Trading is the secondary economy of Build a Base and Steal, and the pets that you do not roll yourself can usually be acquired through the trading hub. The trading hub is a player-driven market where pets are bought and sold for in-game cash, and the prices are determined by supply, demand, and the current meta. A player who understands the trading market can acquire pets more efficiently than a player who relies on rolling alone, and a player who actively trades can generate a substantial income without ever spending their own reserves. This guide covers the trading value of every pet tier, the factors that influence pet prices, and the strategies that experienced traders use to profit consistently.
The Trading Value of Each Tier
Every pet tier in Build a Base and Steal has a different trading value, based on the pet's rarity, its income rate, and the value of its family bonus. The trading values below are the typical prices for pets in the current meta, but actual prices can vary significantly based on the specific pet, the family, and the activity level of the market.
Common pets typically trade for less than the cost of a single roll, because they are easy to obtain and abundant in the market. Most common pets are not worth trading individually, and in that case, the price can spike to several times the roll cost.
Uncommon pets typically trade for 1x to 3x the cost of a roll, with prices varying based on the family and the current meta. The uncommon market is more active than the common market, and traders who focus on uncommon flips can generate a small but steady income. The most valuable uncommon pets are the ones that complete popular family collections.
Rare pets typically trade for 5x to 20x the cost of a roll, with top family pieces occasionally selling for even more. The rare pet market is the most active segment of the Build a Base and Steal economy, and most experienced traders focus their efforts here. A skilled rare pet trader can generate thousands of rolls worth of income per month.
Epic pets typically trade for 30x to 100x the cost of a roll, with prices varying widely based on the family and the pet. The epic pet market is less liquid than the rare market, but the per-trade profit is much higher. Epic pet trading is usually reserved for experienced traders who have the cash reserves to make large trades.
Legendary pets typically trade for 500x to 2000x the cost of a roll, with prices that can be volatile around balance patches and meta shifts. The legendary market is thin and exclusive, and most players will never participate in it directly. Mythic pets trade for even higher amounts, usually in private transactions that are not visible in the public trading hub.
Factors That Influence Pet Prices
Pet prices in Build a Base and Steal are influenced, and the supply of the specific pet.
The family bonus is the most important long-term factor. A pet that completes a high-bonus family will always be worth more than a pet that completes a low-bonus family, because the family bonus is permanent and applies to every pet in the family. The trader who tracks the family bonuses of every pet can identify which pets are undervalued relative to their family contribution.
The current meta is the most important short-term factor. A pet that is suddenly popular due to a balance patch or a new collection will spike in price, while a pet that has been nerfed will drop in price. The trader who stays up to date on the meta can buy pets that are about to spike and sell pets that are about to drop.
The activity level of the market influences the liquidity of every trade. A pet that has many buyers and sellers will trade at a fair price, while a pet with few buyers and sellers will trade at a wide range of prices, depending on who happens to be in the market at the time. The trader who understands the liquidity of each pet can avoid getting stuck with illiquid pets that are hard to sell.
The supply of the specific pet is the most variable factor. A pet that is currently being given out as an event reward will be abundant in the market, which depresses the price. A pet that is no longer available through any source will become increasingly rare, which raises the price. The trader who tracks the supply of each pet can identify scarcity opportunities and avoid flooding the market with duplicates.
Reading the Trading Market
Studying recent trade history can identify trends, spot underpriced pets, and avoid overpriced pets. The key things to look for are the recent sale prices, the volume of transactions, and the types of pets being traded.
Recent sale prices are the most direct indicator of market value. A pet that has consistently sold for 100 rolls in the past week is probably worth about 100 rolls today, while a pet that has sold for a wide range of prices is in a volatile market and the price is harder to predict. The trader who tracks recent sale prices can identify pets that are currently underpriced relative to their historical value.
Transaction volume indicates the liquidity of the market. A pet that has had 50 transactions in the past week is in a liquid market, and the prices are likely to be fair. A pet that has had 2 transactions in the past week is in an illiquid market, and the prices are likely to be more variable. The trader who prefers liquid markets can avoid the risk of buying or selling in an illiquid market.
The types of pets being traded indicate the current market sentiment. If the trading hub is full of a particular pet, the market for that pet is probably saturated, and prices are likely to drop. If the trading hub is empty of a particular pet, the market is probably thin, and prices are likely to be high. The trader who watches the flow of pets in and out of the market can predict price movements and position themselves accordingly.
Trading Strategies
The most common families. This strategy is low risk and generates a steady income, and it is a good starting point for new traders.
A more advanced strategy is the meta flip, where the trader buys pets that are about to become valuable due to a balance patch or a new collection bonus, and sells them after the price spike. This strategy is higher risk but much higher reward, and it requires a deep understanding of the meta and the ability to predict how the patch will affect pet values.
The most advanced strategy is the long-term hold, where the trader buys pets that are currently undervalued but are expected to become valuable in the long term. This strategy requires patience and a willingness to hold pets for months at a time, but the rewards can be enormous if the trader correctly identifies the next big pet.
Common Trading Mistakes
The most common mistake is buying a pet without checking the recent sale prices. A player who offers 200 rolls for a pet that has been selling for 50 rolls is overpaying, and a player who offers 50 rolls for a pet that has been selling for 200 rolls is wasting the seller's time. Always check the recent transactions before making an offer, and price your offers based on the market data, not on your feelings about the pet.
The second most common mistake is selling a pet in a panic. A player who needs cash quickly might sell a valuable pet for a discount, not realizing that the pet is worth much more on the open market. Beforeamming. The Build a Base and Steal trading community has a few bad actors who will try to take advantage of inexperienced traders. Always check the reputation of your trading partner before completing a trade, and use the official trading systems whenever possible to protect yourself from fraud.
Long-Term Trading Goals
A reasonable long-term trading goal is to build a trading portfolio that generates a steady income without requiring active management. The portfolio should include pets from multiple families and multiple rarity tiers, and it should be diversified enough that a single price drop in one pet does not significantly affect the overall value. The trader who builds a diversified portfolio is the trader who can weather meta shifts and market downturns without losing their trading capital.
The portfolio should also be liquid enough that the trader can sell any pet within a few days if they need cash. Illiquid pets are valuable but hard to convert to cash, and a portfolio that is too illiquid is a liability rather than an asset. The trader who balances value and liquidity is the trader who can take advantage of opportunities as they arise, without being stuck with pets they cannot sell.
See Also
Quick Stats Reference
| Element | Typical Value | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Cash per minute | 50 - 500 | Track in your daily log |
| Rolls per hour | 20 - 80 | Budget for events |
| Walls per layer | 4 - 8 | Defensive core design |
| Pets per base | 12 - 25 | Income + defense mix |
| Raid attempts/day | 3 - 10 | Energy and target rotation |
FAQ
Where can I find more detailed information about this topic?
The community wiki, Discord, and dev blog are the most reliable sources for pets list information. Treat this as a foundational rule rather than a tactical suggestion, and the compounding effect of small, consistent actions will become visible in your progression within a few weeks.
How does pets list interact with the trading economy?
Trading and pets list reinforce each other. pets list generates tradable assets. Patch after patch, this principle remains true even as the specific numbers change, which is exactly why it is worth internalizing now rather than rediscovering it later.
What is the best time of day to focus on pets list?
The best time depends on your time zone and the active event schedule. Keep this principle in mind as you make decisions, and you will find that the pets list content in this guide becomes easier to apply in practice because the principle provides a framework for choosing between options.
How much cash should I budget for pets list per session?
A reasonable budget for pets list is 20-30 percent of your daily cash income. This is the kind of meta-strategy that does not appear in any specific guide, but it is what the most successful players in the pets list area of the game have all learned to do.
What is the most important pets list concept for new players?
The biggest unlock is understanding that pets list has a feedback loop with your base, your trades, and your rolls. Players who learn to apply this principle automatically tend to progress 30-50 percent faster than players who have to consciously think about each decision, because the principle shortcuts the deliberation phase of every action.