I don't remember the explanation and couldn't find a way to repeat it.
I did however end up figuring it out via trial and error.
Every turn you and your opponent choose between knife (injure) and mushroom (seduce... aka mind control). This is your attack.
You have 3 dice, they each roll a number. You have those 3 numbers to distribute between:
attack (knife or mushroom)
defense (shield)
special (fireball)
If your attack (knife or mushroom) is higher than their defense. they take 1 point of damage to either injury HP or seduction resistance HP.
If their attack (knife or mushroom) is higher than your defense. you take 1 point of damage to either injury HP or seduction resistance HP.
If one of you has a higher special value, they will buff/debuff. on a tie neither of you does that.
The buffs/debuffs enemy use vary by the opponent. can be trivial or can be massive. your buff/debuff are chosen by you from a list of your spells.
Most opponents you want to prioritize defense > special > attack
Occasionally an opponent with massive buff/debuff you want to prioritize special > defense > attack
also, the only reason to use both seduction AND injure at the same battle is if you are aiming at shattering the opponents mind. if you are not into that fetish then focus on either injure or seduce, not both.