diff --git a/assets/cutscenes/battletest.jsonc b/assets/cutscenes/battletest.jsonc
index 22b5de51..cf39d091 100644
--- a/assets/cutscenes/battletest.jsonc
+++ b/assets/cutscenes/battletest.jsonc
@@ -4,17 +4,13 @@
       "type": "BATTLE_START",
       "enemies": [
         {
-          "stats": {
-            "attack": 8, "defense": 4, "magic": 0, "speed": 5, "luck": 2,
-            "healthMax": 30, "mpMax": 0
-          },
+          "attack": 8, "defense": 4, "magic": 0, "speed": 5, "luck": 2,
+          "healthMax": 30, "mpMax": 0,
           "abilities": ["fire"]
         },
         {
-          "stats": {
-            "attack": 6, "defense": 3, "magic": 0, "speed": 7, "luck": 2,
-            "healthMax": 20, "mpMax": 0
-          }
+          "attack": 6, "defense": 3, "magic": 0, "speed": 7, "luck": 2,
+          "healthMax": 20, "mpMax": 0
         }
       ]
     }
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/battle/fighter/battlefighter.c b/src/dusk/rpg/battle/fighter/battlefighter.c
index d2b9e385..27ebe06f 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/battle/fighter/battlefighter.c
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/battle/fighter/battlefighter.c
@@ -9,6 +9,161 @@
 #include "assert/assert.h"
 #include "util/memory.h"
 
+errorret_t battleFighterParseStatField(
+  yyjson_val *obj,
+  const char_t *key,
+  uint16_t *out
+) {
+  yyjson_val *val = yyjson_obj_get(obj, key);
+  if(!yyjson_is_int(val)) {
+    errorThrow("Fighter: missing/invalid '%s'", key);
+  }
+
+  const int64_t num = yyjson_get_sint(val);
+  if(num < 0 || num > UINT16_MAX) {
+    errorThrow("Fighter: '%s' must be between 0 and %u", key, UINT16_MAX);
+  }
+
+  *out = (uint16_t)num;
+  errorOk();
+}
+
+errorret_t battleFighterParseOptionalIntField(
+  yyjson_val *obj,
+  const char_t *key,
+  const int32_t defaultValue,
+  int32_t *out
+) {
+  yyjson_val *val = yyjson_obj_get(obj, key);
+  if(val == NULL) {
+    *out = defaultValue;
+    errorOk();
+  }
+
+  if(!yyjson_is_int(val)) errorThrow("Fighter: invalid '%s'", key);
+  *out = (int32_t)yyjson_get_sint(val);
+  errorOk();
+}
+
+errorret_t battleFighterParse(battlefighter_t *fighter, yyjson_val *obj) {
+  assertNotNull(fighter, "Fighter cannot be NULL");
+  assertNotNull(obj, "JSON object cannot be NULL");
+
+  int32_t teamNum;
+  errorChain(battleFighterParseOptionalIntField(
+    obj, "team", BATTLE_FIGHTER_TEAM_ALLY, &teamNum
+  ));
+  if(teamNum < 0 || teamNum >= BATTLE_FIGHTER_TEAM_COUNT) {
+    errorThrow("Fighter: invalid 'team'");
+  }
+
+  int32_t controllerNum;
+  errorChain(battleFighterParseOptionalIntField(
+    obj, "controller", BATTLE_FIGHTER_CONTROLLER_PLAYER, &controllerNum
+  ));
+  if(controllerNum < 0 || controllerNum >= BATTLE_FIGHTER_CONTROLLER_COUNT) {
+    errorThrow("Fighter: invalid 'controller'");
+  }
+
+  battlefighterstats_t stats;
+  errorChain(battleFighterParseStatField(obj, "attack", &stats.attack));
+  errorChain(battleFighterParseStatField(obj, "defense", &stats.defense));
+  errorChain(battleFighterParseStatField(obj, "magic", &stats.magic));
+  errorChain(battleFighterParseStatField(obj, "speed", &stats.speed));
+  errorChain(battleFighterParseStatField(obj, "luck", &stats.luck));
+  errorChain(battleFighterParseStatField(obj, "healthMax", &stats.healthMax));
+  errorChain(battleFighterParseStatField(obj, "mpMax", &stats.mpMax));
+
+  battleFighterInit(
+    fighter, (battlefighterteam_t)teamNum,
+    (battlefightercontroller_t)controllerNum, stats
+  );
+
+  int32_t statusNum;
+  errorChain(battleFighterParseOptionalIntField(
+    obj, "status", BATTLE_FIGHTER_STATUS_NORMAL, &statusNum
+  ));
+  if(statusNum < 0 || statusNum >= BATTLE_FIGHTER_STATUS_COUNT) {
+    errorThrow("Fighter: invalid 'status'");
+  }
+  fighter->status = (battlefighterstatus_t)statusNum;
+
+  int32_t health;
+  errorChain(
+    battleFighterParseOptionalIntField(obj, "health", stats.healthMax, &health)
+  );
+  if(health < 0 || health > stats.healthMax) {
+    errorThrow("Fighter: 'health' out of range");
+  }
+  fighter->stats.health = (uint16_t)health;
+
+  int32_t mp;
+  errorChain(battleFighterParseOptionalIntField(obj, "mp", stats.mpMax, &mp));
+  if(mp < 0 || mp > stats.mpMax) {
+    errorThrow("Fighter: 'mp' out of range");
+  }
+  fighter->stats.mp = (uint16_t)mp;
+
+  yyjson_val *abilities = yyjson_obj_get(obj, "abilities");
+  if(abilities != NULL) {
+    if(
+      !yyjson_is_arr(abilities) ||
+      yyjson_arr_size(abilities) > BATTLE_FIGHTER_ABILITY_COUNT_MAX
+    ) {
+      errorThrow(
+        "Fighter: 'abilities' must have 0-%u entries",
+        BATTLE_FIGHTER_ABILITY_COUNT_MAX
+      );
+    }
+
+    yyjson_arr_iter iter = yyjson_arr_iter_with(abilities);
+    yyjson_val *abilityVal;
+    while((abilityVal = yyjson_arr_iter_next(&iter)) != NULL) {
+      const char_t *name = yyjson_get_str(abilityVal);
+      battlemoveid_t ability =
+        name == NULL ? BATTLE_MOVE_ID_NULL : battleMoveGetIdByName(name);
+      if(ability == BATTLE_MOVE_ID_NULL) {
+        errorThrow("Fighter: invalid entry in 'abilities'");
+      }
+      battleFighterAbilityAdd(fighter, ability);
+    }
+  }
+
+  errorOk();
+}
+
+yyjson_mut_val *battleFighterSerialize(
+  const battlefighter_t *fighter,
+  yyjson_mut_doc *doc
+) {
+  assertNotNull(fighter, "Fighter cannot be NULL");
+  assertNotNull(doc, "Doc cannot be NULL");
+
+  yyjson_mut_val *obj = yyjson_mut_obj(doc);
+
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "team", fighter->team);
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "controller", fighter->controller);
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "status", fighter->status);
+
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "attack", fighter->stats.attack);
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "defense", fighter->stats.defense);
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "magic", fighter->stats.magic);
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "speed", fighter->stats.speed);
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "luck", fighter->stats.luck);
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "healthMax", fighter->stats.healthMax);
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "mpMax", fighter->stats.mpMax);
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "health", fighter->stats.health);
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_uint(doc, obj, "mp", fighter->stats.mp);
+
+  yyjson_mut_val *abilities = yyjson_mut_arr(doc);
+  for(uint8_t i = 0; i < fighter->abilityCount; i++) {
+    yyjson_mut_arr_add_str(doc, abilities, BATTLE_MOVES[fighter->abilities[i]].name);
+  }
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_val(doc, obj, "abilities", abilities);
+
+  return obj;
+}
+
 void battleFighterInit(
   battlefighter_t *fighter,
   const battlefighterteam_t team,
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/battle/fighter/battlefighter.h b/src/dusk/rpg/battle/fighter/battlefighter.h
index 46482373..447f9772 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/battle/fighter/battlefighter.h
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/battle/fighter/battlefighter.h
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 #pragma once
 #include "error/error.h"
+#include "yyjson.h"
 #include "rpg/battle/move/battlemove.h"
 #include "rpg/battle/fighter/battlefighterstatus.h"
 #include "rpg/battle/fighter/battlefighterteam.h"
@@ -45,6 +46,42 @@ void battleFighterInit(
   const battlefighterstats_t stats
 );
 
+/**
+ * Generic battlefighter_t parser, shared by every place that builds a
+ * fighter from JSON (party.jsonc roster members, BATTLE_START enemy
+ * definitions, save-file party members) - see battleFighterSerialize for
+ * the inverse. Reads 'team'/'controller'/'status' as ints (each optional,
+ * defaulting to ALLY/PLAYER/NORMAL respectively - a caller that needs a
+ * different team/controller, e.g. BATTLE_START's enemies, sets those
+ * fields on fighter after this returns), 'attack'/'defense'/'magic'/
+ * 'speed'/'luck'/'healthMax'/'mpMax' as required ints in [0, UINT16_MAX],
+ * 'health'/'mp' as optional ints defaulting to healthMax/mpMax (a fresh
+ * fighter), and an optional 'abilities' array of move name strings. Does
+ * not touch fighter->id - set it (or leave it) before calling, same as
+ * battleFighterInit.
+ *
+ * @param fighter Pointer to the fighter to fill in.
+ * @param obj The JSON object to read fields from.
+ * @return Error if a required field is missing/invalid, or an abilities
+ * entry doesn't name a real move.
+ */
+errorret_t battleFighterParse(battlefighter_t *fighter, yyjson_val *obj);
+
+/**
+ * Inverse of battleFighterParse: builds a new JSON object (not yet
+ * attached anywhere - the caller attaches it, e.g. via
+ * yyjson_mut_arr_add_val/yyjson_mut_obj_add_val) with every field
+ * battleFighterParse reads except id (see its doc comment for why).
+ *
+ * @param fighter The fighter to serialize.
+ * @param doc The mutable document to allocate the object in.
+ * @return The newly built object.
+ */
+yyjson_mut_val *battleFighterSerialize(
+  const battlefighter_t *fighter,
+  yyjson_mut_doc *doc
+);
+
 /**
  * Returns true if the fighter is in a state where it can still act (i.e.
  * is not dead).
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/battle/party.c b/src/dusk/rpg/battle/party.c
index ab36b60f..016e4ca3 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/battle/party.c
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/battle/party.c
@@ -13,43 +13,6 @@
 #include "asset/asset.h"
 #include "asset/loader/assetloader.h"
 
-errorret_t partyParseStatField(
-  yyjson_val *obj,
-  const char_t *key,
-  const uint16_t min,
-  uint16_t *out
-) {
-  yyjson_val *val = yyjson_obj_get(obj, key);
-  if(!yyjson_is_int(val)) {
-    errorThrow("Party stats: missing/invalid '%s'", key);
-  }
-
-  const int64_t num = yyjson_get_sint(val);
-  if(num < min || num > UINT16_MAX) {
-    errorThrow(
-      "Party stats: '%s' must be between %u and %u", key, min, UINT16_MAX
-    );
-  }
-
-  *out = (uint16_t)num;
-  errorOk();
-}
-
-errorret_t partyParseStats(yyjson_val *obj, battlefighterstats_t *out) {
-  assertNotNull(obj, "JSON object cannot be NULL");
-  assertNotNull(out, "Destination stats cannot be NULL");
-
-  errorChain(partyParseStatField(obj, "attack", 0, &out->attack));
-  errorChain(partyParseStatField(obj, "defense", 0, &out->defense));
-  errorChain(partyParseStatField(obj, "magic", 0, &out->magic));
-  errorChain(partyParseStatField(obj, "speed", 0, &out->speed));
-  errorChain(partyParseStatField(obj, "luck", 0, &out->luck));
-  errorChain(partyParseStatField(obj, "healthMax", 1, &out->healthMax));
-  errorChain(partyParseStatField(obj, "mpMax", 0, &out->mpMax));
-
-  errorOk();
-}
-
 errorret_t partyInit(party_t *party) {
   assertNotNull(party, "Party cannot be NULL");
 
@@ -96,21 +59,15 @@ errorret_t partyInit(party_t *party) {
       );
     }
 
-    battlefighterstats_t stats;
-    errorret_t statsResult = partyParseStats(memberObj, &stats);
-    if(errorIsNotOk(statsResult)) {
-      assetUnlockEntry(entry);
-      errorChain(statsResult);
-    }
-
     stringCopy(party->keys[idx], yyjson_get_str(key), PARTY_KEY_LENGTH_MAX - 1);
 
     battlefighter_t *member = &party->members[idx];
     member->id = idx;
-    battleFighterInit(
-      member, BATTLE_FIGHTER_TEAM_ALLY, BATTLE_FIGHTER_CONTROLLER_PLAYER,
-      stats
-    );
+    errorret_t parseResult = battleFighterParse(member, memberObj);
+    if(errorIsNotOk(parseResult)) {
+      assetUnlockEntry(entry);
+      errorChain(parseResult);
+    }
 
     idx++;
   }
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/battle/party.h b/src/dusk/rpg/battle/party.h
index 873f41bb..8feedaef 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/battle/party.h
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/battle/party.h
@@ -25,12 +25,12 @@ typedef struct {
  * Initializes party with an empty order, then seeds every roster slot
  * directly from party.jsonc's "members" object (each key/value pair fills
  * the next members[]/keys[] slot in the object's iteration order, key
- * copied into keys[] and value parsed via partyParseStats/
- * battleFighterInit) - unlike partyAddMember, this never touches order
- * itself except for one placeholder default: if party.jsonc defines at
- * least one member, order[0] is set to 0 (the first member starts active
- * in the first party position). Replace this default once there's a real
- * starting-party/character-creation flow.
+ * copied into keys[] and value parsed via battleFighterParse) - unlike
+ * partyAddMember, this never touches order itself except for one
+ * placeholder default: if party.jsonc defines at least one member,
+ * order[0] is set to 0 (the first member starts active in the first party
+ * position). Replace this default once there's a real starting-party/
+ * character-creation flow.
  *
  * @param party The party to initialize.
  * @return Error if party.jsonc fails to load/parse, defines more members
@@ -58,19 +58,6 @@ uint8_t partyGetMemberIndexByKey(const char_t *key);
  */
 const char_t *partyGetMemberKey(const uint8_t memberIndex);
 
-/**
- * Parses a set of base combat stats (attack/defense/magic/speed/luck/
- * healthMax/mpMax) out of a JSON object. Every field is required - there
- * is no implicit default - and must be an integer in [0, UINT16_MAX],
- * except healthMax which must be at least 1 (a fighter with 0 max health
- * makes no sense).
- *
- * @param obj The JSON object to read fields from.
- * @param out Destination stats, filled in on success.
- * @return Error if a field is missing, not an integer, or out of range.
- */
-errorret_t partyParseStats(yyjson_val *obj, battlefighterstats_t *out);
-
 /**
  * Checks whether memberIndex currently occupies a slot in the current save
  * slot's party order (i.e. is actively in the party right now).
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/battle/cutscenebattlestart.c b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/battle/cutscenebattlestart.c
index 439f20b8..d136db47 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/battle/cutscenebattlestart.c
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/battle/cutscenebattlestart.c
@@ -34,17 +34,8 @@ void cutsceneBattleStartStart(
     sizeof(CUTSCENE_BATTLE_START_ENEMY_POOL)
   );
   for(uint8_t i = 0; i < config->enemyCount; i++) {
-    const cutscenebattlestartenemy_t *enemyConfig = &config->enemies[i];
     battlefighter_t *enemy = &CUTSCENE_BATTLE_START_ENEMY_POOL[i];
-
-    battleFighterInit(
-      enemy, BATTLE_FIGHTER_TEAM_ENEMY, BATTLE_FIGHTER_CONTROLLER_AI,
-      enemyConfig->stats
-    );
-    for(uint8_t a = 0; a < enemyConfig->abilityCount; a++) {
-      battleFighterAbilityAdd(enemy, enemyConfig->abilities[a]);
-    }
-
+    *enemy = config->enemies[i].fighter;
     fighters[i] = enemy;
   }
 
@@ -88,54 +79,14 @@ errorret_t cutsceneBattleStartLoad(
   while((enemyVal = yyjson_arr_iter_next(&iter)) != NULL) {
     cutscenebattlestartenemy_t *enemy = &item->battleStart.enemies[e];
 
-    yyjson_val *stats = yyjson_obj_get(enemyVal, "stats");
-    if(!yyjson_is_obj(stats)) {
-      errorThrow(
-        "Cutscene item (BATTLE_START): enemies[%u] is missing 'stats'",
-        (uint32_t)e
-      );
-    }
-    enemy->stats.attack = (uint16_t)yyjson_get_int(yyjson_obj_get(stats, "attack"));
-    enemy->stats.defense = (uint16_t)yyjson_get_int(yyjson_obj_get(stats, "defense"));
-    enemy->stats.magic = (uint16_t)yyjson_get_int(yyjson_obj_get(stats, "magic"));
-    enemy->stats.speed = (uint16_t)yyjson_get_int(yyjson_obj_get(stats, "speed"));
-    enemy->stats.luck = (uint16_t)yyjson_get_int(yyjson_obj_get(stats, "luck"));
-    enemy->stats.healthMax = (uint16_t)yyjson_get_int(yyjson_obj_get(stats, "healthMax"));
-    enemy->stats.mpMax = (uint16_t)yyjson_get_int(yyjson_obj_get(stats, "mpMax"));
+    errorret_t parseResult = battleFighterParse(&enemy->fighter, enemyVal);
+    if(errorIsNotOk(parseResult)) errorChain(parseResult);
 
-    yyjson_val *abilities = yyjson_obj_get(enemyVal, "abilities");
-    if(abilities != NULL) {
-      size_t abilityCount = yyjson_arr_size(abilities);
-      if(
-        !yyjson_is_arr(abilities) ||
-        abilityCount > BATTLE_FIGHTER_ABILITY_COUNT_MAX
-      ) {
-        errorThrow(
-          "Cutscene item (BATTLE_START): enemies[%u].abilities must have "
-          "0-%u entries",
-          (uint32_t)e, (uint32_t)BATTLE_FIGHTER_ABILITY_COUNT_MAX
-        );
-      }
-
-      yyjson_arr_iter abilityIter = yyjson_arr_iter_with(abilities);
-      yyjson_val *abilityVal;
-      size_t a = 0;
-      while((abilityVal = yyjson_arr_iter_next(&abilityIter)) != NULL) {
-        const char_t *name = yyjson_get_str(abilityVal);
-        battlemoveid_t ability = name == NULL
-          ? BATTLE_MOVE_ID_NULL : battleMoveGetIdByName(name);
-        if(ability == BATTLE_MOVE_ID_NULL) {
-          errorThrow(
-            "Cutscene item (BATTLE_START): enemies[%u].abilities[%u] is "
-            "invalid",
-            (uint32_t)e, (uint32_t)a
-          );
-        }
-        enemy->abilities[a] = ability;
-        a++;
-      }
-      enemy->abilityCount = (uint8_t)abilityCount;
-    }
+    // Enemy JSON never specifies team/controller (battleFighterParse just
+    // defaulted them to ALLY/PLAYER) - BATTLE_START enemies are always
+    // ENEMY/AI.
+    enemy->fighter.team = BATTLE_FIGHTER_TEAM_ENEMY;
+    enemy->fighter.controller = BATTLE_FIGHTER_CONTROLLER_AI;
 
     e++;
   }
diff --git a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/battle/cutscenebattlestart.h b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/battle/cutscenebattlestart.h
index e4e2926c..c6024903 100644
--- a/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/battle/cutscenebattlestart.h
+++ b/src/dusk/rpg/cutscene/item/battle/cutscenebattlestart.h
@@ -13,9 +13,11 @@
 #define CUTSCENE_BATTLE_START_ENEMY_COUNT_MAX 4
 
 typedef struct {
-  battlefighterstats_t stats;
-  battlemoveid_t abilities[BATTLE_FIGHTER_ABILITY_COUNT_MAX];
-  uint8_t abilityCount;
+  // Fully parsed at Load time via battleFighterParse (team/controller
+  // forced to ENEMY/AI right after, since enemy JSON only ever supplies
+  // stats/abilities) - Start splices this directly into
+  // CUTSCENE_BATTLE_START_ENEMY_POOL, no further init needed.
+  battlefighter_t fighter;
 } cutscenebattlestartenemy_t;
 
 typedef struct {
diff --git a/src/dusk/save/slot/saveslotver1.c b/src/dusk/save/slot/saveslotver1.c
index 753e36df..7774dc3b 100644
--- a/src/dusk/save/slot/saveslotver1.c
+++ b/src/dusk/save/slot/saveslotver1.c
@@ -26,21 +26,9 @@ errorret_t saveSlotVer1WriteJSON(
 
   yyjson_mut_val *partyMembersArr = yyjson_mut_arr(doc);
   for(uint8_t i = 0; i < PARTY_MEMBER_COUNT_MAX; i++) {
-    battlefighter_t *member = &slot->partyMembers[i];
-    writeArrayObject(partyMembersArr);
-    writeUInt32("id", member->id);
-    writeUInt32("status", member->status);
-    writeUInt32("team", member->team);
-    writeUInt32("controller", member->controller);
-    writeUInt32("health", member->stats.health);
-    writeUInt32("healthMax", member->stats.healthMax);
-    writeUInt32("mp", member->stats.mp);
-    writeUInt32("mpMax", member->stats.mpMax);
-    writeUInt32("statAttack", member->stats.attack);
-    writeUInt32("statDefense", member->stats.defense);
-    writeUInt32("statMagic", member->stats.magic);
-    writeUInt32("statSpeed", member->stats.speed);
-    writeUInt32("statLuck", member->stats.luck);
+    yyjson_mut_val *memberObj =
+      battleFighterSerialize(&slot->partyMembers[i], doc);
+    yyjson_mut_arr_add_val(partyMembersArr, memberObj);
   }
   writeValue("partyMembers", partyMembersArr);
 
@@ -84,24 +72,8 @@ errorret_t saveSlotVer1ReadJSON(saveslotver1_t *slot, yyjson_val *object) {
     partyMembersArr, memberIdx, memberLen, memberObj
   ) {
     battlefighter_t *member = &slot->partyMembers[memberIdx];
-    // Shadows the outer `object` so readUInt32() below (which hardcodes
-    // that name) reads from this member's object instead.
-    yyjson_val *object = memberObj;
-    readUInt32("id", member->id, 0);
-    readUInt32("status", member->status, BATTLE_FIGHTER_STATUS_NULL);
-    readUInt32("team", member->team, BATTLE_FIGHTER_TEAM_ALLY);
-    readUInt32(
-      "controller", member->controller, BATTLE_FIGHTER_CONTROLLER_PLAYER
-    );
-    readUInt32("health", member->stats.health, 0);
-    readUInt32("healthMax", member->stats.healthMax, 0);
-    readUInt32("mp", member->stats.mp, 0);
-    readUInt32("mpMax", member->stats.mpMax, 0);
-    readUInt32("statAttack", member->stats.attack, 0);
-    readUInt32("statDefense", member->stats.defense, 0);
-    readUInt32("statMagic", member->stats.magic, 0);
-    readUInt32("statSpeed", member->stats.speed, 0);
-    readUInt32("statLuck", member->stats.luck, 0);
+    member->id = (uint8_t)memberIdx;
+    errorChain(battleFighterParse(member, memberObj));
   }
 
   readUInt8Array(
diff --git a/src/dusk/save/slot/saveslotver1.h b/src/dusk/save/slot/saveslotver1.h
index 0433c8e2..41acba00 100644
--- a/src/dusk/save/slot/saveslotver1.h
+++ b/src/dusk/save/slot/saveslotver1.h
@@ -24,6 +24,16 @@
 // keyed by flag name (not position), so its on-disk shape is decoupled from
 // STORY_FLAG_COUNT_MAX entirely; a save simply loses whatever flags no
 // longer resolve by name (see storyGetFlagByName) if that cap ever shrinks.
+//
+// partyMembers is a THIRD exception, deliberately broken pre-release: its
+// per-member shape now comes from battleFighterSerialize/battleFighterParse
+// (rpg/battle/fighter/battlefighter.h) - the shared fighter JSON format
+// used everywhere else (party.jsonc, BATTLE_START enemies) - instead of its
+// own hand-rolled field set. This is a real on-disk break (different key
+// names, no more "statAttack" etc.) with no migration - an old v1 save
+// simply reads back as corrupt. Acceptable only because nothing has
+// shipped yet; don't repeat this once real saves exist without a version
+// bump instead.
 #define SAVE_SLOT_VER1_NAME_LENGTH 8
 #define SAVE_SLOT_VER1_MAP_NAME_MAX 10