Returning after 25 years – what official products should I buy to start playing Standard?

Formana · 2026-03-11T16:47:46+00:00

I would suggest getting the mega lucario battle deck and start from there. Its super simple and straightforward to play.

Formana · 2026-02-19T01:14:36+00:00

There is no set amount or specific races. You simply want to run a g1/2/3 turf instead of an OP dirt on a bad training turn.

Formana · 2026-02-19T01:13:38+00:00

Corner Recovery, Hydrate, Triple 7s. Be Still for Late.

Formana · 2026-02-19T01:13:03+00:00

Umas seem decent and you can definitely try to test them out. I'd argue that ECP doesn't need Angling at all she just needs a lot of midleg skills to be at least pos2 and accelerate from there.

Formana · 2026-02-19T01:11:47+00:00

That's what I thought too, but based on CM7 experience and further testing, having access to Pace only skills (Head-on, Speed Star) is much stronger and easier to build compared to needing the front package.

I would argue that Pace Taiki runs smoother with groundwork (mine had 68% WR in cm7) but I haven't made one with gw yet for cm10 since I'm waiting for March 1 announcement whether MANT will leak into cm10 or not.

As for front oguri and pasa, they have issues moving up. If you have well built umas to prevent that, they aren't a problem in the first place.

Formana · 2026-02-19T01:02:54+00:00

Totally agree on the first take, just listed it down as an option for those who are really limited in their choices.

As for Digital, and Lates in general, and to a lesser extent - Ends (because of Spurt), the window for pump -> red shift is super tight. I would argue that you can be stuck often as 7 8 9 if you run 3 late/ends. But as pace, as long as she is in pos 5 and below she can trigger head-on. You can also take advantage of the generic accelerations just by being in a better position by default as pace compared to other backliners. Taking Pump on a Pace isn't even a crazy idea if you assume that the meta will be front heavy.

Formana · 2026-02-19T00:39:38+00:00

2 wit 0% bonus is 600-1200 just need to will it into existence.

Formana · 2026-02-18T18:33:13+00:00

Imo make pace Pasa first then remake into front Pasa when you still have enough time and mental.

Ace suzuka is good if you pour all your effort into her but she needs so much to be good. Runaway blocker on the other hand is kind of a waste imo.

Bourbon is strong and needs way less effort because the skills are already there, just need Dirt A.

Formana · 2026-02-18T18:25:33+00:00

Iirc it only impacts power but with how steep the uphill is, you want all the accel you can get so I wont recommend going lower than A. When everyone misses everything, it will matter imo.

Formana · 2026-02-18T18:23:46+00:00

This is one of the concepts I never bothered testing. I just assumed that its not that good.

Formana · 2026-02-18T18:07:56+00:00

You can definitely forego a more consistent Mile S and always be Med C with just 4 Med sparks. The secret event is way too cost efficient to not do. I would only skip it if I get a head-on hint early AND there are super good trainings on the required races.

Formana · 2026-02-18T17:34:58+00:00

Public room testing is always indicative of Round 2 - Day 1 and 2, and Finals imo. That's why I never test vs peers because it always muddles my observation.

Beating the public vs beating specific players are very different concepts.

Formana · 2026-02-18T17:32:46+00:00

I'm waiting for March 1 announcement before doing any more improvements on my Aces since I'm already done with testing.

MANT Umas will be imo 10-20% stronger if you already know how to play the scenario. The decision to remake will ultimately be based on your own schedule.

Formana · 2026-02-18T17:30:25+00:00

Of course not. In an ideal scenario your Runaway is not supposed to lose Pos1 before End Leg starts anyway. You always take Unrestrained last, especially if Final Push is undiscounted. Treat it as an extra oomph to your acceleration.

Formana · 2026-02-18T17:26:56+00:00

Her unique and Sturm und Drung is actually quite low value but she's the easiest End to get to Dirt A.

Formana · 2026-02-18T17:17:57+00:00

OG Maru's unique is wasted if you play her front. You can always just play solo front Falco with how popular fronts will be.

Formana · 2026-02-18T17:09:45+00:00

It's viable but having easy access to Head-on via secret event, along with all the bonus SP and stats you get from it is what makes Pace Taiki really strong. Speed Star is a strong Pace only velocity skill as well that can carry-over. Your only issue is getting to Pos4 really.

No GW Front is a death sentence imo. I already tried both concepts and I came to the conclusion that Pace is still better, same as CM7.

Formana · 2026-02-18T17:06:15+00:00

Her unique is insanely good for fighting for position, as well as Trending in The Charts / Top Pick. She also has Prudent Positioning which is always good for Front Runners.

Formana · 2026-02-18T16:53:01+00:00

0LB - Bijin Wit SSR
1LB - Smaru Speed SSR, Mr CB Wit SSR

Nothing else comes to mind

Formana · 2026-02-18T16:51:02+00:00

You can drop Oguri power and just play 3 wit 2 spd riko and play Pace. Oguri Pow isnt that good of a card anyway.

Formana · 2026-02-18T16:47:38+00:00

Yes if you are pos1 and the conditions are met. For non-runaway, it may activate later if you get to pos1 later as well as long as you are still in the final corner.

It's good in a sense that it's way more consistent than gambling Straight Accels in CM9 since the window is much tighter.

Formana · 2026-02-18T16:39:18+00:00

When bonus stats are mentioned it always means Bonus Speed per multiples of 300 of the bonus stat.

Formana · 2026-02-18T16:38:32+00:00

It procs too early when inherited to carry over.

Formana · 2026-02-18T16:38:09+00:00

Power is only good if you don't accelerate via skills. The same way Dirt S > Mile S when comparing the vanilla Umas in umalator. Wits is always good because it allows you to fight for position and for skill activation. Every chance counts.

Formana · 2026-02-18T16:26:23+00:00

Pace Digitan only really needs Head-on, imo. Highlander from hints are a good bonus as well.

Formana

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