BEFORE READING: For the newest version of the Card Tier List, CLICK HERE!

by Scott Heise aka HomerJr and Rick DeMille aka Darklighter

[Updated 11/6/2019] 

FINAL UPDATE! [until the next one] 

With this update the Card Tier List includes all expansions available in the digital app as of Nov. 2019 (except Events, Gambits, Missions).  We will add new sets to the Card Tier List as they are released to the digital app.

This update includes one sets:

• Colony Wars (“W”) by original Tier List author HomerJr
  

Previous Updates:

• Original Tier List for V & 1 – Posted by HomerJr August 31, 2015
• Update adding B, H, F – Posted by HomerJr January 21, 2017
• Update adding Frontiers (R) – Posted by Darklighter August 26, 2019
• Update adding K & A – Posted by Darklighter September 20, ,2019
• Update adding 2 & U – Posted by Darklighter October 30, 2019

Before we get to the updated card tier lists, let’s talk quickly about the cards introduced with the Colony Wars expansion.

(If you want to skip to the update Tier Lists, they’re in the chart below)

Colony Wars (“W”) Ships and Bases:

• Battle Bot [W] ($1) – Machine Cult
  • Description: See card
  • Scrapping is not strong in Colony Wars, but for $1 this is worth it. Plays almost the same as Missile Bot for $1 less.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 4
• Solar Skiff [W] ($1) – Trade Federation
  • Description: See card
  • A must buy in blue heavy decks, but no better than a federation shuttle outside of a blue deck.  Often gets hate-drafted late game when an opponent is heavy blue.  Keep in mind that Blue is not great in Colony Wars.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 4
• Star Barge [W] ($1) – Star Empire
  • Description: See card
  • Decent in yellow decks, but flounders in the late game.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 3
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Swarmer [W] ($1) – Blob
  • Description: See card
  • Not as good as Blob Fighter for $1, but 5 combat potential and trade row control for $1 is nothing to sneeze at.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 2
    • Late Game – Tier 2
• Lancer [W] ($2) – Star Empire
  
  • Description: See card
  • Not quite as strong as it looks, but the ability to dispose of most bases plus Discard ally ability can be difference-making in the late game.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Predator[W] ($2) – Blob
  • Description: See card
  • Green is very strong in Colony Wars in general; have to deny green from opponent.  The ally draw makes this card a must mid to late-game purchase, either to pair with your green cards or to deny from your opponent.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Repair Bot[W] ($2)– Machine Cult
  • Destription: See card
  • Only slightly better than Explorer, scrap from discard misses more often than it hits.  Though when paired with the Frontiers set, with it’s many cycling yellow cards, the “scrap only from discard pile” cards like Repair Bot hit a little more often.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 3
    • Mid Game – Tier 4
    • Late Game – Tier 4
• Stellar Reef[W] ($2) – Blob
  • Description: See card
  • Not terrible, but it’s the only blob card that isn’t T2 or higher.  Would be terrible if it didn’t self scrap.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 3
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Storage Silo [W] ($2) – Trade Federation
  • Description: See card
  • It’s a trap! The $2 ally bonus is usually a trap, don’t fall for it.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 3
    • Mid Game – Tier 4
    • Late Game – Tier 4
• Trade Hauler [W] ($2) – Trade Federation
  • Description: See card
  • Blue is fairly weak in Colony Wars, but the trade is good for buying strong yellow and green cards. Just don’t fall into the trap of going blue to try and get the defense ally bonus.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 4
    • Late Game – Tier 4
• Warning Beacon[W] ($2) – Machine Cult
  • Description: See card
  • Very nice for putting into hand to trigger red ally bonuses, terrible otherwise.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 3
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Cargo Pod[W] ($3) – Blob
  • Description: See card
  • This card does everything you could ever want for an early game buy, because it gives you lots of trade and you can get rid of it later when it’s no longer needed.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 1
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 2

• Convoy Bot[W] ($3)– Machine Cult
  • Description – See card
  • Best $3 or less scrapper there is.  ‘Nuff said.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 1
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 2
• Falcon[W] ($3) – Star Empire
  • Description: See card
  • Not great buy right away, but great buy in the mid/late game.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 3
    • Mid Game – Tier 2
    • Late Game – Tier 2
• Orbital Platform[W] ($3)– Star Empire
  • Description: See card
  • Great card to buy at any point in the game (except in the rare situation when you’ve scrapped out of all starters and have no cards you would want to cycle). Very strong for $3.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 1
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Patrol Cutter [W] ($3) – Trade Federation
  • Description: See card
  • Looks better than it is, but it will slow your deck down. Generally not worth watering your deck with blue to chase the defense bonus.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Ravager[W] ($3) – Blob
  • Description – See card
  • A card that can destroy almost any base by itself is always worth $3, not to mention the trade row control.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Bioformer[W] ($4) – Blob
  • Description – See card
  • Basically a green Space Station, i.e., a good early card to flip for something better.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 2
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Central Station[W] ($4) – Trade Federation
  • Description: See card
  • By itself it’s not quite as good as Barter World.  This card can be huge in a base heavy deck, but it can be a trap card because if you’re not playing it with 2 other bases, then this card is often working against you late-game.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Command Center[W] ($4) – Star Empire
  • Description – See card
  • Not great, not bad.  Decent early but may want to avoid late unless you are heavy yellow or need outposts as part of a defensive strategy.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Frontier Ferry[W] ($4) – Trade Federation
  • Description: See card
  • Super Cutter! Only great blue card from Colony Wars other than Peacekeeper.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 1
    • Mid Game – Tier 2
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Gunship[W] ($4) – Star Empire
  • Description: See card
  • Good card, great card if it can upgrade to Dreadnaught.  Because of the prospect of flipping this card into a directly-into-hand Emperor’s Dreadnaught, should almost never leave this card in the trade row in the early to mid game.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 1
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 2
• Mining Mech[W] ($4)– Machine Cult
  • Description: See card
  • Super Supply Bot! Only decent economic scrapper in Colony Wars.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 1
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 4
• The Oracle[W] ($4) – Machine Cult
  • Description – See card
  • Good scrapping base.  Better than Junkyard for $2 less
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 1
    • Mid Game – Tier 2
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Aging Battleship[W] ($5) – Star Empire
  • Description – See card
  • The scrap ability of this card makes it a great card to close out a game.  It’s draw ability makes this a low risk card earlier in the game.  One of the best cards in Colony Wars.  This card’s artwork is amazing as well.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Colony Seed Ship[W] ($5)– Trade Federation
  • Description: See card
  • Only buy if can be put into hand, or to keep an opponent from putting it into hand. If not for its directly-into-hand “surprise attack” ability, this card would be ranked pretty low among other $5 cards.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 3
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Heavy Cruiser[W] ($5) – Star Empire
  • Description – See card
  • Always buy self-replacing cards.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Mech Cruiser[W] ($5)– Machine Cult
  • Description – See card
  • Usually better than Battle Mech.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 1
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Parasite[W] ($5) – Blob
  • Description: See card
  • “Aquire” ability rarely pays off, but it does provide some versatility, i.e., if nothing worth grabbing from the trade row you can still do 6 damage. This card’s value is helped by it’s draw ally ability.  Pay attention to whether Plasma Vent has already been purchased or scrapped from the trade row when deciding whether to purchase this card.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Stealth Tower[W] ($5)– Machine Cult
  • Description – See card
  • Best when played with card set with strong bases like Frontiers.  Some refer to this card as “Factory World Insurance” or “Brain World Insurance” because if your opponent is able to grab one of those bases, at least with Stealth Tower you can take advantage of your opponent’s base abilities.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – Tier 2
    • Mid Game – Tier 2
    • Late Game – Tier 2
• Federation Shipyard[W] ($6)– Trade Federation
  • Description: See card
  • Generally prefer Port of Call, except in heavy blue decks.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Frontier Station[W] ($6) – Machine Cult
  • Description: See card
  • Meh. 6 defense is never bad but this card won’t win any games.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Peacekeeper[W] ($6)– Trade Federation
  • Description: See card
  • Love it. Finally a great blue card!  A must buy among must buys.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Plasma Vent[W] ($6) – Blob
  • Description – See card
  • Good enough to buy any time, even when not bringing it directly-into-hand.  But very strong when getting it directly-into-hand. Usually a must buy to deny from opponent.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Supply Depot[W] ($6) – Star Empire
  • Description – See card
  • 5 defense is low, but ally draw ability is great.  It’s a versatile base since it can give you trade or damage depending on the situation.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 2
    • Late Game – Tier 2
• Imperial Palace[W] ($7) – Star Empire
  • Description: See card
  • Love it! Better than Fleet HQ for $1 less.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Loyal Colony [W] ($7) – Trade Federation
  • Description – See card
  • Buy the time you can afford it, you don’t need it.  If you can get it very early (with the aid of events or gambits) it can help you build a strong deck, but in the late-game this card often works against you.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 4
• Moonwurm[W] ($7) – Blob
  • Description: See card
  • Must buy. At least as good as Mothership, probably better.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• The Wrecker[W] ($7) – Machine Cult
  • Description: See card
  • Not a bad buy, but pretty weak for a $7 card. It’s what the Ark should have been.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 2
    • Late Game – Tier 3
• Emperor’s Dreadnaught (“Eddy”)[W] ($8) – Star Empire
  • Description: See card
  • Gunship and Space Station were made for this!  This card raises heart rates when it hits the trade row.  Needless to say, it’s a must buy even if you can’t put it direct-into-hand.  Even though this card is clearly inferior to Leviathan, people often take Eddy over Leviathan if their opponent has a chance to take Eddy directly-into-hand.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Factory World[W] ($8) – Trade Federation
  • Description – See card
  • Very strong card, even late, as it’s allows you to immediately turn economy into combat.  One of the best bases out there, perhaps second only to Brain World.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• Leviathan[W] ($8) – Blob
  • Description – See card
  • Must must buy. Better than Command Ship. Almost unstoppable.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 1
    • Late Game – Tier 1
• The Incinerator[W] ($8)– Machine Cult
  • Description: See card
  • Not nearly as good as Brain World.  Can product killer turns in heavy red decks with a lot of scrap, but that is rare.
  • Tier List Ranking
    • Opening buys – NA
    • Mid Game – Tier 3
    • Late Game – Tier 3

Updated Tier List

The intent of these Tier Lists is to provide a quick reference to help players, especially newer or less experienced players, when deciding which card(s) in the trade row they should buy (or whether to buy a card at all).  Every card included in the V, 1, B, H, F, R, 2, K, U, A, W sets is contained within these lists and grouped into one of three tiers based on the overall value of the card relative to the cost of the card.

HomerJr originally wrote the Tier Lists for the V, 1, B, H, & F sets, and later added rankings for Colony Wars (“W”).  I (Darklighter) have not changed any of HomerJr’s original rankings, and have just added rankings for Frontiers (“R”), Year 2 Promos (“2”) & United Command (“K”), Heroes (“U”), Assault (“A”) using HomerJr’s methodology (as best I could).

While every card in the game can be valuable and help you win, not every card will have equal value over the course of the game thus there are separate Tier Lists for different phases of the game (opening buys, mid game, late game).  Furthermore, many cards are highly situational or valuable only in certain decks.  Please note that this is all the personal opinion of the authors, so don’t take anything in here as law.  🙂   We are always open to feedback, criticism, and discussion.

We rank each card into one of three tiers as follows:

• Tier 1:  Strong value and/or agnostic to situation; beneficial in almost any deck; you almost always want to have it in your deck if you can
• Tier 2:  Solid value and/or somewhat situational; may rely on ally ability triggers to be effective; generally a good buy if no Tier 1 card available
• Tier 3:  Weak value and/or highly situational;  may need exactly the right game circumstances to be effective; best to avoid buying except in rare cases
• Tier 4:  Poor value in nearly all situations;  buying this card will probably worsen your deck;  you’re probably making a mistake if you’re buying this card

Please note that our intent is not for cards in the same tier across cost brackets to be considered equivalent in value.  In general, cards in the next higher cost bracket have a value one tier higher.  For example, a Tier 2 card in the $3-5 cost bracket would have a value on par with a Tier 1 card in the $1-2 cost bracket.  Also, cards are listed within a cell by faction and cost;  the order of cards within a cell is not meant to imply anything about the value of the card relative to the others in the same tier and cost bracket.

($X) = Cost to buy card

no bracket = Original Core Set

[1] = Year 1 Promo/kickstarter card

[B] = Bases & Battleships expansion

[F] = Fleets & Fortresses expansion

[H] = Heroes expansion

[R] = Frontiers expansion

[K] = United Command expansion

[A] = United Assault expansion

[2] = Year 2 Promos

[U] = United Heroes

[W] – Colony Wars

NEW CARDS IN BOLD

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Opening Buys (Deck 1)**

I prioritize strong trade and scrapping cards for my opening buys, as well as bases that provide good long-term value.  Combat cards are generally only valuable at this stage for destroying opposing bases, or for all-out rush strategies when the trade row is combat-heavy.

**NOTE: The “Opening Buys” Tier List only ranks cards cost $1-5, which is the typical range of trade a player will have on their opening two turns. With the inclusion of Gambits and Events it may of course be possible, and advisable, to purchase cards that cost $6+ in Deck 1.

Updated 11/6/2019

	$1-2	$3-5
Tier 1 – Must Buy	Cutter ($2) Trade Bot ($1) Patrol Bot [F] ($2) War Elder [H] ($1) High Priest Lyle [H] ($2) Probe Bot [2] ($2) Cargo Launch [F] ($1) Cargo Craft [R] ($2) Frontier Hawk [R] ($1) Imperial Smuggler [2] ($2) Blob Miner [R] ($2) Unity Fighter [K] ($1) Assault Pod [K] ($2)	Freighter ($4) Starmarket [1] ($4) Mobile Market [R] ($4) Ion Station [R] ($5) Frontier Ferry[W] ($4) Ram ($3) Blob Wheel ($3) Nesting Ground [R] ($4) Pulverizer [R] ($5) Stellar Ray [2] ($5) Cargo Pod[W] ($3) Supply Bot ($3) Fortress Oblivion [1] ($3) Battle Mech ($5) Enforcer Mech [R] ($5) Repair Mech [R] ($4) Cargo Mech [2] ($5) Chancellor Hartman [U] ($4) Confessor Morris [U] ($5) Convoy Bot[W] ($3) Mining Mech[W] ($4) The Oracle[W] ($4) Mech Cruiser[W] ($5) Imperial Trader [B] ($5) Farm Ship [R] ($4) Jamming Terminal [R] ($5) Orbital Gun Platform [R] ($4) Orbital Platform[W] ($3) Gunship[W] ($4) Blob Bot [A] ($3) Coalition Freighter [K] ($4) Alliance Landing [K] ($5)
Tier 2 – Good Buy	Explorer ($2) Trade Raft [B] ($1) Special Ops Director [H] ($1) CEO Torres [H] ($2) Federal Transport [2] ($2) Solar Skiff [W] ($1) Trade Hauler [W] ($2) Missile Bot ($2) Patrol Bot [F] ($2) Builder Bot [R] ($1) Integration Port [R] ($3) Plasma Bot [R] ($2) Battle Bot [W] ($1) Blob Fighter ($1) Trade Pod ($2) Battle Pod ($2) Ram Pilot [H] ($1) Blob Overlord [H] ($2) Stinger [R] ($1) War Kite [2] ($2) Swarmer [W] ($1) Predator[W] ($2) Admiral Rasmusson [H] ($2) Lancer [W] ($2) Trade Star [A] ($1) Alliance Transport [A] ($2)	Embassy Yacht ($3) Barter World ($4) Trade Escort ($5) Federation Cruiser [R] ($5) Long Hauler [R] ($4) Outland Station [R] ($3) Security Craft [2] ($4) Bounty Hunter [2] ($5) Patrol Cutter [W] ($3) Central Station[W] ($4) Blob Destroyer ($4) Breeding Site [1] ($4) Battle Screecher [1] ($4) Burrower [R] ($3) Crusher [R] ($3) Moonwurm Hatchling [R] ($4) Screecher [U] ($3) Hive Lord [U] ($5) Ravager[W] ($3) Bioformer[W] ($4) Parasite[W] ($5) Patrol Mech ($4) Stealth Needle ($4) Border Fort [F] ($4) Mega Mech [B] ($5) Conversion Yard [R] ($5) Destroyer Bot [R] ($3) Stealth Tower[W] ($5) Space Station ($4) Recycling Station ($4) War World ($5) Captured Outpost [R] ($3) Hammerhead [R] ($5) Knightstar [2] ($5) Commodore Zhang [U] ($5) Command Center[W] ($4) Aging Battleship[W] ($5) Heavy Cruiser[W] ($5) Alliance Frigate [K] ($3) Coalition Messenger [A] ($3)
Tier 3 – Meh Buy	Federation Shuttle ($1) Frontier Runner [R] ($1) Orbital Shuttle [R] ($2) Storage Silo [W] ($2) Defense Bot [B] ($2) Repair Bot[W] ($2) Warning Beacon[W] ($2) Corvette ($2) Cunning Captain [H] ($1) Star Barge [W] ($1) Spike Pod [F] ($1) Stellar Reef[W] ($2)	Trading Post ($3) Customs Frigate [F] ($4) Defense Center ($5) Patrol Boat [R] ($3) Chairman Haygan [U] ($3) CEO Shaner [U] ($5) Colony Seed Ship[W] ($5) Trade Wheel [B] ($3) The Hive ($5) Battle Station ($3) Mech World ($5) Defense System [R] ($4) Survey Ship ($3) Imperial Frigate ($3) Fighter Base [B] ($3) Starbase Omega [1] ($4) Battle Barge [1] ($4) Light Cruiser [R] ($3) Falcon[W] ($3) Union Stronghold [A] ($5) Mercenary Garrison [2] ($4)
Tier 4 – Don’t Buy	Imperial Fighter ($1) Spike Cluster [R] ($2)	Merc Cruiser [1] ($3) Commander Klik [U] ($4)

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Mid Game (Deck 2-2.5)

I consider the mid game to be the period after the opening buys where there is still time for trade and scrapping to amortize, and both players have enough authority to survive through at least their opponent’s next shuffle and a full deck thereafter.  During the mid game, I tend to value cards that help buy $6-8 cards (but also have late game value), strong bases, and cards that sow the seeds for big rallies in the late game (card draws, top-decking, etc). But be careful… often the mid game doesn’t last very long!  If you’re not sure if you’re in the mid game or not, it’s usually best to play as if you’ve already progressed to the late game.

 Updated 11/6/2019

	$1-2	$3-5	$6-8
Tier 1 – Must Buy	Cutter ($2) Special Ops Director [H] ($1) CEO Torres [H] ($2) Probe Bot [2] ($2) Cargo Craft [R] ($2) Frontier Hawk [R] ($1) Imperial Smuggler [2] ($2) Lancer [W] ($2) Predator[W] ($2) Assault Pod [K] ($2)	Starmarket [1] ($4) Long Hauler [R] ($4) Blob Destroyer ($4) Breeding Site [1] ($4) Pulverizer [R] ($5) Stellar Ray [2] ($5) Hive Lord [U] ($5) Cargo Pod[W] ($3) Ravager[W] ($3) Parasite[W] ($5) Stealth Needle ($4) Battle Mech ($5) Enforcer Mech [R] ($5) Chancellor Hartman [U] ($4) Confessor Morris [U] ($5) Convoy Bot[W] ($3) Mech Cruiser[W] ($5) Recycling Station ($4) War World ($5) Imperial Trader [B] ($5) Captured Outpost [R] ($3) Farm Ship [R] ($4) Commodore Zhang [U] ($5) Orbital Platform[W] ($3) Gunship[W] ($4) Aging Battleship[W] ($5) Heavy Cruiser[W] ($5) Alliance Frigate [K] ($3) Blob Bot [A] ($3)	Central Office ($7) Megahauler [1] ($7)  Command Ship ($8) Federation Battleship [R] ($7) Peacekeeper[W] ($6) Factory World[W] ($8) The Ark [1] ($7) Brain World ($8) Nanobot Swarm [R] ($8) Reclamation Station [R] ($6) Blob Alpha [R] ($6) Plasma Vent[W] ($6) Moonwurm[W] ($7) Leviathan[W] ($8) Imperial Flagship [R] ($8) Imperial Palace[W] ($7) Emperor’s Dreadnaught [W] ($8) Union Cluster [K] ($8)
Tier 2 – Good Buy	Federal Transport [2] ($2) Missile Bot ($2) Defense Bot [B] ($2) Patrol Bot [F] ($2) War Elder [H] ($1) High Priest Lyle [H] ($2) Plasma Bot [R] ($2) Blob Fighter ($1) Battle Pod ($2) Ram Pilot [H] ($1) Blob Overlord [H] ($2) Blob Miner [R] ($2) Stinger [R] ($1) War Kite [2] ($2) Swarmer [W] ($1) Cargo Launch [F] ($1) Corvette ($2) Admiral Rasmusson [H] ($2) Unity Fighter [K] ($1) Alliance Transport [A] ($2)	Embassy Yacht ($3) Barter World ($4) Customs Frigate [F] ($4) Defense Center ($5) Trade Escort ($5) Federation Cruiser [R] ($5) Ion Station [R] ($5) Mobile Market [R] ($4) Outland Station [R] ($3) Security Craft [2] ($4) Bounty Hunter [2] ($5) Chairman Haygan [U] ($3) CEO Shaner [U] ($5) Frontier Ferry[W] ($4) Battle Station ($3) Mech World ($5) Fortress Oblivion [1] ($3) Patrol Mech ($4) Border Fort [F] ($4) Mega Mech [B] ($5) Conversion Yard [R] ($5) Defense System [R] ($4) Destroyer Bot [R] ($3) Repair Mech [R] ($4) Cargo Mech [2] ($5) The Oracle[W] ($4) Stealth Tower[W] ($5) Ram ($3) Blob Wheel ($3) Battle Screecher [1] ($4) The Hive ($5) Burrower [R] ($3) Crusher [R] ($3) Nesting Ground [R] ($4) Screecher [U] ($3) Bioformer[W] ($4) Imperial Frigate ($3) Space Station ($4) Battle Barge [P] ($4) Starbase Omega [1] ($4) Hammerhead [R] ($5) Jamming Terminal [R] ($5) Light Cruiser [R] ($3) Orbital Gun Platform [R] ($4) Knightstar [2] ($5) Falcon[W] ($3) Alliance Landing [K] ($5) Union Stronghold [A] ($5) Mercenary Garrison [2] ($4)	Flagship ($6) Port of Call ($6) Construction Hauler [B] ($6) Transit Nexus [R] ($8) Battle Blob ($6) Obliterator [B] ($6) Mothership ($7) Blob World ($8) Hive Queen [R] ($7) Infested Moon [R] ($6) Swarm Cluster [R] ($8) Missile Mech ($6) Machine Base ($7) Neural Nexus [R] ($7) The Wrecker[W] ($7) Battlecruiser ($6) Dreadnaught ($7) Star Fortress [F] ($7) Siege Fortress [R] ($7) Supply Depot[W] ($6) Coalition Fortress [K] ($6) Exchange Point [A] ($6) Unity Station [K] ($7) Embassy Base [A] ($8) Merc Battlecruiser [2] ($6)
Tier 3 – Meh Buy	Explorer ($2) Trade Raft [B] ($1) Solar Skiff [W] ($1) Trade Bot ($1) Builder Bot [R] ($1) Battle Bot [W] ($1) Warning Beacon[W] ($2) Spike Pod [F] ($1) Trade Pod ($2) Spike Cluster [R] ($2) Stellar Reef[W] ($2) Imperial Fighter ($1) Cunning Captain [H] ($1) Star Barge [W] ($1) Trade Star [A] ($1)	Merc Cruiser [1] ($3) Trading Post ($3) Freighter ($4) Patrol Boat [R] ($3) Patrol Cutter [W] ($3) Central Station[W] ($4) Colony Seed Ship[W] ($5) Supply Bot ($3) Integration Port [R] ($3) Mining Mech[W] ($4) Trade Wheel [B] ($3) Moonwurm Hatchling [R] ($4) Survey Ship ($3) Fighter Base [B] ($3) Commander Klik [U] ($4) Command Center[W] ($4) Coalition Messenger [A] ($3) Coalition Freighter [K] ($4)	Capitol World [F] ($8) Gateship [R] ($6) Federation Shipyard[W] ($6) Loyal Colony [W] ($7) Blob Carrier ($6) Death World [F] ($7) Royal Redoubt ($6) Warpgate Cruiser [R] ($6) Frontier Station[W] ($6) The Incinerator[W] ($8) Lookout Post [A] ($7)
Tier 4 – Don’t Buy	Federation Shuttle ($1) Frontier Runner [R] ($1) Orbital Shuttle [R] ($2) Storage Silo [W] ($2) Trade Hauler [W] ($2) Repair Bot[W] ($2)		Junkyard ($6) Fleet HQ ($8)

Late Game (Decks 4+ or Authority < 30)

I consider the late game to be the point at which trade and scrapping no longer have enough time to provide value, and/or one or both players do not have enough authority to survive the next full play through of their opponent’s deck.  During the late game, I tend to value cards that provide maximum combat in as few cards as possible and help fuel big rallies via card draws.

Updated 11/6/2019

	$1-2	$3-5	$6-8
Tier 1 – Must Buy	Special Ops Director [H] ($1) CEO Torres [H] ($2) Ram Pilot [H] ($1) Blob Overlord [H] ($2) Predator[W] ($2) Admiral Rasmusson [H] ($2) Lancer [W] ($2) Assault Pod [K] ($2)	Chairman Haygan [U] ($3) CEO Shaner [U] ($5) Blob Destroyer ($4) Breeding Site [1] ($4) Pulverizer [R] ($5) Stellar Ray [2] ($5) Hive Lord [U] ($5) Ravager[W] ($3) Parasite[W] ($5) Stealth Needle ($4) Mega Mech [B] ($5) Enforcer Mech [R] ($5) Chancellor Hartman [U] ($4) Confessor Morris [U] ($5) Mech Cruiser[W] ($5) Imperial Frigate ($3) Recycling Station ($4) War World ($5) Captured Outpost [R] ($3) Hammerhead [R] ($5) Knightstar [2] ($5) Commodore Zhang [U] ($5) Orbital Platform[W] ($3) Aging Battleship[W] ($5) Heavy Cruiser[W] ($5) Alliance Frigate [K] ($3)	Flagship ($6) Command Ship ($8) Federation Battleship [R] ($7) Peacekeeper[W] ($6) Factory World[W] ($8) Missile Mech ($6) The Ark [1] ($7) Brain World ($8) Nanobot Swarm [R] ($8) Reclamation Station [R] ($6) Battle Blob ($6) Obliterator [B] ($6) Mothership ($7) Blob Alpha [R] ($6) Hive Queen [R] ($7) Plasma Vent[W] ($6) Moonwurm[W] ($7) Leviathan[W] ($8) Battlecruiser ($6) Dreadnaught ($7) Imperial Flagship [R] ($8) Imperial Palace[W] ($7) Emperor’s Dreadnaught [W] ($8) Union Cluster [K] ($8) Merc Battlecruiser [2] ($6)
Tier 2 – Good Buy	Battle Pod ($2) Blob Fighter ($1) War Kite [2] ($2) Swarmer [W] ($1) Corvette ($2) Cunning Captain [H] ($1) Frontier Hawk [R] ($1) Imperial Smuggler [2] ($2)	Barter World ($4) Customs Frigate [F] ($4) Defense Center ($5) Trade Escort ($5) Federation Cruiser [R] ($5) Long Hauler [R] ($4) Mobile Market [R] ($4) Outland Station [R] ($3) Bounty Hunter [2] ($5) Battle Mech ($5) Battle Station ($3) Mech World ($5) Conversion Yard [R] ($5) Defense System [R] ($4) Convoy Bot[W] ($3) Stealth Tower[W] ($5) The Hive ($5) Burrower [R] ($3) Screecher [U] ($3) Cargo Pod[W] ($3) Battle Barge [1] ($4) Starbase Omega [1] ($4) Imperial Trader [B] ($5) Farm Ship [R] ($4) Light Cruiser [R] ($3) Commander Klik [U] ($4) Falcon[W] ($3) Gunship[W] ($4) Blob Bot [A] ($3)	Central Office ($7) Megahauler [1] ($7) Construction Hauler [B] ($6) Capitol World [F] ($8) Death World [F] ($7) Blob World ($8) Infested Moon [R] ($6) Swarm Cluster [R] ($8) Star Fortress [F] ($7) Siege Fortress [R] ($7) Supply Depot[W] ($6) Neural Nexus [R] ($7) Coalition Fortress [K] ($6) Exchange Point [A] ($6) Unity Station [K] ($7) Lookout Post [A] ($7) Embassy Base [A] ($8)
Tier 3 – Meh Buy	Cutter ($2) Federal Transport [2] ($2) Missile Bot ($2) Defense Bot [B] ($2) Patrol Bot [F] ($2) War Elder [H] ($1) High Priest Lyle [H] ($2) Plasma Bot [R] ($2) Probe Bot [2] ($2) Warning Beacon[W] ($2) Spike Pod [F] ($1) Blob Miner [R] ($2) Stinger [R] ($1) Stellar Reef[W] ($2) Cargo Launch [F] ($1) Imperial Fighter ($1) Cargo Craft [R] ($2) Star Barge [W] ($1) Unity Fighter [K] ($1) Alliance Transport [A] ($2)	Merc Cruiser [1] ($3) Embassy Yacht ($3) Trading Post ($3) Starmarket [1] ($4) Ion Station [R] ($5) Patrol Boat [R] ($3) Security Craft [2] ($4) Patrol Cutter [W] ($3) Central Station[W] ($4) Frontier Ferry[W] ($4) Colony Seed Ship[W] ($5) Patrol Mech ($4) Border Fort [F] ($4) Destroyer Bot [R] ($3) Repair Mech [R] ($4) The Oracle[W] ($4) Ram ($3) Battle Screecher [1] ($4) Crusher [R] ($3) Moonwurm Hatchling [R] ($4) Nesting Ground [R] ($4) Bioformer[W] ($4) Survey Ship ($3) Fighter Base [B] ($3) Space Station ($4) Jamming Terminal [R] ($5) Orbital Gun Platform [R] ($4) Command Center[W] ($4) Coalition Messenger [A] ($3) Alliance Landing [K] ($5) Union Stronghold [A] ($5) Mercenary Garrison [2] ($4)	Port of Call ($6) Gateship [R] ($6) Transit Nexus [R] ($8) Federation Shipyard[W] ($6) Machine Base ($7) Frontier Station[W] ($6) The Wrecker[W] ($7) The Incinerator[W] ($8) Blob Carrier ($6) Royal Redoubt ($6) Warpgate Cruiser [R] ($6)
Tier 4 – Don’t Buy	Explorer ($2) Federation Shuttle ($1) Trade Raft [B] ($1) Frontier Runner [R] ($1) Orbital Shuttle [R] ($2) Solar Skiff [W] ($1) Storage Silo [W] ($2) Trade Hauler [W] ($2) Trade Bot ($1) Builder Bot [R] ($1) Battle Bot [W] ($1) Repair Bot[W] ($2) Trade Pod ($2) Spike Cluster [R] ($2) Trade Star [A] ($1)	Freighter ($4) Supply Bot ($3) Fortress Oblivion [1] ($3) Integration Port [R] ($3) Cargo Mech [2] ($5) Mining Mech[W] ($4) Blob Wheel ($3) Trade Wheel [B] ($3) Coalition Freighter [K] ($4)	Junkyard ($6) Fleet HQ ($8) Loyal Colony [W] ($7)