1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $4x^4 - 13x^3 - x^2 + 13 - 2$. 2. **Combine like terms:** The constants $13$ and $-2$ can be combined. 3. **Perform the addition:** $$13 - 2 = 11$$ 4. **Rewrite the expression:** $$4x^4 - 13x^3 - x^2 + 11$$ 5. **Final simplified expression:** $$4x^4 - 13x^3 - x^2 + 11$$ This is the simplified polynomial; no further like terms can be combined.