Draw Joust is a battle-arena game with casual drawing and bubble-popping elements. The player directs their avatar to fight the avatars of other online players using medieval-style jousting techniques combined with modern vehicle designs and parts. That said, each avatar's vehicle relies partially on parts made of bubbles. The player defeats an opponent by popping the bubbles to make the other vehicle break down first.
Against a graph paper background, the game displays wheels and the avatar in a seated position holding a long-handled axe, javelin, mace, sword or other weapon. It sometimes gives them cannons and other more powerful weapons before battles as well.
The player draws a single continuous line of bubbles to create stabilizing parts. They must draw these lines between at least the avatar's seat and each wheel. Before they start, they receive a preview of their opponent's vehicle design that can help them make their vehicle more durable. They can also increase or decrease its height to make it easier to pierce the enemy's bubbles.
On some levels, the players cause a tie. The game can only resolve a tie with automated sudden death traps that appear behind each vehicle. The player must try to push their opponent's vehicle into a spiked trap.
Draw Joust rewards the player with coins after a victory and ad views. The player can then use the button marked with a helmet on the design screen to access upgrade options. They can improve their avatar's headgear and appearance. They can also change the look of the wheels, country flags and other elements.
Coins also improve the avatar's chances before a battle. On the design screen, the player can level up the vehicle's power and the avatar's health.
