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 | Up to 3 of the 10 |
| Piece coverage | One slot each for Pawn, Knight, Bishop, Rook, Queen, King |
| Colour matching | Light-side cards go on Light pieces; Dark-side on Dark. (Omega "Chameleon" cards work on either.) |
| Clubs | Mixing clubs is fully legal — cross-club decks are allowed |
| Empty slots | Running fewer than 10 cards is a valid strategy |
| Lock-in | Your loadout locks the moment the match starts |
Strategy basics
Cross-club decks are normal at high level. Your Battle Board's club passive applies no matter which club your cards come from. So a Bitcoinia board player can run Etheryst cards and still get the Bitcoinia board passive. Matching your card club to your board is a bonus, not a requirement.
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. The Grand Tournament requires a full loadout with at least 2 FL3 cards and 1 Omega card — so if you're aiming for championships, collect toward that early.
Tournament deck requirements
| Tier | Board needed | Minimum cards | Rarity gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz Arena | No | 0 | None |
| Ranked League | Yes | 0 (cards optional) | None |
| Diamond League | Yes | 3 | At least 1 Epic+ |
| Grand Tournament | Yes | Full loadout | 2 FL3 cards + 1 Omega |
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
- 1 Gambit Card for an emergency or a finishing blow
- Leave the rest empty until you know what your playstyle wants
Refine from there as you learn which cards you actually reach for.