Which Expansion

Star Realms expansions

Base game: 2 players20 minWise Wizard Games22 expansions checked
  1. #1 overall

    Star Realms: Crisis - Bases & Battleships

    Buy this first

    BGG rates it 7.69 from 2,354 ratings. The Geeks Under Grace guide calls Crisis ships and bases the most basic expansions and the first to buy after the core set; it leans to this pack for Star Empire.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Twelve more ships and bases for the trade deck, with new high-cost cards and base synergies, more of the same while making games more epic.

    Mini expansion2 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  2. #2 overall

    Star Realms: Crisis - Fleets & Fortresses

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.68 from 2,143 ratings. The guide groups it with Bases & Battleships as the simplest more-of-the-same pack and says it hardly matters which you buy first.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Twelve more ships and bases for the trade deck, giving each faction cheaper cards plus 5-8 cost ones for bigger turns.

    Mini expansion2 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  3. #3 overall

    Star Realms: Cosmic Gambit Set

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.23 from 981 ratings. The guide calls Cosmic Gambit the better deal for testing Gambits: cheaper than the Gambit Set, though it has no solo or co-op cards.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Gambit cards: two face-down per player that you reveal and scrap at any time for extra trade, damage or draws; these gambits are crazier than the first set.

    Mini expansion1–6 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:AmazonWise Wizard Games
  4. #4 overall

    Star Realms: Command Deck - The Alliance

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.63 from 414 ratings. The guide says Command Decks are awesome, that a fair duel needs two, and suggests starting with Alliance (blue and yellow) and Union.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: A Commander character with a higher authority total, a unique starting deck, two unique Gambits and a multicolor 8-cost ship that enters the trade deck.

    Mini expansion2–4 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  5. #5 overall

    Star Realms: Command Deck - The Union

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.61 from 390 ratings. The guide suggests Union (green and yellow) paired with Alliance as the two Commanders to start with, since the Legends finals used both.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: A Commander character with a higher authority total, a unique starting deck, two unique Gambits and a multicolor 8-cost ship that enters the trade deck.

    Mini expansion2–4 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  6. #6 overall

    Star Realms: High Alert - Invasion

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.75 from 182 ratings. The guide calls it a good early pack, especially if you started with Frontiers, though veterans may find it unexciting.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Twelve ships and bases built around Double Ally abilities, with no new mechanic beyond that.

    Mini expansion2–4 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:AmazonWise Wizard Games
  7. #7 overall

    Star Realms: High Alert - Requisition

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.71 from 179 ratings. The guide says the discount mechanic with strong Blob and Star Empire cards gives very fast games and is another good early pack.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Twelve ships and bases that cost one less for each card of the same faction you have in play, producing fast games.

    Mini expansion2–4 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:AmazonWise Wizard Games
  8. #8 overall

    Star Realms: United - Assault

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.78 from 657 ratings. The guide says dual-faction cards are generally a little weaker but more flexible; buy Crisis ships and bases first so they do not dazzle you.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Twelve dual-faction ships and bases that trigger ally bonuses for either of their two factions.

    Mini expansion2 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:AmazonWise Wizard Games
  9. #9 overall

    Star Realms: United - Command

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.75 from 642 ratings. The guide groups it with Assault as more dual-faction ships and bases, best bought after the Crisis ships-and-bases packs.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Twelve dual-faction ships and bases that trigger ally bonuses for either faction, with a high density of expensive bases.

    Mini expansion2 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  10. #10 overall

    Star Realms: Crisis - Heroes

    Depends on your group

    BGG rates it 7.03 from 2,240 ratings. BGG's lowest-rated Crisis pack. The guide says Heroes change the game and recommends this simpler pack before United Heroes.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: The first Hero cards: low-cost cards that go straight into play, cannot be attacked, and are scrapped for a bonus plus a faction ally trigger.

    Mini expansion2 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:AmazonWise Wizard Games
  11. #11 overall

    Star Realms: Command Deck - The Pact

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.65 from 395 ratings. The guide says to buy all the Command Decks eventually, starting with Alliance and Union; this one is a fair pairing for a duel.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: A Commander character with a higher authority total, a unique starting deck, two unique Gambits and a multicolor 8-cost ship that enters the trade deck.

    Mini expansion2–4 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  12. #12 overall

    Star Realms: Command Deck - The Unity

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.64 from 403 ratings. The guide says to buy all the Command Decks eventually, starting with Alliance and Union; Unity adds the next Commander for a duel.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: A Commander character with a higher authority total, a unique starting deck, two unique Gambits and a multicolor 8-cost ship that enters the trade deck.

    Mini expansion2–4 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  13. #13 overall

    Star Realms: Command Deck - The Coalition

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.6 from 406 ratings. The guide says to buy all the Command Decks eventually, starting with Alliance and Union; a fair duel needs two Commanders.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: A Commander character with a higher authority total, a unique starting deck, two unique Gambits and a multicolor 8-cost ship that enters the trade deck.

    Mini expansion2–4 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:AmazonWise Wizard Games
  14. #14 overall

    Star Realms: Command Deck - The Alignment

    Worth it

    BGG rates it 7.55 from 422 ratings. The guide says to buy all the Command Decks eventually, starting with Alliance and Union; Alignment is a later pick.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: A Commander character with a higher authority total, a unique starting deck, two unique Gambits and a multicolor 8-cost ship that enters the trade deck.

    Mini expansion2–4 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  15. #15 overall

    Star Realms: Gambit Set

    Depends on your group

    BGG rates it 7.21 from 2,306 ratings. The guide likes Gambits but says Cosmic Gambit is the better first buy; this set adds solo and co-op cards and may feel underwhelming second.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Gambit cards plus solo and co-op cards and three Merc Cruisers for the trade deck.

    Mini expansion1–6 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  16. #16 overall

    Star Realms: United - Missions

    Depends on your group

    BGG rates it 7.29 from 621 ratings. The guide says Missions turn Star Realms into a different game and are challenging, though it took time to warm to them; app players are split.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Twelve Mission cards dealt three per player; completing one pays a reward, and flipping your third mission wins the game.

    Mini expansion2 playersAdds more rulesBest for experienced groupsPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  17. #17 overall

    Star Realms: Crisis - Events

    Depends on your group

    BGG rates it 7.13 from 2,281 ratings. The guide says Events amplify randomness and make games swingier, which it enjoys; it calls them one of the most controversial packs among app players.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Event cards shuffled into the trade deck that resolve when revealed, such as clearing the row, dealing damage or giving authority.

    Mini expansion2 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  18. #18 overall

    Star Realms: United - Heroes

    Depends on your group

    BGG rates it 7.29 from 641 ratings. The guide likes them but notes the rules are confusing and Heroes are not automatic buys; start with the simpler Crisis Heroes first.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Twelve Hero cards costing 3-5 trade that give a bonus when bought and another when scrapped.

    Mini expansion2 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  19. #19 overall

    Star Realms: High Alert - Tech

    Depends on your group

    BGG rates it 7.42 from 185 ratings. The guide says Tech is pricey and takes many games to appreciate, so get it once you are experienced.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Twelve cards including Tech cards that grant abilities you can activate each turn by paying trade.

    Mini expansion2–4 playersAdds more rulesBest for experienced groupsPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:AmazonWise Wizard Games
  20. #20 overall

    Star Realms: High Alert - Heroes

    Depends on your group

    BGG rates it 7.33 from 177 ratings. The guide calls it fairly underwhelming and the most complicated to understand; a BGG poster calls it the best set, so taste varies.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Twelve multi-faction Hero cards with a comes-into-play line like United but dual faction symbols.

    Mini expansion2–4 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:AmazonWise Wizard Games
  21. #21 overall

    Star Realms: Scenarios

    Depends on your group

    BGG rates it 7.63 from 502 ratings. The guide says the app's weekly Arena covers the same idea, so it is no priority unless you avoid digital play. Listed out of stock at Wise Wizard.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Twenty Scenario cards; one is flipped at the start of a game and permanently changes the rules for it.

    Scenario pack2–4 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games
  22. #22 overall

    Star Realms: Promo Pack One

    Most groups can skip

    BGG rates it 7.75 from 538 ratings. The guide says save it for later; The Ark is among the most complained-about cards. Buy it for the Kickstarter promo cards only. Out of stock at Wise Wizard.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Fifteen alternate-art promo cards including Battle Barge, Fortress Oblivion and The Ark, with errata applied.

    Mini expansion2 playersAbout the same rules loadFine for any groupPrice: Under $20
    DetailsReference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:Wise Wizard Games

Need the base game?

Reference:View on BoardGameGeekBuy:AmazonWise Wizard Games

Stuck between two?

Star Realms expansions: quick answers

Which Star Realms expansion should I buy first?

Star Realms: Crisis - Bases & Battleships. BGG rates it 7.69 from 2,354 ratings. The Geeks Under Grace guide calls Crisis ships and bases the most basic expansions and the first to buy after the core set; it leans to this pack for Star Empire.

Is Star Realms: Crisis - Bases & Battleships worth it?

Our verdict: buy this first. It adds: Twelve more ships and bases for the trade deck, with new high-cost cards and base synergies, more of the same while making games more epic.

Star Realms: Crisis - Bases & Battleships or Star Realms: Crisis - Fleets & Fortresses: which first?

We’d buy Star Realms: Crisis - Bases & Battleships first. See the side-by-side comparison for what each adds and needs.

Other games’ expansion guides

Same publisher

Rankings are our editorial picks, built from the reviews linked on each expansion page. Last checked 2026-10-15.