Are Trading Card Games Expensive? Star Wars: Unlimited Offers an Affordable Alternative
Comparing Fantasy Flight Games' Explosive New Card Game with MTG and Disney's Lorcana
Star Wars Unlimited is a powerful presence in the TCG world.
If you’re tired of breaking the bank to collect trading cards, Star Wars: Unlimited might just be the game for you. With its unique approach to deck-building and affordability, it’s a refreshing change in the world of trading card games.
The Struggle of Collecting Trading Cards
My biggest beef with trading card games, a genre now in its fourth decade of existence, is just how hard it is to get ahold of the damned cards. The challenge of searching inside random packs is obvious, of course, but two other obstacles loom large. On one side of the spectrum, you have newer games like Disney Lorcana, where sometimes there just aren’t enough cards being manufactured to meet demand. On the other, you have more established games like Magic: The Gathering, where the very best cards in a set can only be found in quantity on the secondary market. That’s why even fairly mid Commander decks can run you, at minimum, a couple hundred dollars each.
Introducing Star Wars: Unlimited – A Game-Changer in Affordability
So, what if you just… didn’t need as many cards to play in the first place? Star Wars: Unlimited, a new trading card game from Fantasy Flight Games, has taken this idea to heart. By reducing the number of cards needed to construct a competitive deck from 60 to 50, the game becomes more affordable to own at the start. Additionally, the cards themselves form highly modular blocks that can be used to quickly build different decks, which makes the rest of the cards in the game so much fun to chase after. So to me, it’s the perfect mix: a game that respects my wallet by allowing me to play with fewer cards, and one that respects my time by making those cards easy to plug and play into different decks.
The Secret to Unlimited: Aspects and Modular Deck-Building
The secret to Unlimited’s remarkably concise launch set, titled Spark of Rebellion, is something called an “aspect.” Instead of different mana colors like in Magic, cards in Unlimited are assigned aspects — blue for Vigilance, green for Command, red for Aggression, yellow for Cunning, gold for Heroism, and purple for Villainy. Most cards will only have one aspect. Furthermore, the game features multi-aspect cards, where a card can have two or even three aspects, creating a synergy within decks that allows for even more strategic possibilities.
The game also introduces a unique approach to combat, dividing it into ground and space lanes. This means that to build a balanced deck, players need to have a good mix of ground and space forces. With these innovative mechanics, Star Wars: Unlimited offers players a modular and flexible experience when it comes to deck-building.
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Easy Deck-Building with Iconic Star Wars Elements
Building a deck in Star Wars: Unlimited is a breeze. You start by selecting a leader and giving them a base of operations. These two cards not only give your deck its personality but also determine the aspect colors the deck should have. By matching the colors of the leader and base, you can easily identify which cards belong in that deck. Once you’ve selected a leader and a base, all you need to do is find the cards that match those colors in your collection, plug in the most potent space and ground modules from those stacks, and you’re ready to rock. The deck-building process feels almost like playing with Legos, with the cards easily fitting together to create a cohesive and powerful deck.
Greater Flexibility and Less Card Dependency
Unlimited offers a wide range of cards that include Heroism or Villainy aspects, as well as cards with no aspect at all, which can be used in any deck. With the ability to mix and match cards from different aspects, players have plenty of flexibility and synergy options available. Additionally, Fantasy Flight Games has reduced the number of cards needed to build a legal deck from 60 to 50, giving players the freedom to build competitive decks with fewer cards. This means that players will need fewer cards overall to build effective decks, making the game more accessible and budget-friendly.
Playability and Future Expansion
With just a single box of 24 booster packs, each containing 16 cards, I was able to quickly build three viable decks. The experience of opening those packs and discovering a friendly face from the Star Wars canon waiting for me inside was both thrilling and rewarding. Star Wars: Unlimited offers players a complete and engaging gaming experience right out of the box, with the potential to build and customize even more decks using the modular card system.
Fantasy Flight Games has already planned for the release of the next four sets after Spark of Rebellion and has mapped out future releases all the way to 2027. This ensures that Star Wars: Unlimited will continue to expand and provide players with new and exciting gameplay options for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Star Wars: Unlimited differ from other trading card games? A: Star Wars: Unlimited offers a more affordable and accessible experience by reducing the number of cards needed for a deck and providing highly modular blocks that can be used to build various decks. The game also introduces aspects, making deck-building simpler and more strategic.
Q: Can I mix and match different aspects in my deck? A: While the leader and base determine the aspect colors of your deck, there is flexibility to include cards from different aspects. However, keep in mind that deviating from your deck’s assigned aspects may come with additional resource costs during gameplay.
Q: Is Star Wars: Unlimited suitable for both casual and competitive players? A: Yes! Star Wars: Unlimited offers a balanced gameplay experience suitable for both casual and competitive play. With its modular deck-building system and strategic mechanics, players of all skill levels can enjoy the game.
Q: Are there plans for future expansions and updates? A: Absolutely! Fantasy Flight Games has already planned future sets for Star Wars: Unlimited, with releases scheduled for years to come. This ensures that the game will continue to evolve and provide new content for players.
Wrap Up and Share Your Experience
Star Wars: Unlimited is a game-changer in the world of trading card games, offering affordability, flexibility, and a uniquely engaging gameplay experience. Whether you’re a seasoned TCG player or new to the genre, this game has something for everyone. So why not give it a try and discover the countless strategic possibilities that await you in a galaxy far, far away?
If you enjoyed this article, share it with your friends on social media and let us know your thoughts! We’d love to hear about your experiences with Star Wars: Unlimited.
References:
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- (Disney Lorcana)[video-link]
- (Magic: The Gathering)[article-link]
[figure img=“https://cdn.miximages.com/game/fd415b3cbe6393c79cca4ca93b206377.jpg” alt=“Star Wars: Unlimited” caption=“Star Wars: Unlimited offers a refreshing and affordable approach to trading card games.”]
