diff --git a/src/styles.css b/src/styles.css
index 1ecedff2..87bd6777 100644
--- a/src/styles.css
+++ b/src/styles.css
@@ -623,6 +623,22 @@ kbd { color: var(--moss-bright); font: inherit; font-size: 0.64rem; }
 .pause-menu h2 { margin: 0; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: clamp(1.7rem, 5vw, 2.3rem); font-weight: 400; }
 .pause-menu > p:not(.eyebrow) { color: var(--muted); line-height: 1.5; }
 .pause-menu__actions { display: grid; gap: 8px; margin: 21px 0; }
+.pause-menu--hub { width: min(860px, 100%); padding: clamp(16px, 2vw, 24px); }
+.pause-menu__header { text-align: center; }
+.pause-menu--hub h2 { font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.16em; text-transform: uppercase; }
+.pause-menu__character { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 12px; margin-top: 10px; }
+.pause-menu__character img { width: 48px; height: 48px; flex: none; border: 2px solid var(--edge); border-radius: 10px; object-fit: cover; }
+.pause-menu__character div { display: grid; gap: 3px; min-width: 0; text-align: left; }
+.pause-menu__character strong { overflow: hidden; font-size: 1.05rem; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; }
+.pause-menu__character span, .pause-menu__context { color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.78rem; }
+.pause-menu__context { margin: 7px 0 0; }
+.pause-menu__resume { display: flex; justify-content: center; margin: 14px 0; }
+.pause-menu__resume .button { width: min(320px, 100%); }
+.pause-menu__groups { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); gap: 10px; }
+.pause-menu__group { min-width: 0; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgba(188, 207, 160, 0.15); border-radius: 10px; background: rgba(170, 194, 141, 0.035); }
+.pause-menu__group h3 { margin: 0 0 9px; color: var(--muted); font-size: 0.68rem; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.12em; text-transform: uppercase; }
+.pause-menu--hub .pause-menu__actions { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); gap: 8px; margin: 0; }
+.pause-menu--hub .pause-menu__actions .button { width: 100%; min-width: 0; padding: 7px 9px; line-height: 1.15; }
 .button { min-height: 42px; padding: 0 16px; border: 1px solid var(--edge); border-radius: 9px; background: rgba(170, 194, 141, 0.07); color: var(--ink); cursor: pointer; }
 .button:hover { background: rgba(170, 194, 141, 0.16); }
 .button--primary { border-color: rgba(200, 222, 151, 0.32); background: #587348; color: #fbfee9; }
@@ -645,6 +661,10 @@ kbd { color: var(--moss-bright); font: inherit; font-size: 0.64rem; }
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 620px) {
+  .pause-menu__groups { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr); gap: 8px; }
+  .pause-menu--hub .pause-menu__group { padding: 9px; }
+  .pause-menu--hub .pause-menu__character { margin-top: 8px; }
+  .pause-menu--hub .pause-menu__resume { margin: 10px 0; }
   .objective-chip { width: calc(100vw - 116px); }
   .objective-chip .eyebrow, .objective-chip > p:last-child { display: none; }
   .objective-chip h1 { overflow: hidden; font-size: 0.92rem; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; }
@@ -1717,9 +1737,14 @@ kbd { color: var(--moss-bright); font: inherit; font-size: 0.64rem; }
   .talent-details > p { margin: 7px 0; }
   .talent-details__requirements { margin: 6px 0; }
   .option-row { min-height: 34px; padding: 3px 2px; }
-  .pause-menu { width: min(560px, 100%); padding: 16px 20px; }
-  .pause-menu__actions { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: 6px; margin: 9px 0; }
-  .pause-menu__actions .button { min-height: 34px; }
+  .pause-menu:not(.pause-menu--hub) { width: min(560px, 100%); padding: 16px 20px; }
+  .pause-menu:not(.pause-menu--hub) .pause-menu__actions { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: 6px; margin: 9px 0; }
+  .pause-menu:not(.pause-menu--hub) .pause-menu__actions .button { min-height: 34px; }
+  .pause-menu--hub { padding: 14px 16px; }
+  .pause-menu--hub .pause-menu__actions { gap: 6px; }
+  .pause-menu--hub .pause-menu__group { padding: 9px; }
+  .pause-menu--hub .pause-menu__group h3 { margin-bottom: 6px; }
+  .pause-menu--hub .pause-menu__resume { margin: 9px 0; }
   .boss-guide-panel__layout { padding-top: 7px; }
   .boss-guide-panel__layout nav h3 { padding: 5px 8px; }
   .boss-guide-panel__layout nav button { min-height: 33px; padding: 4px 6px; }
diff --git a/src/ui/PauseMenu.tsx b/src/ui/PauseMenu.tsx
index 13dc64d0..91687344 100644
--- a/src/ui/PauseMenu.tsx
+++ b/src/ui/PauseMenu.tsx
@@ -4,13 +4,12 @@ import { useGameStore } from "../game/store";
 import { useMenuController, type MenuAction } from "../input/useMenuController";
 import { ControllerButton } from "./ControllerButton";
 import { sessionCanUseShelvedGmTools } from "../app/releaseFeatures";
-import { useInputBindingLabels } from "../input/useInputBindingLabels";
-import { INPUT_ACTION_BY_ID } from "../input/keybinds";
 import { DungeonIssueReportPanel } from "./DungeonIssueReportPanel";
 import { BossTestingReviewPanel } from "./BossTestingReviewPanel";
+import { classById } from "../app/characterCatalog";
+import { specializationById, specializationIconUrl } from "../game/specializationCatalog";
 
 function PauseDialog() {
-  const bindingLabel = useInputBindingLabels();
   const closeOverlay = useGameStore((state) => state.closeOverlay);
   const openOverlay = useGameStore((state) => state.openOverlay);
   const reset = useGameStore((state) => state.resetAtEntrance);
@@ -37,29 +36,34 @@ function PauseDialog() {
   };
   const skillMenuLabel = activeCharacter?.categoryId === "rom" ? "Skills" : "Talents";
   const isGm = sessionCanUseShelvedGmTools(session);
+  const characterClass = activeCharacter ? classById(activeCharacter.classId) : null;
+  const specialization = specializationById(activeCharacter?.specializationId);
+  const classDetail = activeCharacter?.secondaryClassId
+    ? classById(activeCharacter.secondaryClassId).name
+    : specialization && specialization.classId === activeCharacter?.classId ? specialization.displayName : null;
 
   const actions = useMemo<MenuAction[]>(() => [
-    { id: "pause-resume", run: resume },
-    { id: "pause-party", run: () => openOverlay("party") },
-    { id: "pause-inventory", run: () => openOverlay("inventory") },
-    { id: "pause-boss-cards", run: () => openOverlay("boss-cards") },
+    { id: "pause-resume", run: resume, neighbors: { down: "pause-party", right: "pause-party", up: "pause-main-menu", left: "pause-main-menu" } },
+    { id: "pause-party", run: () => openOverlay("party"), neighbors: { up: "pause-resume" } },
     { id: "pause-map", run: () => openOverlay("map") },
     { id: "pause-boss-guide", run: () => openOverlay("boss-guide") },
+    { id: "pause-boss-cards", run: () => openOverlay("boss-cards") },
+    { id: "pause-inventory", run: () => openOverlay("inventory") },
     { id: "pause-spellbook", run: () => openOverlay("spellbook") },
-    { id: "pause-bindings", run: () => openOverlay("bindings") },
     { id: "pause-talents", run: () => openOverlay("talents") },
-    { id: "pause-keybinds", run: () => openOverlay("keybinds") },
+    { id: "pause-bindings", run: () => openOverlay("bindings") },
     { id: "pause-options", run: () => openOverlay("options") },
+    { id: "pause-keybinds", run: () => openOverlay("keybinds") },
     { id: "pause-ui-layout", run: () => openOverlay("ui-layout") },
+    ...(isGm ? [{ id: "pause-gm", run: () => openOverlay("gm") }] : []),
     ...(gameMode === "dungeon" ? [{ id: "pause-report-issue", run: () => openOverlay("report-issue") }] : []),
     ...(bossTest ? [{ id: "pause-boss-testing-review", run: () => openOverlay("boss-test-review") }] : []),
-    ...(isGm ? [{ id: "pause-gm", run: () => openOverlay("gm") }] : []),
     ...(gameMode === "manastorm"
       ? [{ id: "pause-abandon-manastorm", run: abandonManastorm }]
       : [{ id: "pause-entrance", run: returnToEntrance }]),
     { id: "pause-main-menu", run: leaveDungeon },
   ], [abandonManastormRun, bossTest, closeOverlay, gameMode, isGm, openOverlay, reset, returnToMainMenu]);
-  const controller = useMenuController(actions, { initialId: "pause-resume", onBack: resume });
+  const controller = useMenuController(actions, { columns: 2, initialId: "pause-resume", onBack: resume });
 
   const menuButton = (id: string, label: string, run: () => void, primary = false) => (
     <ControllerButton
@@ -74,38 +78,64 @@ function PauseDialog() {
 
   return (
     <div className="modal-backdrop" role="presentation">
-      <section className="pause-menu" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="pause-title">
-        <p className="eyebrow">Healer Man paused</p>
-        <h2 id="pause-title">{bossTest ? `${bossTest.name} — Boss Testing` : "The cavern waits."}</h2>
-        <p>Resume play or open any character and system menu from this hub.</p>
-        <div className="pause-menu__actions">
-          {menuButton("pause-resume", "Resume expedition", resume, true)}
-          {bossTest && menuButton("pause-boss-testing-review", "Boss readiness & report", () => openOverlay("boss-test-review"))}
-          {menuButton("pause-party", "Party management", () => openOverlay("party"))}
-          {menuButton("pause-inventory", "Inventory & equipment", () => openOverlay("inventory"))}
-          {menuButton("pause-boss-cards", "Boss card collection", () => openOverlay("boss-cards"))}
-          {menuButton("pause-map", "Dungeon map", () => openOverlay("map"))}
-          {menuButton("pause-boss-guide", "Boss guide", () => openOverlay("boss-guide"))}
-          {menuButton("pause-spellbook", "Spellbook", () => openOverlay("spellbook"))}
-          {menuButton("pause-bindings", "Ability controls", () => openOverlay("bindings"))}
-          {menuButton("pause-talents", skillMenuLabel, () => openOverlay("talents"))}
-          {menuButton("pause-keybinds", "Keybinds", () => openOverlay("keybinds"))}
-          {menuButton("pause-options", "Options", () => openOverlay("options"))}
-          {menuButton("pause-ui-layout", "Edit UI & templates", () => openOverlay("ui-layout"))}
-          {gameMode === "dungeon" ? menuButton("pause-report-issue", "Report an issue", () => openOverlay("report-issue")) : null}
-          {isGm ? menuButton("pause-gm", "GM placement editor", () => openOverlay("gm")) : null}
-          {gameMode === "manastorm"
-            ? menuButton("pause-abandon-manastorm", "Abandon Manastorm run", abandonManastorm)
-            : menuButton("pause-entrance", bossTest ? "Restart boss test" : "Return to entrance", returnToEntrance)}
-          {menuButton("pause-main-menu", "Return to main menu", leaveDungeon)}
+      <section className="pause-menu pause-menu--hub" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="pause-title">
+        <header className="pause-menu__header">
+          <h2 id="pause-title">Paused</h2>
+          <div className="pause-menu__character">
+            {activeCharacter && <img
+              src={specializationIconUrl(activeCharacter.classId, activeCharacter.specializationId)}
+              alt=""
+              aria-hidden="true"
+              style={{ borderColor: characterClass?.color }}
+            />}
+            <div>
+              <strong>{activeCharacter?.name ?? "Adventurer"}</strong>
+              <span>Level {activeCharacter?.level ?? 1} · {characterClass?.name ?? "Explorer"}{classDetail ? ` / ${classDetail}` : ""}</span>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+          {bossTest && <p className="pause-menu__context">Boss Testing · {bossTest.name}</p>}
+        </header>
+        <div className="pause-menu__resume">{menuButton("pause-resume", "Resume game", resume, true)}</div>
+        <div className="pause-menu__groups">
+          <section className="pause-menu__group" aria-labelledby="pause-adventure-title">
+            <h3 id="pause-adventure-title">Adventure</h3>
+            <div className="pause-menu__actions">
+              {menuButton("pause-party", "Party management", () => openOverlay("party"))}
+              {menuButton("pause-map", "Dungeon map", () => openOverlay("map"))}
+              {menuButton("pause-boss-guide", "Boss guide", () => openOverlay("boss-guide"))}
+              {menuButton("pause-boss-cards", "Boss cards", () => openOverlay("boss-cards"))}
+            </div>
+          </section>
+          <section className="pause-menu__group" aria-labelledby="pause-character-title">
+            <h3 id="pause-character-title">Character</h3>
+            <div className="pause-menu__actions">
+              {menuButton("pause-inventory", "Inventory & equipment", () => openOverlay("inventory"))}
+              {menuButton("pause-spellbook", "Spellbook", () => openOverlay("spellbook"))}
+              {menuButton("pause-talents", skillMenuLabel, () => openOverlay("talents"))}
+              {menuButton("pause-bindings", "Ability controls", () => openOverlay("bindings"))}
+            </div>
+          </section>
+          <section className="pause-menu__group" aria-labelledby="pause-settings-title">
+            <h3 id="pause-settings-title">Settings</h3>
+            <div className="pause-menu__actions">
+              {menuButton("pause-options", "Options", () => openOverlay("options"))}
+              {menuButton("pause-keybinds", "Keybinds", () => openOverlay("keybinds"))}
+              {menuButton("pause-ui-layout", "Edit UI & templates", () => openOverlay("ui-layout"))}
+              {isGm && menuButton("pause-gm", "GM placement editor", () => openOverlay("gm"))}
+            </div>
+          </section>
+          <section className="pause-menu__group" aria-labelledby="pause-session-title">
+            <h3 id="pause-session-title">Session</h3>
+            <div className="pause-menu__actions">
+              {gameMode === "dungeon" && menuButton("pause-report-issue", "Report an issue", () => openOverlay("report-issue"))}
+              {bossTest && menuButton("pause-boss-testing-review", "Boss readiness & report", () => openOverlay("boss-test-review"))}
+              {gameMode === "manastorm"
+                ? menuButton("pause-abandon-manastorm", "Abandon Manastorm run", abandonManastorm)
+                : menuButton("pause-entrance", bossTest ? "Restart boss test" : "Return to entrance", returnToEntrance)}
+              {menuButton("pause-main-menu", "Main menu", leaveDungeon)}
+            </div>
+          </section>
         </div>
-        <dl className="controls-list">
-          {["move-forward", "jump", "target-next", "party-next", "loot", "inventory", "spellbook", "pause"].map((id) => <div key={id}>
-            <dt>{INPUT_ACTION_BY_ID[id].label}</dt><dd>{bindingLabel("pc", id)} / {bindingLabel("controller", id)}</dd>
-          </div>)}
-          <div><dt>Camera</dt><dd>Hold right mouse and drag</dd></div>
-          <div><dt>All controls</dt><dd>Options → Keybinds</dd></div>
-        </dl>
       </section>
     </div>
   );