Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious lesions experienced by our genome. Yet, DSBs are intentionally induced during gamete formation to promote the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes. While the conserved topoisomerase-like enzyme Spo11 catalyzes DSBs, additional regulatory proteins—referred to as ‘Spo11 accessory factors’—regulate the number, timing, and placement of DSBs during meiotic prophase, ensuring that SPO-11 does not wreak havoc on the genome. Des