How to Sleeve Star Realms Rise of Empire Cards for Long-Term Play

Quick answer

Use 67mm x 92mm sleeves for Star Realms Rise of Empire cards, and sleeve the entire campaign deck before you open the first envelope. This keeps every card in identical condition and avoids marked-card issues during the 12-scenario legacy run.

Step-by-step sleeving process

1. Count every card before you buy sleeves: Separate all cards in the Rise of Empire box, including the 60-card main deck and any campaign-specific cards, and write down the total. Divide by 60 and round up to know how many sleeve packs you need. Add 5–10 extra sleeves for replacements; a split sleeve during a campaign is easier to swap if you have spares.
2. Check the sleeve size against a card: Take one card and slide it into a single sleeve. It should go in smoothly with about 1–2mm of sleeve extending past the card edge on all sides. If the card bows or the corner catches, the sleeve is too tight. Never force a card; a tight sleeve can bend corners before you even play.
3. Sleeve in small batches, not the whole pile at once: Work through 10–15 cards at a time. Hold the sleeve open with two fingers and let the card drop in rather than pushing it. Tap the card down so it sits flush against the bottom edge. Sleeving in batches reduces static buildup and keeps you from accidentally creasing a card in a rushed pile.
4. Keep the campaign deck and starting deck separate: As you sleeve, sort cards into the starting personal decks, the campaign deck, and any oversized cards. Do not sleeve oversized cards in standard sleeves; check whether they need a larger sleeve or can stay unsleeved. Mixing unsleeved and sleeved cards in one shuffle creates height differences that can reveal card identity.
5. Break in the sleeves with a light shuffle: After sleeving, shuffle each deck gently 5–6 times. New gloss sleeves can be slippery and cause cards to slide apart. If a deck feels too slick, shuffle it a few more times or store it under a light weight overnight. Slippery sleeves are normal; do not double-sleeve to fix it, as that changes deck thickness.
6. Store sleeved cards flat and away from heat: Keep the campaign deck in a deck box or the original insert if it fits. Avoid leaving sleeved cards in a hot car or direct sunlight, because PVC sleeves can soften and warp at high temperatures. Check the insert fit before the campaign starts; if the lid lifts, use a separate deck box.

Products that help

• Star Realms Rise of Empire: Standalone 2–6 player game that starts as a 12-scenario legacy campaign and remains playable as a customized set afterward. Because the same cards return after the campaign, protecting them during the legacy run preserves both the campaign experience and long-term replay value.

  

• Star Realms Sleeves (Pack of 60) Each: 60-count pack of 67mm x 92mm plastic sleeves with a gloss finish, PVC and acid free. The size fits Star Realms cards, and the acid-free material avoids long-term chemical damage; buy enough packs to cover your full card count.