diff --git a/server/src/engine/lifecycle.test.ts b/server/src/engine/lifecycle.test.ts
index d5f1f06..764aedf 100644
--- a/server/src/engine/lifecycle.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/engine/lifecycle.test.ts
@@ -155,6 +155,33 @@ describe('fight lifecycle', () => {
     expect(totalBtc + totalConsp + totalPc + totalCoding).toBeGreaterThan(1500)
   })
 
+  it('narrations have variety — no repeats within a 5-round fight', () => {
+    let fightsWith0Repeats = 0
+    const totalFights = 100
+    for (let f = 0; f < totalFights; f++) {
+      const usedTypes = new Set<string>()
+      const narrations = new Set<string>()
+      let hasRepeat = false
+      for (let r = 0; r < 5; r++) {
+        const challenge = pickChallenge(usedTypes, null, undefined, r + 1)
+        usedTypes.add(challenge.type)
+        const respA = mockResponse(challenge, 'confident', 1500)
+        const respB = mockResponse(challenge, 'clueless', 1000)
+        const result = scoreRound(
+          challenge, { id: 'a', name: 'A' }, { id: 'b', name: 'B' },
+          { answer: respA.answer, timeMs: respA.timeMs, timedOut: respA.timedOut, error: respA.error },
+          { answer: respB.answer, timeMs: respB.timeMs, timedOut: respB.timedOut, error: respB.error },
+          null, 0, 0,
+        )
+        if (narrations.has(result.narration)) hasRepeat = true
+        narrations.add(result.narration)
+      }
+      if (!hasRepeat) fightsWith0Repeats++
+    }
+    // At least 80% of fights should have no repeated narrations
+    expect(fightsWith0Repeats).toBeGreaterThan(totalFights * 0.8)
+  })
+
   it('combo buildup increases damage across rounds', () => {
     const challenge: Challenge = {
       type: 'riddle',