diff --git a/TODO.md b/TODO.md
index 13bc241..fb669bd 100644
--- a/TODO.md
+++ b/TODO.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 - [x] Check against the rules on pi-rat hand size and conditions for drawing more cards
 - [x] Assisting other pi-rats should only be available if there are multiple obstacles in the current challenge
 - [x] Checking off personal objectives (gat/name/death) should be handled by group vote rather than adjudication by the deep
-- [ ] Double check if PvP obstacles should allow card re-draw
+- [x] Double check if PvP obstacles should allow card re-draw — only the defender, on a suit-color match (including failure).
 
 ## Unknown - need to clarify what these mean
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/scene/ChallengePanel.svelte b/frontend/src/components/scene/ChallengePanel.svelte
index 95fa436..64424cd 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/scene/ChallengePanel.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/components/scene/ChallengePanel.svelte
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@
         <!-- PvP: defender picks a card -->
         {#if myPvpDefense && myPvpDefense.id === ch.id}
             <div style="margin-top: 0.75rem;">
-                <p style="margin: 0 0 0.5rem 0;"><strong>Defend yourself!</strong> Pick a card:</p>
+                <p style="margin: 0 0 0.5rem 0;"><strong>Defend yourself!</strong> Match the Obstacle’s color to draw a replacement, even if you lose:</p>
                 <div class="challenge-actions">
                     {#each hand.filter(c => !isJoker(c)) as card}
                         <button class="btn btn-secondary" use:tooltip={{ html: cardTooltipHtml(card, $obstacleTable, true) }} on:click={() => pvpDefend(ch.id, card)}>{getCardDisplay(card)}</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/scene/CharacterSheet.svelte b/frontend/src/components/scene/CharacterSheet.svelte
index a03aad0..b4e7832 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/scene/CharacterSheet.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/components/scene/CharacterSheet.svelte
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@
             {#if canDuel}
                 <div class="sheet-group margin-top">
                     <h4>⚔️ Duel {crewLabel(target, state.game.captain_player_id)}</h4>
-                    <p class="info-text" style="font-size: 0.85rem;">Challenge them (e.g. for the Captaincy)! Your card becomes a temporary Obstacle they must beat. Both cards are discarded afterwards.</p>
+                    <p class="info-text" style="font-size: 0.85rem;">Challenge them (e.g. for the Captaincy)! Your card becomes a temporary Obstacle they must beat. Both cards are discarded afterwards. Only the defender draws a replacement, if their card matches the Obstacle’s color (even on failure).</p>
                     <select class="select-field" bind:value={pvpCard} style="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.5rem;">
                         <option value="">Throw which card?</option>
                         {#each hand.filter(c => !isJoker(c)) as card}
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/changelog.js b/frontend/src/lib/changelog.js
index d35abcb..23faeb6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/changelog.js
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/changelog.js
@@ -6,10 +6,11 @@
 //   - Add a CHANGELOG entry only when a commit changes something players can
 //     see. Skip refactors, tests, and tooling. Keep wording player-facing.
 
-export const VERSION = 35;
+export const VERSION = 36;
 
 // Newest first. Each entry: { version, date: 'YYYY-MM-DD', changes: [string, ...] }.
 export const CHANGELOG = [
+    { version: 36, date: '2026-09-04', changes: ['Duel instructions clarify that only the defender draws a replacement for matching the Obstacle’s color, even when the defense fails.'] },
     { version: 35, date: '2026-09-04', changes: ['Personal objectives now require a group vote. Propose the next objective from a character sheet, then vote Yes or No at the table. A majority approves; the Captain breaks tied votes.'] },
     { version: 34, date: '2026-09-04', changes: ['Assistance is available only when a Challenge has multiple active Obstacles. Gat and Name Tax takeovers still work against a single Obstacle.'] },
     { version: 33, date: '2026-09-04', changes: ['Hand sizes compare ranks across the crew, including Pi-Rats whose players are the Deep.', 'Discarded cards return to the deck at scene setup. Only the previous Deep can refresh their hand during upkeep, once per scene.'] },
diff --git a/tests/test_game.py b/tests/test_game.py
index be633be..ef86306 100644
--- a/tests/test_game.py
+++ b/tests/test_game.py
@@ -2835,3 +2835,23 @@ def test_personal_objective_api_requires_vote(session):
         assert rat.completed_personal_1
     finally:
         app.dependency_overrides.clear()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('defense, success, redraw', [
+    ('9S', True, True), ('2S', False, True),
+    ('9H', True, False), ('2H', False, False), ('QS', True, True),
+])
+def test_pvp_redraw_depends_on_color_not_success(session, defense, success, redraw):
+    game, deep, (attacker, defender) = make_scene_game(session, num_pirats=2)
+    attacker.hand_cards = '["7C"]'
+    defender.hand_cards = json.dumps([defense])
+    game.deck_cards = '["AD"]'
+    session.commit()
+    assert crud.create_pvp_challenge(session, game.id, attacker.id, defender.id, '7C')[0]
+    duel = game.challenges[0]
+    ok, _, result = crud.play_pvp_defense(session, duel.id, defender.id, defense)
+    assert ok and result['success'] == success
+    assert result['drew_card'] == ('AD' if redraw else None)
+    assert crud.get_player_hand(attacker) == []
+    assert crud.get_player_hand(defender) == (['AD'] if redraw else [])
+    assert not crud.play_pvp_defense(session, duel.id, defender.id, 'AD')[0]