I have spent the last year falling in love with TCGs. I started getting knee deep into Magic: The Gathering, which was followed up with a dabbling with FAB, and now Lorcana and Star Wars Unlimited.
Well, with Star Wars Unlimited dropping its second set, Shadows of the Galaxy, I figured it was time to check out a prerelease event!
What is a prerelease event?
Prerelease events are sealed events, which are one of my favourite ways to play. You get a prerelease pack, which contains six booster packs, two promo leader cards, and some damage counters. You then crack your packs and use them to make a deck.
Once the deck building is complete, you then go head-to-head with other players in a small tournament for some prizes, usually more boosters.
The reason it is one of my favourite events is because everyone starts at the same point. You all have the same number of randomised cards and the same amount of time to build your deck. If someone has been playing for ages, they will have a higher skill level, but they won’t have that super awesome card they paid $50 for. Well, they might get a new copy of it, but you might too.
Sealed is the great leveler, and it is the most fun way to start learning to deck build and play a new TCG or an established game’s newest set.
First thoughts on Shadows of the Galaxy
There are three new major mechanics in Star Wars Unlimited. These are Bounties, capturing, and Smuggling. A bounty is a card you can play that you attach to an enemy unit. When you defeat that unit, you claim the bounty, which can have all kinds of perks, like being able to draw cards. I used these a lot in my game and loved them.
Capturing enemies allows a character or card to pop an enemy unit upside down under your card. In the case of some of the units, when they enter, they can capture an opponent’s unit, which they get back when your unit is defeated. This was also a lot of fun to play with.
The third mechanic is smuggling. These cards you can play, or you can place them down as resources, which you can then use later in the game, by paying the smuggling cost. These can be all kinds of cards, but a great example of this is one that heals your base. This is a great card to play as a resource, and later in the game they can be worth the added cost if they give you enough life to survive another turn.
So far, Shadows of the Galaxy seems to be enhancing the gameplay of Star War Unlimited. These new mechanics have stepped the game up. I am excited to see how they go as the set goes on.
What’s it like to play sealed at a local game store?
I rant and rave about Bea DnD all the time. It’s a fantastic store to play in, with a great group of staff and players. Well, with Star Wars Unlimited, a lot of the people I was playing against aren’t the same people from other TCGs. And yet, the fun, chill atmosphere and culture carry through.
People at the event varied from Star Wars fans new to TCGs, to experienced TCG players who switched over to Star Wars Unlimited. They were all excited to talk about Star Wars and to help new players out. It was fantastic.
Should you check out a Star Wars Unlimited – Shadows of the Galaxy Prerelease or sealed event?
So far, I am liking this. The game has stepped up in a big way with Shadows of the Galaxy. If you can find any stores still doing prerelease events, then I highly recommend checking one out. It’s a great way to get into the game and a great way to check out the new set.
