Index -> Playing the Game -> Exert and Ready

Exert

Except for quests, your cards on the playmat can be either "ready" (available for your use), or "exerted" (they have been used, or are otherwise unavailable to you).

When a card is exerted, its image becomes shaded. A symbol shows you why that card was exerted (attack, defense, damage bonus). Otherwise, the card is ready.

Many actions you can take in the game require you to exert a ready card. You can only exert a card that is ready.

Ready

When you ready a card, that card is no longer exerted. You can only ready an exerted card. During each of your Ready Phases, every exerted card that you control is automatically readied.