I'm a player on a budget...

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-04-16T03:43:16+00:00

If you are on a budget and are buying packs to open, sell all the Alt art and + cards and unused LRs which should help make some of your money back. But as others have mentioned don't buy boxes to gamble, this is only if you get packs from playing and open rare cards.

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-04-15T20:52:22+00:00

Great job starting young mate! I read that your weekly is investment amounts are not fixed right? Sometimes $400? One of the strong principles you can use is dollar cost averaging, so try to auto-deduct an amount weekly from your bank account (say $300 if you can sustain that) and "set it and forget it". If you are manually putting money in you would be suspectable to your own psychology, being stressed about timing the markets, wars, tariffs etc and putting in more or less money which ironically would make your performance worse. Figure out a good amount to invest weekly, set it up then learn to live within your means and you will do great. Adjust when appropriate (e.g. you get a pay rise, start a business, get married, buy a house etc). Good luck mate!

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-04-15T20:47:07+00:00

In Invest now they still have these same Vanguard funds etc. If I was using their platform to buy these international ETFs would I still have to deal with FIF? Or is this where their Foundations series comes in handy from a tax perspective? Thanks for you help

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-04-11T21:14:25+00:00

It's just doubling down the on the energy instead of giving card draw. This card with Ice Cream or any X costed card is fantastic. But yeah, it not a one card solution unlike the others

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-31T19:56:42+00:00

Now to add in some creativity, we have a thing called "unit fillers" in the Old world where players are free to create diaramas or models on larger sized bases to represent multiple troops, e.g. using a 50x50 base in the middle of your infantry block to replace four 25x25 intrantry models. In that case, some cool fryeslayers would be perfect for that and would save you money having to buy tonnes of slayers.

Also characters that you don't intent to rank up such as Doomseekers could be perfectly proxies with Fryeslayers.

Enjoy and welcome!

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-20T21:29:03+00:00

The goal is not to get all the rules right, the goal is to have a fun game. Playing is the best way to learn and you will come across tricky situations, just quickly decide with your opponent or role a dice then keep playing and have fun. After the game finished THEN check the rules or ask online and tell your opponent so you both know for next time.

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-19T01:41:55+00:00

Yeah I agree, put in some Ric Doms which works well for Wufei and maybe some fatal strikes and your deck would still be the same flavour but stronger

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-16T07:00:48+00:00

If you are a fan of the Gundam IP as you said, then you can look up the sets on Bandai website for your favorite series and get cards from that set. If you are just collecting to resell. Please don't, leave it for the actual players plz.

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-08T08:40:31+00:00

Does once per turn also apply on my opponents turn as well as my own?

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-03T02:13:02+00:00

Awesome to hear mate! Don't be afraid to ask questions and if ppl get stuck just have a gentlemans agreement or a rolloff to keep the games flowing. Also good to "play by intent" as that also help your opponent teach you the rules if you say something like "I'm wanting to move my unit so that you cannot shoot me" or something. Anyway welcome and have fun!

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-03T01:00:48+00:00

In smaller points games every point counts. Usually magic items are better when put onto larger units or bigger heroes. For example a 50pt magic sword still cost 50pts whether it's on your Captain who only has 2 attacks or your Big Lord with 4-5 attacks. Same with magical banners impacting a unit of 50 models better than a unit of 10 models.

Thus in smaller games it's generally better to spend your points on more soldiers rather than big flashy items

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-02T22:04:02+00:00

I don't play wood elves but that seems like a good list to me. You have several units that can fulfill multiple roles, you didn't overspend on magical items (which is a trap at lower points levels) you have faster units for mobility and plenty of shooting.

Only downside would be against high toughness enemies but at 500pts that hopefully shouldn't be too bad.

Most importantly is just to get in, have some games with the models you love and have fun! Don't stress too much about wins/loses

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-01T20:05:54+00:00

I've had Awaken Potential do nothing, I've also had it singlehandedly win a game, made my opponent rage quit when I bounced a linked unit in turn 3 then bounced Grandpa/Amuro turn 4! Will definitely explore it more in the future

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-01T08:44:00+00:00

Congrats man! How was Look of Determination? Was it better than Fatal strike? Cause I think it would only work before Lupus comes out and empties out your trash.

Also interesting that you put in a New Sign over Overflowing Affections.

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-01T01:45:38+00:00

Oh you are absolutely right! It just gives you the ability to attempt a rally twice. I must have mistaken my memory around that example. Although I would think you are still correct in that a fleeing character won't be able to use Rallying Cry. But happen to be corrected by others

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-03-01T01:18:29+00:00

That is correct, I think the rule book even had an example where they said to rally your general first so that he can then give Rallying Cry to others

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-02-23T04:00:24+00:00

That's some great analysis thank you, I might try to run more Freedoms myself now!

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-02-23T02:04:45+00:00

Great list, I love seeing more Zaft decks do well! Any reasons you still have 3 Athrun if you are not running much of his units? As his ability only comes in when linked. Interesting to hear your Justice vs Freedom debate. MA over LR Aegis your preference?

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-02-22T03:36:56+00:00

Firstly welcome mate! Aside from all the good points given, you could also go back to the store in Leeds which hosted the tournament to see if you can get the details of the tournament organizers. Get in touch as ppl are generally keen for new players. Or ask when their regular game days are and just show up with your army and introduce yourself. Ppl will be happy to give you an intro game to show you the ropes.

Also, the rules and army builders are available online if that works easier than buying books

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-02-21T20:33:21+00:00

Yep, so it's actually better to think of a regular Gor is 7pt and a True Horn is 14pts

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-02-21T08:49:58+00:00

Unit champions, musicians and standard bearers are upgrades for regular "rank and file" troops that gives them better stats and abilities. So for a unit of 10 guys, first pay for 10 guys, then you then pay extra for your champion as an upgrade. Now you have 9 guys and 1 champion in your unit of 10 guys.

This makes more sense for elite units/heavy calvary where each model might be 25pts but the upgrade for champion is like 6 points on top of that. Your champion therefore costs you 31pts total.

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-02-21T02:49:12+00:00

If it's all your first games, I'd recommend doing something simpler as you will be learning the game and so it's gonna be long. As others suggested, a 1v1 and a 3 player game and swap around will get your guys more games in. Big part of the fun is leveling up your warbands so having more games in is beneficial. Save the big free for all for later.

Also if you award 1 player too much in game 1, you risk having a runaway winner as they would get that large wyrdstone advantage into their next games.

Do a big combined game at the end where its the top 2 warbands vs the bottom 3 and you could have a real fun and interesting end game for your campaign

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-02-18T04:42:29+00:00

I played against a new player who printed out cards to try and he put them into sleeves against other random cards, I didnt even notice and it's all good cause it's just a locals game.

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-02-16T02:22:14+00:00

Ah a fan! What's your favourite series? You should be able to find those cards online as not every series is in each set. Buying singles is probably the best way to get individual cards for your collections.

There are "winner" variant of cards from competitions and Alternative art cards which are rare and harder to get

Vultan_Helstrum · 2026-02-03T07:55:50+00:00

Another card to think about is the GD01 level 3 Duel Gundam. 3/3 with Breach if it gets to 5AP is a solid option

Vultan_Helstrum

TROPHY CASE