diff --git a/common/color.h b/common/color.h
index 8e3076493..72ec68ed4 100644
--- a/common/color.h
+++ b/common/color.h
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef COMMON_COLOR_H
 #define COMMON_COLOR_H
 
+#include <type_traits>
+
 // Used to represent a color. Uses normal 8-bit-per channel RGB.
 // Note that these colors are in linear space and their interpretation
 // depends on the blade.
@@ -388,6 +390,11 @@ struct OverDriveColor {
   bool getOverdrive() const { return overdrive; }
 };
 
+namespace color_details {
+  template<typename T> struct IsOpaqueColor : std::false_type {};
+  template<> struct IsOpaqueColor<SimpleColor> : std::true_type {};
+  template<> struct IsOpaqueColor<OverDriveColor> : std::true_type {};
+}
 
 // SIMPLE
 // Opaque.fade -> Opaque or Alpha?
diff --git a/styles/layers.h b/styles/layers.h
index dcf434ac9..a165b28f4 100644
--- a/styles/layers.h
+++ b/styles/layers.h
@@ -4,21 +4,33 @@
 #include "alpha.h"
 #include "../functions/int.h"
 #include "colors.h"
+#include "../common/color.h"
+#include <utility>
 
 // Usage: Layers<BASE, LAYER1, LAYER2, ...>
 // BASE: COLOR or LAYER
 // LAYER1, LAYER2: LAYER
 // return value: COLOR or LAYER (same as BASE)
-// This style works like layers in gimp or photoshop.
-// In most cases, the layers are expected to be normally transparent effects
-// that turn opaque when then want to paint an effect over the base color.
-// If the base color is opqaque, the final result of this style will also be
-// opaque. If the base color is transparent, the final result may also be transparent,
-// depending on what the layers paint on top of the base color.
+// This style works like layers in Gimp or Photoshop: each layer adds to the stack covering the BASE.
+// The written order of layers in the blade style code puts the BASE first,
+// with any following layers visually covering it. (later layers draw over earlier ones)
+// The rule for opacity is as follows:
+//   The output of Layers<> is opaque if the BASE of that Layers<> is opaque.
+//   If BASE is transparent: the overall result is transparent.
+//   No additional solid opaque colors may be stacked on top of an opaque BASE.
+//
+// StylePtr<> expects its argument to be opaque.
+// Therefore, when using StylePtr<Layers<BASE, ... >>(), BASE MUST be an opaque color.
+//
+// Layers<> itself can still be nested anywhere a STYLE/COLOR is allowed; only the top-level StylePtr<...>()
+// requirement forces the requirement of the BASE to be opaque in that specific position.
 
 template<class BASE, class L1>
 class Compose {
 public:
+  static_assert(!color_details::IsOpaqueColor<decltype(std::declval<L1&>().getColor(0))>::value,
+                "\n\n"
+                "*** Layers<> error: Only the base color may be solid.\n\n");
   LayerRunResult run(BladeBase* blade) {
     LayerRunResult base_run_result = RunLayer(&base_, blade);
     LayerRunResult layer_run_result = RunLayer(&layer_, blade);
@@ -73,13 +85,20 @@ class Compose<BLACK, L1> {
   }
 };
 
-
 template<class BASE, class ... LAYERS> struct LayerSelector {};
 template<class BASE> struct LayerSelector<BASE> { typedef BASE type; };
+
+// Drop fully transparent first item (Alpha 0) when there are exactly 2 args.
 template<class BASE, class L1> struct LayerSelector<AlphaL<BASE, Int<0>>, L1> { typedef L1 type; };
+
+// Drop fully transparent when it’s the second (right) item in a pair.
+template<class BASE, class ABASE>
+struct LayerSelector<BASE, AlphaL<ABASE, Int<0>>> { typedef BASE type; };
+
 template<class BASE, class L1> struct LayerSelector<BASE, L1> { typedef Compose<BASE, L1> type; };
-template<class BASE, class L1, class ... REST> struct LayerSelector<BASE, L1, REST...> {
-  typedef typename LayerSelector<Compose<BASE, L1>, REST...>::type type;
+template<class BASE, class L1, class ... REST>
+struct LayerSelector<BASE, L1, REST...> {
+  typedef typename LayerSelector<typename LayerSelector<BASE, L1>::type, REST...>::type type;
 };
 
 template<class BASE, class... LAYERS> using Layers = typename LayerSelector<BASE, LAYERS...>::type;
diff --git a/styles/style_ptr.h b/styles/style_ptr.h
index 0c85ad8ea..c2f6a3fd1 100644
--- a/styles/style_ptr.h
+++ b/styles/style_ptr.h
@@ -3,6 +3,21 @@
 
 #include "blade_style.h"
 
+template<class BASE, class L1> class Compose;  // forward-declare Layers node
+
+namespace style_base_check_detail {
+  template<class T> struct TopBase { using type = T; };
+  template<class B, class L> struct TopBase<Compose<B,L>> : TopBase<B> {};
+  template<class STYLE>
+  inline void AssertLayersBaseOpaque() {
+    using _TopBaseT  = typename TopBase<STYLE>::type;
+    using _TopBaseCol = decltype(std::declval<_TopBaseT&>().getColor(0));
+    static_assert(color_details::IsOpaqueColor<_TopBaseCol>::value,
+                  "\n\n"
+                  "*** StylePtr<> error: Style must be a solid color, not transparent.\n");
+  }
+}
+
 // Usage: StylePtr<BLADE>
 // BLADE: COLOR
 // return value: suitable for preset array
@@ -133,14 +148,15 @@ class ChargingStyle : public Style<T> {
 // Get a pointer to class.
 template<class STYLE>
 StyleAllocator StylePtr() {
+  style_base_check_detail::AssertLayersBaseOpaque<STYLE>();
   static StyleFactoryImpl<Style<STYLE> > factory;
   return &factory;
-};
+}
 
 class StyleFactoryWithDefault : public StyleFactory {
 public:
   StyleFactoryWithDefault(StyleFactory* allocator,
-			  const char* default_arguments) :
+        const char* default_arguments) :
     allocator_(allocator), default_arguments_(default_arguments) {
   }
   BladeStyle* make() override {
@@ -164,6 +180,7 @@ StyleAllocator StylePtr(const char* default_arguments) {
 // that you can't turn it on/off, and the battery low warning is disabled.
 template<class STYLE>
 StyleAllocator ChargingStylePtr() {
+  style_base_check_detail::AssertLayersBaseOpaque<STYLE>();
   static StyleFactoryImpl<ChargingStyle<STYLE> > factory;
   return &factory;
 }