FragPunk Beginner’s Guide: How to Play and What to Know
Image Credits: Bad Guitar Studio, FragPunk
FragPunk is a fast-paced 5v5 hero shooter with a unique twist: Shard Cards. These cards change the game every round, adding chaotic modifiers that shake up each match. If you’re just getting started, here’s everything you need to know.
Know the Lancers
Starting off with the basics. When you know what each character does you’ll be able to adapt accordingly. Check out our guide on what each Lancer does here.
Game Modes
The main mode is Shard Clash, which plays like Search and Destroy. Attackers plant a bomb (or "blowy-upy thingy"), while Defenders try to stop them. But unlike other shooters, the match changes every round thanks to Shard Cards.
Other modes include:
Team Deathmatch (TDM) – Classic FPS action.
Outbreak (Zombies) – A horde survival mode.
Arena Modes – Special seasonal game types that rotate.
The Flow of a Match
Each round follows the same structure:
Pick a Shard Card – Your team selects from a set of random modifiers. Some require Shard Points, the game’s economy system.
Choose Your Lancer – You pick a character (Lancer) for the round.
Select a Weapon – Guns don’t cost anything, so you’re free to experiment.
If you win the round, you earn more Shard Points to invest in stronger cards next time.
Shard Cards: The Core of FragPunk
There are 169 Shard Cards at launch, divided into four types:
Map Cards – Change the layout, add cover, or open/close areas.
Lancer Cards – Modify abilities or enhance movement.
Rule Cards – Adjust mechanics like ammo counts or movement speed.
Weapon Cards – Buff or change weapon stats.
Each round, your team gets random cards based on what’s unlocked. If multiple teammates own the same card, it has a higher chance of appearing. No, it’s not pay-to-win—cards are unlocked only through gameplay.
See the full list of Shard Cards here.
Weapons and Combat
FragPunk’s gunplay feels like a mix of Rainbow Six Siege and Valorant, but with a little bit of a twist:
Guns have consistent recoil patterns that you can learn.
ADS (aiming down sights) movement is smoother, so you can stay mobile.
Only four guns can one-shot headshot: a marksman rifle, a deagle-style pistol, and two snipers.
Most weapons have adjustable zoom levels, so set your preferences in the settings.
Overall, the time-to-kill (TTK) is fast but balanced, rewarding aggressive play without relying too much on lucky one-taps.
Unique Mechanics and Map Features
Treasure Drops – Set spawn points on each map where you can find extra Shard Points, health packs, or personal-use Shard Cards.
Doors, Portals, and Moving Parts – Many maps have interactive elements, like the Black Market’s bridge that can be opened and closed.
One of the best features is the tiebreaker system—instead of standard overtime, teams battle in five 1v1 duels, letting skill decide the winner.
Major Changes from Beta to Full Release
Movement speed slightly reduced – Helps balance aggressive corner peeking.
Launcher pistols now work as normal secondaries – No more choosing between a grenade pistol or a sidearm.
Lancer balance tweaks – Several characters have been adjusted, including a big buff to Zephyr.
More polished gunplay and map tweaks – Better recoil feel, updated hitboxes, and minor layout improvements.
Final Blurb
FragPunk is a fast, chaotic, and unpredictable shooter that stands out with its Shard Card system. Whether you love the strategy of picking the right cards or the tight gunplay, it’s got something for every FPS fan.
If you’re new, focus on learning the maps, experimenting with Lancers, and understanding Shard Card strategies. The game changes every round, so flexibility is key.
Now get out there and start fragging.
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