If you’re thinking about getting into the Grand Archive competitive scene, you’re going to be buying some expensive staples. Luckily, you’ll only need a few copies that can easily transfer between decks. Don’t be surprised by the high initial investment. Now you don’t need these staples, but playing without them is a disadvantage because the decks are slower and lack consistency.

As is true with all TCGs, it is always cheaper and better to buy singles for the decks you want to build. Grand Archive has a generous print-n-play function, so you can test for the decks you want to try before committing. That said, there is nothing wrong with cracking packs if that’s how you want to enjoy the hobby. I love cracking packs and will probably continue to do so indefinitely.

I’ve gathered the few of the valuable and expensive staples you’re going to need. Some you’ll be able to use in every deck, but others will be specific to top performing meta decks. I won’t leave prices because of how much the market fluctuates, but I will leave TCG Player affiliate links for the singles. Please feel free to use them. It helps me out. If you enjoy my content, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends.

Dungeon Guide

If you’re playing a deck where you need to get to Level 3, you need a play set of Dungeon Guides. Leveling twice is so powerful, and paying one less card for a level 3 doesn’t hurt either. While you can probably get away with filling your deck with floating memory, you’ll never be able to outpace those pesky Dungeon Guides. I would compare prices to the Dawn of Ashes Prelude Starter Kit if you can find a sealed one. The deck comes with a play set of Dungeon Guides and three copies of Dream Fairy, which might make it a better deal. You’ll need Dream Fairy’s for some of the wind decks.

Grand Crusader’s Ring

Grand Crusader’s Ring goes in virtually every deck. If you have a vacant slot in your material deck, you can’t go wrong with including a copy of Grand Crusader’s Ring. It costs you nothing to cast, and you can crack it to draw a card. Drawing cards is never a bad thing, especially in a game where you need to be resourceful with your influence (total number of cards in your memory and hand). It’s expensive, but you only need one copy.

Backup Charger

Backup Charger just hit the format with Mercurial Heart, and it is already proving its value. While you may not need the generated Powercell token or run any automata, you’re going to appreciate the card draw. Card draw in this game is always valuable, and you could always throw in a couple of Turbo Charge if you don’t want to waste the Powercell. This isn’t as much of an auto-include as some of the other cards mentioned on this list, but it is a valuable card to consider when building.

Ghosts of Pendragon

While the previous three cards can be shuffled between deck lists, Ghosts of Pendragon is a little more specific. You can’t run a Crux deck without Ghosts of Pendragon because that card draw for two memory is too valuable to pass up. If you’re playing Lorraine or Merlin, you’re going to need a playset.

Sadi, Blood Harvester

If you’re running Tristan, you need to pick up Sadi, Blood Harvester. Sadi gives you agility on kills and extra preparation counters never hurt. You don’t need to always run four copies, but you’re going to at least want two.

Shadow’s Claw

Shadow’s Claw is the best card in Tristan’s toolset, but it is also the most expensive. Good thing you only need one. With enough counters, you can play it outside of your material deck and your Phantasia can use it for free!