If you’re looking to maximize your income in Anime Card Collection, understanding the card grading system is absolutely essential. As someone who has spent countless hours perfecting my collection, I can tell you that grading separates casual players from true masters. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about card grading, from basic mechanics to advanced strategies that will skyrocket your earnings.
Quick Overview: Card Grading at a Glance
| Grade Tier | Income Multiplier | Recommended Target | Cost Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 1.0x | Skip | Very Poor |
| E | 1.15x | Skip | Poor |
| D | 1.25x | Skip | Poor |
| C | 1.5x | Skip | Below Average |
| B | 2.0x | Consider | Average |
| A | 3.0x | EXCELLENT | Excellent |
| S | 5.0x | Endgame | Good |
| S+ | 7.5x | Endgame | Fair |
| SS | 10.0x | Ultimate | Poor (cost vs reward) |
Understanding the Card Grading System
What Is Card Grading?
Card grading is a fundamental feature in Anime Card Collection that dramatically increases your cards’ earning potential. When you grade a card, you’re essentially assigning it a quality rating that directly impacts how much passive income it generates. The system uses grades ranging from F (lowest) to SS (highest), with each tier providing progressively better multipliers to your card’s base income.
Pro Tip: Grading doesn’t change your card’s appearance or rarity – it’s purely an income-boosting mechanic that makes your collection work harder for you.
Where to Find the Card Grading Machine?
The Card Grading Machine is strategically located at the end of the conveyor belt where card packs spawn at your base. You’ll recognize it by its distinctive design with an empty slot in the center where you insert cards for grading. This machine becomes available very early in the game, so you can start using it as soon as you accumulate some spare cash.
Location Details:
- Position: End of the conveyor belt system
- Accessibility: Available from the start
- Visual: Clear slot for card insertion
- Nearby: Pack spawning area and upgrades
Step-by-Step Card Grading Process
How to Grade Your Cards?
The grading process is straightforward but requires strategic thinking:
- Click the empty slot in the Card Grading Machine
- Select a card from your collection that you want to grade
- Choose your payment method – either in-game money or premium Grade Tokens
- Confirm the grading attempt and wait for the result
- Evaluate the result – decide whether to keep or regrade
Payment Methods Explained
You have two options for paying for grading attempts:
In-Game Money:
- Earned through card income and gameplay
- More accessible for early-game players
- No real money required
- Best for regular grading attempts
Grade Tokens:
- Premium currency purchased with Robux
- Can sometimes be found scattered across the map
- More valuable for endgame grading
- Limited availability
Grade Tiers and Multipliers: Complete Breakdown
Understanding Each Grade Level
Based on my extensive testing and community data, here’s exactly what each grade means for your income:
F Grade (1.0x Multiplier):
- Essentially no boost to base income
- Common result from early grading attempts
- Generally not worth keeping unless you’re extremely early game
E Grade (1.15x Multiplier):
- Minimal improvement over base
- Still not worth the investment for most players
- Better to regrade unless you’re completely broke
D Grade (1.25x Multiplier):
- Slight improvement but still underwhelming
- Consider regrading if you can afford it
- Only keep if you need to conserve funds
C Grade (1.5x Multiplier):
- Starting to show meaningful improvement
- Might be acceptable for very early game cards
- Still recommend regrading for better returns
B Grade (2.0x Multiplier):
- First genuinely useful grade tier
- Doubles your card’s base income
- Consider keeping for temporary cards
A Grade (3.0x Multiplier):
- SWEET SPOT for most players
- Excellent return on investment
- Usually achievable within 10-15 attempts
- Recommended stopping point for most cards
S Grade (5.0x Multiplier):
- Significant income boost
- Worth pursuing for permanent cards
- May require 20-30 attempts on average
- Great for endgame income generation
S+ Grade (7.5x Multiplier):
- Rare and valuable
- Excellent for your best income cards
- Very expensive to achieve consistently
- Best reserved for top-tier cards
SS Grade (10.0x Multiplier):
- Ultimate achievement in grading
- Maximum possible income boost
- Extremely rare and expensive
- Usually not worth the cost unless you’re swimming in cash
Strategic Grading: Which Cards to Grade First
Priority System for Card Selection
Not all cards are created equal when it comes to grading. Here’s my tested priority system:
Tier 1: Must-Grade Cards
- High-level cards with multiple duplicates
- Cards with material mutations (Gold, Emerald, Void, Diamond, Rainbow)
- Your highest base income cards
- Permanent collection cards you won’t replace
Tier 2: Consider Grading
- Mid-tier cards with good income potential
- Cards you plan to use for extended periods
- Cards with decent mutation multipliers
Tier 3: Skip Grading
- Early game cards you’ll replace quickly
- Low base income cards
- Temporary filler cards
- Cards with poor mutation or no mutation
The Math Behind Grading Decisions
Here’s a simple formula I use to determine if a card is worth grading:
If (Base Income × Grade Multiplier × Grading Cost) > (Alternative Investment Returns)
In practical terms, focus on cards that will generate enough additional income to justify the grading investment within a reasonable timeframe.
Advanced Grading Strategies
The “A-Grade Strategy”
After extensive testing, I’ve found that stopping at A-grade is the most efficient approach for 90% of cards:
Why A-Grade Works:
- Achievable within 15 attempts (average)
- 3x multiplier provides excellent returns
- Cost-effective compared to higher grades
- Faster progression to other upgrades
When to Push Beyond A:
- You have massive income reserves
- The card is permanent and high-value
- You’re specifically targeting S+ or SS for showcase purposes
- You have excess Grade Tokens to burn
Timing Your Grading Sessions
Best Times to Grade:
- After upgrading Pack Hatch Time – maintains steady income flow
- During income peaks – when you have cash surplus
- Before major purchases – to maximize available funds
- After achieving mutation goals – to maximize combined effects
When to Avoid Grading:
- Early game progression – focus on pack acquisition first
- During income droughts – conserve cash for essential purchases
- Before major upgrades – prioritize core progression
- When saving for specific goals – avoid impulse grading
Common Grading Mistakes to Avoid
Costly Errors I’ve Made (So You Don’t Have To)
1. Grading Too Early
- Don’t grade cards you’ll replace quickly
- Focus on building your collection first
- Wait until you have stable income
2. Chasing SS Grades Prematurely
- The cost-to-benefit ratio is poor for most players
- SS grades are more for showcase than practicality
- Better to have multiple A-grades than one SS
3. Ignoring Mutation Synergy
- Always grade cards with material mutations first
- Rainbow + SS = incredible but extremely expensive
- Gold + A = excellent early game combination
4. Poor Resource Management
- Don’t spend all your cash on grading
- Maintain balance between grading and pack purchases
- Keep emergency funds for opportunities
Maximizing Grading Efficiency
Pro Tips from the Community
Token Management:
- Save Grade Tokens for your best cards
- Look for tokens scattered around the map
- Consider token purchases during sales events
- Use tokens for high-value grading attempts
Income Optimization:
- Grade cards during peak income periods
- Combine grading with other income multipliers
- Time grading sessions with lucky streaks
- Use potions to boost income during grading investments
Card Selection Strategy:
- Focus on cards with the highest base income
- Prioritize mutated cards for maximum returns
- Consider the card’s long-term value
- Factor in duplication levels for compound benefits
Integration with Other Game Systems
Grading and Mutations: Perfect Partners
The real magic happens when you combine grading with the mutation system:
Mutation Multipliers:
- Gold: 3x base income
- Emerald: 5x base income
- Void: 10x base income
- Diamond: 25x base income
- Rainbow: 70x base income
Combined Effects: When you add grading to mutations, the multipliers stack multiplicatively. For example:
- Rainbow mutation (70x) + A-grade (3x) = 210x total multiplier!
- Diamond mutation (25x) + S-grade (5x) = 125x total multiplier!
Grading and Upgrades: Strategic Balance
Upgrade Priority System:
- Pack Hatch Time – Faster progression
- Mutation Chance – Better card quality
- Card Grading – Income optimization
- Walk Speed – Convenience (lowest priority)
Resource Allocation:
- 40% to pack acquisition
- 30% to upgrades
- 20% to grading
- 10% emergency reserve
FAQ’s
Q: Why am I getting only low grades?
A: Grading is partially random. Focus on A-grade as your target, and don’t chase higher grades unless you have excess resources.
Q: Should I regrade my SS card?
A: Never! SS is the maximum grade. Any regrade will replace it with a lower grade.
Q: How many attempts does grading usually take?
A: On average: F-C grades (1-5 attempts), B-A grades (5-15 attempts), S-SS grades (20-50+ attempts).
Q: Is it worth using Robux for Grade Tokens?
A: Only if you’re an endgame player with excess resources. For most players, regular cash grading is more efficient.
Q: What’s the best strategy for new players?
A: Focus on pack acquisition and basic upgrades first. Start grading once you have stable income and 10+ cards.
Q: Should I grade all my cards?
A: No! Focus on your top 5-10 income producers. Spreading resources too thinly hurts progression.
Q: How do I know when to stop grading a card?
A: Stop at A-grade for most cards. Only push higher for your absolute best income generators.
Community Resources and Updates
Stay Connected with the Community
For the latest strategies and community insights, check out these resources:
- Traveling Merchant Guide for additional income opportunities
- Join the official Discord server for real-time trading and tips
- Follow the developer Crew Simulators for update announcements
- Participate in community events for bonus rewards
Future Updates and Meta Changes
The grading system evolves with game updates. Stay informed about:
- New grade tiers or mechanics
- Balance changes to multipliers
- Special events with grading bonuses
- New mutation types that affect grading strategy
Conclusion
Card grading in Anime Card Collection is both an art and a science. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll maximize your income efficiency and progress faster than players who ignore this crucial system.
Key Takeaways:
- Aim for A-grade on most cards for best ROI
- Prioritize high-value, mutated cards
- Balance grading with other progression systems
- Don’t chase SS grades unless you’re endgame
- Always consider the cost-to-benefit ratio
Remember, the goal isn’t just to have the highest grades—it’s to build the most efficient income-generating collection possible. Grade smart, not hard, and watch your collection grow exponentially.
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