How Much is Vanguard Dear Days? Your Comprehensive Guide to Cost and Value
Hey there, fellow cardfighters! Ever found yourself wondering, "How much is Cardfight!! Vanguard Dear Days, really?" You're not alone! This digital adaptation of the beloved Cardfight!! Vanguard TCG offers a fantastic way to enjoy the game, but understanding its pricing structure, including the base game and its numerous DLCs, can be a bit like navigating a complex board state. Fear not! This lengthy, step-by-step guide will break down everything you need to know about the cost of Vanguard Dear Days, helping you make an informed decision.
Let's dive in and demystify the price tags!
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| How Much Is Vanguard Dear Days |
Step 1: Understanding the Base Game Price
The first and most fundamental question is the cost of the core game itself. This is your entry ticket into the world of Dear Days, offering the main story mode, initial card sets, and access to basic online and offline play.
A. The Standard Edition: Your Initial Investment
"Cardfight!! Vanguard Dear Days" typically launches as a standard digital edition. As of my last update, the usual price for the base game is around $69.99 USD.
Where to Find It: You'll primarily find this game on digital storefronts like Steam for PC and the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch.
Regional Pricing: It's crucial to note that prices can vary significantly based on your region. For instance, while it might be $69.99 in the US, some regions like South Asia or Europe may see converted prices that are lower or higher. Always check your local storefront for the most accurate pricing in your currency.
Sales and Discounts: Keep a keen eye out for sales! Digital games, especially those that have been out for a while, frequently go on discount during major seasonal sales (e.g., Steam Summer Sale, Winter Sale, Nintendo eShop sales). You can sometimes snag the base game for 50% off or more!
Physical vs. Digital: While primarily a digital release, you might occasionally find physical copies, particularly for the Nintendo Switch, often imported from Japan. The price for these can fluctuate based on import costs and retailer markups, but generally, the digital version is more readily available and often the more straightforward purchase.
Step 2: Navigating the World of DLC: The True Cost
Here's where the cost can start to add up. "Cardfight!! Vanguard Dear Days" (and its successor "Dear Days 2") extensively uses downloadable content (DLC) to expand the card pool, introduce new characters, and sometimes offer cosmetic items. If you want to stay competitive or experience the full breadth of the game, DLC is almost certainly a factor.
Tip: Reread sections you didn’t fully grasp.
A. Card Unlock Passes: The Core Expansion
The most significant DLC additions are typically the "Additional Card Unlock Passes" or "Card Passes." These bundles unlock a large number of booster packs and trial decks that were released in the physical card game after the base game's launch.
Pricing: These passes are generally priced in the range of $64.99 to $69.99 USD per pass. There can be multiple such passes, each covering several sets of cards. For example, "Additional Card Pass" might include Vol. 1-4, and "Additional Card Pass Vol. 2" might include Vol. 5-8, and so on.
Value Proposition: While seemingly expensive, these passes are often more cost-effective than buying individual card sets if you plan on acquiring a significant portion of the game's card library. They're designed to give you access to a large chunk of cards at a reduced rate compared to piecemeal purchases.
New Releases: Be aware that new card sets are continuously released for the physical game, and subsequently, new DLC will be released for Dear Days to match these. This means the "complete" collection is always growing!
B. Individual Card Sets: For Targeted Acquisitions
If you only want specific booster sets or individual cards to complete a particular deck, you can often purchase them separately.
Pricing: Individual card sets, usually corresponding to a specific booster pack or special collection from the physical game, typically cost around $19.99 USD.
Rare Card Sets: There are also "Rare Card Sets" that contain the rarer foil versions of cards from specific sets. These usually cost around $9.99 USD. These are primarily for cosmetic purposes or if you're a completionist.
Playsets: Some DLCs are listed as "Complete Playsets," which usually provide a full set (e.g., four copies) of all cards within a specific rarity from a booster set. These can range from $6.99 to $14.99 depending on the size and rarity distribution.
C. Character Sets and Cosmetic DLC: Personalizing Your Experience
Beyond cards, you'll find DLC that allows you to unlock additional characters to fight against (and sometimes play as), as well as character-themed sleeves and playmats.
Pricing:
Character Sets: Typically around $6.99 USD per character. These usually include the character as a fighter, a CPU opponent, and character-themed sleeves.
Character Sleeve Sets: These provide cosmetic sleeves for your cards, often featuring popular characters or artwork. They usually cost around $4.99 to $9.99 USD.
Optional Purchases: These DLCs are purely cosmetic or for expanding your opponent roster in offline play. They are not essential for competitive play or enjoying the core game mechanics.
Step 3: Calculating the "Full" Cost (and Why It's Subjective)
So, how much is Vanguard Dear Days really? The "full" cost is subjective and depends on how much content you want to access.
Tip: Don’t just scroll — pause and absorb.
A. The Base Game Only Player: Economical Entry
If you're just looking to experience the story and play with the initial card pool, your cost is simply the base game price, which is around $69.99 USD. This is a good option for newcomers or those who play very casually.
B. The Competitive Player: Investing in the Card Pool
For those who want to build competitive decks and keep up with the meta, you'll likely need the base game plus the "Additional Card Unlock Passes."
Estimated Cost (Base + Card Passes):
Base Game: ~$70
Card Pass 1: ~$65
Card Pass 2: ~$65
Subtotal for Base Game + 2 Card Passes: ~$200 USD (This doesn't account for newer passes that might be released for the latest sets.)
C. The Completionist: Unlocking Everything
If you're aiming to collect every card, every character, and every cosmetic item, the cost can escalate significantly.
Estimated Total Cost (Base + All DLC): Based on available DLC, the total cost for the original "Cardfight!! Vanguard Dear Days" game and all its associated DLC (including all card sets, rare cards, character sets, and sleeves) can easily reach over $200-$250 USD. And with "Dear Days 2" already out and releasing more content, that total for both games and their respective DLCs would be significantly higher.
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Step 4: Considering Value and Alternatives
Is the price tag for "Vanguard Dear Days" worth it? This is a common debate within the community.
QuickTip: Pause after each section to reflect.
A. Digital vs. Physical TCG: Cost Comparison
One common argument is that even with all the DLC, "Vanguard Dear Days" can still be cheaper than building multiple meta decks in the physical card game. Physical cards can be very expensive, especially for highly sought-after rare cards.
Physical TCG Cost: A single competitive physical deck can easily cost hundreds of dollars, and keeping up with new releases means continuous investment in booster packs and singles.
Dear Days Value: For a one-time (albeit hefty) digital purchase, you get access to thousands of cards, an extensive single-player mode, and online play without the ongoing cost of buying physical packs or attending tournaments that require expensive physical decks.
B. Other Digital Card Games: Free-to-Play vs. Premium
Compared to other popular digital card games like Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel or Magic: The Gathering Arena, "Vanguard Dear Days" has a much higher upfront cost. These other games are generally free-to-play with in-app purchases for packs and cosmetics.
Free-to-Play Model: In free-to-play games, you typically grind for in-game currency or spend smaller amounts over time to build your collection.
Dear Days Model: Dear Days is a premium game that requires a significant initial investment to access its content. This means no grinding for packs, but a larger lump sum payment.
Step 5: Where to Buy and How to Save
Now that you have a clearer picture of the costs, let's talk about where to buy and potential ways to save.
A. Official Digital Storefronts: Reliability and Support
Steam (PC): The most common platform for PC players. Provides regular sales and regional pricing.
Nintendo eShop (Nintendo Switch): The official digital store for Switch users. Also participates in sales events.
Tip: Read in a quiet space for focus.
B. Third-Party Key Resellers: Proceed with Caution
You might find game keys on third-party websites like G2A or Kinguin at lower prices. Exercise caution when using these sites. While you might find good deals, there's always a risk of invalid keys or other issues. Always research the seller's reputation before purchasing.
C. Waiting for Sales: Patience is a Virtue
As mentioned before, sales are your best friend if you're looking to save money. The base game and even some DLCs frequently go on discount. Add the game and desired DLCs to your wishlist on Steam or Nintendo eShop to get notifications when they go on sale.
D. Consider the "Dear Days 2" Release: Future-Proofing
"Cardfight!! Vanguard Dear Days 2" has been announced and is in the process of releasing. This new game aims to incorporate all the cards from the first game (including its DLCs) plus new sets.
Strategic Purchase: If you're new to the digital Vanguard experience, it might be more cost-effective in the long run to wait for "Dear Days 2" to have a significant card pool available, or to purchase "Dear Days 2" directly instead of investing heavily in the original "Dear Days" and all its DLC. "Dear Days 2" on launch will include everything from Dear Days 1 and its DLCs, along with new sets.
Check for Bundles: Keep an eye out for bundles that might include the base game and several DLCs together, often at a reduced price compared to buying them individually.
Frequently Asked Questions about "Cardfight!! Vanguard Dear Days" Pricing:
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to the cost of Vanguard Dear Days, with quick answers:
How to check the current price of Vanguard Dear Days?
Quick Answer: Open the Steam store page (for PC) or the Nintendo eShop (for Switch) and search for "Cardfight!! Vanguard Dear Days." The current price will be displayed.
How to save money on Vanguard Dear Days?
Quick Answer: Wait for sales events on Steam or the Nintendo eShop, as the game and its DLCs frequently go on discount.
How to get all cards in Vanguard Dear Days without buying individual DLCs?
Quick Answer: Purchase the "Additional Card Unlock Pass" bundles. These passes cover multiple card sets at a potentially lower overall price than buying each set individually.
How to know if a specific card set is included in the base game or DLC?
Quick Answer: Check the product description of the base game and each "Additional Card Unlock Pass" on the digital storefronts. They usually list the included sets.
How to determine if buying DLC is necessary for online play?
Quick Answer: While the base game allows online play, you'll need the relevant card DLCs to build competitive decks that utilize the latest cards and strategies against other players.
How to compare the cost of Dear Days to the physical Cardfight!! Vanguard TCG?
Quick Answer: Factor in the cost of physical booster boxes, individual singles, and potential tournament entry fees for the physical TCG. Dear Days, even with all DLC, is often cheaper for a comprehensive card collection.
How to tell the difference between "Vanguard Dear Days" and "Vanguard Dear Days 2" in terms of pricing?
Quick Answer: "Dear Days 2" is a separate game that is expected to include all content from the original "Dear Days" and its DLCs, along with newer sets. Its base price may be similar, but its DLC structure will likely continue to expand with new sets.
How to find information on upcoming DLCs and their prices?
Quick Answer: Check the official "Cardfight!! Vanguard Dear Days" website or the news sections on Steam and Nintendo eShop. Game developers often announce upcoming DLC.
How to get free content in Vanguard Dear Days?
Quick Answer: Occasionally, certain character sets or trial decks might be offered as free downloads for a limited time, or as permanent free additions. Keep an eye on announcements.
How to avoid overspending on Vanguard Dear Days DLC?
Quick Answer: Prioritize your purchases. If you're a casual player, the base game might suffice. If you're competitive, focus on the "Additional Card Unlock Passes" first, and only consider cosmetic DLC if it's truly important to you.
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