diff --git a/gogobee_legacy_migration.md b/gogobee_legacy_migration.md
index 068e7e4..02c63c9 100644
--- a/gogobee_legacy_migration.md
+++ b/gogobee_legacy_migration.md
@@ -284,9 +284,19 @@ This is also the right shape because zone-boss plumbing (bestiary, mood events,
 - Tests: `TestPlayerMetaHospitalVisitsBackfill_Idempotent`, `TestLoadHospitalVisits_FallsBackToAdvCharacter`, `TestUpsertPlayerMetaHospitalVisits_RoundTrip` (skip without prod DB, matching the L2/L4f-prep pattern).
 
 ### 6.2 L4b — Rival
-- `adventure_rival.go`: unlock at Level ≥ 3 (was CombatLevel ≥ 5). RivalPool → `player_meta`. Duel combat already uses `combat_engine` — port to `simulateCombat` here too (small extra step).
+- `adventure_rival.go`: unlock at Level ≥ 3 (was CombatLevel ≥ 5). RivalPool → `player_meta`. ~~Duel combat already uses `combat_engine` — port to `simulateCombat` here too (small extra step).~~ **Correction (2026-05-09):** rival duel combat is RPS, not `combat_engine` — no combat-engine port needed.
 - Move rival flavor into existing `adventure_flavor_rival.go` — no new file.
 
+**Status (2026-05-09):** SHIPPED on `adv-2.0`.
+- `player_meta.rival_pool` + `player_meta.rival_unlocked_notified` columns added via columnMigration in `internal/db/db.go`.
+- New `rivalMinLevel = 3` (was `rivalMinCombatLevel = 5`). Stake formula `(level / 3) * 1000` (was `(combatLevel / 5) * 1000`) — same magnitude at the unlock threshold (Level 3 → €1000 mirrors legacy CL5 → €1000), tops out around €6000 at Level 20. Tunable later.
+- `rivalLevelForUser(char)` reads `DnDCharacter.Level` with `dndLevelFromCombatLevel(char.CombatLevel)` fallback when no D&D row exists yet — mirrors `hospitalCostsForUser` shape.
+- `checkRivalPoolUnlock` now reads D&D level, dual-writes `RivalPool` / `RivalUnlockedNotified` to player_meta via `upsertPlayerMetaRivalState`. Read sites flipped to `loadRivalState(userID)` in `selectRivalPair`, `handleRivalsCmd`, and the morning-DM rival status in `adventure_render.go`.
+- `loadRivalState(userID)` reads `player_meta` → falls back to `adventure_characters.rival_pool / rival_unlocked_notified` during soak.
+- `backfillPlayerMetaRivalState()` runs on every Init; idempotent (only fills rows whose rival columns are still zero, so dual-writes survive re-runs).
+- Tests: `TestPlayerMetaRivalStateBackfill_Idempotent`, `TestLoadRivalState_FallsBackToAdvCharacter`, `TestUpsertPlayerMetaRivalState_RoundTrip` (skip without prod DB, matching the L4a/L4f-prep pattern).
+- `go vet ./...` + `go test ./...` clean.
+
 ### 6.3 L4c — Masterwork
 - `adventure_masterwork.go`: no AdvCharacter mutations today; only equipment reads. Port `advMasterworkSkillBonus` to take `*DnDCharacter` (skill fields added in §2.2). MasterworkDropsReceived → `player_meta`.
 
diff --git a/internal/db/db.go b/internal/db/db.go
index d145c19..db47eca 100644
--- a/internal/db/db.go
+++ b/internal/db/db.go
@@ -194,6 +194,11 @@ func runMigrations(d *sql.DB) error {
 		// HospitalVisits moves to player_meta; AdvCharacter.hospital_visits
 		// keeps dual-writing during soak (gogobee_legacy_migration.md §6.1).
 		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN hospital_visits INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`,
+		// Adv 2.0 Phase L4b — Rival migration off AdvCharacter.
+		// RivalPool / RivalUnlockedNotified move to player_meta; AdvCharacter
+		// columns keep dual-writing during soak (gogobee_legacy_migration.md §6.2).
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN rival_pool INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN rival_unlocked_notified INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`,
 	}
 	for _, stmt := range columnMigrations {
 		if _, err := d.Exec(stmt); err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/plugin/adventure.go b/internal/plugin/adventure.go
index f1a7791..aa4f435 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/adventure.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/adventure.go
@@ -204,6 +204,11 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) Init() error {
 	if err := backfillPlayerMetaHospitalVisits(); err != nil {
 		slog.Error("player_meta: hospital_visits backfill failed", "err", err)
 	}
+	// Adv 2.0 Phase L4b — one-shot rival state backfill into player_meta.
+	// Idempotent (only fills rows whose rival columns are still zero).
+	if err := backfillPlayerMetaRivalState(); err != nil {
+		slog.Error("player_meta: rival state backfill failed", "err", err)
+	}
 	// Phase L3 — cancel any open/active legacy coop dungeon runs and
 	// refund member contributions + unsettled bets. Idempotent.
 	closeAndRefundLegacyCoopRuns(p.euro)
diff --git a/internal/plugin/adventure_render.go b/internal/plugin/adventure_render.go
index fbb8101..2464f5b 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/adventure_render.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/adventure_render.go
@@ -194,8 +194,9 @@ func renderAdvCharacterSheet(char *AdventureCharacter, equip map[EquipmentSlot]*
 		sb.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("\n🍼 Babysitting: %s (focus: %s)\n", remaining, char.BabysitSkillFocus))
 	}
 
-	// Rival status
-	if char.RivalPool == 1 {
+	// Rival status — read from player_meta (Adv 2.0 Phase L4b).
+	rivalPoolFlag, _, _ := loadRivalState(char.UserID)
+	if rivalPoolFlag == 1 {
 		records, _ := loadAllRivalRecords(char.UserID)
 		sb.WriteString("\n⚔️ Rivals: Unlocked")
 		if len(records) > 0 {
diff --git a/internal/plugin/adventure_rival.go b/internal/plugin/adventure_rival.go
index c36d1a3..08fee9e 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/adventure_rival.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/adventure_rival.go
@@ -18,13 +18,26 @@ import (
 // ── Constants ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 const (
-	rivalMinCombatLevel   = 5
+	// Adv 2.0 Phase L4b — gate switched off CombatLevel onto DnDCharacter.Level.
+	// Legacy gate was CombatLevel >= 5; new gate is Level >= 3
+	// (gogobee_legacy_migration.md §2.3).
+	rivalMinLevel         = 3
 	rivalChallengeWindow  = 24 * time.Hour
 	rivalSamePairCooldown = 7 * 24 * time.Hour
 	rivalMinIntervalHours = 3 * 24 // 3 days in hours
 	rivalMaxIntervalHours = 4 * 24 // 4 days in hours
 )
 
+// rivalLevelForUser returns the player's D&D level for rival gating + stake
+// math, falling back to a CombatLevel-derived level when no D&D row exists
+// yet. Mirrors hospitalCostsForUser's fallback pattern.
+func rivalLevelForUser(char *AdventureCharacter) int {
+	if dnd, err := LoadDnDCharacter(char.UserID); err == nil && dnd != nil && dnd.Level > 0 {
+		return dnd.Level
+	}
+	return dndLevelFromCombatLevel(char.CombatLevel)
+}
+
 // ── Types ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 type advRivalChallenge struct {
@@ -52,19 +65,38 @@ type advPendingRivalRPS struct {
 
 // ── Stake Calculation ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-func rivalStake(combatLevel int) int {
-	return (combatLevel / 5) * 1000
+// rivalStake returns the duel stake in € for a given D&D Level.
+// Adv 2.0 Phase L4b — previously `(combatLevel / 5) * 1000`. New formula
+// `(level / 3) * 1000` keeps the same magnitude at the unlock threshold
+// (Level 3 = €1000, matching legacy CombatLevel 5 = €1000) and tops out
+// around €6000 at Level 20. Players below `rivalMinLevel` produce stake 0,
+// which selectRivalPair already filters out.
+func rivalStake(level int) int {
+	return (level / 3) * 1000
 }
 
 // ── Rival Pool Unlock ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func (p *AdventurePlugin) checkRivalPoolUnlock(char *AdventureCharacter) {
-	if char.CombatLevel >= rivalMinCombatLevel && char.RivalPool == 0 {
-		char.RivalPool = 1
-		if !char.RivalUnlockedNotified {
-			char.RivalUnlockedNotified = true
-			p.SendDM(char.UserID, rivalUnlockDM)
-		}
+	level := rivalLevelForUser(char)
+	if level < rivalMinLevel {
+		return
+	}
+	pool, notified, _ := loadRivalState(char.UserID)
+	if pool > 0 && notified {
+		// Already unlocked + notified; nothing to do.
+		return
+	}
+	// Promote to pool + send unlock DM if not yet announced.
+	char.RivalPool = 1
+	pool = 1
+	if !notified {
+		char.RivalUnlockedNotified = true
+		notified = true
+		p.SendDM(char.UserID, rivalUnlockDM)
+	}
+	if err := upsertPlayerMetaRivalState(char.UserID, pool, notified); err != nil {
+		slog.Error("player_meta: rival unlock dual-write failed", "user", char.UserID, "err", err)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -303,13 +335,17 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) selectRivalPair() (*AdventureCharacter, *AdventureChar
 	// Filter to eligible pool members.
 	var pool []AdventureCharacter
 	for _, c := range chars {
-		if c.RivalPool == 0 || !c.Alive || c.BabysitActive {
+		if !c.Alive || c.BabysitActive {
+			continue
+		}
+		poolFlag, _, _ := loadRivalState(c.UserID)
+		if poolFlag == 0 {
 			continue
 		}
 		if hasActiveChallenge(c.UserID) {
 			continue
 		}
-		stake := rivalStake(c.CombatLevel)
+		stake := rivalStake(rivalLevelForUser(&c))
 		if stake <= 0 {
 			continue
 		}
@@ -349,7 +385,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) selectRivalPair() (*AdventureCharacter, *AdventureChar
 // ── Challenge Issuance ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func (p *AdventurePlugin) issueRivalChallenge(challenger, challenged *AdventureCharacter) {
-	stake := rivalStake(challenged.CombatLevel)
+	stake := rivalStake(rivalLevelForUser(challenged))
 	challenge := &advRivalChallenge{
 		ChallengeID:  uuid.New().String()[:12],
 		ChallengerID: challenger.UserID,
@@ -828,10 +864,11 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleRivalsCmd(ctx MessageContext) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if char.RivalPool == 0 {
+	pool, _, _ := loadRivalState(char.UserID)
+	if pool == 0 {
 		return p.SendReply(ctx.RoomID, ctx.EventID,
-			fmt.Sprintf("You need Combat Level %d to enter the rival pool. Currently: %d.",
-				rivalMinCombatLevel, char.CombatLevel))
+			fmt.Sprintf("You need Level %d to enter the rival pool. Currently: %d.",
+				rivalMinLevel, rivalLevelForUser(char)))
 	}
 
 	records, err := loadAllRivalRecords(char.UserID)
diff --git a/internal/plugin/player_meta.go b/internal/plugin/player_meta.go
index e4bdc44..b702d84 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/player_meta.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/player_meta.go
@@ -204,6 +204,104 @@ func backfillPlayerMetaHospitalVisits() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// upsertPlayerMetaRivalState writes rival_pool / rival_unlocked_notified for
+// a user, leaving other columns untouched. Used by the dual-write path during
+// the L4b Rival migration: every place that mutates AdvCharacter.RivalPool /
+// RivalUnlockedNotified also calls this so player_meta stays in sync until
+// soak completes (gogobee_legacy_migration.md §6.2, §11).
+func upsertPlayerMetaRivalState(userID id.UserID, pool int, notified bool) error {
+	notifiedInt := 0
+	if notified {
+		notifiedInt = 1
+	}
+	_, err := db.Get().Exec(
+		`INSERT INTO player_meta (user_id, rival_pool, rival_unlocked_notified) VALUES (?, ?, ?)
+		 ON CONFLICT(user_id) DO UPDATE SET
+		   rival_pool = excluded.rival_pool,
+		   rival_unlocked_notified = excluded.rival_unlocked_notified`,
+		string(userID), pool, notifiedInt,
+	)
+	return err
+}
+
+// loadRivalState returns rival_pool / rival_unlocked_notified for a user from
+// player_meta when populated, falling back to adventure_characters during the
+// L4b soak window. Treats a missing row as (0, false). The fallback returns
+// the AdvCharacter values whenever player_meta has the unmigrated default
+// (pool=0, notified=0) — a true "not yet in pool" state and the pre-backfill
+// state are indistinguishable at the column level, but the legacy column
+// only ever moves toward unlocked, so picking the higher of the two values
+// is safe.
+func loadRivalState(userID id.UserID) (pool int, notified bool, err error) {
+	var notifiedInt int
+	err = db.Get().QueryRow(
+		`SELECT rival_pool, rival_unlocked_notified FROM player_meta WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		string(userID),
+	).Scan(&pool, &notifiedInt)
+	if err == nil && (pool > 0 || notifiedInt > 0) {
+		return pool, notifiedInt == 1, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil && err != sql.ErrNoRows {
+		return 0, false, err
+	}
+	// Fallback during soak.
+	var legacyPool, legacyNotified int
+	err = db.Get().QueryRow(
+		`SELECT rival_pool, rival_unlocked_notified FROM adventure_characters WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		string(userID),
+	).Scan(&legacyPool, &legacyNotified)
+	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
+		return pool, notifiedInt == 1, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, false, err
+	}
+	if legacyPool > pool {
+		pool = legacyPool
+	}
+	if legacyNotified > notifiedInt {
+		notifiedInt = legacyNotified
+	}
+	return pool, notifiedInt == 1, nil
+}
+
+// backfillPlayerMetaRivalState copies rival_pool / rival_unlocked_notified
+// from adventure_characters into player_meta for any row whose values are
+// still the default zero. Idempotent: only updates rows that haven't been
+// populated yet (via backfill or dual-write).
+func backfillPlayerMetaRivalState() error {
+	if _, err := db.Get().Exec(`
+		INSERT OR IGNORE INTO player_meta (user_id)
+		SELECT user_id FROM adventure_characters
+	`); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	res, err := db.Get().Exec(`
+		UPDATE player_meta
+		SET rival_pool = (
+			SELECT rival_pool FROM adventure_characters
+			WHERE adventure_characters.user_id = player_meta.user_id
+		),
+		    rival_unlocked_notified = (
+			SELECT rival_unlocked_notified FROM adventure_characters
+			WHERE adventure_characters.user_id = player_meta.user_id
+		)
+		WHERE rival_pool = 0 AND rival_unlocked_notified = 0
+		  AND EXISTS (
+			SELECT 1 FROM adventure_characters
+			WHERE adventure_characters.user_id = player_meta.user_id
+			  AND (adventure_characters.rival_pool > 0
+			       OR adventure_characters.rival_unlocked_notified > 0)
+		  )
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	n, _ := res.RowsAffected()
+	slog.Info("player_meta: rival state backfilled", "rows", n)
+	return nil
+}
+
 // backfillPlayerMetaDisplayName copies adventure_characters.display_name
 // into player_meta.display_name for any row whose display_name is still
 // the empty default. Idempotent: safe to re-run; only updates rows that
diff --git a/internal/plugin/player_meta_test.go b/internal/plugin/player_meta_test.go
index 5ac9ccd..175a0f3 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/player_meta_test.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/player_meta_test.go
@@ -297,6 +297,117 @@ func TestUpsertPlayerMetaHospitalVisits_RoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// Phase L4b — Rival migration. Backfill is idempotent and only fills rows
+// whose rival columns are still default zero; the upsert helper round-trips;
+// loadRivalState falls back to AdvCharacter when player_meta hasn't been
+// populated yet.
+
+func TestPlayerMetaRivalStateBackfill_Idempotent(t *testing.T) {
+	setupAuditTestDB(t)
+
+	uid := id.UserID("@meta-rv-bf:example")
+	if err := createAdvCharacter(uid, "Rivaler"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("createAdvCharacter: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := db.Get().Exec(
+		`UPDATE adventure_characters SET rival_pool = ?, rival_unlocked_notified = ? WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		1, 1, string(uid),
+	); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := db.Get().Exec(
+		`UPDATE player_meta SET rival_pool = 0, rival_unlocked_notified = 0 WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		string(uid),
+	); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("clear: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := backfillPlayerMetaRivalState(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("backfill 1: %v", err)
+	}
+	pool, notified, err := loadRivalState(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load: %v", err)
+	}
+	if pool != 1 || !notified {
+		t.Errorf("after backfill: got pool=%d notified=%v want 1, true", pool, notified)
+	}
+
+	// Layer a dual-write update. Backfill re-run must NOT clobber it back
+	// (only touches rows whose rival columns are still both zero).
+	if err := upsertPlayerMetaRivalState(uid, 1, false); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dual-write: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := backfillPlayerMetaRivalState(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("backfill 2: %v", err)
+	}
+	pool2, notified2, _ := loadRivalState(uid)
+	if pool2 != 1 || notified2 {
+		t.Errorf("backfill clobbered dual-write: got pool=%d notified=%v want 1, false", pool2, notified2)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadRivalState_FallsBackToAdvCharacter(t *testing.T) {
+	setupAuditTestDB(t)
+
+	uid := id.UserID("@meta-rv-fb:example")
+	if err := createAdvCharacter(uid, "RivalFallback"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("createAdvCharacter: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := db.Get().Exec(
+		`UPDATE adventure_characters SET rival_pool = ?, rival_unlocked_notified = ? WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		1, 1, string(uid),
+	); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := db.Get().Exec(
+		`UPDATE player_meta SET rival_pool = 0, rival_unlocked_notified = 0 WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		string(uid),
+	); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("clear: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	pool, notified, err := loadRivalState(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load: %v", err)
+	}
+	if pool != 1 || !notified {
+		t.Errorf("fallback: got pool=%d notified=%v want 1, true", pool, notified)
+	}
+
+	// Unknown user → zeros, no error.
+	pool2, notified2, err := loadRivalState(id.UserID("@meta-rv-nobody:example"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load missing: %v", err)
+	}
+	if pool2 != 0 || notified2 {
+		t.Errorf("missing user: got pool=%d notified=%v want 0, false", pool2, notified2)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpsertPlayerMetaRivalState_RoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
+	setupAuditTestDB(t)
+
+	uid := id.UserID("@meta-rv-rt:example")
+	if err := upsertPlayerMetaRivalState(uid, 1, false); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("upsert insert: %v", err)
+	}
+	pool, notified, err := loadRivalState(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load: %v", err)
+	}
+	if pool != 1 || notified {
+		t.Errorf("round-trip 1: got pool=%d notified=%v want 1, false", pool, notified)
+	}
+	if err := upsertPlayerMetaRivalState(uid, 1, true); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("upsert update: %v", err)
+	}
+	pool2, notified2, _ := loadRivalState(uid)
+	if pool2 != 1 || !notified2 {
+		t.Errorf("round-trip 2: got pool=%d notified=%v want 1, true", pool2, notified2)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestCreateAdvCharacter_DualWritesDisplayName(t *testing.T) {
 	setupAuditTestDB(t)