A thorough explanation of the Gundam card games "Celestial Drive [ST07]" and "Flash of Radiance [ST08]"! Features, contents, and recommended enhancement cards summarized.

The latest Gundam Card Game starter decks, "Celestial Drive [ST07]" and "Flash of Radiance [ST08]," released in January 2026, are pre-constructed decks themed around Gundam 00 and Hathaway's Flash. Both decks include 50 cards, 10 resource cards, and 2 tokens, plus a playmat and bonus pack, making them ideal for starting the game right away.

Features of ST07 "Celestial Drive"

ST07 "Celestial Drive" is a blue-based mid-range beatdown deck based on Mobile Suit Gundam 00, characterized by its high-speed mobility and explosive damage boost from Trans-Am. The envisioned game plan involves quickly taking control of the board with Exia's close-range attacks and Dynames' sniping support, then swiftly reducing the opponent's life points with Trans-Am.

• Deck contents

  • Main deck: 50 cards

  • Resource cards: 10

  • Token cards: 2

  • Includes one playmat, one damage counter, and one bonus pack.

• Key points of the play style

  • Deployment at a medium speed, keeping units in play without running out.

  • Use Trans-Am to temporarily increase your power and try to finish the match in one turn.

  • With a resource configuration of 10 cards, it's less prone to accidents and offers a stable feel that makes it easy for beginners to use.

Popular and noteworthy cards from ST07 "Celestial Drive"

A major selling point of ST07 is that it includes popular mobile suits among fans of the original series, such as Gundam Exia and Gundam Dynames, as Legend Rare cards. The effect text is centered around [CB], and the cards are designed to show their true potential when combined with other cards of the same symbol.

• Examples of popular/key cards (described by role)

  • Gundam Exia-type units: Their close-range combos and Trans-Am synergy make them effective finishers.

  • Gundam Dynames-type units: They play a role in improving the ease of landing attacks and the quality of your hand through ranged support and hand adjustment.

  • Trans-Am related cards: Provide a temporary increase in firepower for a specific turn, offering explosive power to change the game at crucial moments.

• Strength evaluation points

  • While the starter deck alone is somewhat vulnerable to single-target and mass removal, it is expected to be strengthened by future booster packs (e.g., GD03), and is therefore considered to have high potential for the future.

  • This deck is easy to adjust to be more aggressive or more mid-range tempo, offering a wide range of possibilities for deck construction through card additions.

Features of ST08 "Flash of Radiance"

ST08 "Flash of Radiance" is a starter deck themed after Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash, boasting high offensive capabilities befitting its name and a set of cards that recreate the dramatic atmosphere of the theatrical film. This set also consists of a 50-card deck + 10 resource cards + 2 tokens + playmat + bonus pack, and was released simultaneously at the same price point as ST07.

• Deck contents and objectives

  • A cohesive collection primarily featuring mechs and characters from Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash.

  • The envisioned strategy involves combining high-damage attackers with support cards to quickly deplete the opponent's life points, resulting in a gameplay style that excels at this strategy.

Popular and noteworthy cards from ST08 "Flash of Radiance"

Official and shop information indicates that ST08 will also contain cards with the same rarity distribution as ST07, including 2 Legend Rare cards and 14 Common cards. The Legend slots will feature cards symbolizing the main mecha and key characters from Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway, making it a highly collectible deck.

• Points that make it popular

  • Because the theme of the work gained popularity through the theatrical trilogy, it can attract both fans of the original work and movie fans.

  • The game is expected to feature a flashy, "flash of light"-themed gameplay, with high-impact attackers and support effects that boost damage output towards the end of the game.

Which should I buy, the ST07 or the ST08?

Both sets have almost the same price and contents, but it's best to choose based on the theme of the work and your play style. If you're starting out with the Gundam card game, ST07 is appealing for its stable development and ease of strengthening, while ST08 is a good choice if you're a fan of Hathaway's Flash and prioritize flashy attacks.

item	ST07 Celestial Drive	ST08 Flash of Radiance
Theme of the work	Mobile Suit Gundam 00	Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash
Expected play style	A beatdown that closes the gap quickly with a mid-tempo + Trans Am.	An aggressive game development centered around high-scoring attackers (expected)
Deck contents	Deck of 50, Resource 10, Token 2, Playmat, Bonus Pack	Deck of 50, Resource 10, Token 2, Playmat, Bonus Pack
Rarity composition	2 Legendary Rare cards + 14 Common cards	2 Legendary Rare cards + 14 Common cards
Ease of strengthening	With the addition of 00 series and [CB] symbol cards, it's likely to continue growing.	Depending on new cards in the Hathaway's Flash series, there's room for improvement in terms of one-hit kill potential and thematic appeal.

summary

If you're just starting out with the Gundam card game, "Celestial Drive [ST07]" and "Flash of Radiance [ST08]" are highly recommended as starter decks for beginners and those looking to upgrade, as they combine faithful reproduction of the original series, deck power, and room for future enhancements.