Beginner's Guide

How to Play Warring States Card Battles in 3 Minutes

By the Warring States Team · Game Guide

Aug 23, 2026 · 5 min read

Warring States Card Battles battle screen

Warring States: Card Battles is a fast strategy card game set in ancient China. Two heroes fight to reduce each other's health from 30 to 0. You play creatures, cast spells, and swing weapons — all driven by the philosophy of the school you chose. Here is everything you need for your first match.

01The goal: reduce their hero to 0

Each player controls a hero with 30 health. You win by dropping the enemy hero to 0 — either by attacking directly, or by letting them run out of cards and take fatigue damage. Your hero also has a unique power from its school that you can use each turn.

Core numbers

Health: 30 · Starting hand: 4 cards · Draw: 1 per turn

Mana: up to 10 per turn · Board: max 7 minions

02A turn, step by step

Draw a card

At the start of your turn you draw one card. If your deck is empty, you take fatigue damage instead — so avoid over-drawing.

Gain mana

Your maximum mana grows by one each turn, up to 10. Mana is the currency you spend to play cards — the higher the card's cost, the later you can afford it.

Play cards

Play minions onto your board, cast spells, and equip weapons. Each costs mana.

Attack

Minions can attack once per turn (unless they have Charge or Windfury). They can hit the enemy hero or enemy minions. Your hero can attack with its equipped weapon.

Use your hero power & end

Your school's hero power costs a little mana. When you're done, end your turn and pass to your opponent.

03The three card types

⚔️

MinionA creature on the board

✨

SpellOne-time effect

🛡️

WeaponAttack with your hero

Minions fight for you and stay on the board. Spells deal damage, heal, or buff instantly. Weapons give your hero attack power you can swing at enemies — but each swing costs durability.

04Keywords that matter most

TauntEnemies must attack this first

Divine ShieldBlocks the first hit

ChargeCan attack the turn it's played

WindfuryAttacks twice per turn

PoisonousDestroys any minion it damages

LifestealDamage heals your hero

Taunts protect your hero and other minions — break them first. Divine Shield absorbs one hit for free. Charge lets an aggressive minion strike immediately. Learning these few will carry you through most matches.

05Five tips for new players

Keep your mana curve even — don't fill your deck only with expensive cards you can't play early.

Clear enemy taunts before attacking the hero — an unexpected taunt can cost you the game.

Trade minions wisely: attacking an enemy minion saves your health for the long game.

Don't hoard spells — a removal used at the right moment is worth more than a perfect combo.

Start with an aggressive school like Military to learn fast, then branch out.

06Where to go next

Now that you know the basics, pick your school of thought. Each of the seven schools plays completely differently — read the full breakdown to find the one that matches your playstyle.

Your first match is a minute away

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