diff --git a/internal/plugin/combat_cmd.go b/internal/plugin/combat_cmd.go
index c4f2f14..dcd81f1 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/combat_cmd.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/combat_cmd.go
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ func parseCombatCast(userID id.UserID, c *DnDCharacter, args string) (SpellDefin
 	}
 	if c.Class == ClassRogue && c.Subclass == SubclassArcaneTrickster {
 		if mx := highestAvailableSlotForChar(c); spell.Level > mx {
-			return SpellDefinition{}, 0, fmt.Sprintf("Arcane Trickster L%d only has up to L%d slots.", c.Level, mx)
+			return SpellDefinition{}, 0, fmt.Sprintf("At level %d, your Arcane Trickster magic only reaches level-%d spells.", c.Level, mx)
 		}
 	}
 	known, prepared, err := playerKnowsSpell(userID, spell.ID)
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) chargeSpellCost(userID id.UserID, spell SpellDefinitio
 			return "Couldn't consume slot: " + serr.Error()
 		}
 		if !ok {
-			return fmt.Sprintf("No L%d slot available. %s", slotLevel, renderSlotsBrief(userID))
+			return fmt.Sprintf("You're out of level-%d energy. %s", slotLevel, renderSlotsBrief(userID))
 		}
 	}
 	return ""
diff --git a/internal/plugin/dnd_cast.go b/internal/plugin/dnd_cast.go
index aae3ddd..a5e9aea 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/dnd_cast.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/dnd_cast.go
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleDnDCastCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) erro
 	if c.Class == ClassRogue && c.Subclass == SubclassArcaneTrickster {
 		if max := highestAvailableSlotForChar(c); spell.Level > max {
 			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, fmt.Sprintf(
-				"Arcane Trickster L%d only has up to L%d slots.", c.Level, max))
+				"At level %d, your Arcane Trickster magic only reaches level-%d spells.", c.Level, max))
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleDnDCastCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) erro
 		}
 		if !ok {
 			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, fmt.Sprintf(
-				"No L%d slot available. %s", slotLevel, renderSlotsBrief(ctx.Sender)))
+				"You're out of level-%d energy. %s", slotLevel, renderSlotsBrief(ctx.Sender)))
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) queuePendingCast(ctx MessageContext, c *DnDCharacter,
 
 	msg := fmt.Sprintf("✨ **%s** queued for next combat.", spell.Name)
 	if slotLevel > spell.Level {
-		msg += fmt.Sprintf(" _(upcast to L%d)_", slotLevel)
+		msg += " _(empowered)_"
 	}
 	if supersedes != "" {
 		msg += fmt.Sprintf("\n_(Concentration shifts: %s ended.)_", displaySpellName(supersedes))
@@ -438,9 +438,9 @@ func renderSpellsList(c *DnDCharacter) string {
 		}
 		sort.Ints(levels)
 		for _, lvl := range levels {
-			label := fmt.Sprintf("L%d", lvl)
+			label := fmt.Sprintf("Level %d", lvl)
 			if lvl == 0 {
-				label = "Cantrip"
+				label = "Cantrips"
 			}
 			b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("__%s__\n", label))
 			for _, k := range byLevel[lvl] {
@@ -460,23 +460,17 @@ func renderSpellsList(c *DnDCharacter) string {
 
 	slots, _ := getSpellSlots(c.UserID)
 	b.WriteString("\n**Slots:** " + renderSlotLine(slots) + "\n")
-	b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("**Spell DC:** %d   **Spell Atk:** +%d\n",
-		spellSaveDC(c), spellAttackBonus(c)))
 
 	if c.Class == ClassMage {
 		count, _ := mageLeveledKnownCount(c.UserID)
 		cap := mageKnownSpellsCap(c.Level)
-		b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("**Spellbook:** %d/%d leveled spells", count, cap))
-		if avail := cap - count; avail > 0 {
-			b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf(" _(can learn %d more)_", avail))
-		}
-		b.WriteString("\n")
+		b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("**Spellbook:** %d / %d leveled spells learned\n", count, cap))
 	}
 
 	if pc, ok := decodePendingCast(c.PendingCast); ok {
 		b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("\n_Queued: **%s**", displaySpellName(pc.SpellID)))
-		if pc.SlotLevel > 0 {
-			b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf(" (L%d slot)", pc.SlotLevel))
+		if s, ok := lookupSpell(pc.SpellID); ok && pc.SlotLevel > s.Level {
+			b.WriteString(" (empowered)")
 		}
 		b.WriteString(" — fires next combat._\n")
 	}
diff --git a/internal/plugin/dnd_passives.go b/internal/plugin/dnd_passives.go
index 65284b1..1a5b3ad 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/dnd_passives.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/dnd_passives.go
@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@ package plugin
 // (the combat engine is one-shot, no turn-based UI). Active/reactive
 // abilities arrive once we have a model for them — likely tied to !arena
 // pre-arming or to a turn-based PvP variant.
+//
+// Comment convention: `// internal note (not user-facing)` marks block
+// comments that document tuning history (Phase 2/3 balance notes, scaling
+// rationale, etc.). Anything inside such a block is engineering context,
+// NOT a candidate for codegen to lift into a Description string.
 
 // ── Class passive definitions ────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -21,45 +26,43 @@ type DnDClassAbility struct {
 var dndClassAbilities = map[DnDClass]DnDClassAbility{
 	ClassFighter: {
 		Name:        "Battle Trained",
-		Description: "Years of weapon drill add +5% to all damage you deal.",
+		Description: "Years of weapon drill make every swing hit a little harder than it has any right to.",
 	},
 	ClassRogue: {
 		Name:        "Sneak Attack",
-		Description: "Your first strike each combat lands as a critical hit, doubling its damage; precision drills add +5% to all damage you deal.",
+		Description: "Your opening strike each fight finds a seam and crits — and the same trained precision keeps every follow-up sharper than it looks.",
 	},
 	ClassMage: {
 		Name:        "Arcane Focus",
-		Description: "Practiced channeling adds +1 to your attack rolls and a small bump (+5%) to all damage you deal.",
+		Description: "Practiced channeling steadies your aim and lets a faint arcane crackle leak into every blow you land.",
 	},
 	ClassCleric: {
 		Name:        "Divine Favor",
-		Description: "When you fall below half HP, divine intervention restores 5 HP. Once per combat.",
+		Description: "When the fight turns against you, a sliver of divine grace patches you up. Once per combat.",
 	},
 	ClassRanger: {
 		Name:        "Hunter's Mark",
-		Description: "You read your prey's weak points: +5% damage and +1 to attack rolls.",
+		Description: "You read your prey's tells — openings come easier, and the hits land where it hurts.",
 	},
-	// Open5e caster scaffold — one signature passive each, riding existing
-	// CombatModifiers channels the same way the original five do.
 	ClassDruid: {
 		Name:        "Wild Resilience",
-		Description: "The wild lends you its toughness — incoming damage is reduced 5% — and a thorn surge on engage scaled by your Wisdom.",
+		Description: "The wild lends you its hide — blows land softer — and the moment you engage, a thorn surge lashes back at whatever picked the fight.",
 	},
 	ClassBard: {
 		Name:        "Bardic Inspiration",
-		Description: "Quick wit keeps you a step ahead: +1 initiative, +1 attack, and +5% to all damage you deal.",
+		Description: "Wit and timing put you a beat ahead of the fight: you move first, swing truer, and turn the opening line into a small, mean encore.",
 	},
 	ClassSorcerer: {
 		Name:        "Innate Sorcery",
-		Description: "Raw magic spills out as the fight begins, dealing immediate damage scaled by your Charisma, and +5% to all damage you deal.",
+		Description: "Raw magic boils over the moment the fight starts, scorching whatever's nearest — and every swing rides the leftover heat.",
 	},
 	ClassWarlock: {
 		Name:        "Agonizing Blast",
-		Description: "Your pact-fueled eldritch power adds +12% to all damage you deal and +1 to attack rolls.",
+		Description: "Your pact whispers in the back of your skull; the favor it returns lands on your enemies, harder and surer than ought to be allowed.",
 	},
 	ClassPaladin: {
 		Name:        "Divine Smite",
-		Description: "You channel a burst of radiant power on engagement, dealing flat damage that grows with your level.",
+		Description: "On engagement you channel a burst of radiant power — a sworn promise, paid in light — that hits harder as your oath deepens.",
 	},
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/plugin/dnd_setup.go b/internal/plugin/dnd_setup.go
index f1b9c68..5ca2929 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/dnd_setup.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/dnd_setup.go
@@ -207,11 +207,11 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) dndSetupClass(ctx MessageContext, classArg string) err
 		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender,"Couldn't save: "+err.Error())
 	}
 	ci, _ := classInfo(cl)
-	return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender,fmt.Sprintf("Class set: **%s** (HP die d%d, primary %s/%s).\n\n"+
+	return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender,fmt.Sprintf("Class set: **%s** — leans on %s & %s.\n\n"+
 		"Next: assign your stats. The standard array is **15 14 13 12 10 8** — six numbers, each used once.\n"+
 		"Order: STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA.\n\n"+
 		"Example: `!setup stats 15 14 13 12 10 8` (all rolled into STR-first; rearrange to taste).",
-		ci.Display, ci.HPDie, ci.PrimaryA, ci.PrimaryB))
+		ci.Display, ci.PrimaryA, ci.PrimaryB))
 }
 
 func (p *AdventurePlugin) dndSetupStats(ctx MessageContext, statsArg string) error {
@@ -576,7 +576,7 @@ func renderClassMenu() string {
 		if !ci.Playable {
 			continue // Open5e caster scaffold — hidden until spell lists land.
 		}
-		b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  • **%s** (d%d, %s/%s)\n", ci.Display, ci.HPDie, ci.PrimaryA, ci.PrimaryB))
+		b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  • **%s** — %s & %s\n", ci.Display, ci.PrimaryA, ci.PrimaryB))
 	}
 	return b.String()
 }
diff --git a/internal/plugin/dnd_spells.go b/internal/plugin/dnd_spells.go
index 356f3e1..6aa4d74 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/dnd_spells.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/dnd_spells.go
@@ -952,9 +952,19 @@ func renderSlotLine(slots map[int][2]int) string {
 	}
 	var parts []string
 	for lvl := 1; lvl <= 5; lvl++ {
-		if pair, ok := slots[lvl]; ok {
-			parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("L%d %d/%d", lvl, pair[0]-pair[1], pair[0]))
+		pair, ok := slots[lvl]
+		if !ok {
+			continue
 		}
+		total := pair[0]
+		left := pair[0] - pair[1]
+		if left < 0 {
+			left = 0
+		}
+		// Filled bullets = still available, hollow = spent. Player-friendly
+		// at a glance; no fractions, no "L1" jargon.
+		bullets := strings.Repeat("●", left) + strings.Repeat("○", total-left)
+		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("Level %d %s", lvl, bullets))
 	}
 	return strings.Join(parts, " · ")
 }
diff --git a/internal/plugin/dnd_subclass_combat.go b/internal/plugin/dnd_subclass_combat.go
index f707ce6..beb3fe1 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/dnd_subclass_combat.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/dnd_subclass_combat.go
@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ import "math"
 // Subclass active abilities (currently just Berserker's rage) are
 // registered via init() into dndActiveAbilities below, gated by
 // DnDAbility.Subclass.
+//
+// Comment convention: `// internal note (not user-facing)` marks block
+// comments documenting tuning history (Phase 2/3 balance notes, scaling
+// rationale, etc.). They are engineering context and must NOT be lifted
+// into Description / Flavor strings by codegen.
 
 func applySubclassPassives(stats *CombatStats, mods *CombatModifiers, c *DnDCharacter) {
 	if c == nil || c.Subclass == "" {