Wildcard Preseason Ladder Opens the Road to DreamHack

The competitive journey for Wildcard players has officially begun, and it’s packed with action, prizes, and the chance to shine on one of gaming’s biggest stages. The Preseason Ladder for the Road to DreamHack is now live, offering an exciting warm-up phase that runs until August 23. Whether you’re chasing rewards or aiming for esports glory, this is your opportunity to get in on the action.

What Is Wildcard’s Road to DreamHack?

The Road to DreamHack marks the beginning of Wildcard’s competitive era. It’s an esports journey designed for teams of two players, giving anyone a shot at playing to earn real cash while climbing through multiple competitive stages.

The season ends with a $5,000 live showdown in Atlanta from October 31 to November 2, featuring the top 12 teams from earlier qualifiers. Not only will these players compete for the prize pool, but they’ll also represent the game as official ambassadors.

The Preseason Ladder – Your First Step

Running from August 9 to August 23, the online Preseason Ladder is all about practice, strategy, and early rewards. Matches take place every Saturday from 2 PM to 8 PM EST, giving players a limited but intense window to compete.

Participation alone earns you an exclusive in-game skin delivered at Early Access launch. But if your team finishes in the top three each week, each player will also win a $50 gift card (Steam or Razer Gold). That’s six winners every Saturday — though players from Russia are excluded from this prize.

This stage is the perfect chance to prepare for the Qualifier Ladders starting September 6, where every win will matter.

How the Road to Atlanta Works

The Road to DreamHack is structured in several phases:

1. Preseason Ladder (Aug 9 – Aug 23) – Practice and win rewards.

2. Qualifier Ladders (Sept 6 – Sept 28) – Weekends only, Saturdays and Sundays from 2 PM to 8 PM EST. The top two teams qualify directly for Atlanta, earning a $1,500 travel stipend each.

3. Last Chance Qualifier (Oct 4) – Only teams ranked 3rd to 18th in the main qualifiers can participate. One winning team will also get a $1,500 travel stipend and Atlanta slot.

4. Placement Stage (Oct 7 – Oct 23) – Six matches to determine seeding for the finals.

5. Main Event in Atlanta (Oct 31 – Nov 2) – Twelve teams battle for the $5,000 prize pool:

   • 1st place: $2,500

   • 2nd place: $1,500

   • 3rd & 4th place: $500 each

This structure rewards consistency, strategy, and perseverance — qualities that make great esports champions.

How to Join the Preseason Ladder

Getting started is straightforward:

• Step 1: Visit the official competition page and create an account (Google sign-in available). No crypto wallet required.

• Step 2: Click Register and choose to:

  • Create a new team,

  • Join an existing team, or

  • Sign up as a free agent.

• Step 3: Wait for Saturday to arrive and jump into matches between 2 PM and 8 PM EST.

You’ll need alpha playtest access, which you can try to secure by wishlisting Wildcard on Steam or visiting the Wildcard Hub to claim a playtesting key.

At the time of writing, there are 15 registered teams, 25 total players, and 5 free agents — meaning there’s still room for new players to join.

Match Rules and Format

Wildcard matches are designed for fast-paced, strategic action:

• Teams consist of two players, each using a different Champion.

• Decks must include 10 Unique Summons, 3 Unique Wildcards, and up to 3 Unique Talents.

• Matches last up to 10 minutes, with a 5-minute overtime if needed.

• Victory conditions:

  • First to destroy the opponent’s goal in overtime wins,

  • If overtime ends, the team that dealt the most Core damage wins,

  • Full Core destruction on both sides results in a replay.

With tight time limits and high stakes, every move matters.

What Makes Wildcard Unique

Wildcard is a free-to-play 2v2 collectible card action game blending MOBA-style strategy with card-based mechanics and third-person combat. Players summon companions, unleash Champion abilities, and battle in sports-like arenas for dominance.

While Wildcard itself is a web2 game, it connects to blockchain via its Thousands.tv streaming platform, where players can earn on-chain rewards by streaming and participating in events. In June, Wildcard and Thousands.tv secured $9 million in funding to expand their web3 streaming ecosystem.

For fans of blockchain games, this is an interesting hybrid approach — offering traditional gameplay with web3-powered streaming rewards.

Why This Event Matters

The Road to DreamHack isn’t just another tournament. It’s:

• A gateway to esports for new players — No prior ranking or pro background required.

• An opportunity to earn — From gift cards in the Preseason to cash prizes in the finals.

• A community-building event — Free agents, casual teams, and competitive squads all have a place.

• A test of adaptability — Teams must master different stages, formats, and opponents over several months.

For players looking to break into the competitive scene, this is the perfect starting point.

Final Tip: If you’ve been watching the rise of competitive blockchain games and wondering when to jump in, Wildcard’s Road to DreamHack offers the perfect mix of fun, competition, and rewards. The Preseason Ladder is open now — so grab a teammate, register, and start climbing.