Gundam Freedom Ascension: everything in the 1st anniversary set

The Gundam Card Game turns one on July 24th, and Bandai's not treating it like a quiet office birthday with a sheet cake in the break room. Freedom Ascension (GD05) is the anniversary set, and it's bringing two mobile suits players have been asking for since launch, plus a new rarity type to add to the collector fuel.

Headliners: Strike Freedom and Nu Gundam finally show up

Strike Freedom Gundam, straight out of SEED Destiny, and Nu Gundam, from Char's Counter Attack, both make their first appearance in the card game with this set.

If you've been playing since launch, wondering when these two were getting their due, July 24th is the day. The set also pulls from Mobile Fighter G Gundam and Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, so this isn't a one-series victory lap, it's grabbing fan favorites across the franchise's history.

New mechanic: Link Rare

Freedom Ascension debuts "Link Rare", a new rarity built around paired Units and Pilots.

These print as parallel versions of cards already in the set, with art specifically designed around the pairing rather than just a foil treatment slapped on top. It's the kind of alternate art that collectors chase precisely because the pairing concept gives it a reason to exist beyond "shinier version of a card you already have."

SP Card EX Resources: new card type, first appearance

Also debuting here: SP Card EX Resources, described by Bandai as featuring female characters in dedicated artwork, timed specifically for the anniversary. Eight popular Pilot cards get SP Card treatment on top of that. Five types of LR++ cards is a record high for the format, so whoever's counting rarity tiers over at Bandai clearly wanted this anniversary to feel like an event and got a little excited.

What's actually in the box

Packs run $4.99 for 12 cards, standard for the line. The full rarity breakdown: 50 Common, 36 Uncommon, 32 Rare, 12 Legend Rare, 8 Special, 8 Special EX Resource, and 2 Token, 138 base card types plus 65 alternate-art versions on top. That's a genuinely deep pull pool for a set this size.

There's also a Deck Build Box for anyone easing into the game rather than diving straight into singles. It packs 125 reprint cards for deckbuilding alongside 4 booster packs, 10 resource cards, and 2 token cards, plus a bonus pack of exclusive EX Bases you can't get anywhere else, one version features Shining Gundam. If you're just starting out, we don't recommend cracking a ton of boosters and hoping to luck out. Grab the deckbuilder box and walk your way through it.

Release events

Local game stores are running sealed release events on the 24th: four packs per player, build a 30-card deck on the spot, Swiss until someone goes undefeated. Prize support at these events typically includes guaranteed promo cards plus a shot at a commemorative playmat, so even if you don't 1st place, showing up gets you something for your binder.

If you've been sitting on the sidelines since launch waiting for a reason to jump in, an anniversary set with two headline mobile suits and a brand-new rarity chase is about as good a landing spot as this game's going to offer.

Gundam Freedom Ascension FAQ

When does Gundam Freedom Ascension release? July 24th, 2026.

What mobile suits are new in Gundam Freedom Ascension?

Strike Freedom Gundam (from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny) and Nu Gundam (from Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counter Attack) both make their first appearance in the card game with this set.

What is Link Rare in Gundam Card Game? Link Rare is a new rarity debuting in Freedom Ascension, printed as parallel versions of existing cards featuring paired Units and Pilots with dedicated artwork built around that pairing.

Is there a starter option for new players in this set? Yes. The Freedom Ascension Deck Build Box includes 125 reprint cards for deckbuilding, 4 booster packs, resource and token cards, and a bonus pack with exclusive EX Bases.