Star Wars Unlimited is a great entry level TCG in a galaxy far far away

Everyone is getting in on the TCG scene the last few years. This is due to the expansion of Magic the Gathering into its franchise crossover tactics. This opens the doors for deck building games to make a real comeback. Disney got into the game just last year with Lorcana. For fans of the Star Wars franchise, the TCG trend has caught on with the new Star Wars Unlimited. It was released early this year with Spark of the Rebellion, based on the original trilogy of films’ conflict between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire. 

It’s Pretty Wizard

The demo available at PAX East consists of the two sets in the two player starter kit able to be found at retailers and most local games stores. The starter decks consist of leaders, characters, droids and spacecraft in a conflict led by Luke Skywalker and the Rebels against Darth Vader and the Empire. As opposed to player life, each opponent protects a base. Their leader begins from a starting zone, using abilities to assist other cards before coming into play. It gives a similar energy to being able to finally pull off a hero or villain drop in the Star Wars Battlefront games.

Players deal damage to the enemy base by dropping either spacecraft in orbit on their left, or ground units on their right. Each card displays attack points and shield points. The majority have a set of abilities that either heal the base, provide shields, or general protection and attack buffs to achieve victory. To play these cards, players need resources on their play board. They accumulate resources by turning one card from their hand upside down at the start of their turn

“Is it possible to learn this power?”

Because of only playing one resource per turn, these games happen in phases. Phases consist of single actions back and forth that are either going to be spent playing a card from your hand, or attacking an enemy unit or base. However, the wrinkle is that if a player chooses, they can end actions for the turn to take the initiative on the next phase. This allows them to claim first action on turns.

The pace of the game is quick with snappy back and forth. Exciting for recognizable pieces of tech and memorable characters, the tension builds as the damage counters rapidly accumulate in a race to deplete the opponent’s base of energy. It simulates the feeling of a game of Star Wars Armada, X-Wing or Rebel Strike in quick bursts. The art excels as the portraits of heroes and villains from Han Solo to Grand Moff Tarkin emulate dynamic sketches. Those of Luke, Vader and many others will make long time fans recall the iconic ink and colors of the old Dark Horse Comics entries in the series.

Bringing balance to the Force

For people into Magic the Gathering that want friends and families to get into decks with recognizable IP, but something like Lorcana and Villainous prove to be a little too straightforward, Star Wars Unlimited is a great intermediate option. It is easy to pick up, the starter kits come with everything needed. It captures the essence of the original trilogy to fuel the imagination of Star Wars fans.

While there are no details about the next expansion, it is due out in the next few months. Spark of the Rebellion’s decks are playable in demo form at conventions across the United States in 2024. Each event gets their own specialty cards, like full borderless art and hyperspace frames to light a fire in Unlimited’s secondhand market for the game. The expansion also has new cards coming soon featuring characters and spacecraft from Disney Plus’ The Mandalorian this year.