Deck Building
Your loadout is the deck of cards you bring into a match. Building it well is the single biggest decision you make before a game starts.
The rules
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Loadout size | Up to 10 cards |
| Gambit Cards | Arriving in a later season |
| Piece coverage | One slot each for Pawn, Knight, Bishop, Rook, Queen, King |
| Card color | Every card is one card. It shows in the color you are assigned that game — white or black — automatically. |
| Clubs | Universal cards plus your own club's editions |
| Empty slots | Running fewer than 10 cards is a valid strategy |
| Lock-in | Your loadout locks the moment the match starts |
Strategy basics
Abilities make a deck, not clubs. Every ability is open to every club, so a deck is built from the abilities you want. Your own club's editions play exactly like universal cards; their perk is only in how long they last or what they cost to bring back.
Fewer cards can be stronger. Every card you activate pushes your Tension Gauge. A tight deck of three excellent FL1 cards often beats a bloated deck of ten mediocre ones. Don't fill slots just because they exist.
Balance your categories. A deck that's all OFF has no answers when you're under pressure. Mix in TAC and DEF cards so you have a plan for every phase of the game.
Build for the format. Casual ladder play is forgiving. Higher-tier tournaments will have stricter loadout requirements, announced ahead of time, so if you're aiming for championships, keep collecting.
Tournament deck requirements
Tournament formats have their own loadout rules (minimum card count, rarity gates). Each event's requirements are published with the event before registration opens.
A solid starter loadout
If you're new, aim for something like:
- 4–5 FL1 cards covering your most-used pieces (Knight, Bishop, Rook, Queen)
- 1–2 FL2 cards for mid-game swings
- (Once Gambit Cards arrive in a later season, one makes a good emergency or finishing-blow slot)
- Leave the rest empty until you know what your playstyle wants
Refine from there as you learn which cards you actually reach for.