A Beginner’s Guide to Star Wars: Unlimited

At Youtini, we’re always looking for new ways to live inside the galaxy far, far away. Books, comics, shows, games; every format gives us a different lens on the stories we love. Star Wars: Unlimited is the newest way to do that, inviting players to build decks, command their favorite characters, and face off in fast-paced, strategic battles.

A New Way to Play Star Wars

If you’ve never played a trading card game before, don’t worry. Unlimited was designed to be approachable for everyone. You don’t need a background in collectible card games to enjoy it. This guide will walk you through the basics, show you where to start, and help you find your first match, online or in person.

As Eric Eilersen, host of The Youtini Show, puts it: “The game mechanics are sharp and intuitive, but what makes it special is how it pulls you into the Star Wars universe with every match.”

The Heart of the Game

Every Star Wars: Unlimited match revolves around three main elements:

• Leader: Your central character, like Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader.
  
  

• Base: The stronghold you defend while attacking your opponent’s.
  
  

• Deck: A 50-card mix of ground units, space units, events, and upgrades.

The goal is simple: take down your opponent’s base before they destroy yours. The strategy comes from balancing attack and defense, managing two battle zones (ground and space), and timing your abilities.

Oz, co-host of The Cosmic Force, says he loves the game’s flexibility: “I play Nala Se because she’s janky and weird, but she lets you experiment. There’s so much room to build offbeat decks that still work.”

That spirit of creativity is part of what makes Unlimited feel fresh. It rewards both smart tactics and personality-driven playstyles. While there are limitations in terms of building decks, it mostly boils down to balancing cards' strengths and weaknesses; there are zero limitations when it comes to mixing eras. So you could have a deck with Kylo Ren as your leader, the Jedi Temple on Coruscant as your base, and a batch of Night Sisters as your units, all wielding Darth Vader’s lightsaber. Get wild.

Get Started with Starter Decks

The easiest way to jump into Star Wars: Unlimited is with a Starter Set. These are prebuilt decks designed to teach the fundamentals while keeping the matches balanced and fun.

• Single-deck sets are perfect for solo learning or testing mechanics.
  
  

• Two-deck sets let you play right away with a friend or partner.

They’re affordable, quick to set up, and structured to help you grasp the basics before diving into custom decks. Many fans start this way and stay hooked from their very first game.

Youtini writer Gea Haff says her first match was exactly that: “I grabbed a starter deck after hearing everyone talk about it. I wasn’t expecting much, but within an hour I was laughing, strategizing, and already planning my next deck.”

Fantasy Flight Publishing/Lucasfilm

The recently announced “Intro Battle: Hoth” is designed for those looking to get into the game (and trading card games in general) for the first time. The deck contains two pre-built decks you and a friend can use to learn the game together. What’s nice is that while it’s pre-built, it doesn’t live in a silo. These cards can be woven into other decks, providing nearly “unlimited” levels of customization.

swudb.com

The above image represents a well-balanced deck with a curve of low-cost units all the way up to the higher cost cards. The larger 2’s and 3’s you see represent the total number of copies of those particular cards. While there is no “right” way to build a deck, it’s helpful to have around 2-3 copies of each card, adding up to an average minimum deck size of 50 cards. This ensures that you’re giving yourself a higher chance of drawing cards you know will work. If you have just one copy of each card in your deck, then there’s a lower chance you’ll build a hand you know will hit based on your strategy.

The Premier Format: Where Everyone Begins

Once you’ve mastered your starter deck, it’s time for Premier, the game’s standard format. This is the 50-card mode most players use at local events and tournaments.

You’ll bring a deck featuring one Leader and one Base, shuffle up, draw your opening hand, and battle until one base is destroyed. The flow of play involves drawing cards, deploying units, attacking, and using abilities to counter your opponent’s moves.

Premier is where most players find their rhythm. It’s also the format supported by organized play, making it the best foundation for learning strategy and building confidence.

As Eric notes, “My first local night was incredible. I showed up with a basic deck, not sure what to expect, and by the end of the night, I’d met three new people and already learned ten new things about the game.”

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Beyond Premier: Twin Suns and Trilogy

Once you’re comfortable, Star Wars: Unlimited opens up new formats that shake things up.

Twin Suns

This is the “big game night” format: larger decks, longer matches, and more cinematic battles. Twin Suns supports multiple players and emphasizes those sweeping, dramatic moments that feel right out of a movie.

Trilogy

Trilogy limits decks to the three most recent sets, making things fresh and easier for new players. It’s great if you want balanced games without having to collect every past expansion.

Both formats build on the foundation you learn in Premier and give you new ways to explore your favorite characters and factions.

Playing Online: Join the Galaxy from Home

If you don’t have a local play group yet, you can jump into the galaxy from home. The Star Wars: Unlimited community has already built some incredible online tools:

• SWUDB.com – Browse and upload decks, explore card lists, and get inspiration.
  
  

• Karabast.net – Import decks and play online matches with players around the world.
  
  

• SWU Competitive Hub – Stay up to date on tournament results and evolving metas.

Online play is a great way to experiment, learn from other players, and test ideas before bringing them to your in-person matches. Oz says he often tests decks online before tournaments: “It’s the fastest way to see if a strategy actually works. The online community is super welcoming, too.”

Playing In Person: From Couch to Cantina

As convenient as it is to play online, nothing beats playing face-to-face. Whether you’re at a local game store, a board game bar, or a friend’s living room, in-person matches bring the kind of energy that’s hard to replicate online.

Eric shared, “I went to a local shop without knowing anyone, and by the end of the night, I’d made friends I now play with every week.”

Those moments are part of what makes Unlimited special. It’s a reason to gather, talk strategy, laugh at your bad rolls, and share stories over a few rounds of Star Wars-fueled chaos.

Youtini’s founder, Corey, adds: “I started playing with the Youtini crew, and now I’ve 3D printed so many fun accessories and tokens. The creativity and community are just incredible.” 

If you’re looking for local play, check your nearest hobby shop, café, or gaming bar. Many host regular game nights where you can bring a starter deck, learn the ropes, and meet new players.

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Youtini Community Spotlight

Part of what makes Star Wars: Unlimited such a great fit for the Youtini team is how it blends strategy with storytelling. Each card tells a mini-narrative, whether it’s Anakin dueling on Mustafar or Oggdo Bodgo stomping through a chaotic brawl.

Gea’s favorite card right now is Oggdo Bodgo. “He hits hard, looks hilarious, and makes every game unpredictable,” she laughs. Eric’s all in on Anakin Skywalker (Leader of Fear) because his power ramps up mid-game. “It captures his character arc perfectly — raw power, risky timing, and huge payoff.”

Oz’s highlight? The community itself. “We went to Vegas for Galactic Championship weekend, and it was amazing seeing hundreds of people who all love the same game. It’s proof that the SWU community is thriving.”

Those experiences show exactly why Unlimited has caught on so quickly. It combines the thrill of competition with the warmth of shared fandom.

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Your Turn to Play

Star Wars: Unlimited is easy to learn, endlessly replayable, and full of personality. You can start small with a single starter deck or dive deep into custom builds and organized play. Whether you prefer online matches or local meetups, there’s a place for you in this growing community. There’s even a channel in our Discord focused on the game!

As Gea put it best, “The most fun I’ve had is just playing with friends. You can feel the Star Wars energy in every match.”

So grab a starter set, shuffle your deck, and see what happens when you take command of your favorite characters. You’ll be surprised how quickly this galaxy feels like home!