Genre: Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Indie, Card & Board Game
Kards: The WWII Card Game
New User Interface: Coming Soon!
Hello everyone!
Get ready - the new KARDS user interface is just around the corner! Here, we’ll go over the timeline of the release of the new UI to PC and provide an overview of what these changes entail.
When is the New User Interface Available?
The New UI will become available for all players in the latter half of March.
Prior to the full release, we will have a short test period for the new UI, starting in the beginning of March. Players on Steam will be able to access a public test branch with the new UI. We will provide specific details on how to join the public test and how to give feedback when we are closer to the actual test in early March.
New User Interface: Overview
From our own insight, community feedback, and the ambition to run KARDS for many years to come, we’ve seen that the KARDS user interface could be improved. In developing the mobile version of the game, we saw an opportunity to overhaul the user interface, to streamline it and improve the overall user experience. The new user interface will be available on both the PC and mobile version of the game, so players will have a consistent experience regardless of which device they are playing on. Here, we’ll give a brief overview of what you can expect with the new UI. For more details, you can refer to the dev blogs written by our Chief Creative Officer Gummi: New User Interface: Part I - KARDS Home Screen, New User Interface: Part II - Play, and New User Interface: Part III - Cards.
KARDS Home Screen
The KARDS home screen is changing fundamentally with the new UI. The KARDS Home Screen has a new look, allowing for increased flexibility and for us to communicate better about all the exciting things going on in and around KARDS.
1. The Top Bar
On the far left, you’ll find the Home button. Simply click or tap the KARDS logo to take you back to the home screen from almost any other part of the UI.
Next is the button to your profile - indicated by your current rank and player name.
Then, the resource overview - the amount of gold, diamonds and wildcards you have.
Finally, on the far right, you have the Friends and Settings buttons.
2. The Main Menu
PLAY navigates to Battle, Training, Campaigns, or any other game mode. More on this below.
CARDS gets you to your decks, deck builder and card collection. More on this below.
SHOP takes you to the shop.
3. Content Carousel
The content carousel is a rotating banner on the home screen that keeps you updated on all the latest things in KARDS. This can be information about a recent expansion, decklists, guides, dev blogs, news, store offers, tournament info, etc.
4. The Right Side Buttons
The buttons on the right side will vary depending on the content we want to highlight or feature at any given time. They will mostly be reserved for shortcuts to specific events or game modes, such as Skirmishes.
5. The Progress Line
On the bottom of the new UI you will find your national progress - the UI will by default show you the last main nation you progressed in, but you can also switch to a different nation. You can also access your missions here.
PLAY Button
The Play button determines how you enter any given game mode.
Under the Play options, you’ll be able to select any of the game modes available at the time:
Battle (PvP) - with a toggle between Ranked or Casual
Training (PvE)
Draft
Campaigns - starter campaigns or Theaters of War
Skirmish - when available
Select Deck
After picking a game mode to enter, you’ll be prompted to select a deck from your library to play with. Scroll or swipe up and down to browse your list of decks. Decks will be ordered by usage (last played, last created, etc.).
On the right hand side, you’ll see the selected deck and interact with it through the buttons provided. Customize the deck (swap card-back, HQ, board items or emotes), or hit the star button to favorite the deck, so it’ll always show up at the top of the deck list.
Below the selected deck, you’ll be able to toggle between ranked or casual mode, and, finally, hit the play button to head into the game!
CARDS Button
The CARDS button on the main menu brings you to the new interface where you can explore your decks and collection of cards.
Click or tap the PACKS button on the Top Bar to open your unopened packs.
Click or tap the COLLECTION button on the Top Bar to access your card collection.
Browse through your library of decks by scrolling or swiping up and down.
Click or tap the empty deck slot to create a new deck.
Click or tap any of your existing decks to bring up details about the deck and edit it.
Mark the deck as a favorite, copy the deck code to your clipboard, delete the deck, customize deck elements, or edit the deck.
Deck Builder
The layout of the deck builder has changed quite significantly. These changes are done with consideration of a lot of community feedback we’ve received throughout the years. The goal with the new deck builder is to improve accessibility, provide an improved deck overview, have a consistent and clear UI for the upcoming mobile version of the game, as well as introducing various improvements for power users (especially on desktop). The new deck builder is split into three main areas:
The Top Bar, where you can click to “show all” (including unowned cards), with a search bar, a wildcard overview, and a button to access filters.
The Card Collection, filtered by the nations in the deck. Scroll or swipe up and down to view all the cards. Click or tap a card for more details and the ability to create a card with wildcards.
The Deck Overview is visible in its own panel on the right side. Here, you can have a convenient overview of the cards in your deck, access more details about the deck, change the name of the deck, and edit the HQ/battlefield.
That covers the main points of the new UI changes. As a work in progress, there may still be some adjustments to the elements outlined above.
As previously mentioned in this blog, we will do a short test with the new UI in early March. This test will be accessible to Steam users through a public test branch. We aim to release the new UI to all PC users in the latter half of March. We’ll update you on the specifics of the test as we get closer to the test time. Keep an eye out for new dev blogs, join us on Discord and follow us on social media to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
A New Skirmish Event is Live
A new Skirmish event is live now until February 12th!
Another new and unique set of rules for this weekend’s Skirmish! Here’s everything you need to know.
Skirmish is a special game mode in KARDS where you play with alternate rules. These rules vary; you’ll face something new and completely different at every Skirmish event. Read more about Skirmishes in our announcement blog New game mode: Skirmish.
Rules for Skirmish #16
In this Skirmish, you choose your own deck to battle with. However, each player gets 10 unique, powerful cards added to their deck.
Prize for Skirmish #16
The prize for this Skirmish is a full set of the new German card, CASE YELLOW! This Order costs 5 Kredits to play. It deals 1 damage, your units get +1 +0, the enemy discards a card, and you draw a card.
Special Store Offer for Skirmish #16
The Skirmish Special in the store this weekend features 4 German Officer packs and the unique German Fallschirmjäger card back for 200 Diamonds. Expand your collection and give your German decks a new look with this special offer!
Access the Skirmish event from the game's main screen to get an overview of the game mode, rules and prize.
This Skirmish will be accessible from February 10th at 12:00 UTC until Sunday, February 12th at 18:00 UTC.
Join this special event - win your Skirmish to claim victory and the spoils!
Please let us know what you think of the event in the comments below or on the KARDS Discord.
See you in the Skirmish this weekend!
Announcing KARDS Special Operations: Pauper!
Get ready for the first KARDS Special Operations tournament!
Special Operations is a new tournament type featuring various different special formats. This first ever Special Operations tournament takes place over the course of one weekend, with qualifiers on Saturday and the finals broadcast on the KARDS Twitch channel the following Sunday.
This first tournament is a pauper format, meaning that decks can only contain Standard and Limited rarity cards.
Special Operations is free for anyone to enter, but has a limited number of participants - so make sure to secure your spot! If all 32 seats are already filled, you can still sign up and enter the waiting list, allowing you to take a participant’s spot if it becomes available.
For all questions about participating in Special Operations and all things related to KARDS tournaments, please join the KARDS eSports Discord: https://discord.gg/288DQexmng
Format & Schedule
Format
Each participant must submit 1 pauper deck
Play a best of 1 series
Double Elimination bracket
Schedule
Deck submission deadline: February 18th @ 12:00 UTC
32 player Double Elimination Qualifier: February 18th @ 13:00 UTC
Top 6 broadcast finals: February 19th @ 13:00 UTC
Prizes
1st: 500 Diamonds & 2000 Gold
2nd: 300 Diamonds & 2000 Gold
3rd: 200 Diamonds & 2000 Gold
4th: 100 Diamonds & 2000 Gold
5th - 8th: 1000 Gold
Sign up now on Challonge! - https://challonge.com/tournaments/signup/7kDFjTEwRw#/signup/ovsi7oh2gb
The Frontline: A KARDS Podcast - First Episode Available Now!
Hello KARDS players!
We are excited to announce the new official 1939 Games podcast - The Frontline: A KARDS Podcast!
The KARDS Podcast is a monthly podcast featuring different KARDS developers in every episode. This is where you’ll hear about all the latest things in KARDS and get a closer look at the team behind KARDS, as we explore developers’ varied work and contributions to the constant development of the game. The podcast is conveniently available on Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts, as well as on the KARDS YouTube channel.
The Frontline Episode 1: Let’s Discuss KARDS Esports
The first episode features Elín, KARDS Community Manager and Head of eSports. First, we take a look back at the KARDS 2022 World Championship, with some insights and behind the scenes takes on the many moving parts that come together in putting together this special annual event. Then, we dive into the eSports year ahead of us in 2023, reviewing the changes from last year’s formats and what they might mean for participating players.
Tune in Now!
Tune in to The Frontline podcast on the following platforms:
Keep an eye out for the next episode, where we begin to dive into some of the things planned for KARDS in the upcoming months.
Let us know in the comments below what you think of this first podcast episode and if there are any particular questions or topics you’d like us to cover in the future.
A New Skirmish Event is Live
A new Skirmish event is live now until January 29th!
Another new and unique set of rules for this weekend’s Skirmish! Here’s everything you need to know.
Skirmish is a special game mode in KARDS where you play with alternate rules. These rules vary; you’ll face something new and completely different at every Skirmish event. Read more about Skirmishes in our announcement blog New game mode: Skirmish.
Rules for Skirmish #15
In this Skirmish, you choose your own deck to battle with. When a unit is deployed, it gets an attack bonus equal to its operation cost and its defense is set to 1.
Prize for Skirmish #15
The prize for this Skirmish is a full set of the new Italian card, 76TH NAPOLI! This Infantry unit costs 5 Kredits to deploy and 1 Kredit to operate. It has 1 attack, 7 defense, and the deployment effect that it gets +1 attack for each defense your HQ has over the enemy HQ.
Special Store Offer for Skirmish #15
Our Skirmish Special in the store this weekend features 4 Officer packs from the base set at a 15% discount. Bolster your ranks and save during this weekend’s Skirmish!
Access the Skirmish event from the game's main screen to get an overview of the game mode, rules and prize.
This Skirmish will be accessible from January 27th at 12:00 UTC until Sunday, January 29th at 18:00 UTC.
Join this special event - win your Skirmish to claim victory and the spoils!
Please let us know what you think of the event in the comments below or on the KARDS Discord.
See you in the Skirmish this weekend!
January Update - Patch Notes
Hello everyone!
Following the announcement of this month’s card balance changes on January 11th, we have deployed these changes on January 25th. Check out the dev blog for more details about these balance changes: Card Updates: Rally.
This patch also includes several bug fixes and some behind the scenes additions.
We thank all of our players and the KARDS Community in general for reporting bugs and discussing the game balance. If you want to get involved, join us on Discord!
Card Balance Changes
A total of 15 cards have been updated in this patch.
5TH PARACHUTE BRIGADE
BALUCH REGIMENT
Old: Deployment: Give your HQ +2 defense. New: Deployment: Give your HQ +3 defense.
M4 FIREFLY
Old: Damage from M4 FIREFLY ignores Heavy Armor. New: Deployment: Deal 5 damage to an enemy tank.
3. FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
361. AFRIKA REGIMENT
BARRAGE
Old: Choose one - enemy units have -3 attack this turn OR deal 5 damage to a ground unit. New: Choose one - enemy units have -4 attack this turn OR deal 2 damage to a ground unit.
34TH GUARDS
A-20B
Old: Costs 1 less to deploy if you control a US unit. New: Costs 1 less for each US unit you control.
SBD 3 DAUNTLESS
AICHI D3A-1
Old: Destruction: Deal 1 damage to the enemy HQ. New: Destruction: If it is the enemy turn, add an AICHI D3A-2 to your support line.
ANCIENT EMPIRE
Old: Give your HQ +4 defense and all friendly units +1+1. New: Set your HQ’s defense to 8. Draw an ANCIENT EMPIRE.
PZL P.11
Old: Your Exile cards cost 1 less, to a minimum of 1. New: Your Exile cards cost 1 less.
HURRICANE PL
Old: Deployment: Give another unit with Exile +1+1. New: Deployment: Give another friendly Exile unit +1+1 and -1 operation cost.
BATTLE MK I PL
Old: The first order you give each turn also gives your units +1+1. New: When you deploy another Exile unit, give it +1+1.
2e RIMa
Old: At the end of your turn, give each other friendly unit Mobilize. New: At the end of your turn, give adjacent units Mobilize.
Bug Fixes
AI Bugs
Fixed several broken card interactions in AI matches.
Fixed Pin effect not being correctly removed in specific circumstances in AI matches.
Cards
Fixed Ambush pop-up displaying when hovering over 39th RIFLE REGIMENT in Card Collection.
Fixed issue with 39th RIFLE REGIMENT attack increasing by +2 instead of +1 when taking control of enemy M8 GREYHOUND.
Fixed gear icon not turning below unit BLOHM & VOSS BV 138 after its ability was triggered.
Fixed broken interaction with YAMATO and orders with Remove Destruction abilities.
Fixed issue where PB4Y-2 PRIVATEER cost +1 Kredit to attack for enemy units, instead of +2.
Fixed issue where, in certain circumstances, URA! dealt only excess damage.
Fixed issue where 37mm M1 AA GUN did not correctly reset the attack value of some units.
Fixed issue where the cost for using the CROSS OF LORRAINE order was not appropriately decreased after starting the first turn.
Fixed broken interaction between MINORITY RECRUITS, 15th MOTOR RIFLES and cards with Retreat ability leading to permanent immunity on enemy HQ.
Fixed passive effect (+) icon not being correctly displayed under BLACK WATCH on the battlefield.
Fixed broken interaction between RAID order and 22. INFANTRY REGIMENT’s ability, leading to permanent cost increase on drawn unit.
Fixed issue where red number 1 was displayed at the center of the battlefield for several seconds after 56. JÄGER REGIMENT unit with active Pincer was retreated into hand.
Fixed issue where OVERWHELMING FORCE order did not reset attack value of IRISH GUARDS unit when Pincer was active.
Fixed issue where 2nd PARA C’s Pincer ability was triggered after the Pincered unit was removed from the battlefield.
Fixed issue where NEW DOCTRINE order ability continued to work after target unit was returned to hand and redeployed.
Fixed issue where KI-43-IIB OTSU’s unit ability was not triggered after enemy air unit was removed from the battlefield.
Campaigns
Fixed bugged special condition in Japanese Theaters of War Campaign battle.
Update 25.01.23 An additional patch has been deployed to address the following bugs:
Fixed special effect from SEABORNE INVASION.
Fixed issue where when AI killed AICHI D3A-1, an AICHI D3A-2 was spawned in the AI support line.
Fixed PATROL not removing the destruction effect if the target was killed.
Fixed EXPANSION drawing cards when the enemy had a Japanese unit in the frontline.
Fixed HOME DEFENSE’s cost not being reduced when ANCIENT EMPIRE was played.
Fixed IL-2M PL’s ability not triggering when it attacked.
That’s all for now. As always, we welcome your feedback in the comments below and on the KARDS Discord.
Announcing KARDS Open XV!
Get ready for some more KARDS Open action as it returns in February with the KARDS Open XV!
The last KARDS Open had a diverse player pool, with plenty of excitement both in the Swiss rounds and Top Cuts weekend. The top 4 broadcast featured some incredibly intense games, with all but one matchup going all five games. Ultimately, tournament titan Noein5 beat World Championship second place title holder Head in the finals 3-1, securing the win in the OpenXIV. You can catch up on all the action from the top 4 in the last Open tournament on the KARDS YouTube Channel:
https://youtu.be/T2PsRwEsiUc
The KARDS Open tournament format is one that we will be making some adjustments to throughout 2023. The KARDS Open tournament will now be held every 3 months, instead of every 2 months. Additionally, the first Open tournament of the year will include the following alterations:
The KARDS Open now has closed deck lists up to the top 4. In the top 16, players can bring any deck they want, but they must win with decks from different main nations. That is - once you’ve won with a deck, you cannot bring that deck, or another from the same main nation, again. Deck submission is required for the top 4 and deck lists there are open. The Swiss rounds continue to be a free-for-all with no restrictions or requirements.
The number of participants getting various prizes has increased. The top 4 players still battle for a $1500 prize pool, with some altered and increased diamond and/or gold prizes for players in 5th to 32nd place, as per the table below.
You can read more about the changes to eSports in 2023 in our dev blog: KARDS eSports in 2023
In this upcoming Open tournament, players will have two chances to make it into the top 16 through one of two Swiss Qualifiers held on February 4th and March 4th.
Read on for a detailed breakdown of the different tournament stages.
STAGE ONE
Starting Saturday, February 4th, with the Swiss Qualifiers, you will compete in a best of 3 free-for-all deck format. This means that you can bring any deck you want and play it as many times as you’d like. No deck submissions and no deck restrictions! If you make the Top 8 in this stage, you will advance to stage two.
The second chance Qualifier will be held on Saturday, March 4th. This Swiss bracket is open to any player who has not already made the Top 8 cuts. You can maximize your chances of making the top 16 by playing in both qualifiers.
STAGE TWO
If you finish in the Top 8 from either of the stage one weekends, you will be qualified for the next stage. On Saturday, March 18th, you will compete in the single elimination best of 5 series. This stage does not require deck submission and deck lists remain closed. However, you must win with decks from different main nations. For example, if you win with a Japan deck, you cannot bring that deck again or any Japan main deck - you’ll have to switch to a different main nation for the next match. If you lose with a Japan deck, you can bring Japan again, even a different Japan deck.
STAGE THREE
If you’ve made it to the Top 4 on March 18th, you’ve made it to stage three! These final games are played and broadcast LIVE on the KARDS Twitch Channel on March 19th. For this stage of the tournament, you will be required to submit four decks. Deck lists for this stage of the tournament are open. Games are best of 5 series with one ban in conquest format.
For all questions about participating in the Open and all things related to KARDS tournaments, please join the KARDS eSports Discord: https://discord.gg/288DQexmng
FORMAT & SCHEDULE
Swiss Qualifiers
Compete in one or both qualifier Swiss bracket weekends.
Top 8 from each weekend bracket moves on to Top Cuts weekend
Closed deck lists with no deck restrictions! Play whatever you want, whenever you want!
Best of Three Matchups
Swiss Bracket with 212 player maximum (8 Swiss rounds)
Swiss Qualifier Bracket A February 4th @ 13:00 GMT
Swiss Qualifier Bracket B March 4th @ 16:00 GMT
Top Cuts Weekend
Top 16
Deck lists are closed
Best of 5 series
Must win with different decks from different main nations
Top 16 Bracket March 18th @ 13:00 GMT
Top 4
Deck lists are open
Best of 5 series with 1 ban in Conquest format
DECK LIST SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 18th @ 23:59 GMT
Top 4 Bracket & Live Stream: March 19th @ 13:00 GMT
Prizes The KARDS Open has a prize pool of 1500 USD that is split the following way:
We are excited to share with you details surrounding KARDS eSports in 2023!
The eSports scene is an incredibly important and valuable part of KARDS. It is something that we intend to keep nurturing and continually seek ways to evolve. In reflecting on the year that has just come to pass, we recognize the many successes of KARDS eSports in 2022, while also acknowledging the opportunities we now have to make adjustments, continue to develop and seek to improve upon the existing eSports foundation. In 2023, the main competitive tracks will be:
Officer Club Championships
Monthly OCC: Clash
Quarterly OCC: Ultimate
KARDS Opens
KARDS Special Operations
KARDS 2023 World Championship
The core competitive elements of eSports will remain the same in 2023, with some adjustments. The Officer Club Championship (OCC) is a staple of KARDS eSports, with a big motivation for players to try and reach the highest ladder position they can to prove that they are among the best KARDS players out there. The OCC experience is something we would like to expand upon in 2023, to create an even more epic journey for our OCC participants where, on a quarterly basis, the most elite players have a chance to prove that they are the Ultimate Officer Club Champions of the previous three months. KARDS Open tournaments will see some adjustments throughout the year. For the first Open of the year, we’ll add a bit more mystery into the fight for the top spots, providing additional challenge and opportunities for our Open participants. Additionally, we’re expanding the Open prize pool, adding some diamonds and gold prizes. We’re also introducing a new format, Special Operations, where a limited number of players participate in a special edition tournament with a different ruleset. Finally, the KARDS World Championship will be held in 2023 with all participants flown to Iceland to compete in a LAN environment. Read below for more details on each of these tournaments and changes therein.
Officer Club Championship
In 2023, the OCC is split into two main parts - the monthly OCC: Clash, and the quarterly OCC: Ultimate. Through participation in OCC: Clash tournaments, players earn points based on their performance. After three OCC: Clash tournaments, the 8 players with the highest point scores participate in the OCC: Ultimate. The OCC: Ultimate tournament features a 3,000 USD prize pool and is a similar broadcast production to what many have grown accustomed to in the monthly OCCs of 2022.
The OCC: Clash is a 38 player tournament. All OCC: Clash matches are a best of three series.
The top 6 players on the in-game ladder are automatically qualified for the OCC: Clash round of 8. The remaining 32 players will face off for the remaining two spots.
The qualification for the remaining two spots is done through two 16 person double elimination brackets, seeded based on ladder position.
Each player will bring 3 decks to the OCC: Clash tournament with different main nations.
Videos with all the matches from OCC: Clash events are premiered on the KARDS YouTube channel the weekend after they are played, with commentary.
Through OCC: Clash events, players earn OCC Points. The 8 players with the highest number of OCC Points after a 3 month period compete in the OCC: Ultimate, a quarterly tournament featuring the most elite KARDS players of the three previous months.
The OCC Points board will be updated on the kards.com website on a monthly basis, following OCC: Clash video publication.
OCC: Clash tournaments feature diamond and gold prizes for the top 8 participants.
For the OCC: Ultimate tournament, players bring 4 decks from 4 different main nations. All OCC: Ultimate matches are a best of five series.
Seeding for the OCC: Ultimate is based on the OCC Point system (i.e. the first place player faces off against the eighth, the fourth against the fifth, and so forth).
The OCC: Ultimate tournament features a 3,000 USD prize pool and is broadcast live on the KARDS Twitch channel.
See more details about OCC Points and the current OCC Point standings, updated monthly, here: OCC Points
The KARDS Open tournament has been, and will continue to be, a free to enter tournament open to all who are interested in giving it a go. This is a format that we will be making some adjustments to throughout 2023. The Open tournament will now be held every 3 months, instead of every 2 months. The first KARDS Open tournament features a 1,500 USD prize pool and a much wider range of diamond and gold prizes, going all the way down to the top 32 participants. The top 16 will be a free-for-all, but a requirement is made that players must always win with different main nations. For example, if you win with a Japan deck, you cannot bring that deck again or any Japan deck - you’ll have to switch to a different main nation for the next match. If you lose with a Japan deck, you can bring Japan again, even a different Japan deck. This small but significant change adds a bit more mystery to the Opens Top Cuts, meaning new challenges, but also opportunities for participants.
The KARDS Open starts with two Swiss qualifiers, held on two different weekends.
For the Swiss stage of the tournament, deck lists are closed and there are no deck requirements. Simply bring your best deck, test your metal, and take your shot at competitive glory!
The top 8 players from each weekend qualify for the top 16.
In the top 16, participants play a Single Elimination bracket with closed deck lists in a best of 3 series. However, each win must be with a deck from a different main nation.
In the top 4, players submit 4 decks from different main nations and continue to play a Single Elimination bracket, now in a best of 5 series, until we have a KARDS Open Champion. This final part of the Open is played with open deck lists.
The top 4 players split a 1,500 USD prize pool, with everyone else that qualifies for the top 32 earning some diamonds and/or gold for their efforts.
A new tournament type is entering the KARDS eSports scene in 2023: Special Operations! These tournaments feature special formats which will vary throughout the year. The first Special Operations tournament will be Pauper, meaning that players’ decks can only contain Standard and Limited rarity cards. Special Operations tournaments have a limited number of seats, with 32 players competing in a double elimination bracket. You only have to bring one deck that adheres to the rules of the special format, and games are a best of one series. This event is run completely in one weekend, with the final 4 players duking it out in a live broadcast. This tournament format offers a different sort of tournament experience to our players and a different viewing experience for our viewers. Prizes for this tournament feature diamonds, gold, and heaps of fun!
Players fight to prove that they are the best in a given format in a 32 player double elimination bracket. This means that participation is limited. Sign-ups for the event are done through challonge.com - keep an eye out on the KARDS Discord and social media channels, where we’ll announce when sign-ups are open. Make sure to secure your spot!
Participants must submit one deck and play a best of one series.
The top 4 players duke it out for the win in a show broadcast on the KARDS Twitch channel.
All top 8 players earn some diamond or gold prizes for their efforts.
This one is still almost a year away but we’re already getting excited for the 2023 World Championship!
In 2023, we aim to have all participants in the World Championship on location in Iceland, the home of KARDS creators 1939 Games, to play the finals in a LAN environment.
The KARDS World Championship is an epic event featuring a 10,000 USD prize pool. All players in the game can participate in the open qualifiers for the World Championship directly through the client. During certain qualification periods, a special queue is open to all players where they can earn points towards their World Championship qualification in an effort to earn their spot among the elite 128 players entering into stage two of the World Championship: The Knockout Stage.
Throughout the year, players may earn a pre-qualification to the top 128 player Knockout Stage. The top 4 players from the 2022 World Championship as well as winners of all Officer Club Championship tournaments, KARDS Open tournaments, and in-game seasons from September 2022 through August 2023 are pre-qualified to participate in the Knockout Stage.
Expect more details to be announced on the format and schedule surrounding the World Championship as we get closer to the start of the open qualification period in the latter half of the year.
You can read more details about the upcoming year in eSports on the KARDS eSports page.
We’re incredibly excited for the eSports year ahead. Please share your thoughts with us on these changes in the comments below.
Elín, Community Manager and Head of eSports
A New Skirmish Event is Live
A new Skirmish event is live now until January 15th!
Another new and unique set of rules for this weekend’s Skirmish! Here’s everything you need to know.
Skirmish is a special game mode in KARDS where you play with alternate rules. These rules vary; you’ll face something new and completely different at every Skirmish event. Read more about Skirmishes in our announcement blog New game mode: Skirmish.
Rules for Skirmish #14
In this Skirmish, you choose your own deck to battle with. All cards in your deck will have a minimum cost of 3 to play. Operation cost is not affected. Damage dealt to a HQ is reduced by the number of units friendly to the HQ on the battlefield. Players also start with +2 Kredit slots.
Prize for Skirmish #14
The prize for this Skirmish is a full set of the new French card, 43e RÉGIMENT MOTORISÉ. This Infantry unit costs 6 Kredits to play and 1 Kredit to operate. It has 4 attack, 5 defense, as well as both the Mobilize and Guard abilities. Additionally, it has the effect that when this unit loses Mobilize, you fully repair your units.
Special Store Offer for Skirmish #14
In the store this weekend we have a France Skirmish Special, containing 4 Allegiance packs, 1 Allegiance Officer Pack, and the Allegiance Card Back. A great opportunity to expand your collection of Allegiance cards with a fantastic discount!
Access the Skirmish event from the game's main screen to get an overview of the game mode, rules and prize.
This Skirmish will be accessible from January 13th at 12:00 GMT until Sunday, January 15th at 18:00 GMT.
Join this special event - win your Skirmish to claim victory and the spoils!
Please let us know what you think of the event in the comments below or on the KARDS Discord.
See you in the Skirmish this weekend!
Card Updates: Rally
Happy New Year!
We are back from the winter holiday! Let’s start the new year with some exciting card changes.
A few more Exile-related cards are going to be changed so that you can have more options for developing Exile decks. Nerfs are included as usual, such as the notorious 2e RIMA. Buffs for underperforming cards are definitely enclosed as well. We hope to see some new and interesting decks arising from these changes.
5TH PARACHUTE BRIGADE
The difference between 0 and 1 is huge when it comes to deploying units. Having 4 Mobilize units at turn 1 might just decide the game, even though the chances are low. Deploying parachute units usually involves transport aircraft or something similar and thus should not be free in the game. This unit costs 1 to deploy, but 0 to operate.
BALUCH REGIMENT
Old: Deployment: Give your HQ +2 defense. New: Deployment: Give your HQ +3 defense.
This infantry regiment of the British Indian Army had impressive service during the war. Giving more defense to your HQ might help this unit find its home in some British defensive decks.
M4 FIREFLY
Old: Damage from M4 FIREFLY ignores Heavy Armor. New: Deployment: Deal 5 damage to an enemy tank.
Having heavy armor is quite useful in combat. Ignoring heavy armor seems to be a completely different story. As a very powerful tank destroyer, M4 FIREFLY is supposed to be a big threat against tanks. With this new version, it is able to destroy most tanks in KARDS when deployed.
3. FALLSCHIRMJÄGER
Obviously, this parachute unit is having trouble with multiple unit types. With Blitz, it is capable of joining the battlefield quickly and fighting well along with friendly tanks in the same line.
361. AFRIKA REGIMENT
With 1 more defense, this unit might just survive and have a much better chance of moving into the frontline, dealing some damage to the enemy HQ.
BARRAGE
Old: Choose one - enemy units have -3 attack this turn OR deal 5 damage to a ground unit. New: Choose one - enemy units have -4 attack this turn OR deal 2 damage to a ground unit.
While this card’s function remains the same, its numbers are changed significantly. It only costs 2 to play, making it much more efficient. Dealing 2 damage can be very handy in early game and reducing attack by 4 can be very helpful for your units in combat.
34TH GUARDS
The Soviet self-damage deck is becoming really popular and powerful. It’s been a while since we have seen a really good T1 Soviet deck. We hope the deck will remain strong, but it’s also time to slow down this big boy a bit.
A-20B
Old: Costs 1 less to deploy if you control a US unit. New: Costs 1 less for each US unit you control.
The more US units you have, the less this bomber costs. It’s possible to deploy this bomber for free, if you have 4 US units on the board. Its stats are adjusted to be more in the line with the other A-20 bomber in the game.
SBD 3 DAUNTLESS
The SBD is best remembered as the bomber that delivered the fatal blows to the Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway, earning its nickname “Slow But Deadly”. However, costing 3 to operate seems to be too slow for the bomber to do anything in KARDS, not to mention destroying a carrier.
AICHI D3A-1
Old: Destruction: Deal 1 damage to the enemy HQ. New: Destruction: If it is the enemy turn, add an AICHI D3A-2 to your support line.
About 50 AICHI bombers were launched for the first wave attack on Pearl Harbor. The number was increased to about 80 for the second wave. They sank more Allied warships than any other Axis aircraft. If you destroy an enemy AICHI D3A-1 in the game, an AICHI D3A-2 is added to the enemy support line. It’s very likely that the enemy has more AICHI D3A-2 in hand or deck. Those bombers are flying in squadrons. Watch out!
ANCIENT EMPIRE
Old: Give your HQ +4 defense and all friendly units +1+1. New: Set your HQ’s defense to 8. Draw an ANCIENT EMPIRE.
The HQ’s defense is set to 8 by playing this card. Depending on its current defense, your HQ might lose or gain defense, just like the ups and downs in ancient empires, which is the idea of this new version. In addition, some units are much stronger while your HQ’s defense is low. Are you able to survive with 8 defense? With maximum 4 copies in the deck, are you able to defeat the enemy before running out of such cards?
PZL P.11
Old: Your Exile cards cost 1 less, to a minimum of 1. New: Your Exile cards cost 1 less.
It’s not a secret that Exile decks are still not working as they should. In this patch, we are going to continue the journey of improving Exile cards. This fighter’s ability remains pretty much the same with a much more flexible cost for itself.
HURRICANE PL
Old: Deployment: Give another unit with Exile +1+1. New: Deployment: Give another friendly Exile unit +1+1 and -1 operation cost.
Besides +1+1, the -1 operation cost buff can make the targeted Exile unit operable in most cases, helping you control the board.
BATTLE MK I PL
Old: The first order you give each turn also gives your units +1+1. New: When you deploy another Exile unit, give it +1+1.
This Exile bomber is now working with other Exile units, instead of buffing all units. Costing 2 to deploy makes it much easier to trigger its ability, supporting other Exile units.
2e RIMa
Old: At the end of your turn, give each other friendly unit Mobilize. New: At the end of your turn, give adjacent units Mobilize.
According to our data, this is one of the most used cards of the new skirmish cards. While many players enjoy playing this card, it seemingly has crossed the line of causing a bad gaming experience. We have received many complaints through various feedback channels regarding this card. We would like to keep this card useful and good, but it needs to be much less annoying. It now only gives adjacent units Mobilize. In order to get more value from this card’s ability, either this unit or its adjacent units need to be moved.
That is all, these changes will be live in late January. Please continue giving us your feedback, which is very valuable to us. We are checking your feedback, as always.
Thanks and see you on the battlefield, commanders!
