Learning the Clock and Level mechanics of Weiß Schwarz can help a player to master the game. This handy guide will teach you the things you need to know.
In Weiß Schwarz, you record damage by putting cards into the clock zone. When the clock zone reaches seven cards a player levels up putting one of those cards into their level zone. This process repeats until a player hits “Level 4” at which point they lose. These are the base functions of the clock and level, but they do have additional functions that make them more central to the game than the damage systems in other card games.
Clocking
One of the first mechanics unique to the game is “Clocking”. After drawing to start your turn, you can put a card from your hand to the clock to draw two cards. This mechanic improves consistency for every deck in the game, and allows one to choose what is in the clock/level. If you are at Level 3, 6 damage clocking will bring one to Level 4 hence causing them to “CLOCK FOR GAME” or really just scoop while BMing.
Wait, why all the colours?
All Weiß Schwarz cards come in four colours (Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow) and excluding climaxes, all Weiß Schwarz cards come in four levels (0-3).
(Left to Right ©ATLUS. ©SEGA. All rights reserved. Makoto as QUEEN: The Phantom Tactician Weiß Schwarz. https://en.ws-tcg.com/cardlist/list, ©ATLUS. ©SEGA. All rights reserved. Morgana as MONA: All-out Attack Weiß Schwarz https://en.ws-tcg.com/cardlist/list, ©ATLUS. ©SEGA. All rights reserved Yusuke Kitagawa Weiß Schwarz https://en.ws-tcg.com/cardlist/list, ©ATLUS. ©SEGA. All rights reserved. Protagonist as JOKER & Arsene Weiß Schwarz https://en.ws-tcg.com/cardlist/list)
Why does this matter?
For playing Level 0s, you don’t need to worry about colours or levels except for the fact that you can only play climaxes if you have a card of that colour in your clock or level. Problems begin to occur for Level 1-3 characters which require you to both be at the same level as them, and have a card with the same colour in either your clock or level. This makes it important to be able to choose a card you can put into your clock to draw.
Weiß Schwarz’s clock and level are some of the most intriguing mechanics to have in a card game. They cause the player to have to strategize to make the most out of both their and the opponents clock. Through properly using the clock and level a player will drastically improve in their quest to be the best.
I personally have felt the pain and agony of clocking without properly thinking it through and being left unable to play my entire hand due to missing the colours I need to play anything but Level 0s I don’t have. Be certain you are aware of what you clock, and prepare yourself accordingly to make the best possible plays.
Clock For Game 