Star Realms Colony Wars Display: Buying Guide
By Wise Wizard Games Store | Published: 2026-10-27
Category: Buying Guides
Decide if the Colony Wars Display is right for your collection. Compare contents, standalone play, and value vs. the base game in this concise buying guide.
Quick answer
The Star Realms Colony Wars Display is a strong buy if you want a standalone 2-player experience with new factions and strategies, or if you plan to combine it with the original game for larger matches. It's less ideal if you already own the base game and only play 1v1.
Standalone vs. expansion: what that means for you
Colony Wars works as a complete 2-player game right out of the box, so you don't need the original Star Realms to play. This makes it a great entry point for new players who want a fresh start with different faction cards. If you already own the base game, you can shuffle the two sets together to support 3-4 players, effectively turning Colony Wars into an expansion.
What's inside the display
The Colony Wars Display of 6 contains six individual Colony Wars decks. Each deck includes the same 80-card set designed for two players. If you're running a game night or a small tournament, buying the display gives you enough copies for multiple tables without needing to purchase separate boxes.
Value comparison: display vs. single box
At a catalog price of USD 71.24 (compared to USD 107.94), the display offers a significant per-unit discount over buying six individual boxes. If you only need one copy, a single box is the cheaper upfront choice. The display makes sense only when you need multiple copies or plan to give them as gifts.
Decision rules
- Buy the display if: You need multiple copies for a game group, club, or event. The per-box discount makes it more economical than buying singles.
- Buy a single box if: You only play 1v1 with a friend or partner. A single Colony Wars box gives you the full standalone experience at a lower upfront cost.
- Skip Colony Wars if: You already own the original Star Realms base game and only play 2-player games. The base game's card pool is similar in size, and you won't gain new mechanics or a larger player count. Consider the Star Realms Frontiers or United packs instead for a different mix of cards and strategies.
Product facts
- Star Realms Colony Wars Display of 6: Designed by Hall of Famers Rob Dougherty and Darwin Kastle, Colony Wars can be played as a stand-alone 2 player game or combined with the original Star Realms Deckbuilding Game to support an additional 1-2 players. This flexibility means you can start fresh with Colony Wars or merge it with your existing collection for larger games, without buying a separate expansion.
Star Realms Colony Wars Display of 6
Who should buy this
Best for
- New players who want a complete 2-player deckbuilding game without buying the original
- Existing Star Realms fans who want to expand to 3-4 players by combining Colony Wars with the base game
- Organizers running game nights or tournaments who need multiple copies at a discount
Not for
- Solo players or those who only play digital versions
- Collectors who already own the base game and only play 1v1 (the card pools overlap in function)
