Cactus Game Design Message Boards

If my opponent attacks with two Heroes and I block with Archelaus and my opponent chooses to withdraw 2 Heroes instead of discarding one, does that just give him special initiative or must he actually withdraw them to meet the condition of the instead?

Archelaus: "If 2 or more Heroes are in battle, discard 1 of them. Opponent may withdraw 2 of them instead. Cannot be prevented by a Hero."

Even though your opponent gets to choose which option they want, it's still Archelaus that is withdrawing two heroes if your opponent chooses.  This grants SI to a 2-hero band.