Capture the frontline
Hello everyone!
A new era has come to KARDS, with the advent of KING TIGER. A lot of players are really excited by this behemoth, along with all the other new cards from Battle of the Bulge. The meta has changed a lot since the last balance patch and Behind Enemy Lines. Ramp decks are performing much better with reasonable win rates. They were also seen in the last Officier Club Championship tournaments. Many other archetypes are also spotted in the ladder, Soviet T-34 for example. The Britain Air remains to be a T1 deck, with a new version allied with the USA.
What changes are we going to have for April then? The frontline is our unique feature in KARDS. We would like to see more units on the battlefield fighting for the frontline, all types of units, small and big.
Now let’s take a look at the changes.
[h2]Adjusted down in power[/h2]
[h3]15 CM AUTOKANONE[/h3]
Old: When you deploy a unit, deal 2 damage to the enemy HQ.
New: When you deploy a unit, deal 1 damage to the enemy HQ.
This artillery is a very good unit in KARDS. Nevertheless, it is almost only utilized in combo decks, OTK AUTOKANONE. While in other decks, this unit does not perform well on the battlefield except dealing some damage to the enemy HQ by deploying a couple of units. Having only 2 defense makes it very difficult to survive. As such, we are increasing its defense to 3 and lowering the damage ability to 1, in hope that it can stay on the battlefield as a strong supporting artillery in various decks.
[h3]RUSH PRODUCTION[/h3]
Old: When you deploy a unit this turn, deal 1 damage to it and gain 1 kredit.
New: When you deploy a German unit this turn, it gets +2-1.
This card has never seen much play other than OTK decks. In addition, it is possible to reverse kredits by playing two or more RUSH PRODUCTION in one turn. Kredits are supposed to limit what and how many cards can be played. Reversing kredits will always be problematic. While 15 CM AUTOKANONE is changed, we do not want to see this card become a dead one. Let’s see what impact this new ability could bring to the battlefield.
[h2]Strategic Changes[/h2]
[h3]CARRIER COVER[/h3]
Old: [Cost 3] Choose one - send a unit to owner's hand OR gain 1 extra kredit slot.
New: [Cost 1] Choose one - Your fighters get +1+1 OR are moved into the frontline, if possible.
This card does see some play and is not bad at all. As mentioned some time ago, we are not quite satisfied with cards that can send units directly back to hand from the frontline at a low cost. As a side note, this cool image doesn’t have much to do with kredit slot or sending units back to hand. The two new options are more thematic. In KARDS, fighters can keep your HQ safe while being in the frontline, especially against aggro decks. P-39 AIRACOBRA is a perfect example. Moving fighters into the frontline also keeps them away from some AOE orders and gives space for more units in the support line.
[h3]FORTIFIED POSITION[/h3]
Old: [Cost 2] Pin target unit. Increase its operation cost by +2.
New: [Cost 1] Pin an enemy unit. If it is in the frontline, it Retreats.
There are a few cards that can increase the operation cost in KARDS. Most of them do not see much play. Fighting for the frontline is more interesting and retreating an enemy unit in the frontline is more valuable in most cases.
[h3]FRENCH 75[/h3]
Old: [Attack 1, Defense 1] Can only attack enemies in next front while Mobilized.
New: [Attack 3, Defense 3] [Mobilize] If the enemy controls the frontline, this unit can only attack targets there.
The Mobilize deck is becoming a bit better because of new cards and balance changes. However, FRENCH 75 has never been a member of the deck. Mobilize is removed from this card, but the new stats make it one of the best standard artillery units. However, it does come with a drawback. We hope this card can find its home in a different archetype, along with other non-Mobilizie French cards.
[h3]HENSCHEL HS 126[/h3]
Old: Deployment: Give friendly ground units in the frontline +1 attack.
New: Deployment: Give a friendly tank +1+1 for each unit type in the same line.
We have seen many archetypes in KARDS, infantry, tank, air and artillery, all the unit types available in the game. Combined arms was a fundamental part of the German Blitzkrieg in WWII. It’s time to make this iconic strategy shine in the game.
[h3]MARDER III H[/h3]
Old: MARDER III H gets +1 attack each time another unit is destroyed.
New: When a friendly unit destroys an enemy unit, draw a random unit.
The bonus of +1 attack for each destroyed unit is obviously not affecting the battlefield. One more unit will be a completely different story. We hope this new ability can bring more units into the battlefield and intensify the battles in KARDS.
[h2]Adjusted up in power[/h2]
[h3]YAK 3[/h3]
Old: [Cost 4] [Attack 3, Defense 5] Costs 1 less to deploy if you control a French unit.
New: [Cost 3] [Attack 3, Defense 3] [Ambush] Deployment: Gains +1 attack and Ambush if you control a non-Soviet unit.
Soviet air units in KARDS have been underperforming for a long time. It is time for some changes. YAK 3 were indeed operated by French pilots, but an ability that is tied with controlling a French unit seems to be too restrictive. Ambush is removed from the card itself. Getting +1 attack and Ambush for controlling a non-Soviet unit should be much more practical. It is also an Exile unit with France.
[h3]VETERAN PILOTS[/h3]
Old: This turn, give a fighter +1 attack and fully repair it if it destroys a unit in combat.
New: Choose One - Give a Soviet air unit +1+2 OR immune this turn.
It’s very difficult to get a good value from this card. As such, those veteran pilots have been staying in the hangar all the time. Piloted by veterans, air units are supposed to have a better performance. Let’s see if these two options can make Soviet air decks stronger.
[h3]ROYAL WEST KENTS[/h3]
Old: [Cost 5] [Attack 2, Defense 5]
New: [Cost 4] [Attack 2, Defense 4]
As we are adjusting some cards that could send units in the frontline back to hand, Guard units are seen on the battlefield a bit more, especially those British ones. Maybe this buff can make those units hold their ground on the battlefield stronger and longer.
That is all, these changes will be live soon. We look forward to seeing intense battles with all the new cards and the changes. Please continue giving us your feedback, which is very valuable to us.
Thanks and see you on the battlefield, commanders!