# \[Known Issue\] PvP battle got stuck, player can't do anything except retreating **URL:** \ **Category:** Bug Reports\ **Created:** [March 31, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/known-issue-pvp-battle-got-stuck-player-cant-do-anything-except-retreating/87452 "2025-03-31T00:36:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Marcus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85e7bf/32.png) [@Marcus](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Marcus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/known-issue-pvp-battle-got-stuck-player-cant-do-anything-except-retreating/87452/1 "2025-03-31T00:36:07Z")
**Platform, device version and operating system:** PC/Steam **Screenshot or image:** ![gow_pvp_01](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/gemsofwar/original/3X/5/d/5d4adb1060f3efd1346ab454ff70e85a27487850.jpeg) ![gow_pvp_02](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/gemsofwar/original/3X/a/e/ae58e9de82c8decde0770e89b7e3cbbed28ce981.jpeg) **What you were expecting to happen, and what actually happened:** What to expect: player is able to match gems and cast spells to finish battle What actually happened: battle mechanics stop functioning, player cannot match gems or cast any spells. Still can chat or whatever except finishing the battle. I had to retreat or restart the game. **How often does this happen? When did it begin happening?** First time seeing this bug. I think there’s someone that met the same bug like me (they posted in this topic [[Investigating] Game crash - #4 by Lady\_Alfhild](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/game-crash/87336/4)) **Steps to make it happen again** I don’t know I can provide clip, but where can I upload it? ---
**Author:** ![Jeto](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/jeto/32/101682_2.png) [@Jeto](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Jeto)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 12:49am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/known-issue-pvp-battle-got-stuck-player-cant-do-anything-except-retreating/87452/2 "2025-03-31T00:49:31Z")
You can attach any videos to your post - but it’s only helpful if it shows what happens before the game board locks, a video of a locked board doesn’t more than a screenshot would. Also, when exactly did the board lock? What was the last action you took in-game? That other thread references there are numerous issues at the moment that can trigger a board lock.. for example troops transformed with Lycanthropy. ---
**Author:** ![Marcus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85e7bf/32.png) [@Marcus](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Marcus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 1:09am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/known-issue-pvp-battle-got-stuck-player-cant-do-anything-except-retreating/87452/3 "2025-03-31T01:09:59Z")
I don’t have a habit to record my gameplay, so it only shows what happened after the bug, but I think it’s still helpful to clarify what the bug affects. Why don’t I see the button to upload video directly in post menu? Or did you mean attaching the video link? The last action before the bug happened was that I used Essence of Evil as I remembered. ---
**Author:** ![Jeto](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/community.gemsofwar.com/jeto/32/101682_2.png) [@Jeto](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Jeto)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 1:11am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/known-issue-pvp-battle-got-stuck-player-cant-do-anything-except-retreating/87452/4 "2025-03-31T01:11:05Z")
> [@Marcus](#): > > I used Essence of Evil as I remembered. Then yes, this is the issue we already have in our Known issues list as something that can cause board locking and the team is already investigating. ---
**Author:** ![Marcus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85e7bf/32.png) [@Marcus](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Marcus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 1:18am UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/known-issue-pvp-battle-got-stuck-player-cant-do-anything-except-retreating/87452/5 "2025-03-31T01:18:25Z")
So the solution is to stop using it until you guys fix it? Losing pvp streak for trivial bug like this really discouraged me from playing pvp mode ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Synthetic9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@Synthetic9](https://community.gemsofwar.com/u/Synthetic9)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.gemsofwar.com/t/known-issue-pvp-battle-got-stuck-player-cant-do-anything-except-retreating/87452/6 "2025-04-08T20:58:49Z")
This happens to me as well on the Nintendo Switch. It usually happens when using the Essence of Evil on the enemy in last slot. When they change into a beast it locks and you can do nothing but retreat. It’s almost as if two procs happens at once, you get a quick flash on the enemy in question and then boom! Lockout! This has taken away MANY of my streaks, so it took me a while to recognize the pattern.