FragPunk is an exciting new 5v5 hero-based tactical shooter that combines fast-paced gunplay with unique deck-building mechanics. Whether you’re just starting your FragPunk journey or looking to sharpen your competitive edge, this guide will help you understand the game’s fundamentals. You’ll learn about Lancers (heroes), weapons, game mechanics, and the innovative Shard Card system.

What is FragPunk?

FragPunk is a 5v5 tactical first-person shooter with hero shooter elements. Players choose from a roster of genetically enhanced warriors called Lancers, each with their own unique abilities, weapons, and playstyles. Matches involve two teams competing in objective-based modes, with a twist provided by collectible Shard Cards that modify the game’s rules in unpredictable ways.

Game Modes

FragPunk currently has several engaging game modes:

Shard Clash

Shard Clash is the primary competitive mode. It’s a bomb-planting scenario similar to classic bomb-defusal modes from other tactical shooters. The attacking team must plant a device known as the Converter and defend it until it fully deploys (a Conversion). The defending team tries to prevent the plant or diffuse the Converter. Eliminating the opposing team also secures a round win.

• Standard Shard Clash matches are best-of-seven rounds.
• Ranked Shard Clash games are best-of-eleven rounds and involve a Shard Card pick-and-ban phase, adding deeper strategy to the match.

Arcade Modes

Arcade modes offer less-serious, fast-paced gameplay options:

• Team Deathmatch: Classic frag-focused gameplay, with some Shard Cards available as mid-match activations.
• Capture the Core: A variation of Capture-the-Flag, where players secure neutral cores around the map and return them to their base.
• Scrimmage: A casual, continuous respawn mode ideal for warming up or practicing skills.
• Duel Master: Pure 1v1 combat, ideal for refining your individual aiming and movement skills.

Meet the Lancers

Each Lancer features specialized skills and playstyles. Here are a few popular examples:

• Broker (Offense): Aggressive and powerful, Broker excels in chaotic firefights, equipped with a damaging rocket launcher and deployable trip mines.
• Pathogen (Support): A support specialist who heals allies, deploys defensive fungus clouds, and poisons enemies (while remaining immune herself).
• Point (Recon): Excels at long-range combat and scouting, equipped with a railgun sniper rifle and detection abilities to reveal enemy positions.
• Spider (Utility/Disruptor): Deploys teleportation devices, traps, and disorientation abilities, disrupting enemy tactics and positioning.
• Sonar (Stealth Recon): Uses echolocation to detect enemies and silence ally footsteps, perfect for stealthy approaches and ambushes.
• Nitro (Defense/Trapper): Superb at zone control and defense, Nitro deploys automated turrets called Pew-Pews, a remote drone (“Chug Chug”), and even creates walls for cover or elevation.

Lancers can be unlocked using Lancer Tokens, earned through daily logins, quests, challenges, and the battle pass, or purchased with gold (an in-game currency).

Weapons and Mechanics

FragPunk features various weapon types, each suited to different playstyles and ranges:

Primary Weapons

• Shotguns: Ideal for close quarters; available in pump-action (Meat Maker) or fully automatic versions.
• SMGs: Excellent close to medium-range firepower with high rates of fire.
• Assault Rifles: Versatile tools effective at close, medium, and occasionally longer ranges.
• Light Machine Guns (LMGs): High-capacity magazines, great for sustained suppression fire at medium range.
• Marksman Rifles: Accurate, long-range weapons with high damage; some variants have unique traits like silencing.
• Sniper Rifles: Heavy, bolt-action rifles that deliver one-shot kills in most situations.

Secondary Weapons

• Pistols: Reliable sidearms; certain pistols (like the Deagle) deliver powerful headshots at close range.
• Utility Guns: Replace traditional grenades with launchers that fire explosives, flashes, and smoke grenades with either direct fire or lobbed trajectories.
• Melee Weapons: Effective at close range and especially powerful from behind (backstab damage doubles standard melee damage).

Damage Mechanics

• Headshots deal greater damage.
• Limb shots (arms, legs) deal reduced damage compared to body shots.

Important: Players lose all equipped weapons (except the default pistol) upon death. Weapons can be retrieved from teammates or found on the battlefield.

Shard Cards Explained

Shard Cards are the heart of FragPunk’s unique gameplay. These cards modify the match rules, maps, or abilities, dramatically altering gameplay:

• Map Cards: Change map layouts, add cover, or remove obstacles entirely.
• Lancer Cards: Enhance or alter specific Lancer abilities.
• Rule Cards: Change fundamental gameplay rules like gravity, bullet behavior, or hitbox sizes (e.g., Big Head Mode).
• Weapon Cards: Modify weapon stats or ammo capacity.

Shard Cards cost Shard Points, earned through damage, objectives, kills, and round wins. Players vote each round to activate these cards, adding strategic depth and unpredictability to matches. Cards can also be rerolled if undesired.

Relics

Unlocked at account level 15, Relics offer passive buffs activated during the match’s card-selection phase. Examples include:

• Oasis Guardian: Grants slow HP regeneration once your team activates all cards.
• Protective Chime: Extra Shard Points gained upon losing rounds or dying.
• Gambler’s Prism: Improves the quality of rerolled cards but increases reroll cost.

Cosmetics and Progression

FragPunk offers various engaging cosmetic options, including character and weapon skins, stickers, and more. A battle pass with exclusive rewards and challenges keeps the experience fresh and rewarding.

Essential Beginner Tips

To succeed in FragPunk, keep these tips in mind:

1. Play the Objective: Staying objective-focused often secures victory more reliably than focusing solely on kills.
2. Coordinate with Your Team: Combining abilities and choosing complementary Lancers can drastically improve your effectiveness.
3. Experiment with Shard Cards: Try out different card combinations to discover powerful synergies and tactics.
4. Utilize Map Knowledge: Familiarizing yourself with map layouts, spawn points, treasure drops, and strategic positions gives you a critical advantage.
5. Master Weapon Mechanics: Practice various weapon types and learn their recoil patterns, effective ranges, and unique traits.

Conclusion

FragPunk offers a fresh take on the tactical shooter genre by combining unique heroes, an innovative Shard Card system, and engaging team-based gameplay. With a diverse roster of Lancers, customizable card strategies, and a range of exciting modes, FragPunk promises hours of tactical excitement and fast-paced action. Jump into matches, experiment, and find the playstyle that’s perfect for you.