Deluxe Set 01: 5v5 Battle Guide

What the Gundam Assemble Deluxe Set 01 Adds

The Gundam Assemble deluxe set 01 is the large-format version of the miniatures game: a two-player box built for 5-on-5 battles, battleship-scale centerpieces, and story scenarios drawn from the One Year War. It matters because the starter set teaches the timeline system in a compact 3-on-3 fight, while this box asks you to manage a wider front without losing tempo.

Instead of treating the Gundam Assemble deluxe set 01 as "starter plus extras," think of it as a scenario toolkit. You get 13 unpainted miniatures, a larger battlefield, and four scenarios—two for 3-on-3 play and two for 5-on-5 play—including a Battle of A Baoa Qu setup with a battleship-class centerpiece. If your group already likes the core rules, this is the box that turns a quick duel into an evening event.

The big draw is not just model count. It is the shift from a clean 3-on-3 skirmish to a multi-unit battle where objective flips, garrison points, and activation order matter at the same time. A short 3-on-3 game can fit into a lunch break or a weeknight. A story-driven 5-on-5 A Baoa Qu battle can stretch into a two-to-three-hour session, especially when both players are still learning the scenario rules.

Deluxe Set 01 Contents and Value

The Deluxe Set 01 box is packed with the pieces needed for a full two-player game. Exact packaging labels can vary by retailer, but the core contents are consistent: unpainted miniatures, unit cards, tactics cards, tokens, scenario cards, maps, terrain, dice, and rules materials.

At roughly $99.99 MSRP, the Gundam Assemble deluxe set 01 costs about three times a starter set. The value depends on whether you will actually use the 5-on-5 rules. If you only want quick 3-on-3 games, the starter set is the better first purchase. If you want battleship-scale battles and story scenarios, the deluxe box replaces several separate purchases.

The 13 miniatures are unpainted. That is not a barrier to play, but it is a time commitment. Build in an assembly and painting window before your first deluxe game, or plan to play with gray plastic while you learn the scenarios. The models are detailed enough to reward painting, but the game does not require a finished paint job.

How to Set Up a 5v5 Deluxe Game

Set up the mission before you build your force. In a 5-on-5 game, every unit has a job, and a list built for a 3-on-3 objective race may not have enough staying power for a longer battle. Read the scenario first, then choose units that can score, hold, and rescue garrisons.

Objective values create the central tension in Deluxe Set 01. In the classic Sleeping Leviathan layout, central objectives are worth 5 victory points each, while outer objectives are worth 8. Garrisons are worth 2 points when rescued. Unit defeat can also be worth major points, but the exact value depends on the unit card. That means a 5-on-5 game is not won by one kill; it is won by trading efficiently while still scoring.

In a 5-on-5 game, you cannot contest everything. Pick two scoring plans: one unit or pair to flip an outer objective, and one anchor to hold the center. Keep a mobile unit free to rescue garrisons or punish an overextended enemy. If a unit is defeated, it is removed from the board but not out of the game; its timeline token moves forward and it returns later. Plan for that return instead of treating the loss as permanent.

Timeline Tactics for Bigger Battles

The timeline is the engine of Gundam Assemble. It is not a simple turn counter. Each action pushes a unit's timeline token forward, so a powerful attack can delay that unit's next activation. In a 5-on-5 game, that trade-off is the difference between a unit that acts twice and a unit that acts once.

Use the timeline as a budget. A four-cost attack is worth it when it removes a high-value unit, flips an 8-point objective, or saves a scoring unit. It is usually a mistake when it only chips a low-value target and pushes your ace out of the next round. In 5-on-5, you want at least two units acting in the same window so your opponent cannot answer every threat.

Three practical habits help:

• Start with cheap tempo. Use a dash or garrison rescue to score before committing to a big attack.
• Protect your scorer. A fast unit that flips an outer objective is more valuable than a slightly stronger unit that never reaches the marker.
• Use elevation and cover. Attack modifiers matter, and a unit on high ground can pressure multiple lanes.
• Do not ignore status effects. A slow or disarm can neutralize a key unit without destroying it.
• Keep a reserve plan. If a unit is defeated, it returns later; have a nearby objective or garrison ready for its comeback.

The deluxe scenarios also add phase-based rules and dedicated tactics cards. Treat those rules as part of your list-building decision. A scenario that changes scoring in phase two may reward a slower, tougher force, while a water or terrain-heavy map may punish a list with no mobility. Read the scenario card before you put models on the table.

Buying Advice: Who Should Get It

The Gundam Assemble deluxe set 01 is easiest to justify for a regular two-player group. If you already own the starter set and play at least once a month, the 5-on-5 mode gives you a reason to keep the table set up longer. The battleship-class centerpiece and A Baoa Qu scenario also appeal to players who want a narrative battle rather than a pure tournament skirmish.

Availability has shifted between listings, so confirm the current box category and release window on the official Gundam Assemble product lineup before preordering. Do not assume every retailer's estimate matches. The safer approach is to buy the starter set first if you are unsure about the rules, then move to the Gundam Assemble deluxe set 01 once your group knows it will use the larger battle mode.

FAQ

Is the Gundam Assemble deluxe set 01 a complete two-player game?
Yes. It includes unpainted miniatures, unit cards, tactics cards, tokens, maps, terrain, dice, and rules for two-player 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 games.

Do I need the starter set before buying the Gundam Assemble deluxe set 01?
No, but the starter set is the cheaper way to learn the timeline system. The deluxe box uses the same core rules and adds larger battles and story scenarios.

How many miniatures come in the Gundam Assemble deluxe set 01?
It includes 13 unpainted miniatures, including mobile suits and a battleship-class centerpiece. Painting is optional, but assembly is required.

How long does a 5-on-5 game take?
A compact 3-on-3 game can finish in under an hour. A story-driven 5-on-5 battle, especially the A Baoa Qu scenario, can run two to three hours depending on experience and scenario rules.