Picture this: You’ve just unlocked a powerful new character in Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes. The excitement is real. But then you see it—the mountain of gear, the scarce shards, the long road to making them viable. This is the moment many commanders open the SWGOH store, the game’s bustling digital bazaar. It’s where resources are traded, fortunes are spent, and rosters are forged. But with so many tabs, currencies, and flashing “DEAL!” signs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Is that 2,999 Crystal bundle truly worth it? Should you spend your precious Guild Event Tokens on gear or characters?
This isn’t just a shop; it’s a strategic hub. Missteps can cost you weeks of progress, while smart choices can accelerate your journey to the top of the squad arena. Let’s dive in and turn this complex marketplace into your greatest strategic asset.
A Tour of the Galactic Marketplace: Understanding the Store’s Layout
Walking into the SWGOH store can feel like stepping into the Mos Eisley Cantina—it’s full of interesting characters and opportunities, but you need to know what you’re looking for. The store is neatly divided into several key sections, each catering to a different aspect of your galactic journey.
Think of it like a shopping mall. You have the main concourse with daily specials (Featured), a dedicated electronics store for specific gear (Shipments), and a members-only section for the top-tier guild members (Guild Events). Knowing which “store” to visit for your needs is half the battle.
The primary sections you’ll interact with are:
- Featured: This is the flashy front window. Here, you’ll find timed bundles, crystal packs, and special offers that change regularly. It’s designed to catch your eye and open your wallet.
- Shipments: The core of the store. This is where you use your hard-earned currencies to purchase character shards, gear, and other essential items from a semi-permanent stock.
- Guild Events: A specialized tab reserved for those who are active in a guild. The gear and characters here are some of the best in the game, but they require a specific currency earned through guild activities.
- Fleet Arena: Your gateway to powerful ships and their commanders, accessible once you progress far enough in the Fleet Arena mode.
- Squad Arena: An early-game staple for building your core team of characters.
The Currency Exchange: Knowing Your Credits from Your Crystals
In any economy, you need to understand the money. The SWGOH store operates on a multi-currency system, and each type has a different value and acquisition method. Spending the right currency on the right item is the cornerstone of smart gameplay.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main currencies you’ll be juggling:
| Currency | How to Get It | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Credits | Galactic War, Challenges, Daily Login | Leveling up characters, purchasing low-tier gear and mods from shipments. |
| Crystals | Squad Arena rank, Daily Objectives, Purchasing | Energy refreshes (the #1 priority), buying high-value gear and character shards. |
| GET3 (Guild Event Tokens 3) | Guild Events & Activities | Exclusively for Kyrotech and other high-end gear in the Guild Events store. |
| GET2 | Guild Events (older) | Capital Ships, Malevolence, Negotiator, and rare characters like Darth Malak. |
| Squad Arena Tokens | Squad Arena rank | Core characters like Grand Master Yoda, Princess Leia, and specific gear. |
| Fleet Arena Tokens | Fleet Arena rank | Zeta materials, Ship blueprints, and characters like General Kenobi. |
| Cantina Battles Tokens | Cantina Battles | Character shards, Ability Materials, and Chromium Data Cards. |
Pro-Tip: Never, ever spend Crystals on Credits. It’s one of the most inefficient trades in the game. Credits may feel scarce early on, but they become more plentiful over time, while Crystals are your most versatile and precious resource.
Strategic Spending: A Commander’s Guide to Value
Now for the million-credit question: What should you actually buy? The answer changes as you progress, but a few golden rules always apply.
Early Game (Levels 1-85): Building Your Foundation
Your goal here is to build a solid, synergistic team that can carry you through the early stages. Your spending should reflect that.
- Squad Arena Store: Focus on a core character. For many, that’s Princess Leia for a Rebel team or Grand Moff Tarkin for an Empire squad. Stick with one until you have them at 7 stars.
- Guild Store: Don’t ignore this! Start buying Darth Vader shards as soon as they appear. He is a free, powerful legendary character unlocked through achievements, and his shards are purchased here.
- Cantina Store: Ahsoka Tano is a fantastic early-game character who remains relevant in the late game. She’s a great first choice.
- Crystals: Use these almost exclusively for energy refreshes. Spend 50 crystals on Cantina Energy and 50 on Normal Energy refreshes daily. This is the single best way to accelerate your progress and farm more character shards and gear.
Mid to Late Game (Level 85+): Gearing for the Endgame
You’ve hit the level cap. Now the real grind begins. Your focus shifts from starring up characters to gearing them to the highest levels (Gear 13 and Relics).
- The Golden Rule of GET3: Spend Guild Event Tokens 3 (GET3) ONLY on Kyrotech Shock Prod and Kyrotech Battle Computer prototypes. These gear pieces are the single biggest bottleneck for gearing modern characters. It is a catastrophic waste to spend GET3 on anything else until your roster is overflowing with these items.
- Fleet Arena Store: This becomes your primary source for Zeta materials. Once you have a steady income, a Zeta ability can completely transform a character. Prioritize this over everything else in this store.
- Shipments: This tab becomes a vital source for specific, hard-to-farm gear. Need 5 more Stun Cuffs to finish a character? The Shipments tab is often your best friend, though it will cost you Crystals. Be selective.
- Featured Bundles: Tread carefully. Most bundles are not good value. The general rule of thumb is that bundles offering high-demand gear (like Kyrotech) or rare character shards for a reasonable Crystal price can be worthwhile. Always ask yourself: “Can I farm this reliably elsewhere? How much time is this saving me?”
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Even veteran commanders can make costly mistakes. Let’s correct some common misconceptions.
- “This bundle is 50% off! It must be a good deal.” Not necessarily. A discount on an overpriced item is still a bad deal. Always evaluate the contents based on your current needs and farming capabilities.
- “I’ll just use Crystals to buy this character to 7 stars.” This is a classic “whale” tactic. For Free-to-Play or low-spending players, this is a surefire way to drain your resources with little to show for it. Patience is a virtue in SWGOH.
- “I have 5,000 GET3, surely I can buy a character shard or two.” Resist this temptation! The gear you can buy with GET3 is time-gated and slows your progress on every single character you gear. Character shards are farmable; Kyrotech is not.
- Spreading Resources Too Thin: Don’t buy one character shard from one store, then switch to another. Pick a target character from each store and see it through to 7 stars. This focused approach yields results much faster.
Conclusion: Becoming a Savvy Galactic Trader
Mastering the SWGOH store is less about impulse buys and more about disciplined, long-term strategy. It’s the engine that can power your roster to new heights, but only if you know how to fuel it correctly.
Your Key Takeaways:
- Prioritize Energy: Crystals are best spent on daily energy refreshes.
- Specialize Your Currencies: Know which currency to use where, and never spend GET3 on anything but Kyrotech.
- Focus Fire: Pick one character per store and farm them to completion.
- Beware the Bundle: Evaluate every “deal” with a critical eye towards your actual needs.
The store is a tool. Use it wisely, and you’ll build a roster that can challenge the mightiest guilds and conquer the toughest territory battles. What’s the first strategic purchase you’re going to make?
You May Also Read: Does Call of Duty Require Secure Boot? A Complete Secure Boot Guide for Gamers
FAQs
What is the single best thing to buy with Crystals in the SWGOH store?
For the vast majority of players, the 50-Crystal Normal and Cantina energy refreshes are the best value, as they accelerate all your other farming.
I’m F2P (Free-to-Play). Should I ever buy bundles?
It’s very rare. F2P players should almost exclusively use Crystals for energy refreshes. The only exceptions might be incredibly high-value gear bundles that would take months to farm otherwise.
What’s the biggest mistake new players make in the store?
Two big ones: spending Crystals on Credits, and spreading their various tokens across too many different characters instead of focusing on one per store.
Is the “Hyperdrive Bundle” worth it?
For a new or mid-level player, the Hyperdrive Bundle is widely considered the most valuable purchase in the game’s history. It provides a massive jump in progress. For end-game players, its value diminishes significantly.
When should I start buying Zeta materials from the Fleet Arena store?
As soon as you consistently earn a high enough rank in Fleet Arena to afford them without sacrificing the farming of important ships like Hound’s Tooth.
Are the ” shipments ” that cost Credits worth buying?
Yes, absolutely. The gear available for Credits is often a bottleneck in the early game. Clean them out daily if you can afford it.
What should I spend my GET2 (Guild Event Tokens 2) on?
The top priorities are the Capital Ships Negotiator and Malevolence, followed by legendary characters like Darth Malak and General Skywalker if you have them unlocked.
