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'''Cards''' are the pieces that make up the game of ''[[Artifact]]''. There are five main types of cards: 
*[[Hero]] cards 
*[[Item]] cards 
*[[Spells|Spell]] cards 
*[[Creeps|Creep]] cards
*[[Improvement]] cards

There are 44 heroes and 280+ cards in the base game. The game also features uncollectible cards which can only be created from spells or items.

==Features==

All cards feature a color bar in the top side with their name printed on it. In addition, [[Mechanics#Mana|mana]] costs are featured in the top-left corner, on the color bar. Optionally, a [[global]] modifier represented by two arrows might be printed. This allows the cards to be played globally, on any [[Lanes|lane]].

The card type icon is printed in the top-left corner, under the color bar. This allows players to quickly recognize the category of the card.

The remaining space of the card is equally divided into two parts: the artwork and the description. The description contains the effect or behavior the card will have on the battlefield.

Item cards also feature a gold cost in their bottom right corner, in the description tab. Item cards don´t have a [[Mechanics#Mana|mana]] cost.

Additionally, hero and creep cards feature [[Mechanics#Stats|health]], [[Mechanics#Stats|armor]] and [[Mechanics#Stats|attack]] stats on the bottom part of the description tab.

In the bottom part of the artwork on most of the hero cards you find (at least) one ability. 
Also some creep cards have abilities.

== Signature cards ==
Signature cards are special cards that are bound to a specific hero. When a given hero is added to a deck, three copies of that hero's Signature Card are automatically added.  These cards cannot be obtained otherwise. 

==Color==

There are four colors in ''Artifact'' that categorize cards, depending on their playstyle. In addition, spells can only be played in lanes where a hero of the same color is present.

===[[:Category:Red|Red color]]===

{{Red}} cards cater to an aggressive playstyle, featuring cards with high health and armor to assert lane dominance. However, the spells are often weaker, in order to balance out the stronger heroes and creeps.

===[[:Category:Black|Black color]]===

{{Black}} cards cater to an assassin playstyle, featuring cards with high damage or powerful effects such as [[Condemn]]. Spells focus on mobility and generation of gold to snowball the enemy.

===[[:Category:Blue|Blue color]]===

{{Blue}} cards cater to a control playstyle, featuring abilities that allow for the mitigation of attacks. Spells focus on controlling the board with methods such as AOE, board clear, stuns, disarms etc.

===[[:Category:Green|Green color]]===

{{Green}} cards cater to a support playstyle, featuring cards with summons or buffs to overpower the enemy. Spells focus on keeping the board alive or buffing it, with heals or buffs.


== Rarities ==

Cards come in 4 rarity levels: 
* Basic Cards
** Included in the Basic Set or otherwise necessary for the game to function (e.g. {{I|Town Portal Scroll}} and {{C|Radiant Melee Creep}}).
* Common Cards
* Uncommon Cards
* Rare Cards
** 1 Card of a Card Pack is guaranteed to be rare.

== Qualities ==
Valve has stated before that some cards might come in special versions, such as a Cards with signatures of Pro players on them.  This has not yet been introduced into the client as of January 2019.
Other ''possible'' qualities can include:  
* Stat Tracking cards
* Cards gained from watching pro players (With/Without Signatures)  
* Special rare cards (Animated Artworks, golden cards)
* Self-Made cards (given to workshop creators)
and others.

[[Category:Cards]]