing and control
Tactical rhythm	Shapes combat pacing and flow	DOOM Eternal’s demon variety = ammo puzzle
Emotional tone	Fear, panic, dominance, cruelty	Amnesia’s passive horror stalkers
Progression gate	Blocker, boss, threshold	Elite enemies in Hades force new movement reads
Narrative reflection	Embody theme or moral contrast	The Last of Us Part II — you are their enemy too

📍The enemy doesn’t just fight the player. It should reveal the player’s limits and growth.

3️⃣ Enemy Archetypes

Archetype	Behavior	Game Example
Melee chaser	Simple path + attack	Zombies in RE2, Hollow Knight’s Crawlers
Ranged harasser	Zone control from distance	Archers in Dark Souls, Sniper Elite
Tank / Blocker	High HP, slows progress	Shield enemies, XCOM mech units
Glass cannon	High burst, low defense	Mages in Divinity: OS2
Summoner / Spawner	Creates extra enemies or effects	Necromancers, Doom’s Arch-vile
Puzzle enemy	Weak point or special rule	Zelda enemies (mirror shield, stun lock)

📍A single enemy = a behavior to read. A group = a puzzle to solve under pressure.

4️⃣ Systems That Shape Enemies

System	Influence
Stats	HP, damage, range, speed, resistances
AI / Behavior tree	Aggro rules, priorities, loops
Telegraphing	Visual/sound warnings (fairness)
Feedback	Animations, flinch, stagger, reaction
Synergy / Ecosystem	Works with other enemies (buffs, zones, distractions)

📍Great enemies aren’t hard by numbers. They’re hard because they make the player rethink what they know.

✅ Enemy Design Checklist

Is the enemy’s behavior clear and learnable?

Does it provoke a distinct kind of player response?

Does it fit the environment and pacing of the area?

Can it combine interestingly with other enemies?

Is it more than a stat block — is it a behavior in motion?

📍Your enemy isn’t content — it’s resistance with a face. Make it memorable even before it attacks.

Summary

Term	Enemy
What it is	A hostile game entity designed to challenge or obstruct the player
Why it matters	Drives tension, skill mastery, pacing, and emotional tone
How it's built	Through stats, AI, telegraphs, synergy, and game-state response
Design goal	Make enemies feel like intelligent questions — not just obstacles

📍A great enemy is a test with personality. It teaches, surprises, frustrates — and when defeated, it says:"You learned something."