diff --git a/src/playermat/ClueCounter.ttslua b/src/playermat/ClueCounter.ttslua
index 3f75f750..2e0539e8 100644
--- a/src/playermat/ClueCounter.ttslua
+++ b/src/playermat/ClueCounter.ttslua
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ local searchLib = require("util/SearchLib")
 exposedValue = 0
 
 local playmat
+local searchParam = {}
 
 function onLoad()
   self.createButton({
@@ -22,6 +23,13 @@ function onLoad()
   local matColor = playmatApi.getMatColorByPosition(self.getPosition())
   playmat = guidReferenceApi.getObjectByOwnerAndType(matColor, "Playermat")
 
+  -- get search parameters (threat area excluded)
+  local localPos = playmat.positionToLocal(playmat.getPosition())
+  searchParam.pos = playmat.positionToWorld(localPos + Vector(0, 0, 0.4))
+  searchParam.rot = playmat.getRotation() + Vector(0, 90, 0)
+  searchParam.size = Vector(8, 1, 27)
+  searchParam.filter = "isClue"
+
   -- start loop
   Wait.time(countItems, 1.5, -1)
 end
@@ -43,5 +51,5 @@ function removeAllClues(trash)
 end
 
 function getClues()
-  return searchLib.onObject(playmat, "isClue")
+  return searchLib.inArea(searchParam.pos, searchParam.rot, searchParam.size, searchParam.filter)
 end