diff --git a/packages/web/src/App.svelte b/packages/web/src/App.svelte
index 7ec8d20..7dde936 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/App.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/App.svelte
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
   import Help from "./Help.svelte";
   import Replay from "./Replay.svelte";
   import { local } from "./local.svelte";
-  import { allCardDefs, cardDef, isNumberCard, SIDES, stepTarget, cellKey, isMovableObject, sightedCellsFor } from "@wizwar/engine";
+  import { allCardDefs, cardDef, isNumberCard, SIDES, stepTarget, cellKey, isMovableObject, sightedCellsFor, type GameView } from "@wizwar/engine";
   import type { CardInstance, Side } from "@wizwar/engine";
 
   net.connect();
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
   let attackNoticeSeen = $state<string | null>(null);
   /** A face-up card being peeked at from the scoresheet (view-only). */
   let peekCard = $state<CardInstance | null>(null);
+  /** When the peeked card is a creature on the board, its live stats ride along. */
+  let peekCreatureId = $state<string | null>(null);
   let helpTab = $state<"play" | "rules" | "cards" | "about">("play");
   let hotseatCount = $state(2);
   let setupName = $state("");
@@ -151,6 +153,7 @@
   function selectCard(card: CardInstance) {
     if (!view) return;
     peekCard = null;
+    peekCreatureId = null;
     if (youMustRespond) {
       dispatch({ type: "counteract", instanceId: card.instanceId });
       return;
@@ -390,6 +393,20 @@
     tacks: "handful-of-tacks", pit: "create-pit", safe: "safe",
   };
 
+  function creatureStats(c: NonNullable<GameView["creatures"]>[number]): string {
+    const hp = Number.isFinite(c.maxDamage)
+      ? `${c.maxDamage - c.damage} of ${c.maxDamage} hits left`
+      : "unharmed by ordinary damage";
+    const moves = `${c.movesPerTurn - c.movementUsed} of ${c.movesPerTurn} moves`;
+    const atk = c.justCreated ? "no attack the turn it appears" : c.attackUsed ? "attack spent" : "attack ready";
+    return `${hp} · ${moves} · ${atk}`;
+  }
+  const peekNote = $derived.by(() => {
+    if (!view || !peekCreatureId) return null;
+    const c = view.creatures.find((c) => c.id === peekCreatureId);
+    return c ? creatureStats(c) : null;
+  });
+
   /** Show the card behind whatever occupies this square (view-only). */
   function peekAt(cell: { x: number; y: number }): boolean {
     if (!view) return false;
@@ -406,6 +423,7 @@
       : null;
     if (!cardId) return false;
     peekCard = { instanceId: `peek-${cardId}`, cardId };
+    peekCreatureId = creature?.id ?? null;
     return true;
   }
 
@@ -455,7 +473,15 @@
     }
     const mine = creature.controllerId === view.you || creature.kind === "democratic-monster";
     if (mine) {
-      selectedCreature = selectedCreature === creatureId ? null : creatureId;
+      const selecting = selectedCreature !== creatureId;
+      selectedCreature = selecting ? creatureId : null;
+      if (selecting) {
+        peekCard = { instanceId: `peek-${creature.kind}`, cardId: creature.kind };
+        peekCreatureId = creature.id;
+      } else {
+        peekCard = null;
+        peekCreatureId = null;
+      }
     } else {
       peekAt(creature.position);
     }
@@ -645,8 +671,9 @@
 
   {#if peekCard}
     <div class="inspector" role="img" aria-label="displayed card, enlarged">
-      <button class="inspector-close" onclick={() => (peekCard = null)} aria-label="hide card">×</button>
+      <button class="inspector-close" onclick={() => { peekCard = null; peekCreatureId = null; }} aria-label="hide card">×</button>
       <div class="inspector-card"><Card card={peekCard} /></div>
+      {#if peekNote}<div class="peek-note">{peekNote}</div>{/if}
     </div>
   {/if}
 
@@ -1003,8 +1030,16 @@
           <button class="hint-cancel" onclick={clearSelection}>cancel</button>
         </div>
       {/if}
-      {#if youMustRespond || selectedDef || youMustDiscard || discardMode || discardSelection.size > 0}
+      {#if youMustRespond || selectedDef || selectedCreature || youMustDiscard || discardMode || discardSelection.size > 0}
         <div class="hint-strip">
+          {#if selectedCreature && !selectedDef}
+            {@const sc = view.creatures.find((c) => c.id === selectedCreature)}
+            {#if sc}
+              <span>Commanding <strong>{cardDef(sc.kind).name}</strong> — {creatureStats(sc)}.
+                Tap a square beside it to march, a target in its square to attack.</span>
+              <button class="hint-cancel" onclick={() => { selectedCreature = null; peekCard = null; peekCreatureId = null; }}>done</button>
+            {/if}
+          {/if}
           {#if youMustRespond && view.stack}
             <span class="hint-alert">
               {#if view.stack.defenderId === view.you}
@@ -1673,6 +1708,18 @@
   .attack-power { font-family: "Courier Prime", monospace; color: #6b5a41; font-size: 0.9rem; }
   .attack-fist { font-size: 1.1rem; color: #43331f; }
 
+  .peek-note {
+    margin-top: 0.4rem;
+    background: #2b2218;
+    color: #e8dfc6;
+    font-family: "Courier Prime", monospace;
+    font-size: 0.72rem;
+    padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem;
+    border-radius: 3px;
+    text-align: center;
+    max-width: 11rem;
+  }
+
   .inspector {
     position: fixed;
     right: 0.9rem;
@@ -1740,6 +1787,18 @@
   .attack-power { font-family: "Courier Prime", monospace; color: #6b5a41; font-size: 0.9rem; }
   .attack-fist { font-size: 1.1rem; color: #43331f; }
 
+  .peek-note {
+    margin-top: 0.4rem;
+    background: #2b2218;
+    color: #e8dfc6;
+    font-family: "Courier Prime", monospace;
+    font-size: 0.72rem;
+    padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem;
+    border-radius: 3px;
+    text-align: center;
+    max-width: 11rem;
+  }
+
   .inspector { right: 0.5rem; bottom: 0.5rem; }
     .inspector-card { transform: scale(1.3); }
   }