A question about monster traits

[Centurion Cajun]

So, I just got PACG and am loving every minute of it. Good on you Paizo. Now to my question.

While I haven't gotten to the point where it will matter I have a couple questions about monster traits and removing them from the game. The Rise of the Runelords Adventure Path card says to remove banished basic banes from the game starting with Hook Mountain Massacre. Then do the same with Elites later on. I understand that just fine but I become a bit confused about the monster cards with no "experience" rating. I'm talking about gentlemen like the Hill Giant and Werewolf. Are these guys just meant to hang around forever or is there some special rule for them? I'm leaning towards they just don't get scaling power like veterans but want some feedback.

Also, the hierarchy of cards seems to go basic, elite, and then veteran. This is confusing as in my mind elite should be above veteran.

Thanks for any help in advance.

[h4ppy]

Ones without basic/elite traits will hang around forever.

And, yes, "Elite" is just one step above "Basic" - took some getting used to!

[Vic Wertz]

Veteran really isn't in the same category as Basic and Elite.

Basic and Elite are traits that are used to determine whether you can start with those cards in your deck, and whether and when you start weeding them out.

Veteran is a trait that indicates that the difficulty to defeat the card increases in later adventures.