No SSRs? No problem. Here's how to climb the ranks using only free characters, budget supports, and pure strategy — no gacha luck required.
Think you need Kitasan Black or Gold Ship to win races? Think again.
With the global release of Umamusume: Pretty Derby on Steam, more players are proving you can dominate PvP and PvE as a free-to-play (F2P) trainer. Smart team comp, patient resource management, and well-leveled SR support cards can carry you all the way to the top.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
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π The best free runners and why they work
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π‘ Budget support cards that play like SSRs
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π ️ Community-backed training tips
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π― How to win races, tournaments, and events — totally free
Let’s get you racing like a champ, no wallet required.
π 1. Start with These Free Powerhouse Runners
π£ Haru Urara – The Ultimate Underdog
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Why She’s Great: Available from the start, easy to max bond, and surprisingly deadly with the right setup.
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Best Role: Betweener or Front-Runner
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Key Strategy: Focus on Speed + Stamina training and stack recovery skills.
π¬ “You can essentially build her just like Bakushin‑o and spam SPD… aim for 600+ SPD and get a good Dirt inheritance.” – Reddit Trainer
π΅ Oguri Cap – The Reliable All-Rounder
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Why He’s Great: Versatile and powerful at Mile and Medium distances.
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Best Role: Mid-run anchor or Front-Runner
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Key Strategy: High compatibility with many support builds. Great for F2P synergy.
π¬ “Oguri is super F2P-friendly. Good stats, easy inheritance, and works great with standard SR speed/wit supports.”
π΄ Taiki Shuttle – The Speed Demon
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Why She’s Great: Free sprinter who smokes the early-game meta.
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Best Role: Closer
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Key Strategy: Boost pure Speed and stack end-race acceleration skills.
π 2. Budget Support Cards That Work Like SSRs
You don’t need premium gacha pulls when limit-broken SRs can carry you just as far.
Best F2P Support Picks
| Card | Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Shinkou Windy | Speed | High stat output, ideal for SPD stacking |
| Daiwa Scarlet | Wisdom | Boosts skill reliability in all races |
| Manhattan Cafe | Stamina | Balanced recovery with great scaling |
π¬ “A maxed-out SR is often stronger than a fresh SSR. Don’t underestimate your friend point pulls.”
π ️ Pro Tip: Max limit break (MLB) your SRs first before investing gems in SSR banners.
π§ 3. Training Secrets Backed by the Community
The training loop is where you turn your team from average to elite — no spending required.
✅ Step 1: Focus on Speed First
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Unlock Level 5 Speed drills early
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Target 600+ SPD for sprinters and mid-range runners
✅ Step 2: Stamina = Staying Power
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Go for 400–450 for Medium races
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Push to 500+ for Long races
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Use Stamina supports OR inherit bonuses to hit your goals
✅ Step 3: Optimize Inheritance
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Match runners with parents who boost Speed/Stamina
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Aim for +63 stat bonuses per parent
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Correct weak aptitudes — turn C-Rank Dirt into A/S with legacy skills
π¬ “Resting is inefficient — always pick event options that recover energy or boost stats. And race for skill points often.”
π¦ 4. Events, Rerolling & Smart Resource Spending
π Where to Get Free Upgrades
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Friend Point Gacha – Roll daily for SR cards
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Story Events – Grab free SSRs with every major update
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Daily Races – Farm items + skill points in your runners’ best distance type
π F2P Gem Strategy
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Skip early character banners
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Focus gems on Support Card banners only
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Reroll if possible to get one or two top-tier SSR support cards
π¬ “I rerolled for Fine Motion and Kitasan Black — support cards are your foundation. Characters come later.”
⚔️ 5. Sample F2P Team Composition & PvP Strategy
π« Sample F2P Dream Team
| Role | Runner | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Front-Runner | Oguri Cap | Strong pace control |
| Betweener | Haru Urara | Consistent mid-race skill use |
| Closer | Taiki Shuttle | High-speed burst at the finish |
π― How to Beat the Meta as F2P
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Use Wit Support Cards for debuff skills like Confusion or Panic
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Train counters for common meta teams (like Speed Gold Ship)
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If you pull Gold Ship, build her as an anti-front-runner beast
π¬ “Debuffs are underrated in PvP. Even an average team can win with the right skill triggers.”
π£️ 6. Long-Term Roadmap for F2P Players
| Timeline | Goal |
|---|---|
| Months 1–3 | Build a solid team with MLB SR supports |
| Months 4–6 | Start farming SSRs from events |
| Month 6+ | Optimize inheritance, stats, and enter PvP cups |
π§© Final Verdict: Skill > Luck
You don’t need to whale. You don’t even need SSR characters. You just need:
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✅ Smart training routes
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✅ Properly leveled SR support cards
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✅ Patience, planning, and a little stubbornness
Stick with F2P-friendly units like Haru Urara and Oguri Cap, farm events consistently, and spend gems wisely — and you’ll be racing past paid teams before you know it.
π Join the F2P Trainer Community / Related Links
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r/UmaMusume (Reddit) – Strategy guides, support card builds, and F2P discussions
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GameTora Wiki – Training tools, team calculators, skill database
π¬ What’s Your F2P Strategy?
Are you stacking Speed, running Dirt memes with Haru Urara, or going full stamina with Manhattan Cafe? Share your winning (or meme-worthy) builds in the comments and help other trainers rise through the ranks — the free way. π
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