Card Game Terminology Every Player Should Know
Whether you are new to card games or a veteran, knowing the terminology makes strategy discussions, guides, and community conversations much easier. Here is a glossary of terms used in Pawsome Elements and card games in general.
General Card Game Terms
Hand — The cards you are currently holding. Only you can see your hand.
Deck / Pile — The shared pool of cards that players draw from during the game.
Discard Pile — Cards that have been played or discarded. In Pawsome Elements, Trash Can Diving draws from the discard pile.
Draw — Taking a card from the deck into your hand. You draw when you cannot play a card on your turn.
Match — Playing a card that satisfies the game's rules. In Pawsome Elements, you match by Element or Value on your turn.
Wildcard — A card that can be played regardless of matching rules. In Pawsome Elements, the Multidog and Ball of Fortune are wildcards.
Turn — Your opportunity to play a card, use a spell, or draw. Each turn has a time limit in Pawsome Elements.
Pawsome Elements-Specific Terms
Element — One of the three magical types that define cards: Nature, Filth, or Arcane. Plus the special Multimatter type for wildcards.
Value / Power — The number on a basic card (1-9). Used for matching alongside Element.
Spell — A special ability equipped before a match and activated during play instead of playing a card. Has a 3-turn cooldown after use.
Cooldown — The number of turns you must wait before using your spell again. Default is 3 turns. Treat Hiding reduces it by 1.
Out-of-Turn Play — Playing a card during another player's turn. Requires an exact match (same Element AND Value) with the top card on the pile.
Exact Match — A card that shares both the Element and Value of the current top card. Required for out-of-turn play.
Special Card — A card with a unique effect when played: Hydrant, Shaking, Trash Can Diving, Treat Hiding, Ball of Fortune.
Multidog — The ultimate wildcard. Belongs to the Multimatter Element. Plays on anything, and anything plays on it.
Ball of Fortune — A wildcard that offers a choice between 2 of 5 random effects when played.
Essence — The in-game progression currency earned from matches.
Atlas — The progression hub where you unlock spells and cosmetic rewards.
Ranked / Rating — The competitive mode with skill-based matchmaking and a global leaderboard. Uses the hard point system.
Hard Point System — The ranking system where 1st-3rd place earn points and 4th loses points. Rewards consistency.
Strategy Terms
Hand Management — Choosing which cards to play and which to hold for later. Holding the right card for the right moment is key.
Disruption — Playing cards that negatively affect opponents. Hydrant, Shaking, and Trash Can Diving are disruption cards.
Tempo — Controlling the flow and pace of the match. A player with tempo is dictating what others must react to.
Tilt — Making emotional, suboptimal decisions after a frustrating event. Staying calm under pressure is essential.
Meta — The dominant strategies and patterns used by the player community at any given time. Adapting to the meta improves your ranking.
Card Economy — Tracking how many cards remain in the deck and in opponents' hands to make better decisions.
Using These Terms
Understanding these terms helps you:
- Read strategy guides more effectively
- Communicate in the community with precision
- Analyze your own play by naming what you are doing and why
- Learn faster by connecting concepts to vocabulary
Bookmark this page and return whenever you encounter an unfamiliar term. As Pawsome Elements grows, this glossary will expand to cover new mechanics and strategies.
For gameplay explanations, visit the Gameplay page. For strategy, check the Strategy Guide.