How to build your first Gundam Card Game deck
The deck-building rules of the Gundam Card Game, how to go from a starter deck to your own list, and how many copies of a key card you need to see it early.
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Short answer
A Gundam Card Game deck has exactly 50 cards in one or two colors, with up to four copies of each card number, plus a separate resource deck of exactly 10 Resource cards. Start from a starter deck, change a few cards at a time, and play four copies of the cards you need early: with four copies you see at least one by your third turn about 70% of the time, if you redraw a hand that has none.
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Start with a starter deck and learn the game before buying boosters.
Choose the other option if
Once you open boosters, GunTomo tells you which cards are worth keeping and what your collection is worth.
At a glance
| Feature | Keep every hand | Redraw if it is missing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 copy, by turn 3 | 16.0% | 25.3% |
| 2 copies, by turn 3 | 29.7% | 44.6% |
| 3 copies, by turn 3 | 41.4% | 59.2% |
| 4 copies, by turn 3 | 51.4% | 70.2% |
The deck rules
The official comprehensive rules set the frame for every deck.
- The main deck has exactly 50 cards: Units, Pilots, Commands and Bases.
- It uses cards of one or two colors only.
- Up to four copies of cards with the same card number.
- A separate resource deck of exactly 10 Resource cards, with any number of the same card.
- Each player also prepares one EX Base and one EX Resource token.
How a game starts
Each player draws five cards and may redraw once: the whole hand goes to the bottom of the deck, five new cards are drawn, then the deck is shuffled. Then six cards go face down from the top of the deck into the shield area. Every turn begins with drawing one card, including the first turn of the player who goes first, and each turn one Resource card comes from the resource deck.
That rhythm is why the curve matters: you get one more resource each turn, so a deck full of expensive cards does nothing early.
From starter deck to your deck
- Play the starter deck as it is for several games to learn what each card does.
- Pick the one or two colors you enjoy and the plan of the deck: fast pressure or a slower, stronger late game.
- Change three or four cards at a time, then play again, so you can tell what the change did.
- Keep plenty of cheap cards so you have plays on your first turns.
- Play four copies of the cards your plan needs early, and fewer of the ones you need late.
How many copies you need
Four copies make a card show up reliably; one copy is a surprise. With four copies in 50 cards, you have at least one in your opening five cards 35.3% of the time, 60.3% if you redraw every hand without it. The table above shows the chance to have at least one by your third turn, with and without that redraw.
You can count groups of cards too: if eight cards do the same job, treat them as eight copies. Our free Gundam Card Game odds calculator works out any number of copies by any turn.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards are in a Gundam Card Game deck?
Exactly 50 in the main deck, plus a separate resource deck of exactly 10 Resource cards.
How many copies of a card can I play?
Up to four copies of cards with the same card number.
How many colors can a Gundam deck have?
One or two colors.
Should I play four copies of every card?
Of the cards your plan needs early, yes. For cards you only need late or once per game, fewer copies leave room for more early plays.
Is GunTomo available?
See the official app page for current availability and pricing.
Our pick
GunTomo, scan Gundam cards and see the price
When your boosters start piling up, GunTomo reads each card code with your iPhone camera, shows the market price of the exact variant, and keeps your collection by set, so you know what to play and what to keep.
- Card codes read on the device
- Market prices for the exact variant
- Collection by set, with a watchlist
