Steam News5 June 20262mo ago

Oceania Storm: Japan and the Soviet Union

Hello, Commanders! Spoiler season continues, and today we’re turning our attention toward two nations forged under vastly different conditions of war, yet both defined by endurance under pressure.

In this update6

Full notes

Full KARDS - The WW2 Card Game update

Read the full published notes in a cleaner layout. The original post stays linked below.

What changed

0 fixes3 additions3 changes0 removals

Maps
Gameplay
Balance

addedSpoiler season continues, and today we’re turning our attention toward two nations forged under vastly different conditions of war, yet both defined by endurance under pressure. Japan and the Soviet Union are stepping into the spotlight with new card reveals and fresh looks at how each nation approaches the battlefield in Oceania Storm.

addedJapanJapan fought across enormous stretches of the Pacific Theater, from the jungles of New Guinea to the scattered islands of Micronesia. As the war dragged on and resources dwindled, Japanese strategy increasingly leaned toward high-risk offensives, sacrifice-driven doctrine, and a willingness to trade long-term stability for immediate battlefield impact.

added78th YongsanThe 78th Infantry Regiment was part of the 20th Division, an Imperial Japanese Army formation based at Yongsan in Korea. The division carried the code name Morning Division and was originally raised as a Korean garrison force. During WWII, its role changed when it was sent to New Guinea as part of the Japanese Eighteenth Army. By that time, the division included the 78th, 79th, and 80th Infantry Regiments, along with artillery, reconnaissance, engineer, and transport units. In 1943, the 20th Division moved under Lieutenant General Shigemasa Aoki, but he soon died of malaria. Lieutenant General Shigeru Katagiri then led the division during the Huon Peninsula campaign. After Allied landings at Lae and Nadzab, Japanese troops marched about 200 miles to reinforce Finschhafen. They fought at Finschhafen and Sattelberg, then withdrew after being defeated in October 1943. Katagiri was later killed during the Battle of Hollandia. The division’s surviving troops fought in New Guinea under Masutaro Nakai until Japan’s surrender. Of about 25,000 men, only 1,711 survived the war.

changedMurase BattalionThe Murase Battalion was formally named 3rd battalion, 41st regiment , and was led by Major Gohei Murase. The battalion belonged to the South Seas Detachment, a Japanese force sent into the Papuan campaign after earlier operations at Guam and Rabaul. In 1942, the unit took part in the fighting around the Kokoda Track and then withdrew across the Owen Stanley Range after its failed attempt to reach Port Moresby. By the time the battalion reached the northern coast of Papua, it had been badly weakened by combat, hunger, disease, and the harsh terrain. It then became one of the key Japanese formations defending the Sanananda and Giruwa area. Rather than deep trenches, the battalion relied on above-ground bunkers built from coconut logs and earth, because the water table was too high for normal fieldwork. These positions were difficult to detect and resisted small arms fire well. During the Allied advance in late 1942 and early 1943, the battalion held out under severe pressure. But by January 1943, it had largely ceased to exist as an organized unit.

changedThe Soviet UnionThe Soviet Union entered the Pacific War only during its final weeks, launching massive offensives against Japanese forces in Manchuria in August 1945. But elsewhere in the war, the Soviet Union fought on a scale unmatched anywhere in human history. The Eastern Front consumed entire armies, reshaped continents, and turned endurance into a weapon of its own.

changedTupolev Tu-2The Tupolev Tu-2 was a Soviet twin-engine medium bomber designed for speed, range, and a heavy bomb load. It first flew in 1941 and entered service in 1942. A total of 2,257 were built. The aircraft was created under difficult conditions, since Andrei Tupolev had been arrested during the Soviet purges but was still placed in charge of an aircraft design team because of his value to the war effort. The Tu-2 was intended to match the German Junkers Ju 88 as a fast daylight bomber and dive bomber. It could carry bombs up to 1.5 tons of bombs internally, and 2.2 externally, while two forward-firing 20 mm cannons and defensive machine guns gave it useful protection. Crews valued it because it was fast, handled well, and could survive heavy damage. Its combat debut happened around Velikiye Luki in late 1942 with the 132nd Bomber Aviation Regiment. Production problems and engine changes slowed wider use, but some improved versions went into production in 1943. The Tu-2 became one of the Soviet Union’s most important twin-engine bombers, and played a key role in the Red Army’s final offensives.

KARDS - The WW2 Card Game changes

addedJapan fought across enormous stretches of the Pacific Theater, from the jungles of New Guinea to the scattered islands of Micronesia. As the war dragged on and resources dwindled, Japanese strategy increasingly leaned toward high-risk offensives, sacrifice-driven doctrine, and a willingness to trade long-term stability for immediate battlefield impact.

addedThe 78th Infantry Regiment was part of the 20th Division, an Imperial Japanese Army formation based at Yongsan in Korea. The division carried the code name Morning Division and was originally raised as a Korean garrison force. During WWII, its role changed when it was sent to New Guinea as part of the Japanese Eighteenth Army. By that time, the division included the 78th, 79th, and 80th Infantry Regiments, along with artillery, reconnaissance, engineer, and transport units. In 1943, the 20th Division moved under Lieutenant General Shigemasa Aoki, but he soon died of malaria. Lieutenant General Shigeru Katagiri then led the division during the Huon Peninsula campaign. After Allied landings at Lae and Nadzab, Japanese troops marched about 200 miles to reinforce Finschhafen. They fought at Finschhafen and Sattelberg, then withdrew after being defeated in October 1943. Katagiri was later killed during the Battle of Hollandia. The division’s surviving troops fought in New Guinea under Masutaro Nakai until Japan’s surrender. Of about 25,000 men, only 1,711 survived the war.

changedThe Murase Battalion was formally named 3rd battalion, 41st regiment , and was led by Major Gohei Murase. The battalion belonged to the South Seas Detachment, a Japanese force sent into the Papuan campaign after earlier operations at Guam and Rabaul. In 1942, the unit took part in the fighting around the Kokoda Track and then withdrew across the Owen Stanley Range after its failed attempt to reach Port Moresby. By the time the battalion reached the northern coast of Papua, it had been badly weakened by combat, hunger, disease, and the harsh terrain. It then became one of the key Japanese formations defending the Sanananda and Giruwa area. Rather than deep trenches, the battalion relied on above-ground bunkers built from coconut logs and earth, because the water table was too high for normal fieldwork. These positions were difficult to detect and resisted small arms fire well. During the Allied advance in late 1942 and early 1943, the battalion held out under severe pressure. But by January 1943, it had largely ceased to exist as an organized unit.

changedThe Soviet Union entered the Pacific War only during its final weeks, launching massive offensives against Japanese forces in Manchuria in August 1945. But elsewhere in the war, the Soviet Union fought on a scale unmatched anywhere in human history. The Eastern Front consumed entire armies, reshaped continents, and turned endurance into a weapon of its own.

Hello, Commanders!

Spoiler season continues, and today we’re turning our attention toward two nations forged under vastly different conditions of war, yet both defined by endurance under pressure. Japan and the Soviet Union are stepping into the spotlight with new card reveals and fresh looks at how each nation approaches the battlefield in Oceania Storm.

Read on for the full briefing, or check out the video report below.

https://youtu.be/M3edvtcQkhg

Japan

Japan fought across enormous stretches of the Pacific Theater, from the jungles of New Guinea to the scattered islands of Micronesia. As the war dragged on and resources dwindled, Japanese strategy increasingly leaned toward high-risk offensives, sacrifice-driven doctrine, and a willingness to trade long-term stability for immediate battlefield impact.

In Oceania Storm, that identity becomes a core mechanic. Japan specializes in self kredit denial, with many cards growing stronger the more resources you sacrifice yourself. Forecast synergies and aggressive air power further reinforce the nation’s relentless pressure.

Oceania Storm Forecast

You’ve already seen parts of Japan’s arsenal, including Cruiser Scouts, Out of the Sun, Kawanishi H8K, and a first glimpse at Imperial Research. Today, two more cards enter the fray.

78th Yongsan

Has +1 attack for each kredit slot the enemy has over you.

The 78th Infantry Regiment was part of the 20th Division, an Imperial Japanese Army formation based at Yongsan in Korea. The division carried the code name Morning Division and was originally raised as a Korean garrison force. During WWII, its role changed when it was sent to New Guinea as part of the Japanese Eighteenth Army. By that time, the division included the 78th, 79th, and 80th Infantry Regiments, along with artillery, reconnaissance, engineer, and transport units. In 1943, the 20th Division moved under Lieutenant General Shigemasa Aoki, but he soon died of malaria. Lieutenant General Shigeru Katagiri then led the division during the Huon Peninsula campaign. After Allied landings at Lae and Nadzab, Japanese troops marched about 200 miles to reinforce Finschhafen. They fought at Finschhafen and Sattelberg, then withdrew after being defeated in October 1943. Katagiri was later killed during the Battle of Hollandia. The division’s surviving troops fought in New Guinea under Masutaro Nakai until Japan’s surrender. Of about 25,000 men, only 1,711 survived the war.

In KARDS, 78th Yongsan grows stronger the further behind you fall economically. The more kredit slots your opponent has over you, the harder the regiment fights back - a perfect fit for Japan’s sacrifice-driven strategy.

Murase Battalion

Smokescreen. Once per turn, gain 3 additional kredits when you lose a kredit slot.

The Murase Battalion was formally named 3rd battalion, 41st regiment , and was led by Major Gohei Murase. The battalion belonged to the South Seas Detachment, a Japanese force sent into the Papuan campaign after earlier operations at Guam and Rabaul. In 1942, the unit took part in the fighting around the Kokoda Track and then withdrew across the Owen Stanley Range after its failed attempt to reach Port Moresby. By the time the battalion reached the northern coast of Papua, it had been badly weakened by combat, hunger, disease, and the harsh terrain. It then became one of the key Japanese formations defending the Sanananda and Giruwa area. Rather than deep trenches, the battalion relied on above-ground bunkers built from coconut logs and earth, because the water table was too high for normal fieldwork. These positions were difficult to detect and resisted small arms fire well. During the Allied advance in late 1942 and early 1943, the battalion held out under severe pressure. But by January 1943, it had largely ceased to exist as an organized unit.

In KARDS, Murase Battalion helps fuel Japan’s kredit denial strategy. When you lose a kredit slot, it refunds 3 kredits, allowing you to keep momentum even while sacrificing long-term resources. Just like the battalion itself, the card keeps fighting long after conditions turn against it.

The Soviet Union

The Soviet Union entered the Pacific War only during its final weeks, launching massive offensives against Japanese forces in Manchuria in August 1945. But elsewhere in the war, the Soviet Union fought on a scale unmatched anywhere in human history. The Eastern Front consumed entire armies, reshaped continents, and turned endurance into a weapon of its own.

In Oceania Storm, the Soviet Union focuses on token generation, Veteran synergies, and controlled unpredictability. Soviet decks thrive through sustained pressure, growing stronger as their forces survive battle and gain experience.

You’ve already seen parts of the Soviet lineup, including Form Battle Line, 866th Rifles, and a first look at Soviet Military Research. Today, two more units reinforce the front.

909th Roslavl

Guard. Your infantry have Blitz.

The 909th Rifle Regiment was one of the original infantry regiments of the Soviet 247th Rifle Division. The division was first formed in 1941 from NKVD personnel, then placed under Red Army command. It first fought during the Battle of Moscow, but was caught in the Vyazma encirclement during Operation Typhoon. Survivors broke out in small groups, and the division was soon disbanded. A second 247th Rifle Division was formed in late 1941 with the 909th Regiment again in its order of battle. It fought through the hard battles around Rzhev, crossed the Vazuza River during Operation Mars and briefly gained ground before suffering heavy losses. In 1943, the division joined the Smolensk offensive. It advanced across the Desna River and helped liberate Roslavl in September, earning the honorific title “Roslavl”. The division later fought through Belorussia, Poland, and Germany. In 1945, the 909th Regiment received honors for its actions in Brandenburg and Berlin, while the division was decorated with the Order of the Red Banner.

In KARDS, 909th Roslavl anchors your frontline while driving the attack forward. As long as it remains deployed, your infantry gain Blitz, allowing fresh Soviet reinforcements to charge into battle the moment they arrive.

Tupolev Tu-2

Smokescreen. Draw a random unit from your deck when a friendly unit becomes Veteran.

The Tupolev Tu-2 was a Soviet twin-engine medium bomber designed for speed, range, and a heavy bomb load. It first flew in 1941 and entered service in 1942. A total of 2,257 were built. The aircraft was created under difficult conditions, since Andrei Tupolev had been arrested during the Soviet purges but was still placed in charge of an aircraft design team because of his value to the war effort. The Tu-2 was intended to match the German Junkers Ju 88 as a fast daylight bomber and dive bomber. It could carry bombs up to 1.5 tons of bombs internally, and 2.2 externally, while two forward-firing 20 mm cannons and defensive machine guns gave it useful protection. Crews valued it because it was fast, handled well, and could survive heavy damage. Its combat debut happened around Velikiye Luki in late 1942 with the 132nd Bomber Aviation Regiment. Production problems and engine changes slowed wider use, but some improved versions went into production in 1943. The Tu-2 became one of the Soviet Union’s most important twin-engine bombers, and played a key role in the Red Army’s final offensives.

In KARDS, the Tu-2 keeps your Veteran engine supplied with reinforcements. Whenever one of your units becomes Veteran, it draws a random unit from your deck. As Soviet units survive combat and gain experience, the Tu-2 ensures fresh troops continue arriving at the front.

Oceania Storm arrives June 11th. More dispatches from the front are already on the way.

Source

Steam News / 5 June 2026

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