StarVaders is a compelling fusion of deckbuilding, roguelike progression, and grid-based tactics. Despite its colorful visuals and sci-fi theme suggesting a light experience, StarVaders is a punishing game without preparation. Given the game’s steep learning curve, it’s crucial to comprehend the interplay between each mechanic. This StarVaders beginner’s guide is designed to help you master the game’s fundamental systems and build the mindset for long-term success.
You can read our review here to learn more about StarVaders and what to expect regarding its story, roguelike systems, deckbuilding mechanics, and much more.
1. What Is StarVaders? A Quick Overview
StarVaders is a tactical, turn-based roguelike that blends deckbuilding strategy with grid-based mech combat. You’ll pilot a powerful mech, build custom card decks, and fight off an alien invasion—one carefully planned move at a time.
Key Features:
- Turn-Based Grid Combat: Plan each move on a tactical grid as you outmaneuver and destroy alien forces.
- Deckbuilding Mechanics: Build and refine your card deck to unleash powerful attacks, defenses, and combo chains.
- Unique Mechs & Pilots: Choose from multiple mechs like:
- Gunner: Focused on explosive barrages
- Stinger: Fast, ninja-like close-quarters combat
- Keeper: Magic-based abilities and summons
- Replayability: Each run offers new cards, artifacts, enemies, and upgrade paths.
- Chrono Tokens: Rewind time to correct mistakes or find better tactical outcomes.
- Challenge & Daily Modes: Test your skills in advanced scenarios and global daily runs.
Roxy and Gunner.
2. Complete the Guided Tutorial to Understand Core Mechanics
Before anything else, choose the guided tutorial when launching your first run. StarVaders‘ systems can be overwhelming: heat management, doom progression, card economy, and grid positioning all interweave with deck mechanics. The tutorial offers essential details about
- How card types function,
- What does heat and doom mean,
- Encounter types on the globe,
- Min’s Workshop upgrades,
- Your first boss battle.
The Guided Tutorial will help you understand the game’s intricate mechanics.
3. Learn Card Types: Attack, Movement, and Tactical
Every card you draw falls into one of three categories:
- Attack Cards: Deal direct damage to enemies.
- Movement Cards: Help reposition your mech on the grid.
- Tactical Cards: Provide utility such as drawing more cards, manipulating enemy placement, or enabling additional attacks.
While hoarding high-damage attacks is tempting, remember that balance is key in StarVaders. A well-timed movement or tactical card can often deal with multiple enemies more effectively than brute force. Crafting a winning hand means blending these elements seamlessly, giving you a sense of strategic control against the invading aliens.
Aim to maintain at least 3-4 movement cards, 3-4 damage cards, and 1-2 tactical cards in your final deck to ensure consistency in every turn.
Selecting optimal cards in StarVaders enhances deck synergy and combat effectiveness.
4. How to Build a Small, Efficient Deck
Deckbuilding is a core aspect of StarVaders; deck size directly impacts your draw consistency. The fewer cards you have, the higher the chance of drawing your key components every turn. Consider it similar to a cooldown mechanic found in an RPG:
- A 12-card deck may take three turns to cycle through.
- An eight-card deck lets you see key cards every two turns.
This process allows for faster combos, better tempo, and less dependence on luck. Remove cards that don’t contribute to your strategy at Min’s Workshop between Acts. Here are the core tips on how to manage your decks in StarVaders:
- Eliminate duplicate attack cards that don’t synergize.
- Cut base cards in favor of upgraded versions.
- Drop cards that don’t support your core combo.
Victory after a hard-fought battle.
5. Where to Spend Chrono Tokens and Maximize Rewards
You earn Chrono Tokens during non-boss encounters, which are your primary reroll currency to better equip your deck in every fight, notably for:
- Upgrading card components
- Unlocking specific Artifacts
- Searching for synergy pieces
Use them liberally before boss fights, since they reset after every Act. Make sure to utilize these valuable tokens effectively. Prioritize rolling for items that complement your current strategy.
Battling in an Encounter.
6. Tips for Maintaining High Combo Chains
Combos are not just flashy metrics; they define your in-game economy. Each enemy you defeat boosts your combo counter, which multiplies the bounty (stars) you earn from kills.
- Combo x1 = base bounty
- Combo x5 = 5x bounty
The cap is x5, so your goal is to maintain high combos, especially when targeting high-bounty enemies.
6.1 Advanced Combo Strategy
- Kill zero-bounty enemies first (like Ticks) to increase your combo.
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Save high-bounty enemies for when your combo is at its peak.
Example: Don’t kill a Time Angel at combo x1 if you can take it down at x5 and earn a windfall of stars.
Encounters selection screen.
7. Best Artifacts and Upgrades for Deck Synergy
Artifacts and upgrades provide passive bonuses and enhanced card effects, respectively. Seek them out on the globe map and prioritize them when offered the chance to obtain them.
There are plenty of useful Artifacts in StarVaders, with powerful effects like below:
- Start with bombs placed on the field
- Reduced card stamina cost
- Junk-generating bonuses
Besides choosing and equipping the best Artifacts for every encounter within the game, having the right upgrades will also enable you to safely and comfortably surpass many challenges in StarVaders. Here are some key upgrades to consider:
- Add repeat actions to attack cards
- Draw 1 card when playing a movement card
A good combo of upgrades and artifacts will change the landscape of your playthrough, elevating your deck into a powerhouse capable of taking down even the most demanding alien bosses.
Selecting the best Artifact, depending on your run, will help you defeat the aliens comfortably.
8. Build Synergistic Decks for Effective Runs
One essential tip for comfortably navigating the sprawling roguelike-esque combat in StarVaders is recognizing synergies. In StarVaders, synergies occur when two or more effects interact to produce a stronger outcome. Examples include:
- Flow cards + Draw effects: Free cards are available on entry.
- Jam/Trash Generators + Insulation Artifact: Junk becomes a fuel source.
- Broken Component + Gift Card: Get a free, returning powerhouse every turn.
- Arcane Components + Meteorfall: Reduce cooldowns to unleash massive attacks sooner.
Besides stacking multiple high-damaging cards, setting up your decks to be as synergized as possible is also essential.
Min’s Workshop sells items that will help the players.
StarVaders is as satisfying as it is challenging. You’ll turn challenging runs into smooth victories by mastering fundamentals like deck size, combos, movement efficiency, and synergy spotting. Are you prepared to spearhead Earth’s ultimate defense? Arm yourself using this StarVaders beginner’s guide, trust your cards, and may the grid forever favor your strategy.
