How to Start Star Wars: Unlimited — A Beginner Guide

What Is Star Wars: Unlimited?

Star Wars: Unlimited is a trading card game where each player commands an iconic leader, protects a base, and deploys units from across the Star Wars galaxy. Your draw deck contains units, events, and upgrades. Most bases begin with 30 hit points, and you win by reducing the opposing base to zero.

The game is designed around quick, alternating actions. Instead of one player completing a long turn while the other watches, players go back and forth—play a card, attack, use an ability, or take the initiative—until both are ready to end the round.

Start With a Two-Player Starter

A two-player starter is the easiest first purchase because it includes two ready-to-play decks, leaders, bases, tokens, counters, and quickstart rules. One box supports a complete teaching game, so you do not need to build a deck or buy boosters before playing.

Play both starter decks if you can. Leaders shape how a deck feels, and switching sides helps you understand aggressive, defensive, and value-focused decisions before you spend money on upgrades.

What Is in a Deck?

For the Premier constructed format, you need exactly one leader, exactly one base, and a draw deck of at least 50 cards. The draw deck can include units, events, and upgrades and normally allows no more than three copies of the same card. A sideboard may be used for organized play.

Your leader and base provide aspect icons. You may include cards outside those aspects, but they usually cost additional resources to play. Beginners will have a smoother experience by staying close to the aspects shown on their chosen leader and base.

How Resources Work

Star Wars: Unlimited does not require a separate resource card type. During setup, each player places two cards from their opening hand facedown as resources. During the regroup phase, you draw cards and may place another card from your hand facedown as a resource.

To pay a cost, exhaust the required number of ready resources. Because almost any card can become a resource, you are constantly deciding what your deck needs later and what it can afford to give up now.

A Round in Plain English

The action phase is a series of alternating single actions. You can play a card, attack with a ready unit, use an action ability, or take the initiative. Taking the initiative means you will act first next round, but you pass for the rest of the current action phase.

After both players pass, the regroup phase begins. Players ready their cards, draw, and may add a resource. Then the next round starts. This back-and-forth rhythm keeps you involved and rewards careful timing.

Ground and Space Arenas

Units enter either the ground arena or the space arena. A unit usually attacks an enemy unit in the same arena or the opposing base. That creates two battlefronts: a deck can dominate the ground while still being vulnerable in space.

Do not ignore either arena when upgrading a starter. A few efficient space units can protect your base and force an opponent to divide attention, while ground units often provide the larger share of characters and vehicles.

What to Buy After the Starter

First, choose a leader whose play style you enjoy. Then improve the deck’s consistency with singles that support its aspects and game plan. Keep the deck near the 50-card minimum while learning so you draw the important cards more often.

Boosters are great for discovery and collecting, but they are not required to play. Prerelease events are another beginner-friendly entry because everyone opens a limited pool and builds on site.

Play at Salt City Games

Salt City Games supports Star Wars: Unlimited prereleases and on-demand play. Ask the store for the current event schedule or bring a two-player starter and request a teaching game. The local community can help check a deck, explain timing, and find upgrades that match your leader.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards are in a Star Wars: Unlimited deck?

A Premier deck uses exactly one leader, exactly one base, and a draw deck of at least 50 cards.

Do I need a playmat?

No. A playmat is helpful for organizing the arenas, base, leader, and resources, but it is not required.

How long does a game take?

Many casual games take about 20–40 minutes. A first teaching game may take longer.

Can two people play with one starter product?

Yes. A two-player starter includes two decks and the basic components needed for both players.

Visit Salt City Games

Shop Star Wars: Unlimited: https://saltcitygames.shop/collections/star-wars-unlimited

Ask Salt City Games about upcoming prereleases and on-demand play.

Questions? Call Salt City Games at 801-964-4031.