What each of the game’s 69 keywords, statuses and terms means, in its own words: the definitions come from the game’s glossary, or from its in-battle hints where the glossary has none. At the end, 17 other terms card text uses that the game never defines, in our own words from the official FAQs, and 6 official rulings worth knowing.
Abilities printed on cards, such as Flight, or Deploy followed by what happens.
This power is active while you have another troop of the bolded characteristic in your hand or in play.
Stacking: a condition on a power, not something a troop gets: each power with it is checked on its own.
First in Armies of Myth (21 Jul 2015).
For example: Battle Agenda, Blade Juggler, Bloodeye Defiler, Carloth Cobblestone · All 34 cards
When a troop you control attacks and this card is in your hand it will execute the effect described.
Stacking: each copy is its own power and triggers on its own.
First in Herofall (7 Sep 2016).
For example: Ayotochi Brute, Bastion of the Necropolis, Death Dealer, Deranged Marauder · All 26 cards
Boons are one of the following powers: Crush; Feral; Flight; Lethal; Lifedrain; Rage 1; Speed; Spellshield; Steadfast; and Swiftstrike.
Stacking: a boon becomes its champion's chosen keyword and follows that keyword's rule: a Rage boon adds 1, the others add nothing.
For example: Augmentation Bot, Big Buddy, Boon Bunch, C.A.G.E.
Create a troop and put it into your hand. Its thresholds become equal to thresholds of the card that created it.
Stacking: something that happens when the card says so: each Conscript happens on its own.
First in Scars of War (28 Feb 2017).
For example: Ancestral Ambush, Battle Preparations, Bitter Dread, Boisterous Ballad · All 9 cards
If this assigns more than fatal combat damage to all troops blocking it, the rest will be assigned to the defending champion
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Ambershire Cavalry, Ambershire Instigator, Ankylosaurus, Ashfeast Duo · All 111 cards
When this dies, the following effect will execute.
Stacking: each copy is its own power: two Deathcry powers both happen.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Ardent Crusader, Axe Bot, Blightbark Burster, Blightbark Paladin · All 98 cards
This can't attack
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Barrier Bot, Chained Peak Yeti, Dementia Daisies, Dragon Guard Stalwart · All 15 cards
When this enters play, the following effect will execute.
Stacking: each copy is its own power: two Deploy powers both happen.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Acolyte of Flame, Adaptable Infusion Device, Alachian Angler, Alluring Alemaid · All 470 cards
When this readies, the following effect will execute.
Stacking: each copy is its own power and triggers on its own.
First in Scars of War (28 Feb 2017).
For example: Aryndel Monk, Battle Scrivener, Blessed Scout, Callous Carver · All 39 cards
While this is in your hand: Transform this into Empowered (this card), doubling all starting numbers in this card's textbox. Then, double this card's cost, , and .
Stacking: a power from your hand that transforms the card: a second copy would be a second power, but the first one used changes the card.
First in Primal Dawn (26 Apr 2016).
For example: Adamanthian Captain, Ashwood Apprentice, Benediction, Burning Tendrils · All 33 cards
This enters play exhausted.
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Shattered Destiny (9 Dec 2014).
For example: Broom Bot, Droo's Unrelenting Fists, Infinity Engine
Put this into your deck, then add X to the bold number of all your cards named (this card) in all zones.
Stacking: printed on actions; no card gives it to another.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Bounty of the Magus, Chronic Madness, Crash of Beasts, Demented Whispers · All 15 cards
Choose one: Put a random resource or non-resource from your deck on top of your deck.
Stacking: something you do when the card says so, not something a card holds: each Fateweave happens on its own.
First in Frostheart (29 Jun 2017).
For example: Battle of Destiny, Blood Ice, Cuttleclaws, Diamond Ice · All 19 cards
Can't be blocked by fewer than 2 troops.
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Doombringer (16 Mar 2018).
For example: Bloodmaw Terminus, Brightmaw Terminus, Bruiseberry Brewer, Chug · All 22 cards
This can only be blocked by other troops with Flight
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing: a troop either flies or it doesn't.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Adamanthian Cavalry, Air Elemental, Angel of Agony, Angel of Atonement · All 264 cards
While this is in your hand: You may transform this into Brittle (this card), making its base become one, but playing it for 2 fewer resources.
Stacking: a power that transforms the card: the first one used changes it.
For example: Aegilus, Alchemite, Arcanovex, Arctic Grizzly
This can be permanently fused with another fusion card, in Deck Builder, to create a new card. The new card has the combined cost, attack, defense, thresholds, and powers of the two fused cards.
Stacking: a deck-building rule (fusing two cards); nothing gives it during a game.
First in Doombringer (16 Mar 2018).
For example: Bloodleech Apocalyte, Brightsteed Apocalyte, Echotwin Apocalyte, Fleetfoot Apocalyte · All 15 cards
This has +X on your turns, and +X on opposing turns.
Stacking: copies add up.
First in Frostheart (29 Jun 2017).
For example: Blitz Boyz, Crafty Scrapshot, Drunken Hooligan, Dyna-Dummy · All 26 cards
Choose one: Summon X Candlekin. ; or Candlekin you control get +X/+X.
Stacking: something that happens when the card says so: each Illuminate happens on its own.
First in Frostheart (29 Jun 2017).
For example: Brilliant Ward, Candle Crush, Choir of Lumos, Confession of Embers · All 9 cards
Troops with Inspire grant their game text to any friendly troop that has a cost equal to or greater than their cost that enters play.
From the game’s in-battle hints.
Stacking: getting Inspire twice adds nothing, but each Inspire power works on its own, so two of them both happen.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Alwyn, Azurefate Sorceress, Cerulean Grand Strategist, Cerulean Mentalist · All 20 cards
This can't be damaged or destroyed
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Blessing of Unicorns, Eternal Curator, Fist of Briggadon, Lixil, the Deathless Gem · All 6 cards
Any amount of damage this deals to a troop is fatal
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Shattered Destiny (9 Dec 2014).
For example: Arbiter of Twilight, Artisanal Cheesesmythe, Blight Wagon, Blightbark Paladin · All 46 cards
At the start of your turn, if you control a troop with Lifebound, put each troop with Lifebound from your crypt into play.
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
For example: Lovebound, Mylaanth the Lifebinder
Damage dealt by this causes its controller to gain that much health
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing: its champion gains the damage dealt once.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Blaze of Glory, Bleak Harvester, Blood Infusion Device, Bloodbone Terminus · All 76 cards
When you play this, you may exhaust a troop you control, if you do, you pay less to play this.
Stacking: copies add up: Mobilize 1 twice lets you exhaust up to two troops.
First in Scars of War (28 Feb 2017).
For example: Ashfeast Duo, Blitz, Brilliant Tactician, Canyon Fleetfoot · All 17 cards
When you play a resource, this gets +/+ equal to its Momentum number until the start of your next turn. Then, increase the Momentum number by 1.
Stacking: copies add up.
First in Dead of Winter (17 Nov 2017).
For example: Apprentice Trio, Brighthammer Adept, Devoted Luminist, Exalted Pathfinder · All 14 cards
At the start of your turn, if this is in your hand, it reverts and transforms it into a random card of the same rarity and of your thresholds.
Stacking: a power that transforms the card at the start of your turn: the first one changes it.
For example: Bleeding Heart, Coiling Nebulax, Cosmicron, Greater Quazarus
Cards with Prophecy will grant powers and bonuses to cards in that champion's deck.
From the game’s in-battle hints.
Stacking: a power on the card that works on your deck; each Prophecy power works on its own.
First in Armies of Myth (21 Jul 2015).
For example: Arcane Dreamcatcher, Brightmoon Augur, Brightmoon Brave, Canyon Runner · All 35 cards
You may play this card at any time you have priority
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Doombringer (16 Mar 2018).
For example: Buzzkiller
Rabid is a power that triggers the first time the troop attacks.
Stacking: each copy is its own power with its own single use.
First in Doombringer (16 Mar 2018).
For example: Bruiseberry Brewer, Deathdozer, Fangstorm, Fatalfuel Alpha · All 18 cards
When a troop with Rage X attacks, it gets +X / +0
Stacking: copies add up: Rage 2 and Rage 1 make Rage 3.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Ambershire Instigator, Ash Harpy, Bloodpit Reaver, Bloodsoaked Brawler · All 54 cards
: Deathcry - If this is in your crypt, put this into play.
Stacking: a troop never gets a second Rebirth: giving it again only makes a used Rebirth ready again.
First in Doombringer (16 Mar 2018).
For example: Blightbark Courier, Blightwood Cyclops, Bloodbone Terminus, Count Dragomir · All 26 cards
When you play a card with cost greater than this, this gets cost + and then execute the described effect.
Stacking: each copy is its own power and triggers on its own.
First in Doombringer (16 Mar 2018).
For example: Beast of Abundance, Boon Bunch, Caravan Cannoneer, Chasing the Rainbow · All 21 cards
If you played this from your hand, transform it into a Rune and put it into play.
Stacking: each copy is its own power, but the first one transforms the card.
First in Frostheart (29 Jun 2017).
For example: Runic Avalanche, Runic Candescence, Runic Chrysalis, Runic Decay · All 20 cards
As an additional cost to play this, you may void N troops from your crypt. If you do, this gets the following power.
Stacking: each copy is its own power, with its own extra cost to pay or not.
First in Herofall (7 Sep 2016).
For example: Aspect of the Squirrel, Awakened Theurgist, Blamsmith, Buzztech Innovator · All 33 cards
Prevent all damage that would be dealt to this. When damage is prevented this way, if this is a troop, this gets -1. If this is a champion, it loses 1 health.
Stacking: a troop never gets a second Shell.
For example: Hardshell Guardclaw, Hardshell Infantry, Hardshell Sealord, Hardshell Wizard
: Target troop you control gets the following power, and this loses that power.
Stacking: each Shift power is its own, with its own single use.
First in Armies of Myth (21 Jul 2015).
For example: Beguiling Temptress, Chimera Guard Fallen, Deadeye Enforcer, Deadeye Ripper · All 29 cards
This can block as though it had Flight
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Shattered Destiny (9 Dec 2014).
For example: Barrier Bot, Bloodtongue Terminus, Brighttongue Terminus, Dire Toad · All 31 cards
This is unaffected by all cards, powers, and effects other than its own powers and effects.
Stacking: a second copy would add nothing (no card ever gives it).
For example: Spectral Acorn
This can attack and use powers on the same turn it enters play
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Aryndel Sentinel, Ash Harpy, Ashfeast Duo, Baby Yeti · All 91 cards
This can't be targeted by opposing cards and effects
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Bloodcloak Terminus, Brightcloak Terminus, Brosi-Buk, Mischief Master, Dandelion Sprite · All 35 cards
This does not exhaust when it attacks
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Aegilus, Ambling Bluff, Angel of Dawn, Bishop of Silent Souls · All 63 cards
This deals combat damage before non-Swiftstrike troops
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Angel of Agony, Ashwood Blademaster, Ballistar, Buzzkiller · All 33 cards
You may tunnel this card from your hand by paying its tunneling cost - it is put underground, where it is hidden from your opponent and is not affected by cards that affect cards in play. At the start of your turn, your underground Tunneling cards get a tunneling counter. The card surfaces when the number of tunneling counters on it is equal to, or greater, than its tunneling number; it is played for free immediately and gets Speed this turn.
Stacking: copies add up: more Tunneling means more turns underground.
First in Shattered Destiny (9 Dec 2014).
For example: Agent of M.O.L.E., Bucktooth Roshi, Burrow Bunny, Cottontail Scout · All 24 cards
This can't be blocked
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Chaostongue, Dream Spider, Eldritch Dreamer, Eldritch Dreamthief · All 18 cards
Valorous has no inherent meaning. It is a keyword that other cards or powers will reference.
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
For example: Adamanthian Cavalry, Adamanthian Warpriest, Ambershire Cavalry, Ambershire War Rider
Your opponent is given a choice between a bad effect for them or a good effect for you. Then, resolves the chosen effect.
Stacking: something that happens when the card says so: each Verdict happens on its own.
First in Dead of Winter (17 Nov 2017).
For example: Cruel Sentence, Overwhelming Guilt, Runic Justice, Sunlit Sentence · All 5 cards
States that cards put on troops and players during a game. Card text names them; no card has one printed as its own keyword.
At the start of each turn, you get "Prevent the next damage that would be dealt to you this turn", for each armor you have.
For example: Bulwark of Faith, Ghost Sentinel, Oath of the Legion, Siege Golem
At the end of your turn, you'll be dealt damage equal to the number of burning counters you have. Then, remove a burning counter from you. Then, if none remain, you're no longer Burning.
For example: Burning Zombie, Cinder Walker, Citadel of Adamanth, Horrorcrafted Behemoth
This can't block
For example: Ashwood Apprentice, Cunning Skullcaster, Distract, Dread Monolith
Prevent the next damage that would be dealt to this.
No collectible card’s text names it.
Each non-resource card in your hand has cost +. At the end of your turn, remove a dazed counter from you. Then, if none remain, you're no longer Dazed.
For example: Dark Pact Demon
Death Sentence has no inherent meaning. It is a keyword that other cards or powers will reference.
For example: Harvester's Reaper, Horrific Poltergeist, Reaper Bot, Spectral Assassin
Enthralled has no inherent meaning. It is a keyword that other cards or powers will reference.
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
For example: Succubus
Opposing troops must block this if able.
No collectible card’s text names it.
When an opposing troop with Soulcursed dies, its controller sacrifices each other troop they control with Soulcursed.
For example: Ryaalinth the Soulcursed
When this enters your hand, put it into play. Then, draw a card for each member of the Mustachioed Gang you control.
No collectible card’s text names it.
Tamed troops are added to a champion's collection if that champion wins the current match.
No collectible card’s text names it.
The game’s glossary gives only the word, no definition.
Stacking: a second copy adds nothing.
For example: Killarvae, The Killipede
The game’s glossary gives only the word, no definition.
No collectible card’s text names it.
Untamed troops can be Tamed and added to a champion's collection if that champion wins the current match.
No collectible card’s text names it.
If you would be dealt damage, you're dealt double that amount of damage instead. At the end of your turn, remove a vulnerable counter from you. Then, if none remain, you're no longer Vulnerable.
For example: Dark Pact Demon
Cards that hold a gem, chosen in the deck builder.
Socketable cards are customized during deckbuilding to provide different powers and bonuses.
From the game’s in-battle hints.
Our note: This card has a major gem socket. In deck building you can put a major or a minor gem in it.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Animus of Nulzann, Arborean Rootfather, Archon of Nulzann, Azurefate Sorceress · All 65 cards
Socketable cards are customized during deckbuilding to provide different powers and bonuses.
From the game’s in-battle hints.
Our note: This card has a minor gem socket. In deck building you can put a minor gem in it.
First in Shards of Fate (2014 (beta)).
For example: Acolyte of Xentoth, Alarm-o-Matic 3000, Arborean Rootfather, Archon of Nulzann · All 117 cards
Rules a card sets for the deck that includes it.
A special rule this card places on the deck that includes it.
The game has no definition for this; this one is ours.
For example: Ardent Crusader, Emsee, Etcher of Nulzann, Kaleidotron, Mama Yeti
Deckbuilding: You can include this in your deck only if it contains at least X cards.
No collectible card’s text names it.
Deckbuilding: You can include this in your deck only if it contains at least X cards, or Y in Draft or Sealed.
No collectible card’s text names it.
Deckbuilding: You can include this in your Draft or Sealed deck only if it contains at least X cards.
No collectible card’s text names it.
You may include any number of these in your deck.
For example: Mystic Squirrel
Words card text uses that the game’s glossary never defines. These are ours, written from the official HEX FAQs and the game’s own hints (each says which).
A 1-SHOT power can be used once, and then it is gone from the card. Reverting the card gives it back; a copy of a card whose power was already used doesn't get it back.
From: Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014), Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), the game’s own in-battle hint.
A Basic card or power can be used only on your own turn, in a main phase, while nothing is waiting on the chain: never during combat and never in answer to something.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014), the game’s own in-battle hint.
To bury cards is to move them from the top of a deck straight into its owner's crypt, without drawing or discarding them.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Herofall FAQ (Sep 2016), the game’s own in-battle hint.
Where troops that die and actions that have been played go (older documents call it the graveyard).
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), the game’s own in-battle hint.
To interrupt a card or power on the chain is to take it off the chain so it does nothing; an interrupted card goes to its owner's crypt. Only something on the chain can be interrupted.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Herofall FAQ (Sep 2016), Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014).
Playing a card for free skips its cost, any extra cost and its shard requirement; it still goes on the chain and can be answered.
A prismatic card needs two or more different shards to play; a card that needs one shard, or none, is not prismatic.
A card put into your deck goes to a random place in it; the other cards keep their order.
From: Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014), Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Herofall FAQ (Sep 2016).
A replica is a simpler kind of copy some cards make: it has no shard or threshold, it is also an artifact (a troop replica is also a Robot), it is never Unique, and it carries none of the original's changes; a gem in the original goes into it. Since Herofall it has no faction.
From: “Do You Copy?” (Aug 2015), Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Herofall FAQ (Sep 2016).
Reverting a card undoes its temporary changes (what it 'gets') and any transformation: a troop also loses its damage, its counters go back to their starting number and its used 1-SHOT powers come back. Lasting changes (what it 'has') and the powers of a gem socketed in it stay.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014).
To sacrifice is to choose one of your own cards that matches what is asked and put it into your crypt.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Herofall FAQ (Sep 2016), Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014).
To stun a card is to exhaust it; it also doesn't ready during its controller's next ready step.
From: Herofall FAQ (Sep 2016), the game’s own in-battle hint.
Where cards and powers wait to resolve once they are played; players can answer them with quick cards and powers before they resolve.
From: Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014), “Patch Changes and the Chain” (Nov 2013).
A trait is a word on a card's type line after the dash: its race, class or other kind (Human, Cleric…).
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014).
Where a card with Tunneling waits after it is played: hidden from the opponent and not in play, until it surfaces.
You can control only one Unique card of a name: when another arrives, the older one goes to your crypt and the newest stays (cards underground count too). A card can name other cards it is Unique with.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Herofall FAQ (Sep 2016), Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014), “Do You Copy?” (Aug 2015).
To void a card is to move it from wherever it is to its owner's void, a zone cards don't come back from.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Herofall FAQ (Sep 2016), the game’s own in-battle hint.
A few official rulings that surprise players, in our own words. They are the original game’s rules; the community server may play some differently.
If both champions would lose at the same moment (say one has run out of cards just as the other takes fatal damage), the one with more health wins. If their health is equal, the player whose turn it is wins.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016).
When two troops battle, each deals damage equal to its ATK to the other, but it is not combat damage: Crush, Swiftstrike and anything that only prevents combat damage don’t apply.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Herofall FAQ (Sep 2016), Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014). The game’s own code works the same way.
A second card of a Unique name still arrives: the older one goes to your crypt. A copy of your own Unique card counts too, so copying it can cost you the original. A replica is never Unique.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), “Do You Copy?” (Aug 2015), Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014). The game’s own code works the same way.
A copy takes the card as it is now, with the temporary changes on it (what it ‘gets’), but not the lasting ones other cards give it (what it ‘has’); once made, it no longer follows the original. A replica carries none of the original’s changes.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Herofall FAQ (Sep 2016), “Do You Copy?” (Aug 2015).
See: Replica
Reverting a card undoes what it ‘gets’ and any transformation, and gives back its used 1-SHOT powers, but what it ‘has’ stays, and so do the powers of a gem socketed in it.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Shattered Destiny FAQ (Dec 2014).
A card played for free skips its cost and shards, not the chain: it waits there and can be answered like any other. And a card moved off the chain before it resolves never resolves.
From: Primal Dawn FAQ (Jun 2016), Herofall FAQ (Sep 2016).
See: Play for free, The chain