Genre: Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Indie, Card & Board Game
Kards: The WWII Card Game
The story of Polish fighter ace Witold Urbanowicz
Good day, Commanders!
As a game deeply rooted in World War II, KARDS is built on a profound respect for its history. Preserving and sharing this legacy is a mission we take seriously—one that many of our players also embrace. Among the war’s many remarkable figures, few stand out like Witold Urbanowicz, a Polish fighter ace whose story is one of courage, skill, and determination.
Witold Urbanowicz standing in front of a Hawker Hurricane.
Witold was born in Poland 30 March 1908 and joined the Polish Air Force in 1930. In August 1936, flying a PZL P.11 he shot down his first aircraft, a Soviet spyplane. For this he was officially reprimanded and unofficially congratulated by his superior officer and sent to be an instructor to an air force training school, where he earned the nickname “Cobra”. When Germany and the Soviet Union invaded Poland, Urbanowicz managed to escape with two cadets to Romania. He made it to France and here he took part in the Battle of Britain. He started with No. 145 Squadron of the RAF before joining the Polish-manned No. 303 Squadron flying Hawker Hurricanes. Urbanowicz became the Squadron leader on 7 September 1940 after his predecessor was wounded. During the Battle of Britain he was credited with 15 confirmed kills and 1 probable. He was awarded the Virtuti Militari, Poland’s highest military decoration and the Distinguished Flying Cross, Britain’s third highest decoration awarded to officers.
After this Urbanowicz was posted as the 2nd Air Attaché in the Polish Embassy in the United States, where he managed to join the USAAF 14th Air Force in China serving in the legendary Flying Tigers. There he shot down two Nakajima Ki-44 ‘Tojo’ during the same air battle. He had further unconfirmed kills over China and was awarded the US Air Medal and the Chinese Cross.
Urbanowicz with the Flying Tigers and receiving a medal from General Chennault.
After World War II, Urbanowicz returned to Poland, only to be arrested four times by the communist secret police suspected of being a spy. He fled to the USA and lived in New York flying as a pilot for several airlines. After the fall of communism in Poland, Urbanowicz visited Poland and was made a general by president Wałęsa.
You can play three of Witold Urbanowicz’s aircraft in KARDS.
This is just one story of people in a world at war, whose history is represented in KARDS.
If you have a story of a family member we at 1939 Games would welcome more true life stories like this. Contact us through social media.
USA - The War machine
Hello everyone!
USA - The War machine
Is the most popular card in KARDS
It is in 24.6% of all decks
German - Panzer 35(t)
19.90%
Japan - Expansion
17.30%
Britain - The Glamour Boys
13.50%
Soviet - 12th Guards Mechanised
10.80%
Those who answered correctly will receive their reward today.
Most popular card in KARDS
Hello everyone!
Here is a list of popular cards with players in the game, but one of them is the most popular card currently used in KARDS.
Can you guess which one is the most popular in the game? Guess which one and put it in the comments on KARDS on STEAM/Facebook/Instagram/X. Include your player name and tag so we can reward the winners - but only if you want the reward!
Like my player name and tag is Red Alert#2013 - Go to Options and you will see it in the lower right hand corner.
Only one guess is allowed per person. Those who are right will receive a basic card pack after the weekend.
Britain - The Glamour Boys
German - Panzer 35(t)
Japan - Expansion
Soviet - 12th Guards Mechanised
USA - The War machine
Entries after 18:00 GMT on Sunday 30 March, are not valid.
Gold is one of two in-game currencies of KARDS. In any situation Gold can improve your game, it can get you new cards or show off your gaming status. As in real life, having Gold is always helpful.
The ultimate in flaunting - a Gold HQ.
KARDS Field Manual
This article kicks off a series, KARDS Field Manual, exploring some of the fundamentals of KARDS. Providing an introduction to newer players, and offers valuable insights that even seasoned veterans find useful.
Gold can easily be earned in-game:
First win of the day
Complete daily mission - normally 1 but 2 with a battle pass
National levels also give you gold
Draft mode
Tournaments
Crates - more gold the higher the crate
Different ways to earn Gold in KARDS.
How to spend gold!
You can buy packs, 100 Gold for a Basic Pack, 330 Gold for an Officer pack.
Convert cards into Gold Cards.
And if you manage a deck made entirely out of Gold Cards - Your HQ will be Gold too!
How to spend Gold in the Game.
Check out Bear Gardner’s in-depth video on Gold, providing valuable insights in visual format!
UNITED FRONT: BATTLE READY DECKS
UNITED FRONT: BATTLE READY DECKS
With our latest KARDS Spring Release: UNITED FRONT we are thrilled to bring you 5 brand new battle ready decks that will accompany the release. Battle ready decks allow you to march straight into combat, wielding powerful new cards from the expansion.
The battle ready decks have been meticulously assembled by our designers and come in two tiers: 200 diamonds and 350 diamonds.
350 DIAMOND BATTLE READY DECKS!
BRITALLIANCE
MAJOR POWER BRITAIN WITH ITALY AS ALLIES
Pressure the enemy with small air units.
You have plenty of cheap air units to put pressure on your enemy from the get go. Use cards like CLOSE AIR SUPPORT to increase the pressure even more, in addition to making them harder to deal with. MONTY and SLASHERS help keep the enemy in check, while REGIA AERONAUTICA and WELLINGTON can give the final push to victory late on. Your Italian ally gives you additional cheap air units, a strong support unit in WOLVES IN TUSCANY, and AIR ESCORT can give a surprise boost at a key moment.
THE BALTIC CONNECTION
MAJOR POWER GERMANY WITH FINLAND AS ALLIES
Use disruptive elements to keep the enemy in check.
Your deck is very flexible, allowing you to adapt to any situation to play more aggressively or more conservatively. You have various ways to halt early aggression; then cards like FW 190 A and INFANTRY REGIMENT 36 help you to gain card advantage and win a late war of attrition. In addition to having many tools to deal with threats on the battlefield, you can also attack enemy hands directly with U-375, WOLFPACK and MOLOTOV COCKTAIL.
200 DIAMOND BATTLE READY DECKS!
SOVEREIGN SPACE
MAJOR POWER SOVIET WITH ITALY AS ALLIES
Use your air force to dominate and win.
Your plentiful air units allow you to be proactive in pressuring the enemy HQ or trading against early threats. You have several Guard units to slow down the enemy, such as the Italian 125th LA SPEZIA, which also frequently gives you a card. CLAIM THE SKIES is very efficient in taking out troublesome enemy units while growing your own. Your Italian allies supplement your strategy nicely with strong air units, with the REGIA AERONAUTICA the cherry on top.
KILL ORDER
MAJOR POWER JAPAN WITH FRANCE AS ALLIES
Keep the board in check while your orders chip away.
Your deck is full of orders that can damage the enemy, such as DIPLOMATIC ATTACHÉ and SAAR OFFENSIVE. You then have ways to increase this damage, or generate new ones, with cards like KAWANISHI H6K and B-26 GROUP BRETAGNE. Playing your cards in the right order is very important. Your French ally helps with your overall strategy, as well as providing a backup one through SOMUA S35, turning any unit into a threat.
THE MENAGERIE
MAJOR POWER USA WITH POLAND AS ALLIES
Aim for card advantage, then Blitz to win.
Many of your cards can provide you with a card advantage, either drawing you cards or destroying enemy ones. Use this to slowly take over the battlefield. Your deck is not the fastest, but very resilient, prioritizing staying alive in the early game. Cards like BLUE AND GRAY and DANUTA can provide you with repeated value. ROMANIAN BRIDGEHEAD is your secret weapon to use late game for a surprise attack with one of your big units. Time it carefully.
All these decks come equipped with a strong selection of cards from UNITED FRONT - ready for battle! Check out these Battle Ready decks in the store, Commander, and lead your forces to victory!
KARDS: UNITED FRONT - SPRING RELEASE 2025 Full Release Is Live Now
The KARDS Spring Release: UNITED FRONT has now fully released!
This first release of 2025 brings you 24 new cards, the new Player Portrait feature, card balancing, Reserve pool reshuffle and even better deals on Battle passes! With the arrival of the full release, brand new cards from the United Front expansion now drop in Core card packs, and can be created with wildcards.
FEATURES
24 NEW CARDS
This expansion bolsters the forces of the allied nations, bringing 24 brand-new cards to the ranks of Finland, France, Italy, and Poland. Each nation receives six powerful new additions, expanding on existing strategies and introducing thrilling new tactics to the fight.
PLAYER PORTRAITS
A symbol of your command! At the heart of every great strategy lies a formidable commander. With the introduction of player portraits, you can now visually define your leadership in battle.
With the United Front Spring Release, 20 cards have returned to the reserve pool and balance adjustments have arrived for 12 active cards, 3 nerfs and 9 buffs.
The Battle Pass is now an even greater asset for any commander! With 30% XP bonuses, extra daily missions, crate level-ups (Wild Cards), and free daily cards, it’s already a must-have. But now, extended Battle Passes are available for 3 or 6 months at a discount, ensuring you never miss a single day on the front lines.
NATION-SPECIFIC FEATURES
United Front focuses on the allied nations, boosting them and tailoring them to their task!
FINLAND
The Finns are masters of asymmetrical warfare. They ambush, salvage and suppress. Now they add a discard option, even stealing cards from the enemy. All of this makes more sense when you deploy the Finnish Boys, who block the discard. Other cards include Molotov Cocktail and some heavy air support with the ME BF 109 G.
FRANCE
Hold the line is the order of the day. The French receive much needed reinforcements to help in the Battle of France. The Somua S35 is added to the arsenal and gives it support to other units. You now have a larger selection of infantry support and the Escaut Plan can make your units even more dangerous.
ITALY
This expansion is all about the favored arm of the Italian Army, the Regia Aeronautica. Look for strength in numbers as your fighters sweep the battlefield! Even the infantry, Wolves of Tuscany and 125th La Spezia are made to work with the splendid air arm!
POLAND
First to fight! In this expansion the Polish Army goes all in bravely defending Poland with no regard to personal safety! Units like the Iron Division are powerful but only last a short time. The armored train Danuta is supported by swarms of 4TP tanks, but do not expect these brave tanks to last long. Make every sacrifice count!
DEPLOY NOW – THE UNITED FRONT AWAITS!
The war is ever-changing, and the frontlines are calling. The United Front expansion full release is now here - start collecting these new cards from packs or craft them using wildcards. Build your deck, adapt to the shifting battlefield, and lead your forces to triumph!
United Front: Early Access is Live!
Attention Commanders,
The United Front mini-set is available in early access NOW!
https://youtu.be/k2WPmlSe3hw
Head to the in-game shop to secure your full arsenal of brand new cards and deploy them in battle right away! The Early Access allows you to dive straight in and get All the New Cards straight away!
This exclusive early access phase runs until 20 March. On that day, the full release of United Front arrives, with the new cards becoming available in Core packs, as well as new Battle Ready Decks! You’ll also be able to create the new cards with wildcards as usual.
United Front has stormed the battlefield, bringing:
A new mini-set featuring 24 powerful new cards, available in early access until 20 March
Brand new player portraits to command the battlefield in style
Card balance update, with 12 cards adjusted for a dynamic battlefield
Full patch including bug fixes and general improvements
Still to come on 20 March:
Full release of the mini-set - United Front cards join Core packs and can be created with wildcards
Battle Ready Decks - New decks with the new cards selected into themes
Reserve reshuffle - With 20 cards rotating to Reserves, shifting the tides of battle
The battlefield is ever-changing. Secure the early access bundle now to take command of these formidable new allied forces - or scout the terrain and prepare your strategy for the full release on 20 March.
United Front Mini-Set: Strength in Unity
The United Front mini-set emphasizes the power of allied cooperation. The ally nations in KARDS - Finland, France, Italy, and Poland - each receive six new tactical reinforcements, strengthening their ranks and creating fresh strategic opportunities.
Finland brings unwavering resilience and formidable tactics to the battlefield.
France leverages cunning maneuvers and cooperation to outflank opponents.
Italy’s new air units strike fear into enemy lines.
Poland commands raw firepower with heavy units and bold tactics.
Reinforce your ranks and forge new battle plans with these powerful allies!
Strategic Shake-Up: The Warfront Evolves
The battlefield is shifting, with an additional new card balance update that has already taken effect, as well as an upcoming Reserve pool update on 20 March.
In addition to all the excitement with new cards and meta changes, we’ve also welcomed new player portraits, as well as bug fixes and improvements in the spring release patch.
For a complete breakdown of the latest update, check out the full patch notes:
Our first major update of the year introduces exciting new content and changes, including:
A meta shake-up, featuring:
The United Front mini-set, available exclusively in early access from March 14th until its full release on March 20th
A new card balance update
Reserve pool rotation, arriving on March 20th
New player portraits to customize your command
Bug fixes and general improvements
Dive into the full breakdown below for details on all the new content and updates coming with the Spring Release.
United Front Mini-Set
The United Front mini-set introduces 24 new cards, with 6 additions each for the allied nations: Finland, France, Italy, and Poland. This mini-set builds on existing themes, allowing these nations to collaborate with the major powers for powerful new tactical options.
The United Front mini-set is available exclusively in the in-game Shop from March 14th until its full release on March 20th. When it is fully released, all cards in the mini-set will start dropping from Core packs, will be available in Battle-Ready Decks, and you’ll be able to create the new cards with wildcards. Get the early access bundle and be on the frontlines with powerful new allied forces, or engage in reconnaissance and strategize for when the full release hits on March 20th.
Card Balance Update
This update brings balance adjustments to 12 cards in the active pool; 3 nerfs and 9 buffs in total.
Nerfs: FIRST RESPONDERS, 4th GUARDS RIFLES, 12th GUARDS MECHANISED
The meta-shakeup continues with a Reserve Pool Rotation, taking effect on March 20th alongside the full release of the United Front mini-set.
Rotating into reserves on March 20th:
BLOHM & VOSS BV 138, MOSQUITO FB Mk VI, 507th PIR, 272nd GUARDS, AUDACITY, FIESELER FI 156, RAAF LIGHTNING F-4, UNITED WE STAND, SPEARHEAD, MATSUE REGIMENT, CASE YELLOW, M3A3 HONEY, 332nd ENGINEER REGIMENT, MACHINES OF WAR, Ki-44 TOJO, REICHSBANK, TIMELY SUPPLIES, SUPPLY CHAIN, STAND TOGETHER, 34th INFANTRY REGIMENT
Check out our announcement blog for more details on the cards rotating into the Reserve pool: RESERVE POOL ANNOUNCEMENT
New Player Portraits
The Spring Release brings brand new player portraits, letting you stand out with a distinctive visual identity. Player portraits are displayed in key areas of the game, including the home screen and battle interface. New player portraits can be obtained through National Progression and the in-game Shop.
Check out our highlight video for an overview of all the details:
Fixed incorrect damage calculations when repairing units if 158th BUSHMASTERS and THE RANGERS were on the battlefield.
Fixed an issue where the FRIENDLY FIRE countermeasure didn't trigger when the HQ took 0 damage.
Fixed broken interaction between 1st GRENADIER REGIMENT, KV-1 1941, and 738. JÄGER REGIMENT, which caused card draw to completely deplete a player’s deck.
Fixed errors affecting gold cards/gold HQs in battle.
Fixed a bug causing the "Destruction" ability to trigger twice after using CODE OF BUSHIDO if B5N KATE was on the battlefield and P1Y GINGA was discarded.
Fixed issue where SPITFIRE Mk II didn't gain +2 attack after 456th RIFLE REGIMENT gained Guard when the enemy HQ was attacked.
Fixed an issue where covert units failed to trigger ENEMY SPOTTED.
Fixed an issue preventing excess damage ability from triggering if a T-34 was deployed or added after using TURNING POINT.
Fixed a bug where deploying PANZER III-F triggered an opponent’s GREIF unit ability if GREIF was present on both battlefields.
Fixed an issue with the OVERWHELMING FORCE tooltip.
Fixed a bug where YAMAGATA REGIMENT's ability wasn't removed after a friendly unit was returned to hand by THE MERCHANT NAVY.
Localization
Fixed French localization issue where "Battlefields" text didn't fit properly in the Play menu sidebar.
Additional general improvements have also been implemented, making KARDS an even better battlefield for all players.
Join the Community!
We appreciate all the feedback and bug reports from our dedicated KARDS community.
Join us on our official platforms and share your thoughts on the update:
At the heart of every great strategy lies a formidable commander. With the introduction of player portraits, you can now visually define your leadership in battle.
All players begin with a standard silhouette portrait. However, as you progress through the national progression system, you will unlock new, historically inspired portraits at levels 8, 48, and 150 for each nation. Additional portraits will also be available for purchase in the in-game Shop.
Each player portrait is crafted from iconic artwork, many of which can already be seen in KARDS.
Your selected portrait will be prominently displayed in key areas of the game, including the home screen and battle interface.
Player Profiles - The Next Steps
Player portraits are just the beginning. We are actively developing player profiles, a dedicated space where you’ll be able to view and customize your portrait while tracking your personal achievements within KARDS.
Player profiles will introduce a new achievement system, where you can earn medals for completing challenges. These medals are not just rewards - they are a testament to your strategic prowess and battlefield expertise.
Expect player profiles to launch later this year alongside another major update, further expanding your ability to personalize and showcase your journey in KARDS.
Card Spoilers Ahead!
We can’t wait for the United Front update to take the battlefield by storm. Follow us on social media to make sure you don’t miss a thing:
A new release, a new balance patch. You know the drill. The UNITED FRONT Spring Release will shake things up on various fronts - new cards, cards being rotated and several cards seeing some balance tweaks. It is this last part that we will be discussing here in this dev blog, so strap yourself in!
As is to be expected with 3 whole months since the Blood & Iron expansion, players are getting a bit tired of the meta and are restless for some shake ups. The meta has a few decks rising slightly above the rest (mainly ramp, self-damage, soviet control), but their edge is so slim that pretty much anything goes and it is possible to get decent results with any old deck. Aggro is weaker though than it has been for a while. With all this in mind, let’s take a look at what we have in store for you in the upcoming balance patch, starting with the nerfs.
The first response to First Responders when it launched with a cost of 4 was muted. The second response to First Responders after it was buffed to 3k was polarizing. It will be interesting to see what the third response to First Responders will be now that the effect is nerfed a bit. A response of 100% approval would be a first.
The 4th Guards Rifles took to the Blood & Iron battlefields with a storm, now the Blitz is being taken away. With their storming days over, is this 9/9 Guard that sometimes comes down for free doomed to become obsolete? Only time will tell, but players are advised to keep their anti-9/9 tools near at hand, just in case.
The popularity of 12th Guards Mechanised is such that the unit now feels it can conquer the world. It has thrown all caution to the wind and is going all out on attack. We feel required to reflect these new megalomaniac tendencies within the game, so we are swapping the attack and defense of the non-veteran version. Note that the veteran version remains the same, only the non-veteran version is seeing any changes.
The ability on Inniskilling Fusiliers is rising from 2 to 3. Math tells us this is an increase of 50%, but our guts tells us it is much bigger, like a slowly digesting Shepard’s Pie. Intel decks have flirted with respectability for a while now, especially in legion with Legions. It now has a payoff card that demands respect and finally puts the Kill in Inniskilling.
Speaking of math, here is a card that is now 20% cheaper, 25% more likely to see play and 30% more likely to frustrate your foe. Make your subs dominate the seas in an orgy of pain and pleasure; penetrate unsuspecting allied convoys with your torpedoes of steel, making your opponents squeal. Germany has taken a bit of a hit recently in terms of popularity, especially as a main nation, but this new tool can invigorate their control and midrange tempo decks. Pack Wolfpack and Master your enemy.
Covert Operation was so undercover and low-key that it has managed to stay out of pretty much all decks since it sneaked into the game. It has now instigated a buddy program, where it brings a buddy to work. As a 4-cost single unit it had 0 impact, let’s see if a 5-cost double unit has a bigger impact, or ends as double-O 5.
The iconic P-51 Mustang has for a long time rarely found a home outside of draft. It is now regaining its old ability of dealing 5 damage instead of 4. Let’s see if this allows it to range further. The word on the grapevine is that air decks may be seeing a resurgence soon, meaning the P-51 Mustang may be getting into its stride at just the right time.
The 77th Regiment puts its pants on one leg at a time like other mortal men, but what it was lacking was more 2/2s. Witnessing the 77th now roaming the misty spaces of the battlefields chanting ‘More 2/2s’ is sure to strike fear in the most formidable opponents. Alongside similar value-generating midrange units like Winter Regiment, the 77th Regiment may be the start of something new and fresh for Japan.
‘Where there is smokescreen there is fire’ nobody said, ever. But now they might. The smokescreen deck, with the support it got in Blood & Iron, was capable of growing very big, but was severely lacking in the speed department. Now Hirosaki is giving the deck the tempo-swing it needed. Is it enough to light the fire beneath it?
To answer the question above - if Hirosaki is not enough by itself, maybe this little buff can push it over the edge. Now with an operation cost of 0 this little tankette threatens to grow into a formidable threat quicker than you can say ‘Go Type 92 Jyu-Shokosha, go!’ three times fast.
B-26 Groupe Bretagne cares about the first order you give each turn. Now the Bloch cares about being the first unit deployed. One wonders what this portents, but something tells us Nostradamus’s famous ‘France First’ t-shirt might be a hint of things to come.
Zaza Division never managed to find glory in surviving, so now it is going down in style. This can be a real draw-on-a-stick in the mid game and who knows what other tricks are possible. All we know is that 33rd Recon is now hiding in shame.
That is all for now. Three nerfs and nine buffs to accompany the new cards and rotation, heralding in a new and bright future. Let us know what you think, your feedback is precious to us. The balance patch will be unleashed on the 13th of March, spearheading the changes to come. Until then, see you on the battlefield, commander!
