diff --git a/packages/engine/src/automaton.ts b/packages/engine/src/automaton.ts
index 78ff8e6..90c8f36 100644
--- a/packages/engine/src/automaton.ts
+++ b/packages/engine/src/automaton.ts
@@ -760,14 +760,19 @@ function respond(view: GameView, style: AutomatonStyle, tier: TierTraits): Comma
     if (half && incoming >= 3) return { type: "counteract", instanceId: half.instanceId };
   }
   // ABSORB soaks points only ("no effect on duration-based spells");
-  // BLUNT and the stones work on durations too.
+  // BLUNT and the stones halve durations — but a PERMANENT curse (slow
+  // death, walking dead, idiot) rides no duration pipe, so nothing short
+  // of a full stop or REMOVE CURSE touches it.
+  const permanentCurse = affliction &&
+    (attackId === "slow-death" || attackId === "walking-dead" || attackId === "idiot");
   const absorb = find("absorb");
   if (absorb && !affliction && incoming >= 2 - flinch && incoming <= 3) return { type: "counteract", instanceId: absorb.instanceId };
   const blunt = find("blunt");
-  if (blunt && incoming >= 2 - flinch) return { type: "counteract", instanceId: blunt.instanceId };
-  // The berserker shares its pain out of spite.
+  if (blunt && !permanentCurse && incoming >= 2 - flinch) return { type: "counteract", instanceId: blunt.instanceId };
+  // The berserker shares its pain out of spite — but only pain: a
+  // damage-less curse gives EMPATHY nothing to mirror.
   const empathy = find("empathy");
-  if (empathy && style === "berserker" && incoming >= 2) {
+  if (empathy && style === "berserker" && !affliction && incoming >= 2) {
     return { type: "counteract", instanceId: empathy.instanceId };
   }
   // Nothing to block with: teleport clear of the big ones.
@@ -785,9 +790,10 @@ function respond(view: GameView, style: AutomatonStyle, tier: TierTraits): Comma
       ...(num ? { numberInstanceIds: [num.instanceId] } : {}),
     };
   }
-  // A displayed shieldstone lets numbers soak the small ones.
+  // A displayed shieldstone lets numbers soak the small ones — durations
+  // included, but never a permanent curse.
   const stoneShown = me(view).displayed.some((c) => c.cardId === "shieldstone");
-  if (stoneShown && incoming >= 2) {
+  if (stoneShown && !permanentCurse && incoming >= 2) {
     const num = numbersInHand(view)[0];
     if (num) return { type: "counteract", instanceId: num.instanceId };
   }