Shard Card Effects Explained In FragPunk

FragPunk brings a fresh twist to the hero shooter genre with its high-energy 5v5 battles and wide range of customizable Lancers—but what really sets it apart is the Shard Card system. While the game offers familiar FPS elements like weapon loadouts and unique character abilities, Shard Cards shake up the formula in every round. If you’re new to FragPunk and wondering how these cards work, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about what Shard Cards are, how they function, and why they’re a game-changer in every match.

How Does Shard Cards Work In FragPunk

Shard Cards are what make FragPunk stand out from your average tactical shooter. These special cards allow players to bend or break the rules of a match, creating unexpected twists every round. At the start of each round, your team will be presented with a few Shard Cards randomly chosen from the pool of cards your squad owns. Each card has a unique effect—some might buff movement speed, change gravity, or add new win conditions—and they cost Shard Points to activate.

You and your teammates can contribute your Shard Points to play a card, and if the ones offered don’t seem useful, you can spend some points to redraw and try your luck with new options. Shard Points are earned as you play by getting kills, assists, streaks, or picking them up from the map. You’ll always see your available points on-screen—during the rule-setting phase and in the round itself.

If you don’t spend your Shard Points right away, don’t worry—they carry over to the next round. This lets you stockpile for a bigger play later. The more points you save up, the more game-changing cards you can throw into the mix when it matters most.

How To Activate Shard Cards In Fragpunk

Activating Shard Cards in FragPunk is pretty simple, but it helps to know the difference between standard and special cards. Most Shard Cards activate automatically at the start of the round as soon as you and your team commit the required Shard Points. Their effects kick in right away and stay active for the rest of that round.

However, there are also Special Shard Cards that need to be used manually during a match. To trigger one, you’ll need to press the Special Shard Card button. You can set or change this keybind in your control settings under either the Keyboard or Controller tab. Once activated, the card’s effect will go live.

You can also keep track of any active Shard Cards in real time—look just to the right of your Lancer’s abilities on the bottom of your screen. That panel will show which cards are currently in play, so you’re never left guessing what rules are shaping the round.

How to Get Shard Cards in FragPunk

In FragPunk, players start out with a basic set of Shard Cards, but you can unlock a bunch more just by playing. As you complete matches, new Shard Cards will gradually become available, expanding your options and letting you build more creative strategies each round.

To check which Shard Cards you’ve unlocked—or to read up on what they do—just go to the main menu, click on the Shard Card tab, and open the Handbook. This section lets you view every Shard Card you’ve earned so far, along with a breakdown of its effect and the Shard Point cost required to use it in-game.

Once you’ve unlocked a new card, it’ll be added to your pool and may randomly appear during the rule-selection phase at the start of a round. The more cards you collect, the more unpredictable and interesting each match can get.

Conclusion

Shard Cards are what truly set FragPunk apart from other hero shooters. They let you bend the rules of the game to your advantage, offering unique effects that can completely change how a round plays out. Whether you’re boosting your health, revealing enemies, or creating wild new win conditions, learning how to manage and use Shard Cards effectively is key to gaining the upper hand. Now that you know how they work, how to unlock them, and how to activate them, you’re one step closer to mastering the chaos and dominating the battlefield.