Visible stolen cards for spectators

**bobrossw** · 10-06-2014, 11:04 PM

Although card stealing was already possible, the new buff to Thoughtripper's Cutlass

has made this more prevalent. It occurred to me, when playing Serena

mirror matches, they are very entertatining to play, but probably not entertaining to watch. Likewise, when I steal an opponent's Tidal Wave

, it influences their actions after that point, and should be apparent to the audience. What's missing is information that both players have, but the spectator doesn't: which cards were stolen.

I propose that when cards are stolen (through whatever means) when both players can know which card that was, then it should also be apparent to the audience. Turn them face-up to spectators the same way that they'd be faceup if someone has an effect that allows looking at hands (except specific to the stolen cards). This gives more context to the game, without giving away any secrets, and makes spectating more engaging. Just an idea...

**Gondorian** · 10-06-2014, 11:27 PM

Sleeves! Maybe there could be different colour default ones to make it fair.

I'm more concerned about how players tell which are stolen or not. They can't look at the back of the card in digital like they can in physical. Maybe stolen ones should be highlighted to them somehow.

**bobrossw** · 10-07-2014, 12:11 AM

Whether the opponent is still holding a card is apparent by sleeves (assuming they don't match) - if you want to know if your opponent is holding your card, it makes sense to have sleeves on your cards.

No I mean the specific card that was stolen should be apparent to the spectators. When I grab a Mind Control

from an opponent's hand, we both know that I'm holding a Mind Control

(and if he or I have differing sleeves, he'll see if I resource it, and he'll definitely notice if I play it). Spectators, on the other hand have no idea that the card that changed hands was a Mind Control

, and if I resource it, they will never know what sort of choice I made, although my opponent will (assuming I don't have multiple stolen cards).

Maybe just slowing it down and turning it up as if it were just played before sticking it in my hand would be helpful. I believe it's similarly difficult for the opponent to know what card I took when it's coming directly from his library with Cutlass, although based on the description on the card, they draw a card, then discard it, then I steal it - it should be obvious to everyone what card that is before it goes into my hand. This actually makes minor differences in terms of balance between the physical game and the digital one...

**XanteseZerylliom** · 10-07-2014, 02:51 AM

I think that's open for abuse, though.

**Lahiri** · 10-07-2014, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Gondorian

I'm more concerned about how players tell which are stolen or not. They can't look at the back of the card in digital like they can in physical. Maybe stolen ones should be highlighted to them somehow.

It would help. Sometimes you need to know if a card is your own or not: a Retreat

(or similar effects) on your stolen ally goes back to your hand so you need to know who's the owner.
If both player have the same sleeves and have some cards in common (if they use heroes with the same faction or class) it is impossible to know.
Even with different sleeves you can see if the card was yours only during summon animation which you can miss sometimes.

**chamthabo** · 10-07-2014, 04:36 PM

Just make a card facing up for a very short moment when it's flying, like when stolen by DR or Transference

.

**bobrossw** · 10-07-2014, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by chamthabo

Just make a card facing up for a very short moment when it's flying, like when stolen by DR or Transference

.

Yup, that's what I was going for...something like that. I suppose outlines, or maybe shading on the backs of the cards to keep clear which were stolen would also help.

**bobrossw** · 10-09-2014, 06:19 AM

After spectating a bit today, I noticed a few other odd things: Spectators don't get to see the cards from Meat wagon, and only get to see cards from Wulven Scout

when it is on the side the spectator's watching from. When the other player plays Wulven Scout

, the spectator can't see the cards. These are all sort of minor things, but it's already so hard to know what's going on in a game as a spectator, and to be missing info that both players know seems odd.