Gundam Assemble Buying Guide: Which Set to Start With, What's in Each Box and What's Coming Next

Gundam Assemble is Bandai's tabletop battle game for Gunpla fans. Every unit is a roughly 5 cm miniature built from single-colour Gunpla parts, so you build it like a tiny kit, then field it on a game map with its own unit card, stats and abilities. Mobile suits from across the whole Gundam timeline share the same rules, which means your Wing Zero can go toe-to-toe with a Barbatos Lupus Rex if you want it to.

The first boxes land this fall, and there are a lot of them. If you're wondering where to start, you're in the right place.

The short answer

What's in each box

Best first box Starter Set 01 [ST01] Everything two players need for 3 vs 3 battles: 6 unpainted miniatures, 6 unit cards, 18 tactical cards, 2 scenario objective cards, a game map, paper terrain, a set of 10-sided dice, a handbook and 2 rule quick-reference sheets. Two beginner-friendly scenarios teach the core rules. $39.99  ·  Pre-order now →

Most minis to start Deluxe Set 01 [DX01] 13 unpainted miniatures, multiple maps and terrain, built for story scenarios and big 5 vs 5 battles. It also brings battleship-class units into the game. A great pick if two of you want to split a box and play right away. $89.99  ·  Pre-order now →

Grow your squad Expansion Packs EX01 – EX05 Each pack adds 3 unpainted miniatures, 3 unit cards, 9 tactical cards and a game token set. Mix any of them with any starter or deluxe set. EX01 and EX02 arrive with the launch, EX03 and EX04 follow, and EX05 closes out the year. $39.99 each  ·  Pre-order now →

For painters Color Paint Pack 01 [PA01] 3 unpainted miniatures with their unit and tactical cards, plus 4 Gundam Assemble Color paints and a brush. Your units keep their full game stats, so it's a playable pack and a painting kit in one. $49.99  ·  Pre-order now →

The holiday showpiece Deluxe Set 02 [DX02] 14 unpainted miniatures for story scenarios and asymmetrical 5 vs 3 battles, with battleship-class units, multiple maps and terrain. The big box for players who are already hooked. $159.99  ·  Pre-order now →

Paints made for these minis

The Gundam Assemble Color range is made for the game's 5 cm miniatures. It's a water-based, low-odour acrylic made for the brush first (it also works through an airbrush), with smooth flow and strong coverage on tiny parts. There are matte base colours like Char's Red and Char's Pink, plus Black, Brown, Blue and Purple shades for panel lines and depth. Singles are $4.19 each.

New to painting? You don't have to paint to play — the single-colour parts look sharp straight off the runner. When you're ready, grab the Paint Pack or two or three singles in your favourite pilot's colours.

The launch sequence

Release dates can move. Each product page shows the latest expected date, and pre-orders ship as soon as the product arrives.

What's next: Set 2 in 2027

Questions we hear a lot

Do I have to paint the miniatures to play?

No. Every miniature is built from single-colour Gunpla parts, so it's table-ready once it's assembled. Painting is a fun extra, not a requirement.

How many players is it for?

Gundam Assemble is a two-player game. The Starter Set plays 3 vs 3; the Deluxe Sets go up to 5 vs 5 (Deluxe Set 01) and asymmetrical 5 vs 3 (Deluxe Set 02).

Do I need the Starter Set if I buy a Deluxe Set?

No. Deluxe Sets 01 and 02 each come with maps, terrain, cards and miniatures, so either one gets you playing on its own. Expansion Packs add units and need a starter or deluxe set to play.

Can I mix mobile suits from different shows?

Yes, and that's half the fun. Units from every series share the same rules, so you can build a cross-series squad or stick to one story and recreate its battles.

How big are the miniatures?

About 5 cm tall. Small enough to fit a whole squad on a compact map, big enough to show off a good paint job.

Is this the same as the Gundam Card Game?

No. Gundam Assemble is a miniatures battle game with its own rules and components. The Gundam Card Game is a separate trading card game.

When will my pre-order ship?

As soon as it arrives on release. Each product page shows the latest expected date, and we'll update it if Bandai moves things.