KARDS - The WWII Card Game News

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!

Greetings, Commanders!

Homefront has landed, and once again the battlefield has shifted. We’ve loved watching you push into the new frontier - testing fresh synergies, uncovering clever combos, and assembling inventive new line-ups.

Overall, the expansion has deployed smoothly, with only a few outliers worth noting. DECOY TACTICS had to be pulled from duty temporarily, and 106TH INFANTRY REGIMENT marched onto the field a little too fiercely. Both issues were addressed in the patch released on November 29th.

As always, your feedback has been invaluable. Thank you for helping us refine and reinforce the front.

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[h2]Draft Pool Changes[/h2]
Back with Air Supremacy, we introduced a major shift to Draft mode: a separate, purpose-built Draft card pool, allowing us to fine-tune Draft balance independently from the main PvP environment. If you missed that intel drop, you can review the full dev blog here:

MAKING DRAFT GREAT AGAIN

With this system, we established:

• Draft-only allowed cards - cards kept in Reserves for PvP, but specifically permitted in Draft.
  
• Draft-specific bans - cards active in the main card pool but barred from appearing in Draft.

With Homefront, we’re executing our next set of Draft card pool changes. This refresh reshuffles which cards are:

• Allowed exclusively in Draft, and
  
• Banned specifically from Draft, even if legal in other PvP modes.

Please note that, unless specifically mentioned in the lists below, all cards that have moved into the Reserve pool will no longer appear in Draft, and all cards returning from the Reserve pool to the active card pool will now appear in Draft.

The full list of cards available and banned in Draft mode (outside of the regular card pool) is accessible here:

DRAFT

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[h2]Change List[/h2]
Below is the full change list since the Air Supremacy mini-release.

Please note that several of the cards listed below - particularly in the “No Longer Removed from Draft” and “No Longer Available in Draft” sections - appear here due to changes in the Reserve pool. These cards no longer need to be included on the Draft-specific ban list or allowed list because their new status in or out of the Reserve pool already determines whether they appear in Draft.

As mentioned above:

• Cards in the Reserve pool will not appear in Draft by default.
  
• Cards in the active pool will appear in Draft unless explicitly banned.

Many of the changes you’ll see below are therefore housekeeping updates resulting from the recent Reserve pool rotation.

[h3]Removed from Draft Card Pool[/h3]

• 506th AIRBORNE
  
• OVERWHELMING FORCE
  
• RATIONING
  
• F6F-5 HELLCAT
  
• LAYFORCE
  
• ROYAL ULSTER RIFLES
  
• 27. FUSILIER
  
• U-48
  
• ACE OF SPADES
  
• 106th INFANTRY REGIMENT
  
• LAST RITES
  
• WAY OF SUBJECTS
  
• PERSIAN CORRIDOR
  
• RM BERSAGLIERE
  
• IRON DIVISION
  
• 7TP
  
• DECOY TACTICS

[h3]No Longer Removed from Draft[/h3]

• CODE OF BUSHIDO
  
• DIPLOMATIC ATTACHE
  
• IMPERIAL STRENGTH
  
• KAWANISHI H6K
  
• Ki-21 SALLY
  
• AGENCY AFRICA
  
• DELAYING TACTICS
  
• ENEMY CONTACT
  
• HMS TALBOT
  
• INFILTRATE
  
• QF 40mm Mk III
  
• FUROR
  
• YANK
  
• BLUE AND GRAY
  
• M4A2
  
• FIELD RECON
  
• FROZEN ASSETS
  
• COMPROMISE
  
• EASTERN FRONT BOUND

[h3]Added to Draft Card Pool[/h3]

• 4th MARINES
  
• 164th INFANTRY REGIMENT
  
• AMERICA AT WAR
  
• FIREBOMB
  
• 5th PARACHUTE BRIGADE
  
• A34 COMET
  
• STUG IV
  
• BF 110 C ZERSTÖRER
  
• KING TIGER
  
• 51st RECON
  
• F1M2 PETE
  
• 60th CAVALRY REGIMENT

[h3]No Longer Available in Draft[/h3]

• M3A3 HONEY
  
• 8th MARINES
  
• 25th INFANTRY REGIMENT
  
• JOINT OPERATION

These are the patch notes for the game update on November 29, 2025.

This update includes one card balance change, several bug fixes addressing card-related issues, and stability improvements for certain Android devices. In addition, various upgrades have been made to the game backend.

The update is available on PC and all mobile platforms. Please note that it may take up to 24 hours for the update to appear on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The following card has been changed.

[h3]106th Infantry Regiment[/h3]

• The cost increased from 1 to now 2.

[h2]BUG FIXES[/h2]

[h3]Battle[/h3]

• RAF MUSTANG’s ability was not triggered after it was targeted by the “Suppress” ability. FIXED.
  
• Covert units could be destroyed after using the MONASTYR order. FIXED.
  
• LAYFORCE units incorrectly received +1/+1 after an order with the “Deal damage” ability was used. FIXED.
  
• The DECOY TACTICS order ability triggered every time the card was played if the buffed unit had been previously targeted by an order or deployment effect. FIXED.
  
• MOUNTAIN OFFENSIVE didn’t spawn a 3-cost Alpine unit. FIXED.

[h3]Android[/h3]

• A crash could occur on certain Android devices in specific situations. FIXED.

Greetings, Commanders!

The Homefront Winter Expansion has now landed, bringing a major wave of new content and improvements to KARDS. Read on for everything included in this update.

[h2]Homefront Expansion[/h2]
Homefront opens a bold new chapter in KARDS, delivering new strategic options and mechanics for every nation.

• 87 new cards: Reinforcements have arrived. Each major nation receives 15 new cards, while minor nations gain 3 each, opening new lines of attack, defense, and deck-building depth.
  
• Bond Mechanic: Playing a Bond card deals Morale Damage to your HQ - unless you controlled a unit of the same nation at the start of your turn. Bond rewards unified forces and introduces new risk-reward decisions across multiple nations.
  
• Combat Keywords: A newly defined subset of core keywords, Ambush, Blitz, Fury, Guard, Heavy Armor, Shock, Smokescreen, now shapes how units fight, defend, and survive. Cards can reference these traits directly, enabling cleaner interactions and powerful new synergies.
  
• Reworked French Resistance: The Resistance returns from the Reserves with a complete redesign and three new additions. RESISTANCE cards are now added to the enemy’s deck, triggering automatically when drawn for faster, more dynamic disruption.

This expansion shakes up the battlefield with new tools, tactics, and nation-defining mechanics. For full intel, see:

Homefront Has Launched - The KARDS Winter Expansion is Live now

[h2]Reserve Rotation[/h2]
Alongside Homefront, a new Reserve rotation is now active:

• 24 cards have returned to active duty, including 4 reworked French Resistance cards
  
• 113 cards have been rotated into the Reserves.

See the full list of card changes here:

Homefront: Card Rotation

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[h2]Card Balance Update[/h2]
[h3]Nerfs[/h3]
[h4]BUFFS[/h4]


[h4]KM TIRPITZ[/h4]


[h4]108. PANZERGRENADIER[/h4]


[h4]175th INFANTRY REGIMENT[/h4]


[h3]Buffs[/h3]
[h4]CREEPING BARRAGE[/h4]


[h4]FRONTIER FORCE[/h4]


[h4]KV-1 1939[/h4]


[h4]SEABORNE INVASION[/h4]


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[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]
The Homefront update also deploys a series of battlefield fixes:

• [Battle] Fixed an issue where unit deployment countermeasures (such as KM PRINZ EUGEN and NIGHT HUNTERS) could incorrectly trigger from PBY Catalina’s start of turn ability.
  
• [Battle] When a unit with the Fight ability (e.g. HENSCHEL HS 129) was deployed and used its ability to Fight an enemy CHURCHILL Mk III AVRE, the CHURCHILL briefly visually moved to the friendly support line before moving back to its intended place. Fixed.
  
• [Battle] When a card with a “Choose a card in hand” ability was played (e.g. 175th INFANTRY REGIMENT), if the turn was ended after selecting a card in hand but before clicking the “Confirm” button, the “Confirm” button stayed on the screen. Fixed.
  
• [Battle] When the GORDON HIGHLANDERS was played and targeted an order (e.g. HMS FORMIDABLE) that was placed at the top of the deck, if the GORDON HIGHLANDERS was retreated (e.g. by ZAMOSC UPRISING) and then played again, the cost of the order (HMS FORMIDABLE) was reset to its default value. Fixed.
  
• [Tournaments] In some cases, a player could enter a new tournament while already participating in a tournament. Fixed.
  
• [Tournaments] The “The tournament will start when 8 players have joined” tooltip remained on the tournament screen after the first games were completed, while waiting for other players to finish the match. Fixed.
  
• [UI] The last played deck had its position reset to a previous position instead of appearing at the top of the deck list. Fixed.
  
• [UI] On iOS devices, after opening the “Patch Notes” button, the screen was not correctly closed after tapping buttons in the header. Fixed.
  
• [UI] In some cases, more Crate points appeared to accrue visually than was intended, which was only resolved through a game restart. Fixed.
  
• [UI] In the profile menu, the “Highest Officer Club Position” was not correctly updated at the start of the new season. Fixed.
  
• [UI] The wrong Ranked card back was shown in the Customize menu after receiving the new Ranked card back at the start of the season. Fixed.

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[h2]General Improvements[/h2]
This patch also includes:

• Updated audio for Strafe attack orders
  
• Improved board item rendering on Android Low and Medium settings
  

In addition to these, several additional behind-the-scenes improvements have been made to improve the battlefields of KARDS for everyone.

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That’s all for now. See you on the battlefield, Commanders!

[h3]Homefront, the latest KARDS expansion, is live![/h3]

Released on November 27th, 2025, it introduces 87 brand-new cards, bold mechanics, and fresh tools that open powerful tactical options for every nation.

At the heart of this 10th major expansion for KARDS are two transformative additions:

• Bond: A brand-new mechanic capturing the morale and unity of forces fighting under the same flag.
  
• Combat Keywords: A focused subset of seven battlefield-defining keywords that change how units fight, defend, survive, and synergize.

To celebrate the launch, all players that log in during the launch period can claim 2 free Homefront card packs - your first step into the new meta.

Brace yourselves, Commanders: the Winter Front has arrived.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QREJuurCKN0

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[h2]Key Features of Homefront[/h2]
[h3]87 New Cards Across All Nations[/h3]
Homefront expands the KARDS arsenal with a total of 87 new cards, including:

• 15 new cards each for Britain, Germany, the Soviet Union, the USA, and Japan
  
• 3 new cards each for France, Italy, Finland and Poland

Every nation gains new strategic paths, from relentless infantry pushes to precision air strikes, synergistic Bond chains, and keyword-heavy tactical layers.

[h3]New Mechanic: Bond[/h3]
Bond represents the morale and coordination between soldiers fighting under the same flag.

When you play a Bond card from your hand, your HQ takes Morale Damage - unless you controlled a unit of that same nation at the start of your turn. Bond rewards disciplined deck-building, coherent unit deployment, and battlefield continuity.

From steadfast infantry like THE POMPADOURS to furious armor like VALENTINE Mk II, Bond decks thrive through unity and crumble through disarray.

HOMEFRONT: BOND MECHANIC

[h3]New Feature: Combat Keywords[/h3]
Homefront introduces a new layer of tactical clarity and synergy: Combat Keywords.

For the first time, a defined subset of keywords shapes how units behave under fire. Cards and effects can directly reference these traits - unlocking deeper deck-building strategies and explosive battlefield combos.

The combat keywords are: Ambush, Blitz, Fury, Guard, Heavy Armor, Shock, and Smokescreen.

With THE PROFESSIONALS boosting your army and 44th SILESIA thriving alongside multi-keyword troops, these units highlight the raw, explosive synergy Combat Keywords bring to Homefront.

COMBAT KEYWORDS

[h3]Balance & Meta Updates[/h3]
To support the new mechanics and ensure a healthy meta, Homefront deploys:

• 8 targeted balance changes to existing cards
  
• A full rotation update, with some cards from older sets moving into reserves, clearing space for the new meta to flourish

These changes create a fresh, dynamic competitive landscape where Bond, Combat Keywords, and new nation tools can shine.

HOMEFRONT: BALANCE CHANGES

HOMEFRONT: ROTATION LIST

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[h2]Nation-Specific Features[/h2]
[h3]Britain - Steadfast Infantry & Unbroken Lines[/h3]


Britain enters Homefront with powerful infantry formations built on endurance, coordination, and layered bonuses.

Cards like KING’S AFRICAN RIFLES reinforce Bond strategies by empowering your hand, while THE POMPADOURS bolster HQ defenses when Bond chains fire off.

Aircraft such as the RAF MUSTANG add disruptive pressure - punishing enemies who dare target this unit.

Britain wins by holding firm, scaling patiently, and striking decisively.

[h3]Germany - Tactical Withdrawals & Battlefield Retooling[/h3]


Germany continues to innovate on maneuver warfare, leveraging units that leave and re-enter the battlefield for powerful effects.

Cards like NIGHT ATTACK and DORNIER DO 17Z demonstrate Germany’s ability to recycle, reposition, and exploit timing windows.

Armor such as Sd Kfz 250/9 thrives in card-draw cycles, turning information into firepower.

Expect flexible sequencing, precision deployment, and trademark German efficiency.

[h3]The Soviet Union - Ferocity Through Combat Keywords[/h3]


The Soviets double down on the new Combat Keywords system, unleashing units that thrive when stacked with multiple traits.

The 44th SILESIA rewards multi-keyword board states with card draw, while 61st KIRKENES and KV-1S turn Guard, Shock, Blitz, and other keywords into raw offensive output.

When Soviet engines start rolling, every keyword becomes a weapon - and every weapon gains momentum.

In Homefront, the Red Army hits harder, attacks smarter, and scales out of control.

[h3]USA - Power From Within the Deck[/h3]


American engineering returns in force with units that upgrade the top card of your deck, reinforcing future draws and compounding late-game potential.

Aircraft like P-38H LIGHTNING and the brutal F6F-5 HELLCAT deliver immediate pressure while powering up reinforcements.

Infantry such as RED BULL and THE PROFESSIONALS elevate both battlefield presence and deck-wide potential through Blitz, Smokescreen, and powerful Destruction triggers.

The USA marches forward by building strength from within.

[h3]Japan - Precision Removal & Ruthless Efficiency[/h3]


Japan sharpens its tactical edge with removal tools that strike with speed, accuracy, and inevitability.

The Ki-61-I-TEI and 211th TOKYO deliver lethal Bond-driven assaults, while the 9th GUARDS REGIMENT and KOFU REGIMENT blend Fury, Guard, and HQ-damaging Destruction effects.

Japan excels at dismantling enemy plans while accelerating its own, turning battlefield chaos into opportunity.

Every strike counts - and every strike lands cleanly.

[h3]Ally Nations[/h3]


While the main nations expand their arsenals, the ally nations also field formidable new reinforcements that reinforce their unique strengths.

[h4]Poland - Bold Maneuvers & Disruption[/h4]
Poland expands its tactical toolkit with cards that reward decisive, flexible battlefield play.

Units like 5th WILNO BRIGADE and EXILED FORCES lean into Poland’s signature ability to copy, convert, and redeploy threats - turning single units into recurring pressure and forcing opponents to constantly reassess the front.

[h4]Finland - Precision Defense & Punishing Counterstrikes[/h4]
Finland reinforces its reputation for resilient infantry and calculated retaliation.

INFANTRY REGIMENT 25, carrying Guard and Shock, exemplifies Finland’s disciplined doctrine - granting HQ defense when attacking with multi-keyword units and thriving in grinding, attritional battles where precision matters most.

[h4]Italy - Rapid Maneuvers & Cycling Reinforcements[/h4]
Italy surges forward with a tightly coordinated network of BERSAGLIERI infantry that excel at speed, synergy, and relentless pressure.

5th BERSAGLIERI and 9th BERSAGLIERI weave together through Bond and shuffle effects, continually cycling each other, or the formidable 18th BERSAGLIERI, back into your deck.

The trio forms a self-reinforcing assault engine, while RM BERSAGLIERE adds tactical depth by drawing cards that didn’t start in your deck and converting their cost directly into HQ defense.

Together, these units embody Italy’s hallmark style: swift advances, relentless momentum, and coordinated infantry firepower.

[h2]France - A Reborn Resistance[/h2]


Though France receives only three new Homefront cards, it also stands alone with a complete redesign of the iconic Resistance mechanic - a transformation so dramatic it earns its own spotlight.

In earlier iterations, RESISTANCE cards could clog hands and force awkward sacrifices, capturing the theme but slowing gameplay. These cards eventually retreated to the Reserve pool.

Now, Resistance has been reborn.

In Homefront:

• Resistance cards are added directly to the enemy’s deck, not your hand
  
• Their effects trigger automatically when drawn
  
• Games stay fast, disruptive, and dynamic - preserving the spirit of sabotage without stalling turns

This modernized Resistance embodies defiance, unpredictability, and the quiet power of those who fought from the shadows.

HOMEFRONT: FRENCH RESISTANCE

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[h2]The Battlefield Awaits - Claim Your Packs & Join the Fight[/h2]
Homefront marks a new era for KARDS - one shaped by unity through Bond, clarity through Combat Keywords, and explosive strategies across every nation.

Log in today to:

• [h3]Claim your 2 free Homefront packs[/h3]
  
• Explore exclusive Homefront cosmetics and shop offers
  
• Command the new cards
  
• Forge your Bond synergies
  
• Master the new meta
  
• And lead your nation into the Winter Front

The expansion is live. The battlefield is shifting. Now is the time to take command.

See you on the frontlines, Commander.