Playing Star Wars Unlimited on a budget

 

The curse of attempting to get into any TCG/CCG is the initial investment before you feel like you can stop insta-losing at your local game group.  This game is no exception, but the good news is the barrier to entry is pretty low for you to get a good experience.  And you'll know if you want to start collecting more pretty quickly as well. 

 In these uncertain times, budgets must be considered.  I am an avid card gamer, and this game is the only one since V:TES that I felt would keep my attention for more than a month or two.  Therefore I must collect as many cards as I can, to fuel my creative needs to build new decks every week, while also not breaking my bank account.  Here is what I've found to be the best ways to swell up your collection to start building those cool deck ideas.  I listed them free first.

  • Weekly Promos
  • Bulk commons at your FLGS
  • Trading
  • Spotlight Starters ($)
  • Limited / Drafting ($)

Weekly Promos

FFG gives local game stores promotional product for Star Wars Unlimited.  You should ask your local game store if they have any of the weekly packs. Some of the cards you get in those pack are pretty good for beginners, and they're usually free.  Just ask a store representative for one.  If you go each week, you get them every week.  That's how I have enough Swarming Vulture Droids to build any 35 card deck I want.

Bulk Commons

Additionally most game stores have a bulk common/uncommon bin that local players have donated to.  The purpose of these bulk bins is to get new players a jump start access to most of the commons/uncommons that are used in the game.  Again, usually free and provided to help newer players.  Try not to take more than a playset of a particular card (or multiple leaders).   

Trading

Obviously you can also trade cards to get specific cards you are looking for.  Make sure to do the research on the values of certain cards so you don’t get swindled.

Spotlight Starters

The biggest bang for your buck if you want to spend money is probably the Spotlight Starters for each set.  My first SW:U Purchase was the Mandalorian / Moff Gideon set.  The starters from the last couple of sets are also pretty good.  They include staple cards from previous sets as well as some pretty good rares.  Good decks on their own right, but also easy pulled apart or morphed into other meta decks.  Darth Maul comes to mind as a significant portion of the Mother Talzin deck. Moff Gideon has a ramp package if you need one.

Limited / Drafting 

If you must buy boosters, to get maximum value I suggest drafting them instead of just opening them up.  Have the boosters provide an event of entertainment, they'll always be in your collection eventually. This game is great in limited.  You can draft only 3 boosters and get a reasonably viable deck.  Most pre-releases also do a sealed 6 boosters (no drafting), which is another way to enjoy the packs.  Often the drafted deck becomes a shell for a future deck idea, more creative fuel.

Finally, I also recommend playing Twin Suns.  The format is a very forgiving for card collections since you only need to have one copy of a card.  Instead of needing to collect 3 Legendaries of the same card you can focus on just getting the one.  I refer you to the bulk boxes for access to many singles to add to your Twin Suns decks.

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