Ready to Stand Up and Play? Here's How to Play Vanguard Online!
Hey there, fellow cardfighter! Have you been watching the anime, collecting the cards, and now you're itching to test your skills against players from around the globe? You've come to the right place! Playing Cardfight!! Vanguard online is an exhilarating experience, and with a variety of platforms available, you can find the perfect way to duel from the comfort of your own home. Let's dive into the world of digital Vanguard and get you ready for your next Twin Drive!
Step 1: Choose Your Platform and Get Started!
First things first, you need to decide how you want to play. There are a few different ways to jump into the online community, each with its own pros and cons. Think of this as choosing your starting nation—each one offers a unique experience.
Official Digital Games: These are the most polished and user-friendly options, with automated rules and stunning visuals.
Cardfight!! Vanguard Dear Days (PC and Nintendo Switch): This is the premier official digital experience. It features a story mode, a vast card pool, dynamic animations, and multiple online play modes, including Ranked and Friend Fights. It's a premium, buy-to-play game, but it offers a seamless and beautiful experience. A sequel, Dear Days 2, was released in January 2025, expanding the card pool and adding new story content.
Cardfight!! Vanguard ZERO (Mobile): This is a free-to-play mobile app with a different rule set designed for a faster, more casual experience. It's a great way to learn the basics and enjoy the game on the go, but be aware that it doesn't follow the exact rules of the physical TCG.
Manual Simulators: These are typically free and offer a full, rule-accurate experience, but you'll have to manually perform all actions, just like in a real-life game.
Cardfight Area (CFA): This is a very popular, free, and community-driven simulator. It's a bit bare-bones visually, but it is constantly updated with new cards and is the go-to platform for many competitive players.
Tabletop Simulator (TTS): This is a paid game on Steam that allows you to play various tabletop games, including Vanguard, through community-made mods. It's a highly customizable and versatile option, but you'll need to purchase the base game.
So, what's your pick? If you want a smooth, automated experience with a story mode, Dear Days is your best bet. If you want to play on your phone for free and enjoy a more simplified ruleset, Vanguard ZERO is for you. If you're looking for a free, rule-accurate experience and don't mind the manual gameplay, Cardfight Area is a fantastic choice.
Step 2: Acquire the Game and Your Deck
Once you've made your choice, it's time to get the game and build your first deck.
Sub-heading: For Official Digital Games (Dear Days & ZERO)
For Dear Days:
Purchase the game: Head to the Nintendo eShop or Steam store to buy the game.
Start the tutorial: The game has a thorough tutorial to guide you through the rules. Even if you're a veteran player, it's a good idea to go through it to familiarize yourself with the digital interface.
Build your deck: In Dear Days, you acquire cards through in-game currency earned from playing the story mode and online matches. You can also buy DLC to expand your collection. The game also provides a feature for deck recipes, making it easy to create a competitive deck.
For Vanguard ZERO:
Download the app: It's available for free on the App Store and Google Play.
Learn the simplified rules: The rules are a bit different from the physical game. For example, damage checks are simplified, and there are no grade 2 or 3 intercepts.
Acquire cards: You get cards by opening packs using in-game currency or by participating in events. It's a gacha-style game, so be prepared to grind a bit to build your desired deck.
Sub-heading: For Manual Simulators (CFA & TTS)
For Cardfight Area:
Download the client: You'll need to find the download link for the CFA client online. Be sure to download from a reliable source.
Build your deck: CFA comes with all the cards available, so you can build any deck you want from the get-go. This is a huge advantage for players who want to test out new decks without spending money.
For Tabletop Simulator:
Purchase TTS on Steam: This is a one-time purchase.
Subscribe to the mod: Go to the Steam Workshop and search for a Cardfight!! Vanguard mod. There are several community-made mods available. Subscribe to the one you like.
Load up the game: Launch TTS, and you can create a room, load the Vanguard mod, and build your deck by searching for cards from the in-game database.
Step 3: Master the Rules and Get Ready to Fight!
Now that you have your game and your deck, it's time to learn (or re-learn) the rules. The core gameplay loop of Vanguard is consistent, but each platform has its own nuances.
Sub-heading: The Core Phases of a Turn
Let's quickly review the fundamental steps of a turn, which you'll perform in almost every online game:
Stand & Draw Phase: Stand all your units that are currently in the "Rest" position and draw a card. This is your fresh start for the turn.
Ride Phase: This is where you can Ride a new Vanguard. You can only ride a unit that is one grade higher than your current Vanguard. This is a crucial step for gaining power and unlocking new abilities!
Main Phase: This is your main window of opportunity. You can:
Call Rear-guards from your hand to the field.
Move units on the field.
Activate your card's abilities.
Battle Phase: This is where the action happens!
Declare an attack: Choose a unit to attack with.
Boost: You can "Boost" an attacking unit by resting a unit behind it to add its Power to the attacker.
Guard: Your opponent can guard by calling cards from their hand to the "Guardian Circle."
Drive Check: When your Vanguard attacks, you perform a Drive Check, revealing the top card of your deck to check for a Trigger Unit.
End Phase: Your turn is over. You pass the turn to your opponent.
Sub-heading: Specific Platform Tips
Dear Days: The game automates most of the rules, so you just need to follow the on-screen prompts. The animations are flashy and help you keep track of what's happening.
Vanguard ZERO: Since the rules are modified, you'll need to pay attention to the in-game tutorial and card text. Some abilities may have different costs or triggers.
Cardfight Area *and Tabletop Simulator: Since these are manual, you need to know the rules very well. You'll be the one moving cards, flipping triggers, and calculating power. It's a great way to improve your understanding of the game's mechanics, but it can be intimidating for beginners. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your opponent!
Step 4: Find Opponents and Start Your Cardfight!
You're ready! Now, let's find a match.
Dear Days: Use the "Ranked Fight" to compete against players worldwide and climb the leaderboards, or use "Friend Fight" to play with your buddies. You can also play against the "CPU" to test your decks. The player base for Dear Days is active, so you should be able to find a match.
Vanguard ZERO: The app has a matchmaking system for ranked and casual play. With a large mobile user base, you'll find matches quickly.
Cardfight Area and Tabletop Simulator: These platforms rely on a lobby system. You'll join a server and look for open rooms. You can also join Discord servers or online communities dedicated to Vanguard to find opponents and set up matches. This is a great way to find a consistent playgroup.
Remember to be a good sport! Online cardfighting is a lot of fun, so remember to be polite, say "good game," and enjoy the competition.
10 FAQ Subheadings Starting with 'How to'
How to build a competitive deck?
You can build a competitive deck by understanding card synergy, focusing on a single clan/nation, and including a balanced mix of different grades and trigger units. Use online deck-building resources and check out tournament-winning decklists for inspiration.
How to get more cards in Dear Days?
In Dear Days, you earn in-game currency by playing the story mode and online matches. You can use this currency to purchase booster packs and single cards. You can also purchase paid DLC to unlock even more cards.
How to learn the rules if I'm a complete beginner?
The best way to learn is by playing the in-game tutorials in Dear Days or Vanguard ZERO. You can also read the official rulebook or watch tutorial videos on YouTube. Playing against a CPU in Dear Days is a great, low-pressure way to practice.
How to use triggers effectively?
Triggers are cards with special icons (Critical, Draw, Front, and Heal) that you check during a Drive or Damage Check. They provide powerful effects like giving 10,000 Power, drawing a card, or even healing damage. Knowing which unit to give the Power to or when to stack effects is key to winning.
How to find online communities for Vanguard?
The biggest online communities are on Discord and Reddit. Search for "Cardfight Vanguard Discord" or visit the r/cardfightvanguard subreddit to connect with other players, find opponents, and discuss strategies.
How to improve my gameplay?
To improve, you need to practice! Play as many games as you can, both online and offline. Watch pro players on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, and analyze their plays. Understand your deck's win condition and your opponent's to make better decisions.
How to check the latest card updates?
The official Cardfight!! Vanguard website is the best source for new card releases and rules updates. You can also follow official social media channels and check community-run databases and wikis.
How to deal with a bad hand?
Sometimes you'll get a bad starting hand. The game allows you to "Mulligan" your hand once before the fight starts by returning any number of cards to the deck and drawing new ones. If you still have a bad hand, focus on conserving resources and building a strong board slowly.
How to report a cheater or toxic player in a game?
Most official platforms have a reporting system. In manual simulators, you can usually report players to the server administrators or community moderators. It's important to report disruptive behavior to keep the online community enjoyable for everyone.
How to choose the best deck for me?
Choosing a deck depends on your playstyle. Do you like aggressive, fast-paced decks? Or do you prefer a more defensive, control-oriented strategy? Research different clans and their unique mechanics to find one that fits you. Try out a variety of decks in a simulator like Cardfight Area to see what you enjoy!
