Gundam Card Game - Clan Unity Starter Deck (ST06) [English]

Clan Unity is the sixth standardized starter set of 2025's new Gundam-themed collectible card game and the first to recycle a colour-combination already seen before - green and red. Fitting perhaps as this time the focus is also solely drawn from gear and characters of the GQuuuuuuX television series which is a bit of a recycling in itself. Anyway, I've already covered the Japanese version of this set (review here) but figured it would useful to also document the English version now that it has been available through retail again here in Northern Europe for a couple of weeks.


Originally released on October 24 last year together with the second general booster series Dual Impact (affectionately known through its product designation GD02) the set quickly sold out everywhere and continued the unavailability-fiasco of the previous starter ST05 (which has so far not reappeared on the local market here). Last December Bandai promised to reprint ST05, ST06 and GD02 and also up the manufacturing volume of future sets. At the moment I've seen local shops get some restock of the GD01 boosters and the ST06 starter and the GD02 boxes are also starting to be seen again so it appears that they are working on it.


The first six starter sets all follow the same basic template, a fixed play deck of 50 cards as well as 12 additional resource cards that are not placed in your deck. A two-sided rules-pamphlet/gaming mat is also provided. To drive a bit of FOMO-sales each starter also contains a single additional promo-card which is a foiled-up version of one of the cards in the starter set.


The rules overview is printed on the opposite side of the play mat which is pretty inconvenient if you need to reference the wording during a game but these days players will look it up on their mobile anyway. Has there been any errata to invalidate the starter rules yet I wonder...


There are a total of 28 unit cards out of the 50 and they are distributed through 8 different cards, giving you a full playset of 4 each of the lesser six cards while the two fancy foil-version cards are supplied at half the amount. I guess the idea is that you should pick up two starter boxes if you would like to field the artificially rarer cards at the maximum allowed quantity. The unit variation is rather slim with two GMs (I'm sorry, they are Gelgoogs in GQuuuuuuX...) and two Rick Doms (it follows that GQuuuuuuX ought to have called them Hizacks or something...) and then two variants each of the pack leaders; the GQuuuuuuX for the red deck and the Red Gundam for the green deck (go figure). I can't complain about the artwork and it is all original for the game as well, this is the reason I like to collect the cards.


The remaining 22 cards are split up between two pilot cards, four command cards (two of which can also act as pilots) and a base card for each faction which is the target of your opponent. This section of the starter decks has always been a bit bland and this is no exception. I am especially disappointed by the two base cards. A base should be represented by... a spaceship, an installation, even a flag or a logotype but look at these two: The green base card reads "Kaneban Co., Ltd." and has a picture of the character Annqi. I thought we were commissioning new art for this game, surely you could have come up with something more, I don't know, base-like? Maybe a workshop or a building? The red card "Clan Battle" is even worse. What's next, a base card depicting Vin Diesel at the wheel called "Street Race"? Horrendous.


Compared to the unit cards there aren't that many command cards in the Gundam Card Game and so it is quite disappointing to see the designers reuse cards between sets already. The Close Combat card is as you can see a rehash of the card that featured in the Zeon/Neo Zeon starter ST03 "Zeon's Rush". I do appreciate the different card art but not that the numbering refers back to a different product, which increases confusion. I guess there is no way around it since otherwise you would be able to circumvent the 4-cards max rule and spam 4+4 cards of this type (if you really fancied it that much...). Not impressed.


The resource cards are the same boring things you've seen before. Bandai prefers to squirrel away interesting alt-art cards as promotional give-aways or tournament prizes to drive engagement - or just put them in very pricy special packs.

Before we wrap up let's also take a look at the promotional foil-card. Ideally, I would want one of the cooler mobile suits in foil so naturally I draw one of the command cards. It doesn't really matter though because the foil effect is really subdued, you can hardly see the difference even in real life. If you really have a thing for foils there are several better Gundam cards to collect out there; Arsenal Base, Try Age and Duel Company to name a few. Anyway, this was just a quick rehash of the English version of ST06, the least impressive of the six starter decks in my opinion.

Strategy of Gundam Field

December has been rather busy and so the reviews have been a bit on the back foot recently. Still, for the last entry of 2025 we have an interesting dare I say unusual entry from the good old Gashapon days. Strategy of Gundam was a 1:300 scale blind box-series pumping out a good selection of mobile suits and vehicles from the U.C.0079 era. However, after six regular Gacha sets followed up by six larger Ex-sets the series did indeed veer into other eras and timelines as well, before finally crumbling. The last phase of S.O.G. saw three sets with the subtitle "Field" and this set was the first of them, released in August 2008.


Strategy of Gundam Field was sold in blind boxes like the set you see above. There are a total of nine figures with - as far as I know - no special rarities or secret versions for that matter. The larger distribution-style boxes contain twelve assorted figures but I have never come across one myself so I don't have any observations regarding the contents. Based on earlier sets of the series I would expect each box to contain a full set plus maybe the first, second or last trio of figures in an even distribution across three boxes.


Here we have a close-up of the box detailing the entire set. Notice how the information has been scattered around three sides. The backside of the box also shows off the main gimmick of SOGF; each figure comes with a standardized modular base - known as a Field Booth - that can be combined with others to create mini-shelves or crescent-shaped displays.


Each figure comes in a multi-compartment plastic bag with the base coming in a bag of its own. The bases must be cut from a mini-sprue and assembled, in a way similar to what Gashapon Senshi Forte was doing twelve years later. Basic assembly instructions are printed on the inside of the box so you need to tear it open to gain access to them.



1. RX-93 Nu Gundam


This first set of SOG-F is dedicated to mobile suits from Char's Counterattack and Stardust Memory. The second set showcases units from Wing's Endless Waltz as well as the God and Master Gundams and the last set continues the showcase of E.W. and also introduces three figures from Victory. In the first spot we of course find the Nu Gundam in a semi-engaged flying pose utilizing the base as a flight stand. the figure is attached using a plug that inserts into the back skirt. Articulation is very limited, there are some round pegs that offer some basic rotation of arms, waist or similar, varying from figure to figure.


The Nu comes with two weapon options, you can either shoot for the beam rifle or the hyper bazooka, each of which has a nice if basic two-colour paint scheme. If you go with the beam rifle you can opt to store the bazooka on its back. Overall the figure feels rather white although there are some decent markings applied to it and Bandai even found the time and money to paint the little yellow squares between its toes.


The two weapon options are quite similar in appearance, it would have been nice to get the iconic pink beam saber as a third option for some extra colour. I think the SOG-F bases are a bit awkward and the fact that the figure relies on it is a bit disappointing. Still, I'm sure you could utilize bases from other Gashapon figures to come up with an alternate and more elegant solution.






2. MSN-04 Sazabi


You can't have a Nu Gundam without a Sazabi and so here it is. It comes in a really nice standing pose and it also has some nice colour applications including a Neo Zeon logo on the shield although the "G-clef" marking on the front skirt is missing (a bit unfair I think seeing as how Amuro got his marking on the Nu). As is the case with many red Gashapon figures the bright red colour gives it a rather plastic appearance.


While the Sazabi has access to a great deal of weapons you have to make do with the beam shot rifle here. At least the individual funnels are painted up in a nice red colour for added effect.






3. AMS-119 Geara Doga (Rezin Schnyder Custom)


Next up we have ace pilot Rezyn Schnyder in her custom blue Geara Doga. We have some painted detail on the leg joints which is a bit crude (but outperforms the Mobile Suit Ensemble figures that I had to paint myself) and it is really missing out on not having a Neo Zeon logo on the combat shield, that would have gone a long way towards making it look sharp.


There are no option parts available for the Geara Doga and you can tell corners have been cut here because the figure is equipped with the standard beam machine gun. While technically correct, most depictions of Rezyn's machine will be carrying the Commander Type beam machine gun which has a different appearance and this feels like a bit of a copout, especially when compared to the Zaku figure which gets not one, not two but three different weapons. Still, it is a cool figure and I'm glad the decided to release it and not just go with the basic green machine.






4. MS-06F-2 Zaku II F2 Type


The absolute highlight of this set is in my opinion the F2-type Zaku II. Originally featured in Stardust Memory this machine is a refined variation of the basic mass-production F-type with improved performance geared towards the anti-mobile suit role. The figure has absolutely lovely sculpted detail showing off the major difference such as the redesigned chest armour and shoulder shield. I also really like the simple but effective pose of the left arm, indicating the pilot is alert and reacting to or anticipating something.


Check this out - you get three different weapons to choose from! If you for some reason do not want to equipt the superb MMP-80 machine gun you can also opt for a traditional Zaku machine gun or an equally classic Zaku bazooka. I'd love to get multiple figures to display all three of them but sadly you will have to be very lucky to come across these figures in 2025; the last time I managed to score one was in 2020.


Each weapon option can be carried very gracefully, I especially like how the bazooka slots in neatly under the arm. I suppose it would have been nice to see a Heat Hawk option but I always prefer long-range weapons myself.






5. RX-78GP01-Fb Gundam GP01 "Zephyrantes" Full Burnern


The only E.F.S.F.-use Gundam you will find from Stardust Memory in the SOG-line is the Full Burnern variant of the Zephyranthes. It is the second figure in this set that requires the use of the action base since it comes in a free-floating space pose which looks pretty good but I really don't like having to use the base myself. The colour applications are decent, the blue shoulders look great and help draw the eye away from the very white body. The shield is also nicely sculpted and also shares the attractive blue and white style.


You get two weapon options for the GP01, its commonly seen beam rifle as well as the unusual long barrel beam rifle prototype. Again, a colourful pink beam saber-option would have added some more life to this figure but I still prefer the prototype rifle (and I secretly wonder when we will see a new GP01 in Conver with a ludicrously long version of said rifle...).


Once you've seen the prototype rifle in the figure's hands you don't really want to go back to the regular option. Still, when it comes to figure storage the latter holds the advantage. :)






6. RX-78GP02A Gundam GP02A "Physalis" (Nuclear Bazooka)


You will of course not be surprised to see that the GP02A is up next. This SOG-version of the Physalis seems to have focused strictly on leg-day because its lower legs are absolutely massive while the torso section looks very slim in comparison. There is quite a wide gap between the arms and the body that looks a bit unnatural (and not nearly as cool as the 2D-concept art). The GP02A also sports a menacing broad face that again looks a bit narrow and underwhelming here.


The figure is equipped with its signature nuclear bazooka that attaches sturdily both in hand and at the back of the shoulder. The bulky shield has a peculiar peg that connects the hand with the shield in a somewhat awkward sculpt but you won't be spotting it behind that ginormous shield anyway. While I would have liked the body to be a bit beefier this is still a great and chunky representation of the Physalis.






7. RX-78GP02A Gundam GP02A "Physalis" (Type-MLRS)


While we do have colour options of the Zaku figures in this set the Physalis is the only figure to get two dedicated variations (that you can of course mix and match should you want to). This variant is pulled from the Harmony of Gundam concept series which appeared in 2006 some fifteen years after the conclusion of Stardust Memory. Other notable mobile suits from this concept family include the GM Striker and the Zaku I Sniper Type - both of which were contemporary with Strategy of Gundam and released in SOG Ex III in 2007.


This version of the figure forgoes both the atomic bazooka and the massive shield and instead sports a lime green beam saber and six massive missile tubes on its back. It appears that each tube is a single launch only but that the firepower is enough to "level an entire city". The launch tubes are actually painted white on the official images but I don't mind the grey colour used here to give the figure a more interesting appearance.


It is nice that we have so many weapon options to choose from for the GP02A, making it one of the absolute highlights of this set. As I mentioned before, it would have been nice to get the beam saber option also for the Zephyranthes so that you could display the two suits engaging each other.






8. MS-06F-2 Zaku II F2 Type (E.F.S.F. Specification)


We have two more figure variations at the tail end of this set; the first is a cream-colour version of the Zaku II F-2 Type. The colour scheme is quite similar to the GM Type C (that sadly does not appear in Strategy of Gundam form) but is otherwise identical to the Zeon remnants figure.


This figure has the same three weapon choices as the Zeon from. Did the Earth Federation actually equip Zeonic weapons for their press-ganged Zakus?


All weapon options check out nicely also on this figure. Look at that beautiful realization of the Zaku bazooka - bazooka wielding figures often look a bit static or unwieldy but this execution is really elegant.






9. AMS-119 Geara Doga


Lastly we have the mass-production type Geara Doga in standard Neo Zeon-green. The pose is similar to that of Rezyn's machine but you do get a head variation without the commander antenna.


As I already pointed out earlier, the two Geara Doga figures come with the same weapon option. The figure is clearly short-changed here but you know what is worse - the fact that it has no Jegan to fight. As far as missing Strategy of Gundam figures go, the lack of the RGM-89 is pretty awkward to me.


Strategy of Gundam figures were fairly common on the secondary market if we go back in tome some 5-10 years but now they seem exceedingly rare. You used to be able to pick up full sets for one or two thousand yens but now you rarely see much of them. However, the three SOG Field sets were rare already back then, I still haven't managed to complete the latter two sets myself.






Conclusion

Wrapping things up then; SOG Field is a series of great looking figures but the limited range of figures really hurt the brand. I think if the series had stayed in the Universal Century and explored it a bit further with machines such as the GM Custom, Gerbera Tetra or Gelgoog Marine Type it would have reached holy grail-status. As is stands, the SOGF figures are a bit detached from the earlier sets in the series and perhaps not as essential if you are building up a collection. Still, if you like the look of them and if you can find them, then maybe you can hire the SOGF Team!