KARDS - The WWII Card Game News

Hello everyone!

It’s been a busy period at 1939 headquarters. On November 27th, we deployed Homefront, with 87 new cards, fresh mechanics, balance changes, and an updated Draft card pool. A small follow-up patch landed on November 29th to resolve early card bugs and a balance issue.

We continue to closely monitor the evolving battlefield, including the widely discussed SECOND FRONT and B-26 GROUPE BRETAGNE. We’re working on getting everything in alignment for our next balance patch, which is estimated to land in January. We will have more details on that a bit later.

Today’s patch brings a round of important bug fixes, minor improvements, and some behind-the-scenes preparations as we march toward the holiday season. Read on for the full briefing! 🎅
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[h2]Autoplay Timing Update[/h2]
RESISTANCE cards are designed to autoplay immediately when drawn. However, this instant autoplay could interrupt other effects in unintended ways. One example was an issue where ULTRA would correctly trigger when countering an order, but the enemy's RESISTANCE, sitting on top of their deck, would immediately autoplay and prevent the original order from being cancelled.

To address this, we've reworked how autoplay cards behave:

• Autoplay cards are no longer played instantly the moment they are drawn.
  
• Instead, they are queued and will only autoplay at controlled moments:
  
  • At the end of the current player action, or
    
  • At the end of start turn or end turn phase

This ensures that gameplay effects resolve in the correct order and prevents autoplay cards from interfering with ongoing actions.

This update also affects full-hand scenarios:

• Previously, a card like RESISTANCE would still autoplay even if the hand was full when drawn.
  
• Now, if the hand is full, the autoplay card is discarded, matching the behavior of normal drawn cards.

Overall, this change makes autoplay behavior more consistent, avoids flow-breaking interruptions, and resolves edge cases such as the ULTRA + RESISTANCE interaction.
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[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]
[h3]Battle[/h3]

• Fixed several issues relating to autoplay and RESISTANCE cards, including a broken interaction between 2. MARINE DIVISION, GIFU REGIMENT and U-16; FW 189 and USS THE SULLIVANS; HMS SCEPTRE and 22nd MARINES; and ULTRA and RESISTANCE.
  
• Combat keyword buffs were not correctly applied to Covert units located in the hand or deck. Fixed.
  
• When the DORNIER DO 17Z was located on the battlefield and another unit (e.g. 506th AIRBORNE), and a card with the “Send a friendly unit to hand” ability (e.g. SHIFTING ATTACK), when the other unit (506th AIRBORNE) was sent to hand, if the hand was already full, the hand could have 10 cards in it after the friendly unit was sent to hand. Fixed.
  
• When the 6th MOTOR RIFLES was deployed, if only 2 cards remained in the deck, the drawing could get “stuck”. Fixed.
  
• If DECOY TACTICS was played on an enemy unit, the order ability was triggered on the enemy’s side. Fixed.
  
• When the 1st GRENADIER REGIMENT was located on the friendly battlefield as well as a unit with the Destruction ability (e.g. THE PROFESSIONALS), if an enemy Ki-49 STORM DRAGON attacked and destroyed the unit with the DESTRUCTION ability, the destruction ability was triggered twice. Fixed.
  
• If two SNIPED countermeasures were activated, when an enemy unit attacked the first time, the first countermeasure was correctly triggered, but the second time a unit attacked, the second countermeasure was not triggered. Fixed.
  
• If a 1st GRENADIER REGIMENT was located on the enemy’s battlefield and a B-26 GROUPE BRETAGNE was located on the friendly battlefield, and a card with the “Remove a unit” ability was used on the B-26 GROUPE BRETAGNE (e.g. VOLUNTEER CORPS), the 1st GRENADIER REGIMENT’s unit ability appeared to be triggered on the already removed B-26 GROUPE BRETAGNE, which still returned to the battlefield at the end of the turn. Fixed.
  
• Changed Reserve pool interaction. Cards in the Reserve pool can now add or develop both Reserve and non-Reserve cards. Cards not in the Reserve pool continue to only add or develop non-Reserve cards.
  

[h3]Visual[/h3]

• The “Passive” icon (+) and description were missing on the YAK 9 PL in the “Collection” menu and on the battlefield. Fixed.
  
• On mobile devices, when a game was restarted in the middle of a battle, the card showcase (looking at a card zoomed in) did not fit properly on the screen. Fixed.
  
• When multiple RESISTANCE cards were added to the deck, the animation of cards being added to the deck could overlap. Fixed.
  
• When hovering over a card, card help bubbles disappeared when the enemy played a card. Fixed.
  
• The bonus XP did not show correctly on the experience bar at the end of a match when a medkit or battle pass was active. Fixed.

That’s all for now. As always, thank you for your detailed reports and vigilance on the frontlines - your intel helps us keep KARDS running smoothly. Keep an eye on the news feed for the latest updates as we head into the holiday season! 🎄❄ 🎊

Hello Commanders, near and far—

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in KARDS, and the perfect moment to gather around the frontline fire and celebrate together!



The holidays are here, and so is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the season in KARDS!

As 2025 marches to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for standing with us throughout an incredible year. Between our two major expansions - Naval Warfare and Homefront - and the mini-sets United Front and Air Supremacy, over 200 new cards, mechanics, and themes have reshaped the battlefield. It’s been our biggest year yet, and none of it would have been possible without the Commanders who deploy, strategize, and fight alongside us every day.

Now, as snow drifts across the front and festive tunes echo through HQ, it’s time to spread some well-earned holiday cheer.
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[h2]🎁 Daily Free Holiday Gifts![/h2]
From December 18th to December 25th, a brand-new free holiday gift will appear in the in-game shop each day.

At 11:00 UTC, a new gift marches in - available for 24 hours only.

🎁 Check the shop daily to claim your free holiday gift.
⚠️ Once the next gift arrives, the previous one retreats!

These gifts are a small token of appreciation for your dedication to the battlefield throughout 2025.
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[h2]❄️ Festive Snow and Songs Return[/h2]
No KARDS holiday season would be complete without its signature winter atmosphere.

Snow-covered battlefields and festive music return to accompany your battlefield maneuvers. Whether you’re seizing victory or securing your daily gifts, the season’s spirit will march with you.
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[h2]🎄 Thank You for a Great Year[/h2]
As we wrap up 2025, we want to salute every Commander - from seasoned veterans to fresh recruits. Your passion, feedback, and frontline leadership have shaped KARDS into the vibrant and strategic experience it is today.

Here’s to celebrating the season, enjoying the fight, and preparing for an even bigger year ahead.

Happy holidays, Commanders!

Log in daily, claim your gifts, and join the festivities - the holiday season in KARDS awaits!

Hello, Commanders!

As part of our holiday festivities, we’re thrilled to deploy a brand-new offer to the frontlines: the Holiday Lottery Drop! Treat yourself to a random prize from the cosmetic items specifically selected for the lottery pool.

The entry price matches the lowest-value item, but you have an equal chance to win any prize listed, regardless of value and rarity. The Holiday Lottery Drop includes cosmetics that are already purchasable in the shop (excluding reward-only items and those still under the 1-year Battle Pass exclusivity window). Better yet: you will never receive an item you already own.

Please note that the Holiday Lottery Drop can only be used a limited number of times whenever it is active.

This offer is available for a limited time, so don’t miss your chance to secure powerful battlefield flair at an exceptional price.

Good luck, Commanders - and we’ll see you on the battlefield!

Commanders, this is it.

After a full year of Expansion Tournaments, ladder grinds, and the World Championship 2024, the ultimate showdown is about to begin: the KARDS 2025 World Championship, live on December 20 - 21 at 11:00 UTC.

Sixteen of the strongest KARDS players in the world have taken their positions in a double elimination bracket, marching toward the Grand Finals where the 2025 World Champion will be crowned.

Over two packed days, you’ll see high-pressure best-of-five series, razor-sharp deckbuilding in the new Homefront meta, and the kind of clutch plays that decide a season - and a legacy.
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[h2]The Sixteen Commanders on the Line[/h2]

Only the best of the best made it through the campaign - top performers from this year’s Expansion Tournaments and returning finalists from the 2024 World Championship.

Taking the field are:
HACHIMAN, 259, SYSWDSR, AZI, HENRY, DANDELION, ESZEMTESZEM, TABOO, RADISH, LOVEXIN, TWI DCARGO, SIE, PANCAKE, SPOKER, KILLSWITCH, and HQT18.

From long-time veterans with tens of thousands of matches, to rising stars who rocketed up the ranks in 2024 and 2025, every Commander has already proved they belong here. Now they fight to decide who stands above them all.

With double elimination, every Commander gets two chances - but a fall to the lower bracket turns the rest of the weekend into a relentless gauntlet.
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[h2]$12,000 in Spoils of War[/h2]
At the end of Day 2, only four players will stand on the podium - and only one will carry the title of KARDS 2025 World Champion.

The $12,000 prize pool will be split among the final four:

• 1st place: $6,000 + 2025 World Champion title
  
• 2nd place: $3,000
  
• 3rd place: $1,800
  
• 4th place: $1,200

Every series brings these Commanders one step closer to the trophy - or one misstep away from elimination.
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[h2]Where to Watch: Live Broadcast & Giveaways[/h2]

You’ll be able to follow every decisive move and nail-biting topdeck with our expert caster team breaking down the action, the decks, and the evolving Homefront meta.

📺 Live on:

• KARDS Twitch
• KARDS Bilibili

🕒 Broadcast Time:

• December 20 & 21
  
• 11:00 UTC (UTC+0) each day

During the show, keep an eye out for special giveaways and on-stream surprises - your chance to pick up some extra rewards while you watch the world’s best duke it out.

See you in the broadcast, Commanders!

Commanders,

The battle lines are drawn. Sixteen of the strongest KARDS players in the world have now taken their positions for the 2025 World Championship, marching toward the Grand Finals on December 20 - 21.

The Draw Show unveiled the opening round matchups in the double elimination bracket, setting the stage for the battle ahead.

You can watch the video here for the full breakdown by our expert casters:
https://youtu.be/BqyDKQK7fvc

This year’s Top 16 brings together a seasoned and highly accomplished field: returning veterans of the 2024 World Championship, and commanders who earned their places through strong performances in this year’s Expansion Tournaments. The Draw Show broke down each competitor’s journey and placement, setting the stage for a bracket that promises intense clashes from the very first round.

If you missed the player introductions, you can catch up here:

MEET THE MASTERS
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[h2]Opening Matchups[/h2]

[h3]HACHIMAN vs 259[/h3]
HachimanLostHeart enters with one of the bracket’s highest win rates despite a shorter competitive record. They face 259, a high-volume commander who secured qualification through Blood & Iron after thousands of matches. Efficiency meets endurance in this first-round engagement.

[h3]SYSWDSR vs AZI[/h3]
Syswdsr arrives from the Naval Warfare tournament, while Azi brings a long-standing presence in KARDS dating back to 2019, supported by an excellent lifetime win rate. A duel between two experienced, firmly established competitors.

[h3]HENRY vs DANDELION[/h3]
Henry fields more than 30,000 matches of experience, making them one of the most seasoned players in the bracket. Facing them is Dandelion, returning after a Top 4 finish in the 2024 World Championship. A clash between two commanders with deep roots in top-level play.

[h3]ESZEMTESZEM vs TABOO[/h3]
Eszemteszem, active since 2019 and qualified via United Front, meets Taboo, a long-running competitor since 2020 who also earned their position through expansion-tournament success. With years of history and over 20,000 matches behind both, this pairing stands among the most evenly matched of the first round.

[h3]RADISH vs LOVEXIN[/h3]
Radish arrives as the United Front Champion, backed by one of the strongest win rates in the field. Lovexin, a long-term competitor and qualifier from Air Supremacy, brings consistency and steady performance across many seasons. A solid matchup built on proven results.

[h3]TWI DCARGO vs SIE[/h3]
Twi Dcargo and Sie arrive as two fresh faces in the Top 16, each having joined the battlefield in 2024 and already racking up close to 10,000 matches each. Both command impressive win rates hovering around 69%, placing them among the strongest statistical performers in this year’s finals. With such rapid rises and similar competitive profiles, this matchup stands as one of the most intriguing clashes between the 2025 season’s breakout talents.

[h3]PANCAKE vs SPOKER[/h3]
Pancake and Spoker roll into battle with enormous match counts and proven firepower. Pancake, active since 2021, brings over 22,000 engagements and a 62% win rate, earning their berth through Naval Warfare. Spoker, the 2024 World Champion, has amassed more than 24,000 matches since 2023 with a win rate near 65%. This matchup shapes up to be a high-intensity duel between two seasoned frontline veterans.

[h3]KILLSWITCH vs HQT18[/h3]
Killswitch, active since 2020 and carrying years of competitive involvement, faces hqt18, who claimed their Championship position through Blood & Iron. Both enter with solid records and tournament-tested resilience - an evenly poised encounter to round out the first round.

Each of these first-round battles could reshape the field early. One upset, one misstep, or one brilliant maneuver could tilt the bracket and change the course of the entire Championship.
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[h2]Paths to Glory[/h2]
With a double-elimination format, every commander marches in with two lives - but dropping to the lower bracket turns the journey into a grueling, back-to-back gauntlet.

Those who hold their ground in the upper bracket will carry momentum, breathing room, and tactical advantage deep into Championship weekend.
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[h2]The Road Ahead - December 20 - 21[/h2]
The KARDS 2025 World Championship will unfold across two days of high-stakes matches, expert commentary, and the final showdown that will determine this year’s World Champion.

• December 20 - 21 @ 11:00 UTC+0
  
• Live on KARDS YouTube & KARDS Bilibili
  
• Featuring the new Homefront meta in full force

Prepare your predictions, rally your regiments, and join us as these 16 elite commanders fight for honor, prizes, and their place in KARDS history.

See you on the Championship weekend, Commanders!