diff --git a/assets/images/dungeonboss-bosses.png b/assets/images/dungeonboss-bosses.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6969874
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diff --git a/assets/images/dungeonboss-bosses.psd b/assets/images/dungeonboss-bosses.psd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9910ecf
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diff --git a/assets/images/dungeonboss-heroes.png b/assets/images/dungeonboss-heroes.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..56ecf37
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diff --git a/assets/images/dungeonboss-heroes.psd b/assets/images/dungeonboss-heroes.psd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d9eef4
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/images/dungeonboss-heroes.psd differ
diff --git a/assets/images/dungeonboss-rooms.png b/assets/images/dungeonboss-rooms.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..031ca60
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/images/dungeonboss-rooms.png differ
diff --git a/assets/images/dungeonboss-rooms.psd b/assets/images/dungeonboss-rooms.psd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc91e91
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/images/dungeonboss-rooms.psd differ
diff --git a/assets/images/dungeonboss-spells.png b/assets/images/dungeonboss-spells.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf791ea
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/images/dungeonboss-spells.png differ
diff --git a/assets/images/dungeonboss-spells.psd b/assets/images/dungeonboss-spells.psd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..939b3dc
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/images/dungeonboss-spells.psd differ
diff --git a/data/dungeonboss-artwork.json b/data/dungeonboss-artwork.json
index fb90a8d..eaeadb3 100644
--- a/data/dungeonboss-artwork.json
+++ b/data/dungeonboss-artwork.json
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@
     "Sheets: rooms are landscape windows; heroes/spells portrait; bosses larger",
     "portrait. Ids not present in a map (or maps left empty) stay procedural."
   ],
-  "roomSheet":  { "key": "dungeonboss-rooms",  "path": "", "frameWidth": 300, "frameHeight": 200 },
-  "heroSheet":  { "key": "dungeonboss-heroes", "path": "", "frameWidth": 220, "frameHeight": 300 },
-  "spellSheet": { "key": "dungeonboss-spells", "path": "", "frameWidth": 220, "frameHeight": 300 },
-  "bossSheet":  { "key": "dungeonboss-bosses", "path": "", "frameWidth": 260, "frameHeight": 360 },
+  "roomSheet":  { "key": "dungeonboss-rooms",  "path": "assets/images/dungeonboss-rooms.png", "frameWidth": 300, "frameHeight": 200 },
+  "heroSheet":  { "key": "dungeonboss-heroes", "path": "assets/images/dungeonboss-heroes.png", "frameWidth": 300, "frameHeight": 225 },
+  "spellSheet": { "key": "dungeonboss-spells", "path": "assets/images/dungeonboss-spells.png", "frameWidth": 300, "frameHeight": 160 },
+  "bossSheet":  { "key": "dungeonboss-bosses", "path": "assets/images/dungeonboss-bosses.png", "frameWidth": 300, "frameHeight": 275 },
 
   "rooms": {
     "darkaltar": 0, "opengrave": 1, "specterssanctum": 2, "succubusspa": 3,
diff --git a/src/games/dungeonboss/DungeonBossGame.js b/src/games/dungeonboss/DungeonBossGame.js
index 8e6e36f..bbece67 100644
--- a/src/games/dungeonboss/DungeonBossGame.js
+++ b/src/games/dungeonboss/DungeonBossGame.js
@@ -33,13 +33,16 @@ const C = {
   bossEdge: 0x8c1f28,
   heroWindow: 0x274060, artWindow: 0x1b2436,
   soul: 0xf5d76e, wound: 0xc0392b, frozen: 0x9fd8f0,
-  // Card face background — slightly off-white; the name plates, art windows,
-  // and rules boxes stay dark/parchment (own contrast), so only the few bits
-  // of text drawn directly on the bare face need darker ink variants below.
-  cardBg: 0xf3eee0,
   goldDarkHex: '#8a6a14', spellPhaseDarkHex: '#5b3f96', xpDarkHex: '#57506a',
 };
-const DEPTH = { board: 10, town: 20, hand: 40, fx: 60, ui: 80, overlay: 90 };
+// Card face background — same parchment tone as the rules-text box; the name
+// plates and art windows stay dark (own contrast), so only the few bits of
+// text drawn directly on the bare face need the darker ink variants above.
+C.cardBg = C.parchment;
+const DEPTH = { board: 10, town: 20, hand: 40, fx: 60, ui: 80, overlay: 90, hover: 100 };
+// Canonical card shapes (w/h) — every rendered instance of a card type keeps
+// this aspect ratio, whatever box a call site hands it (see fitCardBox).
+const CARD_ASPECT = { room: 280 / 390, spell: 260 / 360, hero: 280 / 390, boss: 300 / 430 };
 
 export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
   constructor() { super('DungeonBossGame'); }
@@ -59,6 +62,8 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this._handSprites = new Map();  // uid → container
     this._soulsPos = new Map();     // seat → {x,y}
     this._recorded = false;
+    this.hoverTimer = null;
+    this.hoverVisible = false;
   }
 
   create() {
@@ -84,6 +89,11 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.handLayer = this.add.container(0, 0).setDepth(DEPTH.hand);
     this.fxLayer = this.add.container(0, 0).setDepth(DEPTH.fx);
     this.uiLayer = this.add.container(0, 0).setDepth(DEPTH.ui);
+    this.buildHoverPopup();
+    this.input.on('pointermove', (p) => {
+      this.lastPointer = { x: p.x, y: p.y };
+      if (this.hoverVisible) this.positionHover(p.x, p.y);
+    });
 
     this.buildStaticUi();
     this.gs = newGame(this.nPlayers, (Math.random() * 1e9) | 0);
@@ -107,23 +117,36 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
 
     // portraits (static; boards re-render around them)
     const panels = this.oppPanelCenters();
-    this.opponents.forEach((opp, i) => {
-      createOpponentPortrait(this, opp, panels[i].x - 245, panels[i].y - 8, 36, DEPTH.ui);
-    });
+    this._oppPortraits = this.opponents.map((opp, i) =>
+      createOpponentPortrait(this, opp, panels[i].x - 245, panels[i].y - 8, 36, DEPTH.ui));
     createPlayerPortrait(this, 80, 700, 40, DEPTH.ui, 'DungeonBossGame');
   }
 
   oppPanelCenters() {
     const y = 138;
+    // panels are 560 wide; the 3-up layout previously spaced centers exactly
+    // 560 apart, leaving zero gap edge-to-edge — add a little breathing room.
     const xs = this.opponents.length === 1 ? [960]
-      : this.opponents.length === 2 ? [630, 1290] : [400, 960, 1520];
+      : this.opponents.length === 2 ? [630, 1290] : [376, 960, 1544];
     return xs.map((x) => ({ x, y }));
   }
 
+  // Keep a card render's width (the dimension every layout — hand row, dungeon
+  // slots, draft grid — actually spaces cards by) and derive height from the
+  // canonical aspect ratio, so every card of a type is truly the same shape
+  // instead of whatever height a call site guessed. Every card in this game is
+  // portrait, so the aspect is also clamped to guarantee height > width even
+  // if a caller (or a future CARD_ASPECT entry) passes a landscape ratio.
+  fitCardBox(boxW, boxH, aspect) {
+    const a = Math.min(aspect, 1 / aspect);
+    return { w: boxW, h: boxW / a };
+  }
+
   // ── art lookup ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   artFor(kind, id) {
     const sheet = this.art[`${kind}Sheet`];
-    const frame = this.art[kind === 'boss' ? 'bosses' : `${kind}s`]?.[id];
+    const plural = kind === 'boss' ? 'bosses' : kind === 'hero' ? 'heroes' : `${kind}s`;
+    const frame = this.art[plural]?.[id];
     if (sheet && sheet.key && frame != null && this.textures.exists(sheet.key)) {
       return { key: sheet.key, frame };
     }
@@ -171,6 +194,8 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
 
   // ── card renderers (Boss-Monster-style procedural frames) ──────────────────
   makeRoomCard(x, y, inst, w, h, opts = {}) {
+    ({ w, h } = this.fitCardBox(w, h, CARD_ASPECT.room));
+    const fb = opts.isHoverPreview ? 1.6 : 1; // bump fixed-size text in the hover-zoom popup
     const def = roomDef(inst);
     const cont = this.add.container(x, y);
     const trap = def.type === 'trap';
@@ -230,19 +255,34 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
 
     if (opts.showText && def.text) {
       const boxTop = -h / 2 + plateH + 12 + artH;
+      // Leave room below the box for the damage badge / treasure icons row
+      // (the badge is the taller of the two), so the text never covers them.
+      const bottomReserve = br * 2 + 12;
+      const boxH = h / 2 - boxTop - bottomReserve;
       const tg = this.add.graphics();
-      tg.fillStyle(C.parchment, 1); tg.fillRoundedRect(-w / 2 + 7, boxTop, w - 14, h / 2 - boxTop - 26, 3);
+      tg.fillStyle(C.parchment, 1); tg.fillRoundedRect(-w / 2 + 7, boxTop, w - 14, boxH, 3);
       cont.add(tg);
-      cont.add(this.add.text(0, boxTop + (h / 2 - boxTop - 26) / 2, def.text, {
-        fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: '12px', color: C.ink, align: 'center',
+      cont.add(this.add.text(0, boxTop + boxH / 2, def.text, {
+        fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: `${Math.round(12 * fb)}px`, color: C.ink, align: 'center',
         wordWrap: { width: w - 22 },
       }).setOrigin(0.5));
     }
+    if (!opts.isHoverPreview) {
+      opts._hoverBuild = (parent) => {
+        // Wide enough that the art window (300x200 native) renders at ~1:1
+        // instead of being downscaled — the rules text also gets more room
+        // to clear the damage badge / treasure icons row without overlapping.
+        this.makeRoomCard(0, 0, inst, 344, 480, { showText: true, isHoverPreview: true, parent });
+        return { w: 344, h: 344 / CARD_ASPECT.room };
+      };
+    }
     this.finishCard(cont, w, h, opts);
     return cont;
   }
 
   makeSpellCard(x, y, inst, w, h, opts = {}) {
+    ({ w, h } = this.fitCardBox(w, h, CARD_ASPECT.spell));
+    const fb = opts.isHoverPreview ? 1.6 : 1; // bump fixed-size text in the hover-zoom popup
     const def = spellDef(inst);
     const cont = this.add.container(x, y);
     const g = this.add.graphics();
@@ -268,21 +308,30 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     }).setOrigin(0.5).setScale(Math.min(1, (w - 14) / Math.max(1, def.name.length * (w / 14)))));
     const phase = def.phase === 'both' ? 'BUILD · ADV' : def.phase.toUpperCase();
     cont.add(this.add.text(0, -h / 2 + plateH + artH + 16, phase, {
-      fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: '10px', color: C.spellPhaseDarkHex,
+      fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: `${Math.round(10 * fb)}px`, color: C.spellPhaseDarkHex,
     }).setOrigin(0.5));
     const boxTop = -h / 2 + plateH + artH + 26;
     const tg = this.add.graphics();
     tg.fillStyle(C.parchment, 1); tg.fillRoundedRect(-w / 2 + 7, boxTop, w - 14, h / 2 - boxTop - 8, 3);
     cont.add(tg);
     cont.add(this.add.text(0, boxTop + (h / 2 - boxTop - 8) / 2, def.text, {
-      fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: '11px', color: C.ink, align: 'center',
+      fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: `${Math.round(11 * fb)}px`, color: C.ink, align: 'center',
       wordWrap: { width: w - 20 },
     }).setOrigin(0.5));
+    if (!opts.isHoverPreview) {
+      opts._hoverBuild = (parent) => {
+        // Wide enough that the art window (300x160 native) renders at ~1:1.
+        this.makeSpellCard(0, 0, inst, 322, 446, { isHoverPreview: true, parent });
+        return { w: 322, h: 322 / CARD_ASPECT.spell };
+      };
+    }
     this.finishCard(cont, w, h, opts);
     return cont;
   }
 
   makeHeroCard(x, y, hero, w, h, opts = {}) {
+    ({ w, h } = this.fitCardBox(w, h, CARD_ASPECT.hero));
+    const fb = opts.isHoverPreview ? 1.6 : 1; // bump fixed-size text in the hover-zoom popup
     const def = heroDef(hero);
     const info = CLASS_INFO[def.cls] || { color: 0x888888, label: 'Wanderer' };
     const cont = this.add.container(x, y);
@@ -297,6 +346,7 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     g.fillStyle(info.color, 1); g.fillRoundedRect(-w / 2 + 6, -h / 2 + artH + 10, w - 12, 16, 3);
     cont.add(g);
     const art = this.artFor('hero', hero.id);
+    console.log('this is what art looks like',art);
     if (art) {
       const img = this.add.image(0, -h / 2 + 6 + artH / 2, art.key, art.frame);
       img.setScale(Math.min((w - 12) / Math.max(img.width, 1), artH / Math.max(img.height, 1)));
@@ -306,13 +356,13 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       cont.add(this.add.text(0, -h / 2 + 6 + artH / 2, glyph, { fontSize: `${Math.round(artH * 0.42)}px` }).setOrigin(0.5).setAlpha(0.85));
     }
     if (def.epic) {
-      cont.add(this.add.text(0, -h / 2 + 14, '★ EPIC', { fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: '11px', color: C.goldHex }).setOrigin(0.5));
+      cont.add(this.add.text(0, -h / 2 + 14, '★ EPIC', { fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: `${Math.round(11 * fb)}px`, color: C.goldHex }).setOrigin(0.5));
     }
     cont.add(this.add.text(0, -h / 2 + artH + 18, (def.fool ? 'THE FOOL' : info.label.toUpperCase()), {
-      fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: '11px', color: '#f2ead8',
+      fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: `${Math.round(11 * fb)}px`, color: '#f2ead8',
     }).setOrigin(0.5));
     cont.add(this.add.text(0, -h / 2 + artH + 38, def.name, {
-      fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: '11px', color: C.ink, align: 'center',
+      fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: `${Math.round(11 * fb)}px`, color: C.ink, align: 'center',
       wordWrap: { width: w - 12 },
     }).setOrigin(0.5));
     // hp heart + soul value
@@ -333,11 +383,20 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     cont.add(this.add.text(w / 2 - 18, hy + 2, `${souls}`, {
       fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: '12px', color: '#2a2118',
     }).setOrigin(0.5));
+    if (!opts.isHoverPreview) {
+      opts._hoverBuild = (parent) => {
+        // Wide enough that the art window (300x225 native) renders at ~1:1.
+        this.makeHeroCard(0, 0, hero, 314, 437, { isHoverPreview: true, parent });
+        return { w: 314, h: 314 / CARD_ASPECT.hero };
+      };
+    }
     this.finishCard(cont, w, h, opts);
     return cont;
   }
 
   makeBossCard(x, y, bossId, w, h, opts = {}) {
+    ({ w, h } = this.fitCardBox(w, h, CARD_ASPECT.boss));
+    const fb = opts.isHoverPreview ? 1.6 : 1; // bump fixed-size text in the hover-zoom popup
     const def = BOSSES[bossId];
     const cont = this.add.container(x, y);
     const g = this.add.graphics();
@@ -360,7 +419,7 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     }).setOrigin(0.5).setScale(Math.min(1, (w - 12) / Math.max(1, def.name.length * (w / 16)))));
     const iy = -h / 2 + 30 + artH + 14;
     cont.add(this.add.text(-w / 2 + 10, iy, `${def.xp} XP`, {
-      fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: '13px', color: C.xpDarkHex,
+      fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: `${Math.round(13 * fb)}px`, color: C.xpDarkHex,
     }).setOrigin(0, 0.5));
     this.drawTreasureIcon(cont, w / 2 - 18, iy, def.treasure, 9);
     if (opts.showText) {
@@ -369,10 +428,18 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       tg.fillStyle(C.parchment, 1); tg.fillRoundedRect(-w / 2 + 7, boxTop, w - 14, h / 2 - boxTop - 8, 3);
       cont.add(tg);
       cont.add(this.add.text(0, boxTop + (h / 2 - boxTop - 8) / 2, def.text, {
-        fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: '11px', color: C.ink, align: 'center',
+        fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: `${Math.round(11 * fb)}px`, color: C.ink, align: 'center',
         wordWrap: { width: w - 20 },
       }).setOrigin(0.5));
     }
+    if (!opts.isHoverPreview) {
+      opts._hoverBuild = (parent) => {
+        // Wide enough that the art window (300x275 native, per sprites.md)
+        // renders at ~1:1 once dungeonboss-bosses.png is dropped in.
+        this.makeBossCard(0, 0, bossId, 440, 631, { showText: true, isHoverPreview: true, parent });
+        return { w: 440, h: 440 / CARD_ASPECT.boss };
+      };
+    }
     this.finishCard(cont, w, h, opts);
     return cont;
   }
@@ -402,23 +469,79 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       cont.add(hl);
       this.tweens.add({ targets: hl, alpha: 0.35, duration: 480, yoyo: true, repeat: -1 });
     }
-    if (opts.onClick) {
+    const wantHoverPreview = opts._hoverBuild && !opts.noHoverPreview;
+    if (opts.onClick || wantHoverPreview) {
       cont.setSize(w, h);
-      cont.setInteractive({ useHandCursor: true });
-      if (opts.hover !== false) {
-        const baseY = cont.y;
-        cont.on('pointerover', () => { if (!this.busy) this.tweens.add({ targets: cont, y: baseY - 14, duration: 100 }); });
-        cont.on('pointerout', () => this.tweens.add({ targets: cont, y: baseY, duration: 100 }));
+      cont.setInteractive({ useHandCursor: !!opts.onClick });
+      if (opts.onClick) {
+        if (opts.hover !== false) {
+          const baseY = cont.y;
+          cont.on('pointerover', () => { if (!this.busy) this.tweens.add({ targets: cont, y: baseY - 14, duration: 100 }); });
+          cont.on('pointerout', () => this.tweens.add({ targets: cont, y: baseY, duration: 100 }));
+        }
+        cont.on('pointerdown', () => { if (!this.busy) opts.onClick(); });
       }
-      cont.on('pointerdown', () => { if (!this.busy) opts.onClick(); });
+      if (wantHoverPreview) this.attachHover(cont, opts._hoverBuild);
     }
     (opts.parent || this.boardLayer).add(cont);
   }
 
+  // ── Hover-to-zoom card preview ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+  buildHoverPopup() {
+    this.hoverPopup = this.add.container(-9999, -9999).setDepth(DEPTH.hover).setVisible(false);
+  }
+
+  attachHover(hitObj, buildFn) {
+    hitObj.on('pointerover', () => {
+      if (this.hoverTimer) this.hoverTimer.remove();
+      this.hoverTimer = this.time.delayedCall(500, () => this.showHover(buildFn));
+    });
+    hitObj.on('pointerout', () => {
+      if (this.hoverTimer) { this.hoverTimer.remove(); this.hoverTimer = null; }
+      this.hideHover();
+    });
+  }
+
+  showHover(buildFn) {
+    this.hoverPopup.removeAll(true);
+    const { w, h } = buildFn(this.hoverPopup);
+    const shadow = this.add.graphics();
+    shadow.fillStyle(0x000000, 0.45);
+    shadow.fillRoundedRect(-w / 2 - 8, -h / 2 - 8, w + 16, h + 16, 14);
+    this.hoverPopup.addAt(shadow, 0);
+    this.hoverPopup.setData('w', w);
+    this.hoverPopup.setData('h', h);
+    this.hoverVisible = true;
+    this.hoverPopup.setVisible(true);
+    // Opponent portraits use a real DOM <video>, which always renders above
+    // canvas content no matter its Phaser depth — hide/pause them so they
+    // can't sit on top of the popup.
+    this._oppPortraits?.forEach((p) => p.setVideoVisible(false));
+    const p = this.lastPointer ?? { x: GAME_WIDTH / 2, y: GAME_HEIGHT / 2 };
+    this.positionHover(p.x, p.y);
+  }
+
+  positionHover(px, py) {
+    const w = this.hoverPopup.getData('w') ?? 300;
+    const h = this.hoverPopup.getData('h') ?? 430;
+    const x = Phaser.Math.Clamp(px + w / 2 + 24, w / 2 + 8, GAME_WIDTH - w / 2 - 8);
+    const y = Phaser.Math.Clamp(py, h / 2 + 8, GAME_HEIGHT - h / 2 - 8);
+    this.hoverPopup.setPosition(x, y);
+  }
+
+  hideHover() {
+    this.hoverVisible = false;
+    this.hoverPopup.setVisible(false).setPosition(-9999, -9999);
+    this._oppPortraits?.forEach((p) => p.setVideoVisible(true));
+  }
+
   // ── layout helpers ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   humanSlotRect(idx) {
     // Boss at the right; slot 0 sits beside it, entrance grows leftward.
-    return { x: 1500 - idx * 212, y: 700, w: 196, h: 136 };
+    // Height is derived from the room card's own portrait aspect so badges/
+    // labels positioned off this rect (below) line up with the actual card.
+    const w = 196;
+    return { x: 1500 - idx * 212, y: 700, w, h: w / CARD_ASPECT.room };
   }
   townPos(i, n) {
     const pitch = Math.min(124, 1100 / Math.max(1, n));
@@ -427,6 +550,8 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
 
   // ── full re-render ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   renderAll() {
+    if (this.hoverTimer) { this.hoverTimer.remove(); this.hoverTimer = null; }
+    this.hideHover();
     this.boardLayer.removeAll(true);
     this.townLayer.removeAll(true);
     this.handLayer.removeAll(true);
@@ -458,12 +583,12 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       const { x, y } = centers[i];
       const pw = 560, ph = 224;
       const g = this.add.graphics();
-      g.fillStyle(0x1a1422, p.alive ? 0.92 : 0.5);
+      g.fillStyle(0xe4ded2, p.alive ? 0.92 : 0.5);
       g.fillRoundedRect(x - pw / 2, y - ph / 2, pw, ph, 10);
-      g.lineStyle(2, p.alive ? 0x3a2f4d : 0x2a2233, 1);
+      g.lineStyle(2, p.alive ? 0xb8b0a0 : 0xcac4b8, 1);
       g.strokeRoundedRect(x - pw / 2, y - ph / 2, pw, ph, 10);
       this.boardLayer.add(g);
-      const nameCol = p.alive ? '#f2ead8' : '#6f6678';
+      const nameCol = p.alive ? '#2c2620' : '#8f887a';
       this.boardLayer.add(this.add.text(x - 195, y - 62, this.opponents[i].name || `Boss ${seat}`, {
         fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: '18px', color: nameCol,
       }).setOrigin(0.5));
@@ -473,8 +598,10 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
         }).setOrigin(0.5).setAngle(-8));
         continue;
       }
-      // boss mini-card at panel right
-      this.makeBossCard(x + 228, y - 20, p.boss.id, 88, 124, {
+      // boss mini-card at panel right (a hair bigger than the reference 88x124
+      // so the treasure-icon badge — sized off fixed pixel offsets, not h —
+      // stays inside the card's bottom edge at this small scale)
+      this.makeBossCard(x + 222, y - 20, p.boss.id, 102, 146, {
         parent: this.boardLayer, hover: false,
         onClick: () => this.showInspect('boss', p.boss.id),
       });
@@ -485,18 +612,20 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       this.boardLayer.add(sg);
       this._soulsPos.set(seat, { x: x - 245, y: sy });
       this.boardLayer.add(this.add.text(x - 228, sy, `${p.souls}/${SOULS_TO_WIN}`, {
-        fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: '17px', color: C.goldHex,
+        fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: '17px', color: '#7a5a10',
       }).setOrigin(0, 0.5));
       for (let wI = 0; wI < WOUNDS_TO_DIE; wI++) {
         this.boardLayer.add(this.add.text(x - 250 + wI * 22, sy + 30, '☠', {
-          fontSize: '17px', color: wI < p.wounds ? '#c0392b' : '#3a3242',
+          fontSize: '17px', color: wI < p.wounds ? '#c0392b' : '#b8b0a0',
         }).setOrigin(0.5));
       }
       this.boardLayer.add(this.add.text(x - 245, sy + 56, `✋ ${p.hand.rooms.length + p.hand.spells.length}`, {
-        fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: '15px', color: '#9e9080',
+        fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: '15px', color: '#6b6459',
       }).setOrigin(0, 0.5));
       // mini dungeon: boss-adjacent on the right, entrance leftward
-      const mw = 82, mh = 58, pitch = 88;
+      // (mh derived from the room card's portrait aspect so it stays inside
+      // the opponent panel and badge positions below stay correctly anchored)
+      const mw = 68, mh = mw / CARD_ASPECT.room, pitch = 88;
       for (let idx = 0; idx < p.dungeon.length; idx++) {
         const sx = x + 128 - idx * pitch;
         const slot = p.dungeon[idx];
@@ -672,7 +801,7 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     const spells = p.hand.spells;
     const total = rooms.length + spells.length;
     if (!total) return;
-    const roomW = 148, roomH = 102, spellW = 104, spellH = 146;
+    const roomW = 125, roomH = 102, spellW = 104, spellH = 146;
     const pitch = Math.min(160, 1500 / Math.max(1, total));
     const width = (total - 1) * pitch;
     let x = GAME_WIDTH / 2 - width / 2;
@@ -1026,7 +1155,9 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
   showPickModal(cands, onPick) {
     const root = this.modalRoot();
     const cols = Math.min(6, Math.max(3, Math.ceil(Math.sqrt(cands.length))));
-    const cw = 150, ch = 168;
+    // ch sets the row pitch; it must clear the tallest candidate card, which is
+    // a room at full cw width (portrait aspect makes it ~209 tall).
+    const cw = 150, ch = 220;
     const rows = Math.ceil(cands.length / cols);
     const x0 = GAME_WIDTH / 2 - ((cols - 1) * (cw + 14)) / 2;
     const y0 = GAME_HEIGHT / 2 - ((rows - 1) * (ch + 16)) / 2;
@@ -1125,9 +1256,9 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     const root = this.modalRoot();
     const cx = GAME_WIDTH / 2, cy = GAME_HEIGHT / 2;
     const inst = { uid: -1, id, hp: kind === 'hero' ? HEROES[id]?.hp : 0, hpMax: 0 };
-    if (kind === 'room') this.makeRoomCard(cx, cy, inst, 380, 300, { parent: root, showText: true, hover: false });
-    else if (kind === 'hero') this.makeHeroCard(cx, cy, inst, 280, 390, { parent: root, hover: false });
-    else if (kind === 'boss') this.makeBossCard(cx, cy, id, 300, 430, { parent: root, showText: true, hover: false });
+    if (kind === 'room') this.makeRoomCard(cx, cy, inst, 340, 430, { parent: root, showText: true, hover: false, noHoverPreview: true });
+    else if (kind === 'hero') this.makeHeroCard(cx, cy, inst, 280, 390, { parent: root, hover: false, noHoverPreview: true });
+    else if (kind === 'boss') this.makeBossCard(cx, cy, id, 300, 430, { parent: root, showText: true, hover: false, noHoverPreview: true });
     const zone = this.add.zone(cx, cy, GAME_WIDTH, GAME_HEIGHT).setInteractive();
     zone.on('pointerdown', () => this.closeModal());
     root.add(zone);
@@ -1258,7 +1389,7 @@ export default class DungeonBossGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       case 'spellCast': {
         this.sfx(SFX.CARD_SHOW);
         const cx = GAME_WIDTH / 2, cy = 560;
-        const card = this.makeSpellCard(cx, cy, { uid: -1, id: e.id }, 168, 236, { parent: this.fxLayer, hover: false });
+        const card = this.makeSpellCard(cx, cy, { uid: -1, id: e.id }, 168, 236, { parent: this.fxLayer, hover: false, noHoverPreview: true });
         card.setScale(0.4).setAlpha(0);
         this.tweens.add({ targets: card, scale: 1, alpha: 1, duration: 180, ease: 'Back.easeOut' });
         this.fxLayer.add(this.add.text(cx, cy - 150, `${this.seatName(e.seat)} casts`, {
diff --git a/src/games/dungeonboss/sprites.md b/src/games/dungeonboss/sprites.md
index 9b9c11f..67f9171 100644
--- a/src/games/dungeonboss/sprites.md
+++ b/src/games/dungeonboss/sprites.md
@@ -30,13 +30,21 @@ the window.
 | **Path** | `public/assets/images/dungeonboss-rooms.png` |
 | **Frame size** | **300 × 200 px** (aspect 1.5 : 1, landscape — matches the room art window) |
 | **Sheet size** | **6 columns × 6 rows = 1800 × 1200 px** holds all 31 frames (5 spare) |
-| **Status** | ⛔ Procedural until you create it (then set `roomSheet.path` in the JSON) |
+| **Status** | ✅ Art already dropped in and wired (`roomSheet.path` is set) |
 | **JSON** | `roomSheet` (set `path`) + `rooms` map (already filled in for all 31 ids) |
 
-Rooms tile into each player's dungeon wing (shown small, ~90×60 to ~168×112 on
-the board) and larger in the reward-row/inspect views (up to ~380×260). Two
-room **types** exist — `monster` (a creature guards the room) and `trap` (an
-environmental hazard) — lean into that flavor per room below.
+Rooms tile into each player's dungeon wing (shown small, ~90×60 to ~196×136 on
+the board) and larger in the reward-row/inspect views (up to ~340×473 — the
+overall room *card* is portrait, but the art window itself sits in a wide band
+below the name plate). The window's real aspect varies a bit by context:
+**~1.15 : 1** on the board/hand (no rules text, the common case) up to
+**~1.64 : 1** in the inspect/hover zoom (rules text shown, window shrinks a
+bit). 300×200 (1.5 : 1) is a working middle ground between those, which is
+why it's kept as-is here — if you want a closer match to the board view
+specifically, redraw closer to 1.15 : 1, but the existing sheet is not wrong,
+just a compromise. Two room **types** exist — `monster` (a creature guards
+the room) and `trap` (an environmental hazard) — lean into that flavor per
+room below.
 
 ### Frame map
 
@@ -85,14 +93,18 @@ environmental hazard) — lean into that flavor per room below.
 | | |
 |---|---|
 | **Path** | `public/assets/images/dungeonboss-spells.png` |
-| **Frame size** | **220 × 300 px** (aspect ≈ 0.733 : 1, portrait — matches the spell art window) |
-| **Sheet size** | **4 columns × 4 rows = 880 × 1200 px** holds all 16 frames exactly |
-| **Status** | ⛔ Procedural until you create it (then set `spellSheet.path` in the JSON) |
+| **Frame size** | **300 × 160 px** (aspect ≈ 1.9 : 1, landscape — matches the spell art window) |
+| **Sheet size** | **4 columns × 4 rows = 1200 × 640 px** holds all 16 frames exactly |
+| **Status** | ✅ Art already dropped in and wired (`spellSheet.path` is set) |
 | **JSON** | `spellSheet` (set `path`) + `spells` map (already filled in for all 16 ids) |
 
-Spells are shown in-hand at small size and up to ~280×236 in the play/reveal
-zoom. These are one-shot magical effects — go for a punchy central icon/scene
-(a rune, a burst of energy, a monster silhouette) rather than a busy tableau.
+Spells are shown in-hand at small size and up to ~260×360 in the hover-zoom
+popup. **The overall spell card is portrait, but the art window itself is a
+wide, short band** below the name plate (the lower half of the card is a
+parchment rules-text box) — so the window is actually landscape, not
+portrait, regardless of card size. These are one-shot magical effects — go
+for a punchy central icon/scene (a rune, a burst of energy, a monster
+silhouette) that reads well in a wide strip rather than a busy tableau.
 
 ### Frame map
 
@@ -122,16 +134,19 @@ zoom. These are one-shot magical effects — go for a punchy central icon/scene
 | | |
 |---|---|
 | **Path** | `public/assets/images/dungeonboss-heroes.png` |
-| **Frame size** | **220 × 300 px** (aspect ≈ 0.733 : 1, portrait — matches the hero art window) |
-| **Sheet size** | **7 columns × 6 rows = 1540 × 1800 px** holds all 41 frames (1 spare) |
-| **Status** | ⛔ Procedural until you create it (then set `heroSheet.path` in the JSON) |
+| **Frame size** | **300 × 225 px** (aspect ≈ 1.33 : 1, landscape — matches the hero art window) |
+| **Sheet size** | **7 columns × 6 rows = 2100 × 1350 px** holds all 41 frames (1 spare) |
+| **Status** | ✅ Art already dropped in and wired (`heroSheet.path` is set) |
 | **JSON** | `heroSheet` (set `path`) + `heroes` map (already filled in for all 41 ids) |
 
 Heroes are the townsfolk marching toward the dungeons — shown small on the
-town track (~106×148) and up to ~280×390 in the inspect view. Class color
-coding: **Fighter** red, **Mage** blue, **Thief** gold, **Cleric** teal (see
-`CLASS_INFO` in `DungeonBossData.js` for exact hex). **Epic** heroes (higher
-HP, named/unique-flavor) should read as visually grander than ordinary ones.
+town track (~106×148) and up to ~280×390 in the inspect view. **The overall
+hero card is portrait, but the art window is the wide band across the top**
+(above the class-color banner and name), so it's landscape, not portrait.
+Class color coding: **Fighter** red, **Mage** blue, **Thief** gold, **Cleric**
+teal (see `CLASS_INFO` in `DungeonBossData.js` for exact hex). **Epic** heroes
+(higher HP, named/unique-flavor) should read as visually grander than
+ordinary ones.
 
 ### Frame map
 
@@ -192,17 +207,21 @@ Class legend: **F** = Fighter, **M** = Mage, **T** = Thief, **C** = Cleric.
 | | |
 |---|---|
 | **Path** | `public/assets/images/dungeonboss-bosses.png` |
-| **Frame size** | **260 × 360 px** (aspect ≈ 0.722 : 1, large portrait — matches the boss art window) |
-| **Sheet size** | **4 columns × 2 rows = 1040 × 720 px** holds all 8 frames exactly |
-| **Status** | ⛔ Procedural until you create it (then set `bossSheet.path` in the JSON) |
+| **Frame size** | **300 × 275 px** (aspect ≈ 1.09 : 1, close to square — matches the boss art window) |
+| **Sheet size** | **4 columns × 2 rows = 1200 × 550 px** holds all 8 frames exactly |
+| **Status** | ✅ Art already dropped in and wired (`bossSheet.path` is set) |
 | **JSON** | `bossSheet` (set `path`) + `bosses` map (already filled in for all 8 ids) |
 
 Each player picks one boss at the start of the game — shown persistently on
 their dungeon (~88×124 to ~168×236) and full-size (~300×430) in the reveal/win
-screen. These are the marquee art assets of the game: eight distinct, iconic
-dungeon-master portraits. Higher XP bosses go first in turn order, so no
-in-art ranking is implied — just make each one visually distinct and readable
-at the small on-board size.
+screen. **The overall boss card is a tall portrait plaque, but the art window
+itself is close to square** (roughly 1.1 : 1 on the persistent board view;
+it narrows toward ~1.5 : 1 in the inspect/hover zoom, where rules text eats
+into the window) — 300×275 is a reasonable middle ground favoring the board
+view, since that's what's on screen for the whole game. These are the marquee
+art assets of the game: eight distinct, iconic dungeon-master portraits.
+Higher XP bosses go first in turn order, so no in-art ranking is implied —
+just make each one visually distinct and readable at the small on-board size.
 
 ### Frame map
 
@@ -239,12 +258,10 @@ rather than a new file.
 
 ## Quick checklist
 
-- [ ] `dungeonboss-rooms.png` — 1800×1200 (6×6 grid), 300×200 per frame, 31 frames (0–30); then set `roomSheet.path` in `dungeonboss-artwork.json`.
-- [ ] `dungeonboss-spells.png` — 880×1200 (4×4 grid), 220×300 per frame, 16 frames (0–15); then set `spellSheet.path` in `dungeonboss-artwork.json`.
-- [ ] `dungeonboss-heroes.png` — 1540×1800 (7×6 grid), 220×300 per frame, 41 frames (0–40); then set `heroSheet.path` in `dungeonboss-artwork.json`.
-  - Priority 1: ordinary heroes + Fool (0–24)
-  - Priority 2: epic heroes (25–40)
-- [ ] `dungeonboss-bosses.png` — 1040×720 (4×2 grid), 260×360 per frame, 8 frames (0–7); then set `bossSheet.path` in `dungeonboss-artwork.json`.
+- [x] `dungeonboss-rooms.png` — 1800×1200 (6×6 grid), 300×200 per frame, 31 frames (0–30); `roomSheet.path` set in `dungeonboss-artwork.json`.
+- [x] `dungeonboss-spells.png` — 1200×640 (4×4 grid), 300×160 per frame, 16 frames (0–15); `spellSheet.path` set in `dungeonboss-artwork.json`.
+- [x] `dungeonboss-heroes.png` — 2100×1350 (7×6 grid), 300×225 per frame, 41 frames (0–40); `heroSheet.path` set in `dungeonboss-artwork.json`.
+- [x] `dungeonboss-bosses.png` — 1200×550 (4×2 grid), 300×275 per frame, 8 frames (0–7); `bossSheet.path` set in `dungeonboss-artwork.json`.
 - [ ] `game-icons.png` frame 77 — 44×44 menu icon.
 
 The frame→id mappings for all four sheets are already filled in in
diff --git a/src/games/swdbg/SWDBGData.js b/src/games/swdbg/SWDBGData.js
index 5a5bf86..29f6c9f 100644
--- a/src/games/swdbg/SWDBGData.js
+++ b/src/games/swdbg/SWDBGData.js
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@
 export const FACTIONS = ['empire', 'rebel'];
 
 export const FACTION_INFO = {
-  empire: { label: 'Galactic Empire', color: 0x4d7fd6, colorHex: '#4d7fd6', dark: 0x16233d, darkHex: '#1c3a70', symbol: '◉' },
-  rebel: { label: 'Rebel Alliance', color: 0xd6604d, colorHex: '#d6604d', dark: 0x3d1a16, darkHex: '#8a3223', symbol: '✴' },
-  neutral: { label: 'Neutral', color: 0xc9a54a, colorHex: '#c9a54a', dark: 0x332a14, darkHex: '#7a5c14', symbol: '◈' },
+  empire: { label: 'Galactic Empire', color: 0x4d7fd6, colorHex: '#4d7fd6', dark: 0x16233d, symbol: '◉' },
+  rebel: { label: 'Rebel Alliance', color: 0xd6604d, colorHex: '#d6604d', dark: 0x3d1a16, symbol: '✴' },
+  neutral: { label: 'Neutral', color: 0xc9a54a, colorHex: '#c9a54a', dark: 0x332a14, symbol: '◈' },
 };
 
 // Every op the engine understands. verifySWDBG.js checks each card in the JSON
diff --git a/src/games/swdbg/SWDBGGame.js b/src/games/swdbg/SWDBGGame.js
index 62c3694..0299153 100644
--- a/src/games/swdbg/SWDBGGame.js
+++ b/src/games/swdbg/SWDBGGame.js
@@ -32,14 +32,14 @@ const C = {
   good: 0x3fbf6f, goodHex: '#3fbf6f', bad: 0xd6604d, badHex: '#e06c5c',
   empire: 0x4d7fd6, rebel: 0xd6604d, neutral: 0xc9a54a,
   artWindow: 0x111a30, plate: 0x1a2440,
-  // Card face background — slightly off-white, with darker ink variants for
-  // the small bits of text that sit directly on it (outside the plate/art-
-  // window/badge boxes, which stay dark and keep their existing light text).
-  cardBg: 0xf1ede1,
-  statAtkHex: '#a8362a', statResHex: '#8a6a14', statForceHex: '#1a5f96',
-  bountyHex: '#7a3fa8', baseTextHex: '#38414f',
+  // Card face background — same dark navy as the rules-text box, so the loose
+  // bits of text drawn directly on the bare face (outside the plate/art-window
+  // boxes) use the same light tones already proven readable on that box.
+  cardBg: 0x151d33,
+  statAtkHex: '#e06c5c', statResHex: '#e8c860', statForceHex: '#9fd8f0',
+  bountyHex: '#b06bd8', baseTextHex: '#c7cede',
 };
-const DEPTH = { board: 10, row: 20, hand: 40, fx: 60, ui: 80, overlay: 90 };
+const DEPTH = { board: 10, row: 20, hand: 40, fx: 60, ui: 80, overlay: 90, hover: 100 };
 
 export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
   constructor() { super('SWDBGGame'); }
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this._rowPos = new Map();     // uid → {x,y}
     this._playPos = new Map();    // uid → {x,y}
     this._actionButtons = [];
+    this.hoverTimer = null;
+    this.hoverVisible = false;
   }
 
   create() {
@@ -71,6 +73,11 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.rowLayer = this.add.container(0, 0).setDepth(DEPTH.row);
     this.handLayer = this.add.container(0, 0).setDepth(DEPTH.hand);
     this.fxLayer = this.add.container(0, 0).setDepth(DEPTH.fx);
+    this.buildHoverPopup();
+    this.input.on('pointermove', (p) => {
+      this.lastPointer = { x: p.x, y: p.y };
+      if (this.hoverVisible) this.positionHover(p.x, p.y);
+    });
     this.buildStaticUi();
     this.showFactionSelect();
   }
@@ -209,7 +216,7 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       sy += Math.max(13, h * 0.085);
     };
     const atk = opts.attackNow != null ? opts.attackNow : def.attack;
-    stat('⚔', atk, opts.attackNow != null && opts.attackNow !== def.attack ? C.statResHex : C.statAtkHex);
+    stat('⚔', atk, opts.attackNow != null && opts.attackNow !== def.attack ? C.goldHex : C.statAtkHex);
     stat('▣', def.resources, C.statResHex);
     stat('◈', def.force, C.statForceHex);
     if (def.type === 'capital') {
@@ -248,6 +255,12 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
         fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: `${Math.max(9, Math.round(w / 14.5))}px`, color: C.bountyHex,
       }).setOrigin(0.5));
     }
+    if (!opts.isHoverPreview) {
+      opts._hoverBuild = (parent) => {
+        this.makeCard(0, 0, inst, 340, 470, { showText: true, isHoverPreview: true, parent });
+        return { w: 340, h: 470 };
+      };
+    }
     this.finishCard(cont, w, h, opts);
     return cont;
   }
@@ -270,6 +283,7 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
   }
 
   makeBaseCard(x, y, faction, base, w, h, opts = {}) {
+    const fb = opts.isHoverPreview ? 1.4 : 1; // bump fixed-size text in the hover-zoom popup
     const def = baseDef(faction, base.id);
     const cont = this.add.container(x, y);
     const info = FACTION_INFO[faction];
@@ -289,11 +303,11 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     }
     const tx = -w / 2 + artW + 14;
     cont.add(this.add.text(tx, -h / 2 + 17, def.name.toUpperCase(), {
-      fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: `${Math.max(12, Math.round(w / 15))}px`, color: info.darkHex,
+      fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: `${Math.max(12, Math.round(w / 15))}px`, color: info.colorHex,
     }).setOrigin(0, 0.5));
     if (opts.showText) {
       cont.add(this.add.text(tx, -h / 2 + 36, def.text, {
-        fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: '12px', color: C.baseTextHex,
+        fontFamily: '"Julius Sans One"', fontSize: `${Math.round(12 * fb)}px`, color: C.baseTextHex,
         wordWrap: { width: w - artW - 26 }, lineSpacing: 3,
       }).setOrigin(0, 0));
     }
@@ -308,6 +322,12 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     cont.add(this.add.text(tx + barW / 2, h / 2 - 18, `${hpLeft} / ${def.hp}`, {
       fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: '13px', color: '#fff',
     }).setOrigin(0.5));
+    if (!opts.isHoverPreview) {
+      opts._hoverBuild = (parent) => {
+        this.makeBaseCard(0, 0, faction, base, 560, 340, { showText: true, isHoverPreview: true, parent });
+        return { w: 560, h: 340 };
+      };
+    }
     this.finishCard(cont, w, h, opts);
     return cont;
   }
@@ -339,21 +359,71 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       cont.add(hl);
       this.tweens.add({ targets: hl, alpha: 0.35, duration: 480, yoyo: true, repeat: -1 });
     }
-    if (opts.onClick) {
+    const wantHoverPreview = opts._hoverBuild && !opts.noHoverPreview;
+    if (opts.onClick || wantHoverPreview) {
       cont.setSize(w, h);
-      cont.setInteractive({ useHandCursor: true });
-      if (opts.hover !== false) {
-        const baseY = cont.y;
-        cont.on('pointerover', () => { if (!this.busy) this.tweens.add({ targets: cont, y: baseY - 10, duration: 100 }); });
-        cont.on('pointerout', () => this.tweens.add({ targets: cont, y: baseY, duration: 100 }));
+      cont.setInteractive({ useHandCursor: !!opts.onClick });
+      if (opts.onClick) {
+        if (opts.hover !== false) {
+          const baseY = cont.y;
+          cont.on('pointerover', () => { if (!this.busy) this.tweens.add({ targets: cont, y: baseY - 10, duration: 100 }); });
+          cont.on('pointerout', () => this.tweens.add({ targets: cont, y: baseY, duration: 100 }));
+        }
+        cont.on('pointerdown', () => { if (!this.busy) opts.onClick(); });
       }
-      cont.on('pointerdown', () => { if (!this.busy) opts.onClick(); });
+      if (wantHoverPreview) this.attachHover(cont, opts._hoverBuild);
     }
     (opts.parent || this.boardLayer).add(cont);
   }
 
+  // ── Hover-to-zoom card preview ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+  buildHoverPopup() {
+    this.hoverPopup = this.add.container(-9999, -9999).setDepth(DEPTH.hover).setVisible(false);
+  }
+
+  attachHover(hitObj, buildFn) {
+    hitObj.on('pointerover', () => {
+      if (this.hoverTimer) this.hoverTimer.remove();
+      this.hoverTimer = this.time.delayedCall(500, () => this.showHover(buildFn));
+    });
+    hitObj.on('pointerout', () => {
+      if (this.hoverTimer) { this.hoverTimer.remove(); this.hoverTimer = null; }
+      this.hideHover();
+    });
+  }
+
+  showHover(buildFn) {
+    this.hoverPopup.removeAll(true);
+    const { w, h } = buildFn(this.hoverPopup);
+    const shadow = this.add.graphics();
+    shadow.fillStyle(0x000000, 0.45);
+    shadow.fillRoundedRect(-w / 2 - 8, -h / 2 - 8, w + 16, h + 16, 14);
+    this.hoverPopup.addAt(shadow, 0);
+    this.hoverPopup.setData('w', w);
+    this.hoverPopup.setData('h', h);
+    this.hoverVisible = true;
+    this.hoverPopup.setVisible(true);
+    const p = this.lastPointer ?? { x: GAME_WIDTH / 2, y: GAME_HEIGHT / 2 };
+    this.positionHover(p.x, p.y);
+  }
+
+  positionHover(px, py) {
+    const w = this.hoverPopup.getData('w') ?? 340;
+    const h = this.hoverPopup.getData('h') ?? 470;
+    const x = Phaser.Math.Clamp(px + w / 2 + 24, w / 2 + 8, GAME_WIDTH - w / 2 - 8);
+    const y = Phaser.Math.Clamp(py, h / 2 + 8, GAME_HEIGHT - h / 2 - 8);
+    this.hoverPopup.setPosition(x, y);
+  }
+
+  hideHover() {
+    this.hoverVisible = false;
+    this.hoverPopup.setVisible(false).setPosition(-9999, -9999);
+  }
+
   // ── full re-render ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   renderAll() {
+    if (this.hoverTimer) { this.hoverTimer.remove(); this.hoverTimer = null; }
+    this.hideHover();
     this.boardLayer.removeAll(true);
     this.rowLayer.removeAll(true);
     this.handLayer.removeAll(true);
@@ -983,7 +1053,7 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     root.add(this.add.text(cx, cy - 230, title, {
       fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: '26px', color: C.goldHex,
     }).setOrigin(0.5));
-    if (d.peekId) this.makeCard(cx, cy - 20, { uid: -1, id: d.peekId }, 220, 306, { parent: root, hover: false, showText: true });
+    if (d.peekId) this.makeCard(cx, cy - 20, { uid: -1, id: d.peekId }, 220, 306, { parent: root, hover: false, showText: true, noHoverPreview: true });
     this.modalButton(cx - 150, cy + 200, keepLabel, () => this.applyDecision(d, d.candidates.find((c) => c.v === 'keep')), { width: 260, variant: 'ghost' });
     this.modalButton(cx + 150, cy + 200, discardLabel, () => this.applyDecision(d, d.candidates.find((c) => c.v === 'discard')), { width: 260 });
   }
@@ -1077,7 +1147,7 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
   showInspect(inst) {
     if (this._modal || !inst || inst.hidden) return;
     const root = this.modalRoot();
-    this.makeCard(GAME_WIDTH / 2, GAME_HEIGHT / 2, inst, 340, 470, { parent: root, hover: false, showText: true });
+    this.makeCard(GAME_WIDTH / 2, GAME_HEIGHT / 2, inst, 340, 470, { parent: root, hover: false, showText: true, noHoverPreview: true });
     const zone = this.add.zone(GAME_WIDTH / 2, GAME_HEIGHT / 2, GAME_WIDTH, GAME_HEIGHT).setInteractive();
     zone.on('pointerdown', () => this.closeModal());
     root.add(zone);
@@ -1087,7 +1157,7 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
   showInspectBase(faction, base) {
     if (this._modal) return;
     const root = this.modalRoot();
-    this.makeBaseCard(GAME_WIDTH / 2, GAME_HEIGHT / 2, faction, base, 560, 340, { parent: root, hover: false, showText: true });
+    this.makeBaseCard(GAME_WIDTH / 2, GAME_HEIGHT / 2, faction, base, 560, 340, { parent: root, hover: false, showText: true, noHoverPreview: true });
     const zone = this.add.zone(GAME_WIDTH / 2, GAME_HEIGHT / 2, GAME_WIDTH, GAME_HEIGHT).setInteractive();
     zone.on('pointerdown', () => this.closeModal());
     root.add(zone);
@@ -1228,7 +1298,7 @@ export default class SWDBGGame extends Phaser.Scene {
         this.popText(GAME_WIDTH / 2, 560, 'The Force provides: +1 ▣', '#9fd8f0', 20);
         break;
       case 'reveal': {
-        const card = this.makeCard(GAME_WIDTH / 2, 430, { uid: -1, id: e.id }, 180, 250, { parent: this.fxLayer, hover: false, showText: true });
+        const card = this.makeCard(GAME_WIDTH / 2, 430, { uid: -1, id: e.id }, 180, 250, { parent: this.fxLayer, hover: false, showText: true, noHoverPreview: true });
         card.setScale(0.4).setAlpha(0);
         this.tweens.add({ targets: card, scale: 1, alpha: 1, duration: 160, ease: 'Back.easeOut' });
         this.time.delayedCall(620, () => this.fxLayer.removeAll(true));
diff --git a/src/games/swdbg/sprites.md b/src/games/swdbg/sprites.md
index cc7f7f7..8dc6d64 100644
--- a/src/games/swdbg/sprites.md
+++ b/src/games/swdbg/sprites.md
@@ -28,15 +28,20 @@ aspects letterbox inside the window.
 | | |
 |---|---|
 | **Path** | `public/assets/images/swdbg-cards-art.png` |
-| **Frame size** | **300 × 230 px** (aspect ≈ 1.30 : 1, matches the card art window) |
-| **Sheet size** | **8 columns × 7 rows = 2400 × 1610 px** holds all 55 frames (1 spare) |
+| **Frame size** | **300 × 155 px** (aspect ≈ 1.9 : 1, landscape — matches the card art window) |
+| **Sheet size** | **8 columns × 7 rows = 2400 × 1085 px** holds all 55 frames (1 spare) |
 | **Status** | ⛔ Procedural until you create it (then set `cardSheet.path` in the JSON) |
 | **JSON** | `cardSheet` (set `path`) + `cards` map (already filled in for all 55 ids) |
 
 The art window sits just below the name plate on every unit/ship/character
-card. It's shown at roughly 100×77 px on a resting hand card and up to
-~280×215 px in the inspect/reveal zoom, so design for readability at the
-smaller size — bold silhouettes and clear color-blocking over fine detail.
+card. **The overall card is roughly a standard trading-card shape, but the
+art window itself is a wide, short band** — rules text and stats take up the
+lower two-thirds of the card, so the window works out to about 1.9 : 1, not
+portrait. It's shown at roughly 134×70 px on a resting hand card (which
+always shows its rules text) and up to ~326×160 px in the inspect/hover zoom
+— design for readability at the smaller size, and lean into a horizontal
+composition (a ship in profile, a trooper mid-stride) rather than a portrait
+bust, since a portrait-oriented image will letterbox heavily in this window.
 
 ### Frame map
 
@@ -158,7 +163,7 @@ goes into an **existing** sheet rather than a new file.
 
 ## Quick checklist
 
-- [ ] `swdbg-cards-art.png` — 2400×1610 (8×7 grid), 300×230 per frame, 55 frames (0–54); then set `cardSheet.path` in `swdbg-artwork.json`.
+- [ ] `swdbg-cards-art.png` — 2400×1085 (8×7 grid), 300×155 per frame, 55 frames (0–54); then set `cardSheet.path` in `swdbg-artwork.json`.
   - Priority 1 (uniques/leaders): 14–18, 28–35, 40, 49–52, 54
   - Priority 2 (common starters): 0–5, 7–9, 22–24, 26–27
   - Priority 3 (remaining Empire/Rebel commons): 10–13, 19–21, 36–39
diff --git a/src/ui/Portrait.js b/src/ui/Portrait.js
index 9381746..73c5fa0 100644
--- a/src/ui/Portrait.js
+++ b/src/ui/Portrait.js
@@ -206,6 +206,20 @@ export function createOpponentPortrait(scene, opponent, worldX, worldY, radius,
     if (!videoError) domEl.setVisible(true);
   }
 
+  // The <video> element is a real DOM node layered over the canvas (Phaser's
+  // DOM Game Objects always render above canvas-drawn content, regardless of
+  // .setDepth), so anything drawn on the canvas — e.g. a card hover-zoom
+  // popup — can end up hidden behind it. Toggle just the video (keep the
+  // backing/sprite fallback showing) while such an overlay is up.
+  function setVideoVisible(visible) {
+    if (visible) {
+      if (!videoError) { domEl.setVisible(true); videoEl.play().catch(() => {}); }
+    } else {
+      domEl.setVisible(false);
+      videoEl.pause();
+    }
+  }
+
   function stopVideo() {
     videoEl.loop = false;
     videoEl.pause();
@@ -266,7 +280,7 @@ export function createOpponentPortrait(scene, opponent, worldX, worldY, radius,
     });
   }
 
-  return { playEmotion, hide, show, stopVideo, fadeToEliminated, destroy };
+  return { playEmotion, hide, show, stopVideo, fadeToEliminated, destroy, setVideoVisible };
 }
 
 // ── Player portrait (profile avatar with letter fallback) ─────────────────────
@@ -320,6 +334,7 @@ export function createPlayerPortrait(scene, worldX, worldY, radius, depth, scene
   function show() { for (const o of allObjs) o.setVisible?.(true); }
 
   function stopVideo() { /* no video on player portrait */ }
+  function setVideoVisible() { /* no video on player portrait */ }
 
   function fadeToEliminated(duration = 700) {
     const targets = allObjs.filter(o => o?.active !== false && o?.setAlpha);
@@ -333,5 +348,5 @@ export function createPlayerPortrait(scene, worldX, worldY, radius, depth, scene
     allObjs.length = 0;
   }
 
-  return { hide, show, stopVideo, fadeToEliminated, destroy };
+  return { hide, show, stopVideo, fadeToEliminated, destroy, setVideoVisible };
 }