# Gundam Card Game starter decks: which one to buy first

> The four Gundam Card Game starter decks (ST01 to ST04), what is in each box, what they cost, which series they come from, and how to pick your first one.

Canonical: https://lucernel.com/guides/gundam-card-game-starter-decks
Last updated: 2026-09-26

Type: Guide. Publisher: Lucernel.

## Short answer

Every Gundam Card Game starter deck is ready to play out of the box: a 50-card deck, 10 Resource cards, 8 tokens, a damage counter and a playsheet, for $11.99 (MSRP). Pick by the series you love: ST01 Mobile Suit Gundam and The Witch from Mercury, ST02 Gundam Wing, ST03 Zeon with Gundam Unicorn, ST04 Gundam SEED.

- **Choose this if:** The regular starter deck is the cheapest way to play a full game.
- **Choose the other option if:** The Gundam Assemble Starter Set adds three Gunpla miniatures for $34.99 if you also like building models.

## Side by side

| | Starter deck | Gundam Assemble Starter Set |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ready-to-play 50-card deck | Yes | Yes |
| 10 Resource cards and 8 tokens | Yes | Yes |
| Bonus pack | Yes | Yes |
| Three Gunpla miniatures to build | No | Yes |
| MSRP | $11.99 | $34.99 |

## The four starter decks

All four were released in the US on July 11, 2025. Each has the same contents; the series and the cards change.

- ST01 Heroic Beginnings: Mobile Suit Gundam and The Witch from Mercury.
- ST02 Wings of Advance: Mobile Suit Gundam Wing.
- ST03 Zeon’s Rush: Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn and Mobile Suit Gundam, on the side of Zeon.
- ST04 SEED Strike: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.

## What is in the box

Bandai lists the same contents for every regular starter deck: a ready-to-play 50-card deck, 10 Resource cards, 8 Token cards, a paper damage counter, a rule sheet that doubles as a playsheet, and a bonus pack.

That matches the game’s own deck rules: a main deck of exactly 50 cards with up to four copies of each, and a separate resource deck of exactly 10.


## Starter deck or Assemble set

The Gundam Assemble Starter Sets (ST01A to ST04A) contain the same deck plus three Gundam Assemble miniatures, small Gunpla that you build yourself and can place on token cards during play. They come unpainted, so painting is needed to match the pictures.

If you only want to learn the game, the regular deck is enough. If you already build Gunpla or want something for the shelf, the set is the fun version.


## How to choose your first deck

- Pick the series you know: you will enjoy the cards more and remember them faster.
- Buy two different starters if you want to teach a friend; each is a complete deck.
- Learn the rules with Bandai’s free teaching app or the rule sheet before buying boosters.
- When you start changing the deck, check the odds of drawing a key card by turn three with our free Gundam Card Game odds calculator.


Disclosure: GunTomo is made by Lucernel, the publisher of this article.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much is a Gundam Card Game starter deck?

The MSRP is $11.99 for a regular starter deck and $34.99 for the Gundam Assemble Starter Set with three miniatures. Store prices vary.

### How many cards are in a Gundam starter deck?

A ready-to-play 50-card deck plus 10 Resource cards and 8 Token cards, with a bonus pack.

### Which Gundam starter deck is best for beginners?

Any of them: each is a complete, ready-to-play deck. Pick the series you like best.

### Can two players play with one starter deck?

No. Each player needs their own 50-card deck and 10-card resource deck, so two players need two starters.

### Is GunTomo available?

GunTomo is in development for iPhone.

## Our pick: GunTomo, scan Gundam cards and see the price

Once you open boosters, GunTomo reads each card code with your iPhone camera, shows the market price of the exact variant, and keeps your collection by set.

- Card codes read on the device
- Market prices for the exact variant
- Collection by set, with a watchlist

[See how GunTomo works](https://lucernel.com/apps/guntomo)

## Sources (checked 2026-09-26)

- [Gundam Card Game: Products](https://www.gundam-gcg.com/en/products/list.php?page=4)
- [Gundam Card Game: Heroic Beginnings [ST01]](https://www.gundam-gcg.com/en/products/st01.html)
- [Gundam Card Game: Wings of Advance [ST02]](https://www.gundam-gcg.com/en/products/st02.html)
- [Gundam Card Game: Zeon’s Rush [ST03]](https://www.gundam-gcg.com/en/products/st03.html)
- [Gundam Card Game: SEED Strike [ST04]](https://www.gundam-gcg.com/en/products/st04.html)
- [Gundam Card Game Comprehensive Rules](https://www.gundam-gcg.com/en/pdf/comprehensiverules_en.pdf)