Choose the resource loop you want to manage

Playstack describes commanders as different combinations of abilities, perks, artifact synergies and XP scaling. The official spotlights below explain those identities; they were published before launch, so check the current tooltip before relying on a precise balance value. This is a playstyle reference, not a performance tier list. The opposing StarVaders pilots can disrupt the plan, which makes a commander’s resource loop only one part of a run.

Captain: spend Budge or preserve it

The Captain spotlight gives The Mothership one Budge at turn start and artifact XP when a pair scores in its column. Monocle lets a lone Base Die count as a pair. Rocketship rewards spending Budge with random unit STR, while Bunker rewards saved Budge with Mult at turn start. These point in different directions: decide whether the current plan needs an immediate value adjustment or a saved-resource payoff. The spotlight describes the choices; it does not rank them across runs.

Blob Girl: turn Mini Dice into repeated value

The Blob Girl spotlight centers on Mini Dice. Amalgram generates them and gives artifact XP in a scoring Mini Die’s column. Oozone adds their Dice Power; Acid Town scores a random unit elsewhere after Mini Dice score in its column. Blob Cutter raises Mini Dice power but restricts their values to 1, 2 and 3, while Slusho Max adds Mult after Base Dice score. With the restriction, check that the columns you want to activate still fit the available values.

The Core: build around Kraken launches

The Core spotlight adds a Kraken Base Die and gives artifact XP in its launch column. Hydra Head adds another Kraken die; Bone Eater grows bottom-unit STR on launches, and Cavities rewards units scored during Kraken scoring. Lone Dragon instead rewards a Kraken die alone in its column, while Dread Knot rewards quadruples. A lone-die plan and a matching-group plan ask for different arrangements; inspect the condition before committing to one.

Riftmaker: make occupied columns matter

The official Riftmaker spotlight says Rift faces count as extra dice across occupied dice columns. A launch provides Chrono and XP to every artifact. Rift Nova adds Rift Dice Power; Gamma Ray triggers a random artifact when a Rift is rolled. Mass Relay converts matching Base Dice to Rift faces and rewards a triple Rift launch. The practical distinction is between rolling a Rift and launching the required combination—do not treat those as the same trigger.

Whisperer: leave room for the Apple

The Whisperer spotlight spawns an Apple on a random empty tile at turn start if none is present. Pair-scoring destroys it for Mini Dice, and destroying it gives artifact XP. Keep the empty-space requirement in mind when filling the board. Big Apple grows its STR; Wormfection spawns Worms when it is destroyed, while Whalefall transfers part of a destroyed unit’s STR. The perk choice changes what you want to preserve before the sacrifice.

Duchess: shields and a fourth row

The Duchess spotlight adds a fourth row and chess units. Spawning a non-Token unit gives it a shield and grants XP to its column artifact. Stone Chisel produces Pawns and rewards their presence. Blitz Armor spends a scored unit’s shield for Budge and Mult; Tableflipper activates bottom-row On Bought or On Spawn abilities at turn start. If using the bottom-row interaction, put the relevant ability there instead of assuming every row receives it.

Exalted: watch the artifact level threshold

The Exalted spotlight triggers artifacts at level three or below when they level up, and Base Dice triples give artifact XP. Dark Medal shifts that starter condition to level four and above. Broken Lens makes pairs count as triples while starting Base Dice cracked. Golden Halo expands adjacency, and Red Spice lowers the left artifact’s level by two at turn end, doubling Mult if it succeeds. A level-changing effect can move an artifact into or out of the condition your plan needs.

Hex Prince: collect and replace Honey

The official Hex Prince spotlight places Honey in columns; collecting it with Base Dice supplies money and artifact XP. Royal Jelly adds Mini Dice and lets them collect Honey. Flower Pot replaces Honey after a triple and temporarily improves shop rarity. Flying Stinger rewards the last Honey collected, while Sugar Cube increases Base Dice power in Honey columns. Check whether the chosen effect cares about collection, the last collection or the next refill.

Blood Beast: align destruction with BEAST MODE

In the Blood Beast spotlight, destroying a non-Token unit gives Rage and artifact XP. Rage matching Hearts activates BEAST MODE, with extra Base Dice power, automatic rolls, free-of-Heart-cost cursed shop items and Blood Sacrifice. Rage resets after three turns. Mark of the Beast exchanges the extra power for rolls fixed at six; Two Wolves doubles unit STR gains during the mode. Time the intended benefit around the active mode instead of assuming it is permanent.

Overseer: evaluate the offered pair

The official Overseer spotlight offers one commander from each side of a randomized selection screen. Convergence combines their starter perks and unique abilities, while target defense grows faster. Assess the two offered resource loops together. The announcement does not establish a fixed pair that will always be available, nor a ranked list of combinations.

Sources

Sources checked October 4, 2026. Player reports remain attributed; this site has not performed the gameplay tests.