The Iron Wall
Frontline tank who protects the party.
Shield Wall: up to 5 guard stays with you from one turn to the next.
This stays with you whichever mastery you choose.
Before mastery swaps. Each path below replaces specific copies.
Mastery choice opens after your first run, won or lost. Choose one before setting out: keep your class passive, gain a perk and change your starting cards. Class rewards lean toward your path, with extra weight for its signature card.
Recommended first path
Your first Attack each turn also gives you 2 guard.
Your first saga: hit every turn and the guard comes with it.
Starting weapon: Copper Sword
Reward focus: sword / cleave
Signature reward: One-Handed Sword Mastery
Mastery path
Half the guard you did not spend carries over to your next turn.
If you like stacking guard and hitting back with it.
Starting weapon: Copper Mace
Reward focus: bulwark / thorns / taunt
Signature reward: Shield Mastery
Mastery path
Rally Banner: whenever you play a Tactic, every hero in the party gains 1 guard (solo: you gain 1).
Party play, or anyone who plays lots of Tactics.
Starting weapon: Copper Axe
Reward focus: party / rites
Signature reward: Standard Bearer
A signature is a reward-pool card, not an extra card automatically added to your starting deck.
Select a card to see it full size, or open its upgrades to compare every branch. Costs and effects shown here are before runes, equipment and combat modifiers. Filters match both base cards and their upgrades.
Your starting pool is available immediately. Win with Vanguard to open each set for this class:
A card claimed as a trophy can unlock early. Settings > Gameplay > Show all cards opens the card pools without unlocking difficulty tiers.
Starter cards and generated cards are labelled separately from reward cards. Sea, island and faction cards can also join your deck; this catalogue covers the Vanguard's own cards.
77 cards
No cards match. Try another search or .
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 6 guard. The next enemy that attacks you this turn takes 8.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 9 guard. The next enemy that attacks you this turn takes 12.
Self
1 energy · Attack
Deal 7 damage. Ignores guard (bulwark break).
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 10 damage. Ignores guard (bulwark break).
Enemy
1 energy · Attack
Deal 6 damage. Apply Bleed 3.
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 9 damage. Apply Bleed 4.
Enemy
1 energy · Attack
Deal 8 damage. Apply Winded 1.
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 11 damage. Apply Winded 1.
Enemy
3 energy · Attack
Remove the target's guard, then deal 24 damage.
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
3 energy · Attack
Remove the target's guard, then deal 30 damage.
Enemy
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 2 energy. Draw 1. Heal 4 at the start of your next 3 turns. Spend.
Self
Starting pool
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 8 guard. Every ally gains 4 guard. This turn, attacks aimed at your allies hit you instead.
Self
Starting pool
Offered in parties of 2 or more heroes.
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 11 guard. Every ally gains 6 guard. This turn, attacks aimed at your allies hit you instead.
Self
2 energy · Tactic
For the next 2 enemy turns, while you have Guard, attacks aimed at your allies hit you instead. Gain 2 Bulwark.
Self
Set 2
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
For the next 2 enemy turns, while you have Guard, attacks aimed at your allies hit you instead. Gain 2 Bulwark.
Self
0 energy · Tactic
Gain 1 energy (pay for your next Banner). Spend.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
0 energy · Tactic
Gain 1 energy (pay for your next Banner).
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Taunt ALL enemies. Gain 9 guard.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Taunt ALL enemies. Gain 12 guard.
Self
1 energy · Attack
Deal 6 damage to ALL enemies.
No target selection
Starting pool
2 in the starting deck before mastery swaps.
Branch A
1 energy · Attack
Deal 9 damage to ALL enemies.
No target selection
Branch B
1 energy · Attack
Deal 4 damage to ALL enemies. Apply Bleed 3 to each.
No target selection
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 6 guard. Each ally in your row gains 4 guard.
Self
Starting pool
Offered in parties of 2 or more heroes.
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 9 guard. Each ally in your row gains 6 guard.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 4 guard. Next turn gain 1 energy.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 7 guard. Next turn gain 1 energy.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 12 guard and 3 Thorns. This turn, attacks aimed at your allies hit you instead. Spend.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 16 guard and 4 Thorns. This turn, attacks aimed at your allies hit you instead. Spend.
Self
1 energy · Rite
Banner (3 turns): gain 4 guard each turn.
Self
Starting pool
Branch A
1 energy · Rite
Banner (5 turns): gain 5 guard each turn.
Self
Branch B
0 energy · Rite
Banner (3 turns): gain 4 guard each turn.
Self
1 energy · Attack
Deal 7 damage. Apply Bleed 2.
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 10 damage. Apply Bleed 3.
Enemy
1 energy · Tactic
Heal 6. Spend.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Heal 9. Spend.
Self
2 energy · Attack
Deal 10 damage; 14 if the target is below 30% HP. A target at or below 20% HP is executed: this returns to your hand and refunds its cost.
Enemy
Set 1
Branch A
2 energy · Attack
Deal 10 damage; 14 below 30% HP. Execute at 20%: return and refund. If it survives: Sundered 2, Bleed 3.
Enemy
Branch B
2 energy · Attack
Deal 10 damage; 14 below 30% HP. Execute at 20%: return and refund. On a kill, heal 10% of max HP.
Enemy
2 energy · Attack
Deal 5 damage to ALL enemies. Apply Bleed 4 and Shaken 1 to each.
No target selection
Starting pool
Upgrade
2 energy · Attack
Deal 5 damage to ALL enemies. Apply Bleed 6 and Shaken 1 to each.
No target selection
1 energy · Attack
Deal 5 damage. Apply Shaken 2.
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 8 damage. Apply Shaken 2.
Enemy
1 energy · Rite
Banner (3 turns): heal 2 each turn.
Self
Starting pool
Branch A
1 energy · Rite
Banner (5 turns): heal 3 each turn.
Self
Branch B
0 energy · Rite
Banner (3 turns): heal 2 each turn.
Self
2 energy · Attack
Deal 11 damage to ALL enemies.
No target selection
Starting pool
Upgrade
2 energy · Attack
Deal 15 damage to ALL enemies.
No target selection
2 energy · Tactic
Gain 15 guard. Shaken and Winded are removed from you until your next turn.
Self
Set 2
Upgrade
2 energy · Tactic
Gain 20 guard. Shaken and Winded are removed from you until your next turn.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 8 guard. Step to the front row.
Self
Starting pool
Offered in parties of 2 or more heroes.
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 11 guard. Step to the front row.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 10 guard.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 13 guard.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
This turn and your next 2, Attacks deal +3 damage and you draw 1 extra card at the start of your turn. Spend.
Self
Set 1
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 6 Guard and 2 Thorns. This turn, attacks aimed at your allies hit you instead.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 9 Guard and 3 Thorns. This turn, attacks aimed at your allies hit you instead.
Self
1 energy · Rite
Gain Thorns 3.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Rite
Gain Thorns 5.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Taunt ALL enemies. Gain 14 guard. Until your next turn, enemies that attack you take 3.
Self
Starting pool
Branch A
1 energy · Tactic
Taunt ALL enemies. Gain 14 guard. Enemies that attack you take 3. Root the target. Spend.
Enemy
Branch B
1 energy · Tactic
Taunt ALL enemies. Gain 14 guard. Enemies that attack you take 3. This turn each Attack you play gives 2 guard.
Self
3 energy · Rite
Whenever an enemy attacks you, gain 3 guard.
Self
Set 3
Upgrade
3 energy · Rite
Whenever an enemy attacks you, gain 4 guard.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 6 guard now and at the start of your next turn.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 8 guard now and at the start of your next turn.
Self
0 energy · Attack
Deal 5 damage.
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
0 energy · Attack
Deal 8 damage.
Enemy
1 energy · Attack
Deal 6 damage.
Enemy
Starter card
Starter swap: Weapon Mastery.
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 10 damage.
Enemy
0 energy · Tactic
Gain 4 guard. Spend.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
0 energy · Tactic
Gain 7 guard. Spend.
Self
1 energy · Rite
Banner (3 turns): +2 Might each turn it stands.
Self
Starting pool
Branch A
1 energy · Rite
Banner (5 turns): +3 Might each turn it stands.
Self
Branch B
0 energy · Rite
Banner (3 turns): +2 Might each turn it stands.
Self
1 energy · Rite
Discipline. Your first Attack each turn deals +4 (crit).
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Rite
Discipline. Your first Attack each turn deals +6 (crit).
Self
1 energy · Rite
Unique. Discipline. Attacks apply Winded 1. Attacks have a 25% chance to Stun their target (about every 4th). Echo: Your next Attack this turn Stuns.
Self
Set 1
Upgrade
1 energy · Rite
Unique. Discipline. Attacks apply Winded 1. Attacks have a 33% chance to Stun their target (about every 3rd). Echo: Your next Attack this turn Stuns.
Self
1 energy · Rite
Discipline. Attacks deal +1 damage and apply Bleed 2.
Self
Starting pool
Signature reward: Weapon Mastery.
Upgrade
1 energy · Rite
Discipline. Attacks deal +1 damage and apply Bleed 3.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 3 guard. Draw 2.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 5 guard. Draw 2.
Self
2 energy · Tactic
Root one enemy. Spend.
Enemy
Set 1
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Root one enemy. Spend.
Enemy
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 5 guard. At the end of your next turn gain 4 guard (the banners hold one more turn).
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 8 guard. At the end of your next turn gain 4 guard (the banners hold one more turn).
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 6 guard. At the start of your next turn Shield Wall keeps up to 10 guard.
Self
Set 2
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 9 guard. At the start of your next turn Shield Wall keeps up to 10 guard.
Self
2 energy · Tactic
Gain 13 guard.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
2 energy · Tactic
Gain 17 guard.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 4 guard. Each ally gains 2 guard.
Self
Starter card
Starter swap: Banners.
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 6 guard. Each ally gains 3 guard.
Self
2 energy · Tactic
Raise a Healing, Defensive and Offensive Banner, each standing 2 turns. Spend.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
2 energy · Tactic
Raise a Healing, Defensive and Offensive Banner, each standing 3 turns. Spend.
Self
2 energy · Rite
Whenever an ally plays an Attack, they gain 1 guard.
Self
Starting pool
Offered in parties of 2 or more heroes.
Upgrade
1 energy · Rite
Whenever an ally plays an Attack, they gain 1 guard.
Self
1 energy · Rite
Whenever you play a guard card, gain 1 Thorns.
Self
Set 2
Upgrade
1 energy · Rite
Whenever you play a guard card, gain 2 Thorns.
Self
1 energy · Attack
Deal 4 damage. Gain 6 guard. If the target is in the front row, Push it.
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 6 damage. Gain 8 guard. If the target is in the front row, Push it.
Enemy
1 energy · Attack
Deal 7 damage. Gain 4 guard.
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 10 damage. Gain 6 guard.
Enemy
1 energy · Attack
Deal 5 damage. Gain 3 guard.
Enemy
Starter card
Starter swap: Shield Mastery.
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 7 damage. Gain 4 guard.
Enemy
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 10 Guard. This turn, attacks aimed at your allies hit you instead. Enemies that hit you this turn gain Shaken 1.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 14 Guard. This turn, attacks aimed at your allies hit you instead. Enemies that hit you this turn gain Shaken 1.
Self
2 energy · Attack
Deal 10 damage. Apply Sundered 1. Gain 5 guard.
Enemy
Set 1
Upgrade
2 energy · Attack
Deal 13 damage. Apply Sundered 2. Gain 5 guard.
Enemy
1 energy · Rite
Gain 2 Bulwark.
Self
Starting pool
Signature reward: Shield Mastery.
Branch A
1 energy · Rite
Gain 4 Bulwark. Whenever an enemy attacks you, deal 2 back and heal 2.
Self
Branch B
1 energy · Rite
Gain 2 Bulwark and Thorns 2. Each time Thorns triggers, heal 1.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 5 guard.
Self
Starter card
4 in the starting deck before mastery swaps.
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 9 guard.
Self
1 energy · Rite
While you stand in the front row, allies in the back row take 2 less from reach attacks.
Self
Starting pool
Offered in parties of 2 or more heroes.
Upgrade
1 energy · Rite
While you stand in the front row, allies in the back row take 4 less from reach attacks.
Self
1 energy · Attack
Deal 8 damage.
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 11 damage.
Enemy
1 energy · Attack
Deal 6 damage. Push the target to the back row (a pushed enemy is Planted: it cannot be pushed again for 2 turns).
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 9 damage. Push the target to the back row (a pushed enemy is Planted: it cannot be pushed again for 2 turns).
Enemy
2 energy · Attack
Deal 10 damage. If the target is Winded, Stun it. Spend.
Enemy
Set 1
Upgrade
2 energy · Attack
Deal 14 damage. If the target is Winded, Stun it. Spend.
Enemy
2 energy · Tactic
Gain 8 guard. Until your next turn take 30% less damage; each enemy attack on you deals 3 back to the attacker and heals you 3.
Self
Starting pool
Branch A
2 energy · Tactic
Gain 8 guard. Until your next turn take 30% less damage; after each enemy attack your debuffs are removed and the attacker is Shaken 1.
Self
Branch B
2 energy · Tactic
Gain 8 guard. Until your next turn take 30% less damage; each enemy hit on you deals 2 back to the attacker (multi-hits reflect per hit).
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 5 guard. Until your next turn, enemies that attack you take 3.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 7 guard. Until your next turn, enemies that attack you take 4.
Self
2 energy · Attack
Remove all the target's guard, then deal 12 damage and apply Sundered 2.
Enemy
Set 1
Upgrade
2 energy · Attack
Remove all the target's guard, then deal 16 damage and apply Sundered 2.
Enemy
1 energy · Attack
Deal 6 damage. Apply Winded 2.
Enemy
Set 1
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 9 damage. Apply Winded 3.
Enemy
1 energy · Rite
Unique. Whenever you play a Banner (or any Rite or Spend card), gain 5 guard and draw 1. Echo: Draw a card.
Self
Starting pool
Signature reward: Banners.
Upgrade
1 energy · Rite
Unique. Whenever you play a Banner (or any Rite or Spend card), gain 8 guard and draw 1. Echo: Draw a card.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 7 guard. Draw 1.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 10 guard. Draw 1.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 1 Bulwark (+1 guard whenever you gain guard). Spend.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 2 Bulwark (+1 guard each per guard gain). Spend.
Self
1 energy · Attack
Deal 4 damage to ALL enemies. Gain 4 guard.
No target selection
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 5 damage to ALL enemies. Gain 6 guard.
No target selection
1 energy · Attack
Deal 6 damage.
Enemy
Starter card
3 in the starting deck before mastery swaps.
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 10 damage.
Enemy
2 energy · Rite
Whenever you play an Attack, Taunt its target and gain 3 guard.
Self
Set 3
Upgrade
1 energy · Rite
Whenever you play an Attack, Taunt its target and gain 3 guard.
Self
2 energy · Rite
At the start of your turn gain 6 guard.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
2 energy · Rite
At the start of your turn gain 8 guard.
Self
3 energy · Rite
Whenever an enemy attacks you, it takes 5 and is Shaken 1.
Self
Set 3
Upgrade
2 energy · Rite
Whenever an enemy attacks you, it takes 5 and is Shaken 1.
Self
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 6 guard. Until your next turn, each enemy attack on you deals 3 back to the attacker.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Tactic
Gain 9 guard. Until your next turn, each enemy attack on you deals 4 back to the attacker.
Self
2 energy · Rite
Unique. Shield Wall keeps all your guard. Echo: Gain 6 guard.
Self
Set 2
Upgrade
1 energy · Rite
Unique. Shield Wall keeps all your guard. Echo: Gain 6 guard.
Self
2 energy · Rite
Unique. The first time you would die this fight, stay at 1 HP, heal 20% of max HP and take no attack damage until your next turn ends. Echo: Heal 5.
Self
Set 3
Branch A
2 energy · Rite
Unique. Undying; each kill has a 50% chance to re-arm it once spent (about every 2 kills). Echo: Heal 5.
Self
Branch B
2 energy · Rite
Unique. The first time you would die this fight, stay at 1 HP, heal 40% of max HP and take no attack damage until your next turn ends. Echo: Heal 5.
Self
2 energy · Rite
Shield Wall keeps 5 more guard between turns.
Self
Set 2
Upgrade
2 energy · Rite
Shield Wall keeps 10 more guard between turns.
Self
2 energy · Attack
Deal 8 damage to ALL enemies. Apply Winded 2 to each. Gain 8 guard.
No target selection
Starting pool
Upgrade
2 energy · Attack
Deal 11 damage to ALL enemies. Apply Winded 2 to each. Gain 10 guard.
No target selection
2 energy · Tactic
Gain 18 guard.
Self
Starting pool
Upgrade
2 energy · Tactic
Gain 24 guard.
Self
1 energy · Attack
Deal 7 damage.
Enemy
Starting pool
Upgrade
1 energy · Attack
Deal 10 damage.
Enemy
A card type: Attacks deal damage, usually to one enemy you drag them onto.
Takes this much damage at the start of its turn, every turn. A new Bleed replaces a weaker one.
+1 guard per stack from every card that gives guard.
A weapon mastery Rite. Different Disciplines work side by side.
What a copy of a Unique Rite does when you play it while that Rite is already up: a small one-time effect.
Every card costs energy (the number in its gem). You get 3 each turn; what you do not use is lost.
Soaks hits before your HP; it falls away at the start of your next turn.
+1 damage per stack on every attack.
Was shoved to the back row; cannot be pushed again for this many turns.
Moves an enemy from the front row to the back row.
Bows, spells, breath and attacks that hit all enemies reach the back row; melee does not.
A card type: a Rite is played once and keeps working for the rest of the fight.
Cannot attack this turn (bosses deal half). A direct hit breaks the root; damage over time does not.
Fighters stand in a front row or a back row. Melee only reaches the front row while anyone stands in it.
Deals 30% less damage for this many turns.
After you play it, the card leaves this fight (it goes to the Spent pile). It is back in your deck next fight.
Skips its next turn. Elites and bosses shrug off a second stun in the same fight.
Takes 40% more damage for this many turns.
A card type: Tactics guard, draw, heal or set things up. Most are played by dragging them up.
Must attack the hero who taunted it.
Anyone who attacks you takes this much damage.
Only one copy works at a time. Play another copy while it is up and that copy does its Echo instead (and if it is upgraded and yours is not, yours becomes the upgraded one). Spare copies help you find it sooner.
Gains 30% less guard for this many turns.
