Elites

Elites are highly powerful enemies that are found in Elite Encounters which are marked separately from normal monster encounters. Defeating an elite will give you a random Relic, 25-35 Gold, a Card reward, and a Score bonus. The same elite can appear multiple times in an act, but cannot be encountered twice in a row. The Dead Adventurer event ignores this.

Ascension Modifiers

Ascension¹: Elites are around 60% more common on the map.
Ascension³: Elites do more damage.
Ascension⁸: Elites have more health as well as sometimes gain more Block.
Ascension¹⁸: Elites have more challenging movesets and abilities.

Super Elites

After unlocking Act 4, until the Emerald Key is obtained, one of the elites in each Act will appear as a burning elite icon. This elite will receive one of the following buffs and drop the Emerald Key when defeated.

[Act Number + 1] Strength
+25% Max HP
[Act Number * 2 + 2] Metallicize
[Act Number * 2 + 1] Regenerate

Relic Interactions

Black Star: Elites will drop an extra relic
Sling of Courage: Start each Elite combat with 2 Strength
Preserved Insect: All enemies in elite rooms will start combat with 25% less HP (and become visually smaller)
Slaver's Collar: During Boss or Elite encounters, you gain an extra Energy at the start of your turn