KARDS - The WWII Card Game Boss Guide: Strategies for Every Boss

Q: Is KARDS free to play?

Yes, on Steam and mobile. The Starter Campaigns each award a complete 40 card deck for a major nation before you spend anything, so paid packs speed up collection rather than gate access to ranked play.

Q: How does the frontline actually work?

Each side has a frontline and a support line. Frontline units may attack enemy support line units and the enemy HQ, while support line units can only attack if they are artillery, bombers or fighters. Guard and Smokescreen are what restrict targeting, not simply the presence of an enemy unit.

Q: Which nation should a new player pick?

Germany, because frontline pressure teaches you what the two lines do faster than anything else. Britain is the strongest control nation but punishes badly timed removal, so it rewards more experience.

Q: How many cards can I take from my ally nation?

Twelve out of your 40, and only from one ally nation. The cap is fixed, so treat those slots as answers to a specific weakness rather than a place to stack extra good cards.

Q: Why did my attack do nothing to the enemy HQ?

The HQ almost certainly had Smokescreen, which stops units from attacking it directly. Orders and effect damage still get through, which is why control decks hold a burn card for exactly that turn.

KARDS - The WWII Card Game boss guide with strategies, recommended builds, and tips for every boss fight from start to endgame.

EarlyGuides Editorial Team

Researched and editorially reviewed. Updated August 12, 2026.

KARDS is a WWII collectible card game from Icelandic studio 1939 Games, built on 40 card decks that pair one major nation with up to 12 cards borrowed from a single ally. Both headquarters start at 20 defence and the match ends the moment one of them hits zero. What sets it apart from other digital card games is the frontline: your board is split into two lines, and which line a unit sits in decides what it is allowed to attack.

Boss fights are where KARDS - The WWII Card Game tests everything you've learned. This guide covers strategies for bosses across all areas, organized by progression order. For general combat techniques, see our combat guide.

Boss Difficulty Overview

Area	Difficulty	Recommended Build	Key Equipment
Ranked Battle	Easy	Soviet Union	Katyusha
Casual Battle	Moderate	Soviet Union	Katyusha
Draft	Hard	Germany	Blitzkrieg
Training	Very Hard	Germany	Blitzkrieg
Theaters of War	Extreme	Germany	Blitzkrieg

Ranked Battle Bosses

Area difficulty: Easy Recommended level: Any collection, best once you own one full deck Recommended build: Soviet Union with Katyusha

Strategy

The first bosses teach core combat mechanics. Focus on learning patterns rather than dealing damage. You start with one kredit slot and gain another at the beginning of every turn, refilling to your full total each time. This is your primary tool here.

Key tips:

Don't rush. Learn the attack patterns first.
Use Kredit economy to create safe windows.
Katyusha is enough to handle everything here.

Casual Battle Bosses

Area difficulty: Moderate Recommended level: Any Recommended build: Soviet Union with Katyusha

Strategy

Early game bosses test your understanding of Deployment and operation costs. Players who skipped learning this mechanic will hit a wall here.

Key tips:

Deployment and operation costs is critical for these fights.
Farm Katyusha upgrades if you're struggling.
Consider switching to Soviet Union if your current setup isn't working.

Draft Bosses

Area difficulty: Hard Recommended level: Any, rewards raw card knowledge Recommended build: Germany with Blitzkrieg

Strategy

Mid-game bosses are the major skill check. They combine multiple mechanics and punish players who rely on a single strategy.

Key tips:

You need both Kredit economy and Frontline and support line mastery.
Blitzkrieg makes a significant difference. Get it before attempting these.
See our combat guide for advanced techniques.

Training Bosses

Area difficulty: Very Hard Recommended level: New players and untested decks Recommended build: Germany with Blitzkrieg

Strategy

Late-game bosses are serious challenges. Build optimization matters as much as mechanical skill.

Key tips:

Make sure your build is fully optimized.
Blitzkrieg at max upgrade is recommended.
Study each boss's attack patterns. Most have 2-3 phases.

Theaters of War Bosses

Area difficulty: Extreme Recommended level: New to intermediate players Recommended build: Germany with Blitzkrieg

Strategy

Endgame bosses are the ultimate test. They require mastery of all combat systems and an optimized build.

Key tips:

Top-tier build with best-in-slot gear is mandatory.
Master every mechanic. See our combat guide.
These fights reward patience and pattern recognition above all else.

General Boss Tips

Learn before you fight: Spend your first attempt observing attack patterns. Don't try to win on attempt one.
Match your build: Some bosses favor certain builds over others. Don't be afraid to switch.
Upgrade your equipment: A max-upgraded Blitzkrieg trivializes fights that seem impossible with weaker gear.
Use Kredit economy: The core combat mechanic is your best defensive tool in every boss fight.
Check the walkthrough: Our walkthrough tells you when you're ready for each boss.

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