How to play
Game
Playing Kards
Itching to pick up a deck and start playing? There’s no better way to learn than to simply download KARDS now and get started! And if you still have unanswered questions after the in-game tutorial, the pages in this section will help you catch up on anything you’ve missed.
Board overview
All you need to know about KARDS game interface can literally be summed up with just one screenshot
- Your HandYou draw one card from your deck and add it to your hand each turn. Cards with a yellow Kredit number can be played, while cards with a white Kredit number either require more Kredits or some other conditions to be met.
- Your HQEach HQ (headquarters) starts with 20 defense points and the victory condition in the battle is to destroy the enemy HQ by bringing the defense to zero or below. This is done by attacking the enemy HQ with your military units and/or damage dealing orders.
- Your KreditsEach card you play costs a certain amount of Kredits which are your resources used in battle. Your Kredits replenish at the beginning of your turn, and each turn your Kredit slots increase by one up to a maximum of 12 (some cards can push up that maximum number though).
- Military UnitsThis is one of your military units. Use units to attack your enemy HQ or units or to defend your own HQ. Many units have special abilities that give them a unique strategic purpose.
- Unit TypesThere are 5 different types of units and they have different built-in attributes. There are 3 ground unit types: Infantry, Tanks and Artillery. Also there are two types of air units: Fighters and Bombers. To see what each unit type does, hover over the type icon.
- Your Support LineThis is your Support line where your units are deployed and your HQ is located. Enemy units cannot move into your Support line. Each line can hold 5 cards (including the HQ).
- The FrontlineThis is the Frontline. Infantry and tank units must be in the Frontline to be able to attack the enemy HQ and enemy units in the enemy Support line. Only one player controls the frontline at any time.
- Operation CostThe smaller number in the Kredit field on a unit is the Operation cost. Once the unit has been deployed, only this number is shown. In addition to having to spend Kredits deploying your units, you also have to pay Kredits for Operating (Moving/Attacking) your units.
- OrdersOrders are cards that have a one time effect on the battle when played but are not deployed into the battlefield like units.
- Your DeckAt the beginning of each turn, you draw one card from your deck and add it to your hand. A deck contains 40 cards total. Up to 12 of those cards can be from an ally nation.
- Battle HistoryThis is a summary of the most recent moves that provides an overview of the latest developments in the battle.
Get started
KARDS is easy to learn as it is related to conventional strategy and card games. The strategic depth of KARDS, however, is compelling.
To help kickstart your KARDS career, we have compiled valuable tips and tactical advice.
Learn more about:
Card details
Trigger effects, Orders and Countermeasures
Boosts and Combos
Battle tactics
Card Details and Abilities
Especially in the beginning, it is important to understand the info presented on a card.
The costs of a unit (deployment and operation) and its attack/defense values are straightforward and visible on the card.
Many cards have extra abilities which considerably increase their tactical and strategic value.
The KARDS Encyclopedia, accessible in game, has detailed information about each ability. You can also browse through the entire card collection and review each card.
Here are examples that you will regularly encounter in KARDS:
Blitz - The unit can operate (move and/or attack) the same turn they came into play. This means, you can deploy the unit and immediately use it. Without Blitz, you need to wait one turn after the deployment until you can use the unit. This ability affects only the deployment turn.
Fury - This unit can operate twice (move and/or attack) during one and the same turn.
Guard - Adjacent units cannot be attacked except by bombers and artillery. You can also guard your Headquarter.
Smokescreen - This unit cannot be attacked by other units until it has moved or attacked on its own. However, the unit can be damaged by trigger effects and Orders.
Battle tactics
In the heat of the battle, it is easy to lose sight of all your units and orders available in your arsenal. The able strategist, however, keeps a cool head and has nerves of steel even in the wildest battle!
Here are some hints that can help you keeping your troops together and winning more battles:
Always check your hand for boosts that might benefit troops already on the battlefield. Use these boosts before you attack with your units.
Example: TYPE 93 buffs all friendly units with +1 attack. If you want to deploy this unit, do this at the start of your turn so that your troops on the field can attack with the buff.Get extra draws at the start of your turn. For example, if you use BLOODY SICKLE (one damage to your HQ and one target unit plus one card draw), do that before you deploy your other units. This way, you can adapt to the new card draws and adjust your tactic.
