If you’re just getting started in Kickoff Tactics, the card pool can feel overwhelming. With 400+ licensed players to collect, knowing which cards are actually worth building around is half the battle. This guide breaks down the best beginner-friendly cards by energy cost, so you can start winning games faster.
Understanding the basics first
Before diving into the cards, it’s worth remembering how goals are scored in Kickoff Tactics. Goals are awarded at the end of Round 4 and Round 8 — meaning the halfway point is just as important as the final whistle. This changes how you think about your curve. Getting cards on the board early and securing zones before Half Time is just as valuable as your late-game power plays.
With that in mind, consistency and early presence matter enormously for new players.
1-cost: Nusa
There are very few guaranteed things in a card game, but Nusa comes close. This 1-cost, 2-power card has a unique ability — it is always drawn on Turn 1. That might sound like a small thing, but in a game where Round 4 goals are worth just as much as Round 8 goals, knowing exactly what you’ll have available on the first turn is incredibly valuable.
For beginners still learning to manage their hand, Nusa removes one variable entirely and lets you plan your opening turn with confidence. Putting 2 power into a zone for just 1 energy on Turn 1 is an excellent start to securing an early Half Time goal.
2-cost: Doan
Doan is essentially Nusa’s big brother. A 2-cost Midfielder with 4 power, his ability guarantees he is drawn on Turn 2. That gives you a reliable, efficient two-card opening — Nusa into Doan — that puts 6 combined power across your zones in the first two rounds for just 3 energy total.
This kind of predictable early curve is exactly what beginner decks need. When you’re still learning zone control and the tactics system, having your first two turns sorted before the game even starts is a massive advantage.
3-cost: Bowen
At 3 energy, Bowen is one of the most accessible high-value cards in the game. He comes with 3 base power, but his ability — gaining +4 power when played in the right zone — pushes him to 7 power for just 3 energy when activated. That’s exceptional value.
The best part for beginners? His ability is straightforward to activate. Playing him in the correct zone is a simple condition compared to some of the more situational abilities in the game. He’s a reliable threat before Half Time and a card you’ll keep coming back to even as you get more experienced.
3-cost: Suzuki (Goalkeeper)
Goalkeepers are often undervalued by new players, but Suzuki is a genuine game-changer. He costs 3 energy and starts with 5 power — already solid — but his Active ability gives him +1 power for every Defender in the same zone. Stack a few low-cost Defenders alongside him and you can lock down a lane almost completely by Half Time.
Suzuki rewards players who build their deck with synergy in mind. A simple formation with two or three cheap Defenders in the same zone as Suzuki can create a wall of power that’s very hard for opponents to overcome, especially in the early rounds.
5-cost: Arnautovic
As you move into the mid-to-late game, Arnautovic is the standout 5-cost option. He comes with 7 base power — strong on its own — and his ability rewards tactical play: if you don’t play a card in the same zone the following turn, he gains +3 power, taking him to 10.
For beginners learning to diversify their plays across multiple zones, this ability almost rewards you for good habits. Spread your energy across zones rather than doubling down, and Arnautovic gets stronger. He’s also excellent for the final rounds when you’re trying to tip zone control in your favour before the Round 8 goals are decided.
7-cost: Bellingham
Jude Bellingham is the most impactful card in a beginner’s toolkit — and arguably one of the most powerful cards in the entire game. He costs 7 energy, starts with just 1 base power, but his Active ability doubles the total power of whatever zone he’s played in.
That ability changes everything. A zone with 10 combined power becomes 20. A contested zone becomes an unwinnable proposition for your opponent. Bellingham doesn’t just win zones — he makes entire lanes feel unassailable when used correctly.
The key to using him well is setup. Get other cards into a zone first to build up power, then drop Bellingham to double it. Timed right — especially heading into Round 8 — he can single-handedly secure a win. He is the card beginners should learn to build around first.
Building your first deck
With these cards in mind, a solid beginner approach is to build around a reliable early curve (Nusa and Doan), a mid-game threat in each zone (Bowen, Suzuki with Defenders), and save your highest-cost energy for Bellingham as your game-winning play.
Don’t try to spread your power evenly across all three zones every round. Pick two zones to contest hard and let the third go. Zone control, not total power, is what wins games in Kickoff Tactics.
Good luck — and check back for regular meta reports and tier lists as the game evolves.