Cash Shop Guide for Umamusume: Pretty Derby

Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a super fun gacha game that mixes horse racing, training, and idol management. Since it’s free-to-play, there’s a Cash Shop where you can drop real cash for premium currency (Carats) and other stuff. With tons of packs and bundles, it’s easy to get confused or spend too much. This guide breaks down the best buys for casual players and big spenders alike, plus what to avoid to keep your wallet happy. Let’s dive in!

Accessing the Cash Shop

Getting to the Cash Shop in Umamusume: Pretty Derby is simple:

Head to the “Others” section on the main menu.
Click the “Purchase Carats” tab.
Enter your birth date to unlock purchases (just a one-time thing for age checks).
Check out the packs and bundles available.

The shop has everything from small daily deals to huge Carat packs, with prices and contents varying. Carats are used for scouting (pulling characters or Support Cards), refilling stamina, or grabbing other in-game items.

What to Purchase: Best Value Packs

Not every pack is worth your cash. Here’s what you should consider buying, whether you’re just dipping your toes in or ready to splurge.

1. Daily Carat Pack ($6.99) – Great for Everyone

What You Get: 500 paid Carats upfront + 50 free Carats every day for 30 days (1,500 free Carats total).
Why It’s Worth It: This pack is a steal. You get enough Carats right away for three single pulls or a chunk of a 10x scout (1,500 Carats), plus the daily Carats keep you going for a month. It’s awesome for free-to-play folks trying out spending or anyone wanting more Carats without spending a ton.
Who Should Buy It: Literally everyone, especially new players or those on a tight budget. This is the best deal to start with.

2. Monthly Carat Pass (Price Varies, ~$9.99–$14.99)

What You Get: Some paid Carats upfront + daily Carats and extras like stamina items or event boosts for 30 days.
Why It’s Worth It: Like the Daily Carat Pack, this gives you steady rewards over time. The bonuses, like stamina items, help with grinding events or training. It’s perfect for keeping your progress smooth without dropping big money.
Who Should Buy It: Casual players or those spending a bit who play often and want a little boost.

3. 7,500 Carat Pack ($69.99) – Best for Big Spenders

What You Get: 7,500 paid Carats, good for 50 single pulls or five 10x scouts.
Why It’s Worth It: If you’re ready to spend big, this pack gives you a ton of Carats at a better rate than smaller ones. It’s great for chasing banners like the Kitasan Black Support Card, where you might need 200 pulls (30,000 Carats) to hit the pity limit for a guaranteed featured item. Perfect for competitive players building strong teams for PvP like Team Trials or Champion’s Meeting.
Who Should Buy It: Players with cash to burn who want top-tier Support Cards or Umamusume on limited banners.

4. Limited-Time Starter Packs (Price Varies, ~$9.99–$29.99)

What You Get: A mix of paid Carats, SSR Tickets, stamina items, or exclusive Support Cards/Umamusume.
Why It’s Worth It: These packs pop up during events or at launch and often give you Carats and rare items at a discount. SSR Tickets guarantee a high-rarity Support Card or Umamusume, which is huge for new players. Double-check the contents to make sure they’re worth it, like if they include strong Support Cards.
Who Should Buy It: New players or moderate spenders during events. Skip if the extras aren’t valuable, like if it’s just basic items.

What to Avoid: Low-Value Purchases

Some stuff in the Cash Shop looks good but isn’t worth it. Here’s what to skip to save your money.

1. Small Carat Bundles ($0.99–$4.99)

What You Get: 100–300 Carats for cheap.
Why to Avoid: These don’t give you enough Carats to do much. A single pull is 150 Carats, and a 10x scout is 1,500, so you’re barely getting one or two pulls. Save up for the Daily Carat Pack or bigger bundles instead.
Exception: If you’re super close to a pull and can’t wait, maybe grab one, but they’re usually a bad deal.

2. Packs with Duplicate Carat Amounts at Higher Prices

What You Get: Some bundles give the same Carats as others but cost more, often with random items like stamina potions or common materials.
Why to Avoid: Always compare Carat amounts and prices. If one pack gives 1,000 Carats for $14.99 and another gives the same for $19.99 with a few extra items, skip the pricier one unless it has something amazing like an SSR Ticket. The game hands out stuff like stamina items for free through events, so don’t overpay.
Exception: If the extras are super rare, it might be worth it, but that’s rare.

3. Stamina-Only Packs

What You Get: Items to restore stamina for training or races.
Why to Avoid: Stamina comes back on its own, and you get free stamina items from daily missions, events, and login rewards. Spending cash on stamina is almost never needed since the game gives you plenty of ways to grind for free.
Exception: If you’re in a super competitive event and need to rank high, these might help, but it’s a stretch.

4. Non-Limited Banners Without Pity Progress

What You Get: Carats spent on standard or non-featured banners.
Why to Avoid: The pity system (200 pulls or 30,000 Carats for a guaranteed featured item) only works on specific rotating banners. Using Carats on non-limited banners means you’re not building toward a guaranteed pull, which can waste your money. Save for limited banners with strong units like Kitasan Black or Oguri Cap.

Tips for Smart Spending

Here’s how to make your Cash Shop purchases count and avoid wasting money:

Focus on Support Cards Over Characters: Support Cards make a bigger difference to your team, especially early on. Go for banners with top cards like Kitasan Black, which boosts training stats a ton. Duplicates also help with limit breaking, making them more useful over time.
Grab Free Carats First: The game throws free Carats at you through login bonuses, daily/weekly missions, events, and the tutorial. Use these before spending real money. Finishing the tutorial and early events can give you thousands of Carats for free pulls.
Save for Limited Banners: Limited banners have powerful units or Support Cards that might not come back soon. Check places like Reddit or GameTora for advice on which banners are worth it, like Kitasan Black’s, which could need 30,000 Carats for pity.
Set a Budget: Gacha games can suck you in, so decide how much you’re okay spending each month and stick to it. The Daily Carat Pack or Monthly Carat Pass are great for small budgets, while big spenders should go for high-Carat packs.
Check Event Rewards: Events give you Carats, Support Cards, or SSR Tickets, so you might not need to spend. Play daily races, Team Trials, and special events to stock up on resources before buying anything.
Know the Pity System: You need 200 pulls (30,000 Carats) per banner to guarantee a featured item. Plan your spending if you’re chasing something specific, and avoid banners you can’t go all-in on.

Spending Responsibly

Umamusume is pretty generous for a free-to-play game, but spending cash can give you an edge, especially in PvP modes like Team Trials or Champion’s Meeting. Still, don’t go overboard:

Don’t Chase Every Banner: Pick units or cards that fit your team or long-term goals. For example, Oguri Cap is great for Dirt and Turf races, and Kitasan Black is a killer Support Card for training.
Avoid Impulse Buys: Think before you buy. If you’re unsure, wait a day or check what other players say on Reddit or Discord.
Use Free Resources: Career Mode, daily races, and events give you tons of Carats and items. Pair these with smart purchases to get the most out of your money.

Conclusion

The Cash Shop in Umamusume: Pretty Derby has some solid options, but not everything is worth it. The Daily Carat Pack ($6.99) is the best deal for everyone, giving you a steady Carat flow for cheap. If you spend a bit more, the Monthly Carat Pass is great, and big spenders should grab the 7,500 Carat Pack ($69.99) for limited banners. Skip small Carat bundles, stamina-only packs, and non-limited banners to avoid wasting cash.

By focusing on Support Cards, using free Carats, and spending smart, you can build a strong team without spending a fortune. The game’s design makes it fun even for free players, but a few good purchases can speed things up. Train your horse girls, hit the tracks, and good luck!