Trails of Cold Steel 3 improves on the previous Cold Steel games’ card mini-game, Blade, with a much expanded, more strategic card game called Vantage Masters. The game goes in-depth about how to play Vantage Masters early on, but what it doesn’t tell you is how many card types you can collect, how to get the cards, and what happens when you do.
There are 34 Vantage Masters card types in total. If you collect at least one of each type, then successfully defeat Orie in a Vantage Masters match at the Vander Training Hall in Heimdallr, you win the Chevalier Master Quartz. Chevalier is one of the best Master Quartz in the game, with highly useful arts, stat augments, and abilities all around.
This guide shows you how and where to get all the VM cards, including all of the possible Vantage Masters opponents and when you can (and should) challenge them to a match. It’s divided into two sections, one detailing cards earned through Vantage Masters matches and cards you can purchase outright.
There are a couple of points to make before getting into the nitty-gritty about who you can challenge to Vantage Masters, though.
Most main characters (Branch Campus characters, Class VII, and other important characters) can be challenged in Heimdallr towards the end of the game, should you either miss their initial challenge or lose and not feel like trying again.
Those who are location specific, like random people you’ll meet during your Field Exercises, cannot be challenged to a rematch. However, the reward you would have gotten from winning against them is usually available in the Neinvalli Exchange Bargain Bin in Leeves at the beginning of the next chapter.
Chapter 1 Vantage Masters Opponents
April 16 (Leeves)
Zach
- Where: Carnegie Book and Game in Leeves (this is your first VM match and is a tutorial)
- Reward: Magic Crystal
- Available in the Bargain Bin: Yes
Rachel
- Where: Carnegie Book and Game
- Reward: D-Alma
- Available in the Bargain Bin: Yes
Rachel is a challenging opponent, but she can be challenged any of your free days in Leeves, so you don’t have to defeat her immediately.
Sydney (Evening)
- Where: Thors Branch Campus Clubhouse
- Reward: Hepitus
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Dreichels Square, Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
April 21-23 (Saint-Ark)
Juna
Juna is only available on the night trip aboard the Derfflinger. Once you arrive at the Ex Camp, you can’t challenge her again. Even though you can try for a rematch in Chapter 4, Ranger is a very useful Master card to have, so it’s best to go ahead and challenge her on the Derfflinger.
- Where: Derfflinger Car 3
- Reward: Ranger
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Karel Imperial Villa, outside Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
Celestin
- Where: Marquis Hyarms’ Mansion
- Reward: Guene-Foss
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Heimdallr Cathedral (Chapter 4)
Clover
- Where: Parm
- Reward: Zamilpen
- Available in the Bargain Bin: Yes
- Rematch: No
Chapter 2 Vantage Masters Opponents
May 13 (Thors Branch Campus)
Major Michael Irving
- Where: Branch Campus Cafeteria
- Reward: Wall
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Future Ex Camps or Rieveldt and Co., Reica Sector of Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
May 14 (Leeves)
Luise
- Where: Recette Bakery and Cafe
- Reward: Dullmdaler
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Karel Imperial Villa, outside Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
Munk (Evening)
- Where: Outside Barney’s Tavern
- Reward: Uptide
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Dreichels Square, Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
May 19 (Aboard the Derfflinger)
Kurt
- Where: Derfflinger Car 4
- Reward: Knight
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Dreichels Square, Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
May 20 (Crossbell)
Wendy (Morning)
- Where: Orbal Store Genten (Crossbell Central Square)
- Reward: Da-Colm
- Available in the Bargain Bin: Yes
- Rematch: No
Xin (Afternoon)
The time transition for this one is a bit vague, but the afternoon of May 20 is basically after you meet with the Epstein Foundation Chief at the RF Group building and deal with one of the investigation missions on Ursula Highway.
- Where: Heiyue Trading Company (Crossbell Harbor District)
- Reward: Currier Bell
- Available in the Bargain Bin: Yes
- Rematch: No
Chapter 3 Vantage Masters Opponents
June 10 (Leeves)
Maya
- Where: Recette Bakery and Cafe
- Reward: Ae-Ferrion
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Le Sage Boutique on Vainqueur Street in Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
June 11 (Branch Campus)
Stark (Morning/Afternoon)
- Where: Branch Campus Cooperative Store
- Reward: Thief
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Lucien Cafe in Heimdallr’s Reica Sector
Randy (Evening)
- Where: Branch Campus computer room, second floor
- Reward: Oonevievle
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Vainqueur Street in Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
June 16 (Derfflinger)
Altina
- Where: Derfflinger Car 3
- Reward: Vanish
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Foresta Inn on Westa Street in Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
June 17 (Ordis and Raquel)
Mimika
- Where: Outside Alisha Casino in Raquel
- Reward: Gia-Bro
- Available in the Bargain Bin: Yes
- Rematch: No
Setsuna
- Where: Egret Mansion in Ordis’ North Street
- Reward: Amoltamiss
- Available in the Bargain Bin: Yes
- Rematch: No
Chapter 4 Vantage Masters Opponents
July 8 (Leeves)
Musse (Evening)
- Location: Branch Campus Dormitory, second floor
- Reward: Tarbss
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Le Sage Boutique on Vainqueur Street in Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
July 9 (Leeves/Branch Campus)
Rosine (Morning/Afternoon)
- Location: Leeves Chapel
- Reward: Fifenall
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Heimdallr Cathedral (Chapter 4)
Dr. Schmidt (Evening)
- Location: Branch Campus Hangar
- Reward: Witch
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Imperial Museum in Heimdallr’s Reica Sector (Chapter 4)
July 15 (Derfflinger and Heimdallr)
Ash
- Location: Derfflinger Car 3
- Reward: Greon
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Imperial Racecourse in Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
Freddy (Afternoon)
- Location: Westa Street in Heimdallr
- Reward: Neptune
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Herschel’s General Store on Westa Street in Heimdallr (Chapter 4)
July 16 (Heimdallr)
Jingo (Morning)
- Location: Watson Armory on Vainqueuer Street in Heimdallr
- Reward: Swordsman
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Heimdallr Airport (Chapter 4)
July 17 (Heimdallr)
Orie — Final Opponent (Afternoon)
- Location: Vander Training Hall in Heimdallr’s Reica Sector
- Reward: Chevalier Master Quartz; if you win and challenge Orie again, you get Dragon Incense for winning
- Available in the Bargain Bin: No
- Rematch: Same place, but do it on the same day; July 17 is the last time you can freely chart your own course in the game.
Vantage Masters Cards You Can Buy
These are all of the Vantage Masters cards you can purchase. All of these cards are initially available at the Carnegie Books and Games store in Leeves, the day you first pick up Vantage Masters (April 16). However, they’re also available at any general store throughout the game.
Sister
- Cost: 700 Mira
Medic
- Cost: 200 Mira
Conjurate
- Cost: 1,000 Mira
Marme
- Cost: 500 Mira
If you’ve been counting, you’ll notice all this adds up to only 28 cards, not 34. That’s because the remaining six are the cards you automatically start with in your first Vantage Masters deck.
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That’s it for how to find all the Vantage Masters cards and get one of the best Master Quartz in Cold Steel 3. Be sure to check out our other Trails of Cold Steel 3 guides for other tips and tricks to make the most of your return to Erebonia.
