diff --git a/src/functional_tests/test_room_role_select.py b/src/functional_tests/test_room_role_select.py
index b049d01..701c5ff 100644
--- a/src/functional_tests/test_room_role_select.py
+++ b/src/functional_tests/test_room_role_select.py
@@ -9,10 +9,18 @@ from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By
 from .base import FunctionalTest, ChannelsFunctionalTest
 from .management.commands.create_session import create_pre_authenticated_session
 from apps.applets.models import Applet
-from apps.epic.models import Room, GateSlot, TableSeat
+from apps.epic.models import DeckVariant, Room, GateSlot, TableSeat
 from apps.lyric.models import User
 
 
+def _equip_earthman_deck(user):
+    """Equip the Earthman DeckVariant so the role-select no-deck guard passes."""
+    deck = DeckVariant.objects.filter(name__icontains="Earthman").first()
+    if deck:
+        user.equipped_deck = deck
+        user.save(update_fields=["equipped_deck"])
+
+
 def _fill_room_via_orm(room, emails):
     """Fill all 6 gate slots and set gate_status=OPEN. Returns list of gamers."""
     gamers = []
@@ -713,6 +721,7 @@ class RoleSelectChannelsTest(ChannelsFunctionalTest):
 
     def test_observer_sees_seat_arc_during_selection(self):
         founder, _ = User.objects.get_or_create(email="founder@test.io")
+        _equip_earthman_deck(founder)
         User.objects.get_or_create(email="watcher@test.io")
         room = Room.objects.create(name="Arc Test", owner=founder)
         _fill_room_via_orm(room, [
@@ -774,6 +783,7 @@ class RoleSelectChannelsTest(ChannelsFunctionalTest):
 
     def _make_turn_test_room(self):
         founder, _ = User.objects.get_or_create(email="founder@test.io")
+        _equip_earthman_deck(founder)
         User.objects.get_or_create(email="friend@test.io")
         room = Room.objects.create(name="Turn Test", owner=founder)
         _fill_room_via_orm(room, [
@@ -859,6 +869,7 @@ class RoleSelectChannelsTest(ChannelsFunctionalTest):
             "pal@test.io", "dude@test.io", "bro@test.io",
         ]
         founder, _ = User.objects.get_or_create(email="founder@test.io")
+        _equip_earthman_deck(founder)
         room = Room.objects.create(name="Last Role Test", owner=founder)
         _fill_room_via_orm(room, emails)
         room.table_status = Room.ROLE_SELECT