Updated:5/8/21
Star Wars Destiny is dead. Long live, Star Wars Destiny.Like a child with ADD, Fantasy Flight unceremoniously dumped my beloved collectible card n' dice game back in January of this year. At first I was somewhat relieved that the constant conveyor belt of expansions would finally stop disposing of my disposable income, but I also knew that there were plenty of alternatives to keep the game fresh, affordable and approachable.
In fact, Fantasy Flight themselves quickly presented a great option in the form of a new "print-and-play" set called Transformations. Which kinda goes to show that collectible game expansions don't have to be 160 cards, they can also be 24 cards and re-use existing dice. Or, if you want a completely original micro set with new dice, why not use the non-collectible "living card game" model, a la Arkham Horror?
Besides, how can you possibly underestimate the popularity of "Lone Wolf and Cub" here? Dumb-asses. Every single episode could have been a new subscription-style sub-set. People would be murdering their own Nans for a Baby Yoda card!
A part of me seriously wonders if The Rise of Skywalker was the only thing Fantasy Flight's development team had to look forward to. They watched that POS once and thought: "Wow, Disney is really screwing the pooch here. We'd better get off this sinking ship before the whole thing founders!" I'm sure Decipher, who produced the now-legendary Star Wars: Customizable Card Game back in the late 90's, was in some way genuinely relieved when Lucasfilm dumped them after the prequel trilogy soured that once-rich, sweet-ass Star Wars licencing milk.
Now, I'm sure the real reason Fantasy Flight dust-binned Destiny was because they were wringing a lot more profit out of X-Wing, Armada, Legion and / or Imperial Assault. I've also heard that FF are pretty notorious for failing to supply product in the face of demand and / or yanking the felt out from under the ol' Wyrmwood anytime a beloved game's profitability starts to wane in the slightest.
Regardless of the "why", I still love Destiny and, apparently, so do a bunch of passionate online devotees. Soooo, after buying a pretty hefty local lot of cards n' dice and snagging several booster boxes at a deep discount, I'm ready to wade into a new Galactic Rumble, the third in a series that started here and here. In a act of insane hubris, I've since tweeked or built from scratch 48 (!!!) different decks to participate in this spectacle.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I DO NOT MAKE KILLER DECKS...I MAKE THEMATIC DECKS. "What's that...you've built a kick-ass Ewok / Clonetrooper / Holdo deck?" Well, guess what: I care about that just about as much as Gungans care about speaking the Queen (of Naboo's) English.
In fact, while building decks I'm constantly asking myself the following questions:
- "Do these characters have some sort of close connection? If not, do they have at least some history together?"
- "Hey, look...a card with one or more of the featured characters pictured on it! Yep, that's goin' in!"
- "Hmmmm, I've run out of cards with the featured characters depicted on it. Okay, time to get creative. Watto's been known to drive a 'Hard Bargain', so let's throw that one in!"
Also note that I'm using both the online rules reference and the Infinite Holocron to gauge current character values and sub-types.
Okay, let's move on...
To determine the match ups, I'll roll a 6-sided die with 1-2 being Light Side, 3-4 being Dark Side and then 5-6 being Fringe. Then I'll roll a second time to generate an opponent from one of the other two factions.
For example, if I roll a "2" it's gonna be a Light Side Deck. Then, when I roll again, 1-3 will be Dark Side and 5-6 will be Fringe. Then I'll roll to determine which random decks will square off in each group.
Single-game match ups will pare the contestants from 48 to 24 to 12 to 6 and then finally to 3. The three remaining combatants will play a series, with everyone facing off against everyone else once. The team with the most points will be declared the Galactic Champion!
So, without any further ado and / or lamentations, let's get into it!
ROUND ONE
MATCH ONE
"What's a Padawan?"
Options: Luke Skywalker - Unlikely Hero (11/14) + Obi-Wan Kenobi - Mysterious Hermit (was 16/20, now 14/18)
Final Team: Elite Luke Skywalker - Unlikely Hero (14) + Obi-Wan Kenobi - Mysterious Hermit (14)
TOTAL POINTS: 28
Location: Obi-Wan's Hut
Upgrades: Hunting Rifle, One With the Force, Journals of Ben Kenobi, Macrobinoculars, Lightsaber, Heirloom Lightsaber
Supports: It Binds all Things, Your Eyes Can Deceive You, Perseverance, Training Remote, R2-D2, X-34 Landspeeder
Events: Noble Sacrifice, Alter, Rejuvenate, Voices Cry Out, Finishing Strike, Safeguard, Luminous Beings are We, The Force is With Me, Bestow, Strength Through Weakness, No Questions Asked, Adapt, Mind Trick, Distraction, Mislead, Guard, Krayt Dragon Howl, Force Vision
VS.
The Huntsmen
Options: 4-LOM - Calculating Criminal (12/15) + Zuckuss - The Uncanny One (was 10/13 now 9/12) + Quarren Tracker (8)
Final Team: 4-LOM - Calculating Criminal (12) + Zuckuss - The Uncanny One (9) + Quarren Tracker (8)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Outer Rim Outpost
Upgrades: Hidden Blaster, Bounty Board, Underworld Connections, Bounty Hunters Guild, Backup Muscle, DX-2 Disruptor Blaster Pistol.
Downgrades: Death Mark, Dead or Alive, Wanted
Supports: Black Market, Mist Hunter, Streetwise
Events: In the Crosshairs, Armed to the Teeth, In a Bind, Tireless Pursuit x 2, Quick Thinking, Free-For-All, Lying in Wait x 2, Only Business Matters x 2, Skullduggery, Shakedown, Rogue Tendencies, Act of Cruelty.
***
Ben and Luke start off. R2's assist for Luke is brutal, quickly wiping out the Quarren Hunter. After Ben gets all "One with the Force", it's practically over. Zuckuss takes a nasty 4-point Melee hit, augmented by a "Training Remote." Three more damage on a subsequent turn eliminates him, then Luke piles on the remaining hunter with 3 more Ranged damage and a 4-Melee strike from Ben. 4-LOM sets up a bulwark of 3 Shields, but it's like a band-aid on a sucking chest wound, with cards like "Black Market" and the "Mist Hunter" arriving far too late. At the end of the match, Luke was 1 point away from defeat and Ben had taken 7 damage.
In addition to the aforementioned supports, cards like "Distraction", "Mislead", "The Force is With Me" and "No Questions Asked" did a bang up job mitigating damage from the bounty hunters!
WINNER: "What's a Padawan?"
***
MATCH TWO
Hot Shots: Part Deux
Options: Poe Dameron - More Than a Pilot (11/15) + Admiral Ackbar - Perceptive Tactician (was 10/14, now 9/12) +Temmin "Snap" Wexley - Recon Specialist (9/12) + Rose - Skilled Mechanic (8/11) + Finn - Soldier of Necessity (12/16)
Final Team: Poe Dameron - More Than a Pilot (11) + Admiral Ackbar - Perceptive Tactician (9) +Temmin "Snap" Wexley - Recon Specialist (9)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Launch Bay - Home One
Upgrades: EL-16 Heavy Field Blaster x 2, Poe Dameron’s Blaster, Tactical Aptitude, Wingman, Resistance Ring.
Supports: Firm Resolve, C-3PO, Resistance Crait Speeder x 2, Resistance Trench Fighters x 2, Black One (from both “Awakenings” and “Across the Galaxy”), Resistance HQ, BB-8, Resistance Bomber x 2, Astromech.
Events: Natural Talent x 2, Blaze of Glory, Lightspeed Assault, Happy Beeps, Take Control, Deploy Squadron, Roll On, Inflame, Dogfight, It’s a Trap!, Aim.
VS.
Anakin is a Dumbass
Options: Darth Vader - Dark Apprentice (13/17) + Palpatine - Darth Sidious (was 16/20, 14/18)
Final Team: Darth Vader - Dark Apprentice (13) + Palpatine - Darth Sidious (14)
TOTAL POINTS: 27
Location: Imperial Palace - Coruscant
Upgrades: Hate x 2, Force Storm, Palpatine’s Lightsaber, Sith Teachings, Lightsaber.
Downgrades: Secrets Laid Bare.
Supports: Bloodletting x 2, Galactic Deception.
Events: Fit of Rage, Block x 2, A Tale of Tragedy x 2, You Were My Friend x 2, No Mercy, Manipulate x 2, Unyielding x 2, Pulling the Strings, I Am the Senate x 2, Conflicted x 2, Doubt x 2.
With all the effort of crushing a bug underfoot, Poe polishes off the aspiring Emperor with a 4-damage Ranged hit! At the end of the match, Poe has taken 7 damage, Temmin 2, Ackbar 3.
This Dark Side team-up should make perfect sense, but since I can’t Elite either of them, it isn’t very practical. In addition to taking a long, hard look at alternative partners for Palpy, I also need to go through all of the doubles here to make sure they’re actually useful. For example, even one “Hate” on that version of Vader is pretty useless, let alone two! At the very least, a 3-point Plot should be mandatory here!
WINNER: Hot Shots: Part Deux
***
MATCH THREE
Spectre 2
Options: Sabine Wren - Artistic & Resourceful (10/13) OR Explosives Expert (was 15/20 now 16/21) + Hera - Phoenix Leader (9/12) OR Seasoned Captain (9/12) + Chopper (8/11)
Final Team: Elite Sabine Wren - Artistic & Resourceful (13) + Hera - Phoenix Leader (9) + Chopper (8)
TOTAL: 30 points
Location: Occupied City - Lothal
Upgrades: Custom Paint Job, Darksaber, DX-2 Disruptor Blaster Pistol, Laser Cannon, Mandalorian Vambraces, Mandalorian Armor, Thermal Detonator, Rocket Boosters, Grappling Arm, V-1 Thermal Detonator, Thermal Paint, Dorsal Turret.
Supports: Sabine Wren’s TIE Fighter, Ghost (from “Covert Missions”), Phantom, Improvised Explosive.
Events: Partnership, All In, As One x 2, Embark, Truce, Lead from the Front, Controlled Chaos, Explosive Tactics x 2, Sneak Attack, Electroshock, Disassemble, Planned Explosion.
VS.
Nightsithsters (Are Doin’ It for Themselves)
Asajj Ventress - Swift and Cunning (was 13/16 now 12/15) OR Force Assassin (12/15) + Old Daka (9/14) + Mother Talzin (9/12)
Final Team: Asajj Ventress - Swift and Cunning (12) + Old Daka (9) and Mother Talzin (9)
TOTAL: 30 points
Location: Nightsister Lair - Dathomir
Upgrades: Energy Bow x 2, Ancient Magicks, Talisman of Resurrection, Lightsaber Pike, Chain Sickle, Bloodlust, Crystal Ball, Bardottan Sphere
Downgrades: Possessed, Recurring Nightmare, Hex x 2, Uncontrollable Rage.
Supports: Stifle, Nightsister Coven, Dark Empowerment.
Events: Witch Magick x 2, At Odds, Weave the Ichor x 2, Attunement, Twin Strike, Spell of Removal x 2, Dark Magick x 2, No Mercy, Dark Ritual.
With a roll of 4 vs. 3…the Sithsters start! "Leads from the Front" clobbers the Old Daka for 5 points of damage, but “Weave the Ichor” and “Witch Magick” bounces her back!
In a tragic moment, “Spell of Removal” turfs the precious “Darksaber” but the Spectres have their revenge when Chopper “Disassembles” the “Uncontrollable Rage” curse. Thanks to Hera's Special, the Ghost jets in, activating both Sabine and itself with the resulting Ambush.
A “Bloodlust”-ed Asajj keeps chopping away at Chopper, but the ornery droid stays focused and polishes off the Ol’ Daka. Mother Talzin finally shows up to the fight, blasting Chop into bits with her Sith sorcery. The Ghost and the Phantom then team up to reduce the not-so-good Mother into a pile of bloody creamed corn.
After Ventress finally gets a few decent Upgrades in the form of “Chain Sickle” and a “Lightsaber Pike”, she starts to threaten the Spectres with running out of cards. Fortunately, Sabine's 11'th hour “Thermal Detonator” Special / 2-Ranged damage combo sends the former Sith apprentices' budding bounty hunter career spiraling down the privy.
I think this Sithwitch (mmmmm, sithwitch) deck is actually reasonably good, but the luck needed to get it to pop just wasn’t there. I think it would do fine against low-level opponents, but the concentrated awesomeness of this Spectre deck is way too much for it to handle!
WINNER: Spectre 2
***
MATCH FOUR
"My Sister?!? NOOOOOO!!!"
Options: Luke Skywalker - Jedi Knight (was 15/20, now 14/18) + Leia Organa - Born Leader (was 12/16, now 11/14) + Hoth Trooper (5 pts)
Final Team: Luke Skywalker - Jedi Knight (14) + Leia Organa - Born Leader (was 11) + Hoth Trooper (5 pts)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Moisture Farm - Tatooine
Upgrades: Fearless, Handheld L-S1 Cannon, Force Wave, Rebellion Leader, Force Training, Luke’s Lightsaber, Force Speed, Force Meditation.
Supports: Perseverance, Strike Team.
Events: Return of the Jedi, The Day is Ours, Willpower, Force Misdirection, Fierce Resolve, Leadership, Stronger Have You Become, Daring Escape, Lightsaber Pull, Free Fall, Deflect, Endurance, Determination, Defiance, Strategic Planning x 2, Bring Balance, Beguile, Our Only Hope, Block.
VS.
No, Not That Mandalorian
Options: Bo-Katan Kryze (was 15/20, now 13/18) + Fenn Rau (11/13) + Satine Kryze - Hope of Mandalore (8/10) + Mandalorian Super Commando (9)
Final Team: Elite Bo-Katan Kryze (18) + Fenn Rau (11)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Military Camp - Kaller
Upgrades: Armor Plating x 2, Flame Projector x 2, Flame Thrower x 2, A-300 Blaster, Cable Launcher, Mandalorian Jetpack, Wrist Rockets, Auto Cannon, Jetpack, Mandalorian Armour x 2, Mandalorian Vambraces x 2, Supply Pack.
Supports: Seeking the Truth, Fang Fighter x 2, Remote Stockpile, On the Mark.
Events: Unify x 2, Reversal x 2, Unshackle, Lead from the Front, Controlled Chaos, Fresh Supplies.
4 vs. 3…the Mandalorians start! Fenn's “Focus” gives Bo the 2-Melee “Flame Projector” damage needed to fricassee the Hoth Trooper. Luke hacks at Fenn for 5 Melee damage but Bo fights back with 4 Melee damage as well. Luke's Saber Special eventually ends Rau, but then Bo discards to re-roll her dice, getting 4 Melee to knock Leia out!
Now it just boils down to a slugfest. Luke deals 5 damage with his Saber, but Bo retaliates with 2 Specials for a total of 4 damage, plus another 3 from a re-roll! Luke re-rolls his Character die, thanks to “Defiance”, getting 3 Melee (and healing 3 damage) while setting up a brutal 8-damage kill strike to end the match just in time!!!
All told, a really close match up. Both decks are vicious beat-sticks, and I think either could prevail against the other, given a good bounce of luck.
WINNER: "My Sister?!? NOOOOOO!!!"
***
MATCH FIVE
UTINNI!!!
Options: Watto (9/12) + Jawa Scavenger (6) + Jawa Junk Dealer (5)
Final Team: Watto (9 points) + 2 Jawa Scavengers (12 points) + Jawa Junk Dealer (5 points)
Total points: 26
NOTE: After this particular game, I immediately split Watto and the Jawas up into their own separate decks. Unfortunately, I didn't capture the card manifest for this original design before I did that. But, as you'll see from the match details, it ain't no big loss!
vs.
The Kiwi and the Geriatric
Options: Count Dooku - Devious Strategist (11/15) and Jango Fett - Lethal Mercenary (was 12/16 now 11 / 14)
Total Points: 29
Location: Petranaki Arena
Upgrades: Count Dooko’s Lightsaber, Force Lightning, Makashi Training, Supply Pack, Wrist Rockets, Thermal Detonator, Flame Thrower, Gauntlet Rockets, Jet Pack, Formidable, Armor Plating x 2, Mandalorian Armor, Cable Launcher
Supports: Slave 1, Weapon’s Cache, Solar Sailer,
Events: Decisive Blow x 2, Boundless Ambition x 2, Burst of Lightning x 2, Quad Slam, Treason, Snare, Armed to the Teeth x 2, Loose Ends x 2
With a starting roll of 6 versus 1, Dooku and Jango start things off! After some initial hits, Jango jettisons "Armor Plating" via "Armed to the Teeth" to deal the final damage needed to pop off the Jawa Junk Dealers. The Jawas then used “Harmless Trick” to nullify Jango's 2 Ranged damage Character die. After the Sith and Bounty Hunter slowly chip away at a Jawa Scavenger, it's polished off when the pair Claim Petranaki Arena.
The Sandcrawler’s Special resolves, adding a new Jawa Junk Dealer to the team! A re-roll provided by “Supply Pack” then sets up a 7-point Ranged hit by Jango, which vaporizes one of the unwounded Scavengers in one fell swoop! After Dooku sets up a “Weapon Cache”, it’s later used to fuel another brutal 6-point Ranged hit by Jango, more than enough to fry the Shielded Jawa Junk Dealer!
Using a Focus die result, Dooku turns Jango’s “Thermal Detonator” to its Special side, which blows out Watto’s Shields and delivers a 4-Ranged damage coup de grace.
It’s interesting to note that Dooko had taken 6 damage and Jango 7, so there's a hint of potential here. All I need to do is give Watto and company more damage-dealing toys to spend all of their credits on!
In the end, I decided to partner Watto with Sebulba and throw in some podracers, Z-95 Headhunters and Mining Guild TIE's. As for the Jawas, they're sorta in traction right now but I'm hoping that when they come back they can be a tad more competitive!
WINNER: The Kiwi and the Geriatric!
***
MATCH SIX
The Emperor's New Groove
Options: Palpatine - Galactic Emperor (was 21/28 now 19/26) and Royal Guard (9 points)
Final Team: Palpatine (19) and Royal Guard (9)
Total Points: 28
Location: Emperor’s Throne Room
Upgrades: Temptation x 2, Dark Counsel x 2, Way of the Force x 2, Sith Lightning x 2, Force Rend, Lightsaber Pike x 1, Malice, Sith Holocron, Force Illusion
Supports: Emperor’s Favor, Imperialis, Bloodletting, Power of the Dark Side, Galactic Deception
Events: Sinister Ruse x 2, Feel Your Anger x 2, The Price of Failure x 2, Let the Hate Flow, As I Have Foreseen x 2, Now You Will Die, Indomitable x 2
Vs.
Aphriana Jones
Options: Doctor Aphra (11/14) + Nar Shaddaa Thief (7 points) + Outer Rim Outlaw (10) + Rebel Traitor (8 points)
Final Team: Elite Aphra (14 points) + Nar Shaddaa Thief (7 points) + Rebel Traitor (8 points)
Total Points: 29
Location: Arid Wasteland of Geonosis
Upgrades: Hidden Blaster, 0-0-0 Protocol Matrix x 2, Bartering x 2, Personal Shield
Supports: 0-0-0, Black Market, Stolen Cache, Ark Angel, BT-1
Events: Unpredictable x 2, Sidestep x 2, Cunning Ruse, Reprogram x2, Wanton Destruction x 2, Delve x2, Pilfered Goods, Dive x 2, By Any Means, Pickpocket, “Fair” Trade, In Pursuit, Trickery
With an initial roll of 5, Aphra starts the match. After the space archaeologist uses a re-roll to set up 6 damage, the Royal Guard uses his Guardian ability to soak it up 2 of it. Not long after, the Imperialis yacht blows up like a used Pinto, causing 4 damage to Aphra and company. Palpatine follows this up with some “Dark Counsel”, which lets him Focus his power for 3 Ranged damage plus his own insane special ability. In the very next round, “Sinister Ruse” does 3 indirect Damage courtesy of the random “Black Market.”
Then, from out of left field, a heavily-“Matrixed” 0-0-0 suddenly pummels the Royal Guard to death! Not long after, he smacks Palpy upside his withered, raisin-y head for another 4 damage! To add insult to injury, the Emperor keeps whiffing on his Character die rolls!
In an almost merciful act, 0-0-0 batters the befuddled old geezer into oblivion with 3 more Melee damage!
Insane upset win by the upstart over last year’s champ! Sure, Palpy's luck was garbage and his Upgrade pulls were terrible, but the undeniably-brutal amount of damage delivered by the not-so-good Doctor's droid attack dog is nothing to sneeze at!
WINNER: Aphriana Jones!
***
MATCH SEVEN
"This Party's Over!"
Options: Mace Windu - Jedi Champion (was 16/22, now 14/19) OR Elite Inspiring Master (12/16) and Kit Fisto (was 13/16 now 12/15) - Inspiring Master 16 + Kit 12
Final Team: Elite Mace Windu - Inspiring Master (16) and Kit Fisto (12)
Total Points: 28
Location: Petranaki Arena
Upgrades: Force Speed, Jedi Robes, Mace Windu’s Lightsaber, Psychometry, Coordination, Force Heal, Counterstroke, Crafted Lightsaber, Master of the Council
Supports: Jedi Council, Immutability, Meditate, ETA-2 Interceptor, Foresight
Events: Riposte, Hold Off, Deflecting Slash, Pushing Slash, Fatal Blow, Pacify, Invigorate, Common Cause, Heightened Awareness, Repulse, Channel the Force, Feel the Force, Strong Intuition x 2, Rend
vs.
Darth Vader, Duelist
Options: Darth Vader - Sith Lord (was 16/21 now 15/19) plus Tarkin (13/16)
Final Team: Darth Vader - Sith Lord (15) plus Tarkin (13)
Total Points: 28
Location: Sith Temple on Malachor
Upgrades: Force Fear x 2, Shien training, Shien Mastery, Grand Moff, Darth Vader’s Lightsaber, Way of the Force, Now I Am The Master, Imperial Discipline, Resilient, Sith Lord
Supports: Dark Presence, Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced
Events: Legacies, Block x 2, Polarity x 2, Battle of Wills, Force Strike x 2, Disturbance in the Force, It Will All Be Mine, Turn the Tide, Fear and Dead Men, Forsaken, Prepare for War, Crush the Rebellion, No Escape
A Shien-Trained Vader smokes Mace for 5-damage but, between a “Ripost” / 4-Melee counter-attack, Tarkin is already starting to look pretty beat up. The wily Moff ain’t licked yet and, after removing 2 Resource dice, he deals 4 Indirect Damage to Kit. Using “Force Speed”, Kit hacks back at Tarkin for 4 more damage while the Interceptor strafes for 3 more Indirect. After managing to resist Vader's “Force Fear”, Mace piles on to end Tarkin.
This may have been a mistake, however, since Vader then proceeds to “Force Strike” Mace for 3 Melee, knocking him out. In the resulting one-on-one battle, which sees Vader square off against El Fisto, the Dark Lord of the Sith emerges triumphant!
WINNER: Darth Vader, Duelist!
***
MATCH EIGHT
"I Just Want Kylo Ren To Lose!"
Options: Hux (11/14) + Captain Phasma - Ruthless Tactician (9/13) OR Elite Trooper (12/15) OR Stormtrooper Commander (18/21) + First Order Stormtrooper (7)
Final Team: Hux (11) + Elite Trooper (12) + Trooper (7)
Point Total: 30 Points
Location: Docking Bay of The Finalizer
Upgrades: F-11D Rifle x 2, Quicksilver Baton, Captain Phasma’s Blaster
Downgrades: Outdated Tech
Supports: First Order TIE Fighter x 2, Hostile Territory, BB-9E, Superlaser Siege Cannon
Events: Undying Loyalty x 2, Taking Charge x 2, New Orders, Ruthless Tactics x 2, Collateral Damage, The Best Defence, Mobilize x 2, Scorched Earth x 2, Tactical Mastery, Drop Your Weapon!, Target Practice x 2, Pulverize, Subjugate x 2
vs.
"Who's the Bossk?"
Options: Bossk (11/15) + Aurra Sing (14/18) + Trandoshan Hunter (9/11)
Point Total: 29
Location: Mos Eisley Spaceport
Upgrades: Verpine Sniper Rifle x 2, Hunker Down x 2, Relby-V10 Mortar Gun, Hunter Instinct x 2
Downgrades: Dead or Alive, Forced Labor, Wanted
Events: Relentless x 2, Hound’s Tooth, Z-95 Headhunter, Weapon’s Cache, Déjà vu, My Kind of Scum, Bounty Hunters’ Guild, Taken by Surprise x 2, Exterminate x 2, Threaten, Go for the Kill x 2, Rogue Tendencies x 2, Fight Dirty, Partners in Crime
Thanks to a pair of back-to-back Focus rolls from Hux, the two Troopers end up delivering 8 quick damage to Aurra. Bossk gets in close, slashing away at the First Order Trooper for 3 Melee damage. Then Aurra's Verpine Rifle snipes true, perforating the hapless drone and earning 2 Resources from the attached “Wanted” Bounty.
Thanks to his doubled-up “Hunter's Instinct”, Bossk sharpens his 3-point Ranged hit on Phasma. After Bossk is blasted in his scaly mush with a 4-point Ranged hit from a TIE juiced up on “Ruthless Tactics”, the Trandoshan delivers a nice counter-attack thanks to a Focus from Aurra. He continues to rage, mauling Phasma at close range for 6 (!) points of Melee damage knock her out! Then Aurra gets one last shot in before the TIE delivers a kill-shot on her.
Although “Undying Loyalty” keeps serving Hux well, a few well-gauged re-rolls gives Bossk 2 Ranged damage. An increasingly-deadly “Hunter's Instinct” Special add to this, as well as providing the single Resource needed to fuel a 3-point airstrike from Bossk's Headhunter.
WINNER: "Who's the Bossk?"
***
MATCH NINE
Spectre 1
Options: Kanan - Rebel Jedi (10/13) OR Jedi Exile (9/12) +Zeb (was 13/17 now 11/14) + Ezra - Force Sensitive Thief (7/10) OR Aspiring Jedi (8/11) OR Resourceful Cutpurse
Final Team: Kanan - Rebel Jedi (10) +Zeb (11) + Ezra - Aspiring Jedi (8)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Occupied City of Lothal (alternate: Bendu’s Lair on Atollon)
Upgrades: Knighthood, Energy Slingshot, Ezra Bridger’s Lightsaber, Zeb Orrelios’s Bo-Rifle, Stealthy, Kanan Jarrus’s Lightsaber
Supports: Honed Skills, Running Interference, Chopper
Events: Lightsaber Training, Fluid Reposte, All In, Drstiny Fulfilled, Clash, Fresh Start, Something Familiar, Trust Your Instincts, Loth-Wolf Bond, Propel, Use the Force, Infuse the Force, Trust the Force, Quick Escape, Karabast!, Practice Makes Perfect, Loth-Cat and Mouse, Tenacity, Easy Pickings, Convergence, Face-Off
vs.
Sergeant Grievous's Lonely (Shattered) Heart's Clankers Band
Options: General Grievous - Droid Armies Commander (9/12) + Super Battle Droid (9-1 for Grievous = 8) + Battle Droid (6-1= 5) + Commando Droid (8-1=7)
Final Team: General Grievous - Droid Armies Commander (9) + Super Battle Droid (8) + Battle Droid (5) + Commando Droid (7)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Petranaki Arena on Geonosis
Upgrades: Communication Module, Grievance Striker, Modular Frame, E-5 Blaster Carbine
Supports: LRIK Sonic Cannon, LR-57 Combat Droid, STAP Droid, Droid Commandos, Separatist Landing Craft, Separatist Embargo, Bubble Shield, Assassin Droid, The “Duchess”, Genera; Grievous’ Wheel Bike, Defoliator Tank
Events: Furious Assault, Endless Ranks, Cannon Fodder, Crushing Advantage, Machine Replacement, Acceptable Losses, Browbeat x 2, Well-Armed, Chain Lightning, Strength in Numbers, Drop ‘Em, Roger-Roger, Make Demands
With a starting roll of 4 vs. 3, the droids are on the march! Zeb and Kanan conspire to eliminate a Battle Droid with Melee Damage, but the Defoliator Tank strikes back with 4 Indirect damage and then nails Ezra directly for 3 Ranged Damage, eliminating him! The thing just keeps pounding away, using its Special to lambaste both Zeb and Kanan for 3 damage apiece, knocking out the latter!
Zeb's ability to use Melee as Ranged damage helps him eliminate the Commando Droid, but the remaining mechanicals continue their unrelenting assault. Zeb tries to put on a brave front using Ezra's recovered Lightsaber, but the 4 Ranged Damage he managed to deal to the Super Battle Droid is eclipsed by a nasty one-two punch from the Defoliator Tank and a LR-57 Combat Droid.
Note for next time: try to make one of the Spectres Elite using Spectre Cell.
WINNER: Sergeant Grievous, etc, etc
***
MATCH TEN
Snips and Sky-Guy
Options: Anakin Skywalker - Dedicated Mentor (was 15/19 now 13/17) OR Conflicted Apprentice (10/13) + Ahsoka Tano - Brash Prodigy (8/11) OR Force Operative (was 13/17 now 12/15)
Final Team: Anakin Skywalker - Dedicated Mentor (13) + Elite Ahsoka Tano - Brash Prodigy (11)
TOTAL POINTS: 24
Location: Jedi Temple on Coruscant
Upgrades: Inner Strength x 2, Shoto Lightsabers x 2, Jedi Robes, Anakin Skywalker’s Lightsaber
Supports: ETA-2 Interceptor, Delta-7 Interceptor, R2-D2
Events: Alter, Legacies x 2, Unbreakable x 2, Way of the Light x 2, Overqualified x 2, Defensive Stance x 2, Side by Side x 2, Skillful Deterrence, Bestow Wisdom, Forestall x 2, Alter Fate x 2, Something Familiar x 2
vs.
Imperial Navy
Options: Iden Versio (12/15) + TIE Pilot (8) + Imperial Pilot (6) + "Mauler" Mithel 9/12 + Darth Vader -Victor Leader (12/15)
Final Team: Vader (12) + Imperial Pilot (6) + "Mauler" Mithel (9) + Blockade (3)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Imperial Fleet Hangar Bay
Upgrades: n/a
Downgrades: Systems Malfunction
Supports: Planetary Bombardment x 2, TIE Bomber x 2, Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced, TIE Fighter x 3, Tech Team, Black Two, Climate Disruption Array
Events: Bombing Run x 2, Intense Fire x 2, Shortcut, In Tandem x 2, Under Fire, I Have You Now x 2, Target Intel x 2, Flanked by Wingmen x 2, Imposing Presence, Joint Maneuver, Attack Formation
Anakin and Ahsoka start, having rolled 8 to 4 (!) but Vader's double Discard tragically turfs Anakin's Lightsaber! After the Imperial Pilot then uses his Power Action to dial up the TIE Bomber's Special for 4 Indirect Damage, the Interceptor’s Focus helps Anakin nail Mithel for 4 Melee damage. Between Vader's 2 Value and the Claim ability of the Temple, the Discards really start to fly!
This time Ahsoka goes first, letting her resolve a +2 Melee after Anakin activates, striking Mithel. The Pilot / Bomber combo goes off once again for another punishing 4 Indirect damage! Three more Melee strikes from Ahsoka clobbers the still-Readied Pilot. Ahsoka's “Inner Strength” shifts damage from her to Vader, but the Pilot / Bomber combo keeps wreaking havoc with “In Tandem” setting up yet another brutal 4-damage strike!
The Imperial Pilots end their turn just in time, further hobbling their foes by Claiming the Battlefield and trashing both "Way of the Light" and "Defensive Stance." After "Side by Side" provides a glimmer of hope, Anakin finally dials up the single Resource needed to unleashed another insane 4-Damage strike, which kills the Imperial Pilot.
Vader's Special nearly destroys his younger alter ego outright, but the it isn’t until two re-rolls queue up the Bomber strike again that Anakin is finally K.O.’ed. When that happens, it's just a matter of time before Snips suffers the same fate.
Given the dramatic reduction of Anakin and Ahsoka’s point values, I think it’s safe to say that these two were woefully underpowered versus the competition. I can’t fathom why I didn’t, at the very least, add a Plot to bump their value up closer to 30. In a perfect world, I really need an Elite version of “Conflicted Apprentice” or “Force Operative”!
Two take-away’s here: the Imperial Pilots are vicious and Ahsoka and Anakin definitely feel resource poor! Then again, I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if Anakin hadn't lost his ‘saber? It honestly could have been a different game.
WINNER: Imperial Navy
***
MATCH ELEVEN
Obi-Brawn Kenobi and Qui-Gone Gym
Options: Qui-Gon - Ataru Master (13/17) OR Defiant Jedi Master (was 14/18 now 13/17) + Obi-Wan - Jedi Master (15/19)
Final Team: Qui-Gon - Ataru Master 13 + Obi-Wan - Jedi Master 15 + 2 for Fortify
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Jedi Temple on Coruscant
Upgrades: A99 Aquata Breather, Protective Mentor, Counterstroke, Republic Jedi Armor, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Lightsaber, Force Jump, Coordination, Force Push, Hush-98 Comlink, Dagger of Mortis, Qui-Gon Jinn’s Lightsaber, Makashi Training, Force Protection
Supports: Dex’s Diner, Qui-Gon Jinn’s Spirit, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Interceptor, Jedi Council, Secret Mission, A Friend Lost, Swiftness, Heroism x 2, Stand Firm, Investigate, Defensive Stance x 2, Riposte, Upper Hand, Overconfidence, Jedi Mind Trick
vs.
Jabba's Palace
Options: Jabba Great and Might (11/14) OR Renowned Gangster (was 12/16 now 11/14) + Greedo (7/11) + Gamorrean Guard (10) + Bib Fortuna (was 9/12 now 8/11)
Final Team: Jabba: Great and Mighty 11 + Bib 9 + Gamorrean Guard 10
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Jabba’s Palace on Tatooine
Upgrades: Prized Possession, BD-1 Cutter Vibro-Ax x 2, Cunning x 2, Crime Lord, Unscrupulous, Scatterblaster
Downgrade: Shock Collar
Supports: My Kind of Scum x 2, Backup Muscle, Hutt Ties x 2, Underworld Connections x 2, Hired Muscle, Truce x 2, Rancorous x 2, Extreme Hubris, Sticky Situation x 2, Dodge x 2, Friends in High Places, Twin Shadows x 2
3 vs. 2…the Jedi begin. The Gamorrean Guard immediately starts pounding away on Obi-Wan while the synergy between the two Jedi starts chipping away at Bib. Once again, Jedi Characters find themselves on the downside of their very own Temple's Claim ability! Undeterred, a 3-point Melee hit from Obi-Wan quickly crushes Jabba’s Twi’lek major-domo.
To avenge Bib, Jabba uses a Focus to order his porcine bodyguard to smear Obi-Wan for 3 more Melee damage! The Jedi “Claim the Temple” early, just to give the Hutt a taste of his own slug-flavoured medicine. Jabba continues to egg on the Gamorrean Guard for more Melee damage, but “Protective Mentor” Qui-Gon intervenes to keep his padawan alive. Jabba's “Cunning” quickly Shields-up the space orc before Obi delivers a 3-point hammer.
“Unscrupulous” turfs the 1 Resource needed for Obi-Wan to chow down at “Dex's Diner”, but the Interceptor rolls it for him anyway! After Shields are placed (and then promptly blown away) by both factions, Qui-Gon gets frozen in carbonite via “Prized Possession”, just as Obi-Wan sits down for seconds at Dex's greasy spoon. Curiously, this doesn’t completely cripple the Obi and Qui-Gon Activation / Shield / Damage engine, which eventually eliminates the Gamorrean Guard.
Wily Jabba isn't done yet, and some “Hired Muscle” arrives at the nick of time! Just as Obi-Wan is about to break out his laser sword, the goons wrestle it away from him, along with his “Republic Armor”! Jabba then uses “Cunning” to ape the Special of the “Treasured Lightsaber”, but Obi's now looking positively refreshed!
Jabba then lands the “Crime Lord” Special, which means that Qui-Gon is gonna be toast at the end of the round. But, in an 11’th hour, Hail Mary play, a Jedi re-roll generates 4 damage between the “Dagger of Mortis” and Qui-Gon's “Makashi Training”…just enough to put the gangster slug down!
Surprisingly even match. I might sub Greedo in next time just for shits n’ giggles.
WINNER: Qui-Gone Gym and Obi-Brawn Kenobi
***
MATCH TWELVE
Rex Havok
Options: Rex - Clone Captain (was 11/14 now 10/13) + Clone Trooper (8) + Anakin - Conflicted Apprentice (10/13)
Final Team: Rex (10) + Clone Trooper (8) + Anakin (10)
TOTAL POINTS: 28
Location: Fort Anaxes
Upgrades: Anakin’s Lightsaber, Training, Auto Cannon, T-21 Repeating Blaster, Makashi Training, Overkill, EMP Grenades x 2, Rex’s Blaster Pistol x 2
Supports: Supporting Fire, Seeking Knowledge, ARC-170 Starfighter, Drop Zone, V-Wing, Mortar Team, Suppressive Fire, Armed Escort
Events: Use the Force, Friendly Fire, Field Medic, Standoff, Squad Tactics, Reposition, Attack of the Clones, Conflicted, Run to Safety, Off the Sensors, Rearm, Seizing Territory
vs.
Imperial Army
Options: Veers (11/14) + Stormtroopers (9 each)
Final Team: Veers (11) + 2 Stormtroopers (9 each)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Battlefield: Death Star - Imperial Armory
Upgrades: T-7 Ion Disruptor Rifle, Rocket Launcher, E-11 Blaster, Imperial Discipline, Promotion, Commanding Presence, Infantry Grenades
Supports: Attrition, Outpost, Ground Battalion, AT-ST, Armoured Support, Probe Droid, Sniper Team, Imperial HQ, Imperial Officer, Tech Team, Speeder Bike Scout, E-Web Emplacement, Imperial Troop Transport
Events: First Strike, Rout, Imperial War Machine, Imperial Backing, Law and Order, Imperial Might, Pinned Down, Flanking Maneuver, Warning Siren, Firepower
Clones begin the match, rolling 4 versus the Imperial's 2. Veers, buffed by "Commanding Presence", orders a Stormtrooper to blast his Clone rival for 4 points, which kills him. "Drop Zone" then polishes off a wounded Stormtrooper. Rex's Focus helps Anakin tee up a 4-point Melee strike on the second Stormtrooper, but, armed with an E-11, the Stormtrooper makes short work of Rex.
“Drop Zone” once again takes out the second Stormtrooper, but “Attrition” bites Anakin back and the Blaster Redeploys to Veers! Anakin gets lucky, dialling up an insane 5-point saber hit on Veers! The Imperial General strikes back, delivering a 4-point Ranged hit which is augmented by his “Commanding Presence” Special. Anakin comes out swinging with another 4 Damage, dropping "Use the Force" to turn his Saber to its 2-Melee side and polish off Veers!
It really looked as if the Imperials, with all of their Supports, would win this one, but a Makashi-Trained Anakin armed with his custom Saber is absolutely vicious. This win came despite the fact that several Clones cards are borderline useless because they're designed to reward non-unique Characters. I'll have to decide if I want to lean into the Anakin-led Clones theme and sub those cards out or procure a few more generic Clones and excise the Jedi factor. Equally useless is the Special for “Conflicted Apprentice”, since there are no Villain cards and scarcely any Hero cards!
WINNER: Rex Havok
***
MATCH THIRTEEN
Padmill Amidala
Options: Padme - Queen of Naboo (10/14) + Anakin - Conflicted Apprentice (10/13) + Naboo Palace Guard (8) + Espionage (1)
Final Team: Padme - Queen of Naboo (10) + Anakin - Conflicted Apprentice (10) + Naboo Palace Guard (8) + Espionage (1)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Theed Royal Palace on Naboo
Upgrades: Decoy, Lightsaber, Protective Suit, Ascension Gun, Diplomatic Immunity, Diplomatic Protection, CR-2 Heavy Blaster x 2, Token of Affection,
Supports: N-1 Starfighter x 2, Padme Amidala’s Royal Starship, Republic Cruiser, Senate Chamber, GH-7 Droid
Events: Strategic Planning, Defiance, High Ground, Strength through Weakness, Respite, Aggressive Negotiations x 2, Lightsaber Pull, Diversion, Impersonate x 2, Synchronicity, Seize the Day, Caution
vs.
The Sith Goon Squad
Options: Grand Inquisitor (was 14/19 now 13/17) + Fifth Brother (13/16) + Seventh Sister (11/14)
Final Team: Elite Grand Inquisitor (17) + Fifth Brother (13)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Sith Temple on Malachor
Upgrades: ID9 Seeker Droid x 2, Grand Inquisitor’s Lightsaber, Fifth Brother’s Lightsaber, Hidden in Shadow x 2, Recovered Sith Lightsaber,
Supports: Insidious x 2,
Events: Entropic Blast x 2, Double Strike x 2, Lightsaber Throw x 2, Crush Hope x 2, Momentum Shift, Triple Threat x 2, Clash, No Surrender, Way of the Dark x 2, Cornered Prey x 2, The Power of the Force, Division in the Force
5 vs. 1…The Goons start things off!
The Inquisitor's double Focus sets up a 5-point Melee strike on the Naboo Guard. Padme reads him the riot act, Discarding the Inquisitor’s Lightsaber! Yikes! Unrepentant, the Inquisitor sets up a vicious 5-point Melee hit, which drains the Naboo Guard of his 3 Shields and piles on 2 more Damage!
A Lightsaber-armed Anakin clobbers the Inquisitor for 4 damage, but the Goons keep living up to their name, using "Triple Threat" to set up a brutal 7 points of Melee damage! Two hits from the Fifth Brother is dropped on the Guard, killing him, and the balance of 5 targets Anakin. He loses his 2 Shields and takes a net 3 damage.
After heaving out “High Ground” to re-roll her Ascension Gun die, Padme get a lame-o Focus result, while the Goons spend a Discard, forcing their opponents to turf a very valuable N-1 Starfighter! The Discards keep coming, with "Strength through Weakness" sloughing 4 cards from the Goon deck, but they immediately respond by chucking out Padme's Royal Starship!
Then they appropriately table "Crush Hope", discarding 4 cards to deal that much Indirect Damage to Padme and Anakin! Padme takes all 4, losing 2 Shields and then taking 2 hits. This is done to keep Anakin, the prime damage-dealer alive, but the effort is moot. He soon takes another 5-point spanking and gets eliminated!
“Double Strike” keeps piling on the punishment while Padme fights back, forcing 3 Discards! It's all for naught, however, when the “ID9 Seeker” lets the Inquisitor Focus on a 2-Melee damage, delivering the killing blow to the young Queen.
Not even close. The Inquisitor took 8 damage but the Goons also had the exact same number of cards remaining in their deck as Padme and Anakin had. In other words, I gotta go back to the drawing board and tweak the deck’s ability to jettison cards. NOTE: Since the Theed Royal Palace uses a Power Action, the Ascension Gun’s Special is completely useless. Sooo, is it just me or does this really seem contrary to theme?
WINNER: Sith Goon Squad
***
MATCH FOURTEEN
TRAITOR!!!
Options: FN-2199 (was 10/13 now 11/14) + Executioner (8) + First Order Stormtrooper (7) + Advanced Training (2)
Final Team: FN-2199 (11) + Executioner (8) + First Order Stormtrooper (7) + Advanced Training (2)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Maz’s Castle on Takodana
Upgrades: Riot Shield, Z6 Riot Control Baton x 2, Executioner’s Axe, F-11D Rifle,
Supports: BB-9E, First Order TIE Fighter x 2, Command Bridge, Hostile Territory
Events: Drop Your Weapon! x 2, Endless Ranks, Target Practice x 2, Scorched Earth x 2, Subjugate, Tactical Mastery, Undying Loyalty x 2, Pulverize x 2, Traitor! x 2, Collateral Damage x 2, Red Alert, Mobilize, The Best Defense
Rebel Aces
Options: Luke Skywalker - Red 5 (11/14) + Wedge - Squad Leader (11/15) + Biggs (9/12) + Rebel Engineer (8) + Rookie Pilot (7) + Destroy the Death Star (1, reduced by Luke)
Final Team: Luke 11 + Wedge 11 + Rookie 7 + Destroy the Death Star 1
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Rebel War Room on Yavin IV
Plot: Destroy the Death Star
Upgrades: Natural Pilot, Force Focus, Wingman
Supports: Y-Wing x 2, A-Wing x 2, Concerted Effort x 2, Launch Bay, Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing, R2-D2, B-Wing, X-Wing, Rebel Hanger, Air Superiority
Events: Trench Run, Crash Landing, Eject, Electromagnetic Pulse, Plan of Attack, Targeting Computer, Aerial Advantage, Trust You Feelings, Rebel Assault, Shields Are Down, Strike Briefing, Evacuate, Reckless Reentry
4 vs 2…the Troopers start! After the Executioner makes short work of the Rookie, the Rebels strike back with Launch Bay, but 3 of the 4 damage is blocked by a Riot Shield. FN deals a single Melee damage to Wedge, finishing him off and allowing the Executioner to roll both his Character and Axe dice into his pool. Unfortunately, they both come up blank!
In a last-ditch effort to polish off the now shield-less Death Star(killer) Base, Luke gets Ranged damage on his Character die but not his A-Wing. He decides to gamble, discards to re-roll and gets 3 more damage with the A-Wing to end the Executioner!
In the next round, the Launch Bay inflicts a punishing 5 damage to the Trooper! The First Order launches a TIE but, on the very next Action, Luke spends a Resource, re-rolls his own Character die, gets a +2 to augment the A-Wing’s 3 Ranged die face and destroys the station!
Ridiculously close. I might have forgotten to use the Command Bridge in one round, which could have given FN and company the surge they needed to finish Luke. It's highly unlikely that Red 5 would have survived another turn if he hadn't blown up the station!
WINNER: Rebel Aces
***
MATCH FIFTEEN
Fett's 'Vette
Options: Boba Fett - Deadly Mercenary (12/16) + Elite Jabba - Influential Kingpin (10/13) = 29
Final Team: Elite Fett (16) + Elite Jabba (13)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Jabba’s Palace on Tatooine
Upgrades: Boba Fett’s Wrist Laser, Jetpack, Flame Thrower, Wrist Rockets, Crime Lord, Prized Possession, Vow of Vengeance, Deadly
Downgrades: Death Mark x 2, Enticing Reward, Forced Labor
Supports: My Kind if Scum, Underworld Connections, Hutt Ties, Slave I, Infamous
Events: Friends in High Places, Subdue, Extreme Hubris, Reversal, Truce, Take Flight, Think of Your Feet, Relentless Pursuit, Rancorous, Entangle, Counter Strike, Hunt them Down
vs.
Teacher's Pet
Options: Luminara Unduli - Inspiring Commander (was 13 / 17 now 11/14) + Barriss Offee - Studious Padawan (9/12) + Jedi Sentinel (10)
Final Team: Luminara (11) + Barriss (9) + Jedi Sentinel (10)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Arid Wasteland on Geonosis
Upgrades: Jedi Lightsaber, Lightsaber, Force Heal, Force Jump, Psychometry, Counterstroke, Jedi Robes, Force Protection, Soresu Training, Soresu Mastery, Force Push, Force Jump
Supports: Delta-7 Interceptor, Foresight, Immutability, Meditate
Events: Rend, Hold Off, Repulse, Common Cause, Use The Force, Deflecting Slash, Falling Avalanche, Bestow Wisdom, Fatal Blow, Pacify, Strong Intuition, Stand Firm, Circle of Shelter, Lightsaber Pull
4 vs. 2…the Jedi begin, scoring first blood on Fett, but Jabba uses "Prized Possession" to carbon-freeze Luminari's Character Die! With a Focus from Jabba, Fett fries Barriss, gaining Boba a 3-card draw thanks to the “Death Mark” Bounty. Not long after, Fett delivers an insane 7 damage on the Sentinel, killing him and scoring free “Wrist Rockets” via the "Enticing Reward” Bounty.
But just as the deadly duo are conspiring to set up another devastating combo, a single Melee hit generated from Luminari's Jedi Lightsaber knocks the cocky bounty hunter out of commission! In a last gasp effort, some unnamed padawan takes up Luminari’s lightsaber and tries to mete out some vengeance for their frozen master, but Jabba's “Crime Lord” ends the match before they can truly test their mettle.
Although Fett’s hubris was pretty unforgivable, it was still kinda on-brand. “Prized Possession” certainly helped to create an early advantage, which eventually led to a strangle-hold.
WINNER: Fett's Vette
***
MATCH SIXTEEN
We're Rebels, We Rebel
Final Team: Rieekan (12) + Rebel Commando (10) + Rebel Trooper (8)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Rebel War Room on Yavin IV
Upgrades: Tactical Aptitude, Survival Gear, Lead by Example, Camouflaged Rifle, DH-17 Blaster Pistol, A280 Blaster Rifle, Scout, Overkill
Supports: Shield Generator, Honor Guard, Launch Bay, T-47 Airspeeder x 2, Medical Driod, Lookout Post, AT-RT
Events: Retreat, Field Medic, Entrenched, Hit and Run, Rebel Assault, Salvo, First Aid, Dug In, Surgical Strike, Sensor Placement, Strike Back, All Quiet on the Front, Direct Hit, Defensive Position
Who Let The Dogs Out?
Options: Elite Maul - Vengeful One (was 12/16 now 10/14) + Savage Opress (11/14) + Lightsaber Mastery (2) (NOTE: Maul - Skilled Duelist has since been procured!)
Final Team: Options: Elite Maul - Vengeful One (14) + Savage Opress (11) + Lightsaber Mastery (2)
TOTAL POINTS: 27
Location: Rift Valley on Dathomir
Upgrades: Shatterpoint x 2, Nimian Training, Nimian Mastery x 2, Lightsaber Pike, Maul’s Lightsaber, Force rend, Bloodshot x 2, Hidden in Shadow, Jedi Rival x 2
Supports: Scimitar, Forbidden Lore
Events: Hidden Motive x 2, Frighten x 2, Intimidate x 2, Consumed By The Dark Side x 2, Draw Closer x 2, No Surrender, Twin Strike, Cornered Prey, No Mercy, Block, Dodge, Pushing Slash
Savage tries to enact vengeance by “Force Rend”-ing one of the Speeders, but it's protected under the “Shield Generator.” Enraged, Savage snaps and chops down the Rebel Commando with an insane 7 Damage! His second “Rend” attempt on the Speeder succeeds, and he crumples the thing up like an aluminum space beer can!
He then uses this same Force power to barely avoid a lethal 6-point Ranged hit. He tries the same defensive stunt on the very next round, but this time Rieekan uses a Focus, as well as “Lead by Example” and “Overkill”, to dial up 3 Ranged damage with his “Camouflaged Rifle” to blast Savage in his spiny mush for 7 Points of damage, killing him.
With a dearth of decent rolls, the two Sith bros had a really hard go of it. Just like in the movie, Maul got in a few solid licks before expiring prematurely! A solo Savage almost made up the difference with “Rend's” Special, which let him squish those damage-dealing Speeders while “Nimian Mastery” teed up some heavy damage. Fortunately for the Rebels, a flurry of re-rolls helped them produce just enough damage to deliver the kill shot!
WINNER: We're Rebels, We Rebel
***
MATCH SEVENTEEN
Krennik’s Hobby
Options: Krennik (was 15/19 now 14/17) + Tarkin (13/16) + Death Trooper (10) + Imperial Death Trooper (8/11) + Construct the Death Star (2)
Final Team: Elite Krennik (17) + Death Trooper (10) + Construct the Death Star (2)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Comm Tower on Scarif
Upgrades: Death Star Plans, DT-29 Heavy Blaster Pistol, Fragmentation Grenade x 2, Imperial Discipline, E-11 Blaster, Director, E-11D Blaster, Grand Moff,
Supports: Climate Disruption Array
Events: Imperial Envoy x 2, Crush the Rebellion x 2, Forced Compliance x 2, Prepare for War, Battle Formation, Call to Action x 2, Reinforce x 2, Tactical Mastery, Outnumber x 2, Commence Primary Ignition, Command and Conquer, I’ll Handle This Myself,
vs.
L&L Music Factory
Options: Elite Lando (13/16) + Lobot (10/13) + Profitable Connection (3)
Final Team: Elite Lando (16) + Lobot (10) + Protitable Connection (3)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Port District of Bespin
Upgrades: Comlink x 2, Hidden Blaster, Hidden Agenda x 2, Con Artist x 2, X-8 Night Sniper
Supports: XS Stock Light Freighter, Double-Dealing x 2, Bespin Wing Guard, Cloud Car x 2, Scrap Heap, Outmanoeuvre x 2
Events: Bravado x 2, Appraise x 2, Friend or Foe x 2, Double-Cross x 2, Cheat x 2, Confidence x 2
5 vs. 4, Lando & Lobot start things off! Krennik and the Trooper quickly conspire to deal 5 Ranged Damage to Lobot while another 4 points on the very next turn finishes him off! Despite the nice flow of Resources for Lando, his offensive power gets stymied twice by back-to-back plays of “Crush the Rebellion”!
Krennik then plays "Imperial Envoy" to good effect, hitting Lando for 2 damage. Not long after, Krennik and the Death Trooper (along with the trooper’s bonus die) conspire to deliver an obscene 8 Ranged Damage in one fell swoop. This doesn't even include the remaining Focus die, which spins up 3 more Indirect Damage! Yikes!
Needless to say, the final outcome of this match was pretty predictable! As expected, Lando generated lots of Resources but, like the Jawa deck, he had nothing to spend it on! As such, I think his version of the Millennium Falcon would be a great addition to this deck, especially tricked out with some cannons. Conversely, Krennik and company don't produce nearly enough resources to built the Death Star, so I need to find some more revenue streams for them!
WINNER: Krennik and the Death Star
***
MATCH EIGHTEEN
(Plo) Koon and Friends
Options: Plo (11/14) + Jedi Instructor (8) + Jedi Acolyte (9) + Force Flow (2)
Final Team: Plo (11) + Jedi Instructor (8) + Jedi Acolyte (9) + Force Flow (2)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Jedi Temple on Coruscant
Upgrades: Coordination, Crafted Lightsaber, Force Heal, Force Speed, Heirloom Lightsaber, Jedi Robes, Psychometry, Shien Training.
Supports: ETA-2 Interceptor, Foresight, Immutability, Jedi Council, Meditate, Plo Koon’s Starfighter.
Events: Ancient Wisdom, At Peace x 2, Feel the Force, Guard x 2, Hold Off, Invigorate, Pacify, Pushing Slash, Repulse, Repulse. Renewed Purpose x 2, Steadfast x 2.
vs.
Respectable Businessmen
Options: Hondo (12/15) + Kragan Gorr (13/16) + Profiteering (2)
Final Team: E-Hondo (15) + Kragan Gorr (13) + Profiteering (2)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Outer Rim Outpost on Nal Hutta
Upgrades: Blackmail, Black Sun Blaster Pistol, BD-1 Cutter Vibro-Ax, Cunning, Donderbus Blaster Pistol, Holdout Blaster, Respected Businessman x 2, Vibrocutlass x 2.
Supports: Firespray-31, Impound, Merchant Freighter, Pirate Ship, Pirate Speeder Tank x 2, Prized Goods x 2, Raiding Party, Streetwise, XS Stock Light Freighter
Events: Closing the Deal, Desperate Measures, For a Price x 2, Plunder, Quick Thinking, Shootout, Warning Shot x 2.
3 vs. 0…the Jedi begin!
Plo's mirrors the special ability of the Acolyte and the duo conspire to deal a hefty 6-point Melee strike on Hondo! The Jedi then turf “Force Flow”, dial up the Heirloom Lightsaber’s 3-Melee damage die face and zap Hondo right in his gnarled mush again! Meanwhile, Kragan putters around in his Speeder Tank, peppering the Jedi with 7 Indirect Damage!
Just as Hondo and Kragan are about to deliver a 7-point counter-attack, Plo plays "Guard" to block it all. Nice! Plo's Starfighter vaporizes Hondo on the very same turn that Kragan turns the Jedi Instructor into an extra-crispy chicken nuggie. Plo's “Force Speed” then allows the Acolyte to Focus his master's Character Die to 2 Melee, which is then resolved along with 3 more Melee from the Heirloom 'Saber. Kragan and his Raiding Party immediately storm back with 5 Indirect Damage!
On the very next turn, however, the Party and the Tank roll like crap. So does Plo, but a 2-point Focus by the Acolyte lets the Jedi cherry-pick a 5-point Melee strike. After blowing out Kragan's 2 Shields, the 3 leftover damage is just enough to K.O. the pirate!
So, for some bizarre reason, Hondo doesn't have a Resource die face, which signature cards like “Profiteering” oddly limited. In fact, the deck kinda struggles to pay for all of those Tanks and Firesprays.
Plo, on the other hand, is surprisingly strong, thanks in large part to his ability to copy the practical powers of his two students. Needless to say, igniting the Heirloom Lightsaber early and getting it to roll well also helped out the Jedi cause.
WINNER: (Plo) Koon and Friends
***
MATCH NINETEEN
What a Cad (Bane)!
HOLO-NET NEWS FLASH: Mid-season trade! Aurra Sing leaves Bossk (who immediately partners with a Trandoshan Hunter) and joins a team with Cad Bane!
Options: Cad Bane (13/17) + Aurra Sing (14/18) + Preemptive Strike (3)
Final Team: Cad Bane (13) + Aurra Sing (14) + Preemptive Strike (3)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Wheeta Palace on Nal Hutta
Upgrades: Extortion, Fast Hands x 2, Flame Projector, Holdout Blaster, Jetpack, LL-30 Blaster Pistol x 2, On the Hunt x 2, Supply Pack, Underhanded Tactics x 2, Verpine Sniper Rifle.
Supports: Streetwise, Underworld Connections.
Events: Aim, Bounty Postings, Coercion x 2, Hasty Exit, In a Bind, In the Crosshairs, Paid Off x 2, Partners in Crime, Quick Draw, Shootout, Threaten.
vs.
Millennial Falcon
Options: Rey - Force Prodigy (9/12) OR Finding the Ways (12/15) OR Bound by the Force ( 11/15) + Finn (was 13/16 now 11/13) + Maz (8/11)
Final Team: Bound Rey (11) + Finn (11) + Maz (8)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Starship Graveyard - Jakku
Upgrades: DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol, Force Heal, Force Training, Jedi Robes, Maz’s Goggles, Rey’s Lightsaber, Rey’s Staff, Second Chance x 2.
Supports: Awakening x 2, BB-8, Improvisation, Maz’s Vault, Millennium Falcon, Quadjumper.
Events: Bolt Hole, Dark Reflections, Deflect, Destiny, Draw Attention x 2, Fight Back, Flank, Mind Trick, Patience, Roll On, Scavenge, Under Attack, Use the Force.
At 5 versus 2, the Millennials kick things off! Cad Bane is characteristically quick with his twin LL-30's and Flame Projector, but Rey and company do a great job mitigating or redirecting the resulting damage. To make matters worse, Bane and Sing’s dice suddenly go ice-cold, rolling 5 blanks at one point!
Two re-rolls later, they finally generate 5 damage, which is enough to take out Maz. Another 4 points generated on a future turn eliminates Finn, but "Second Chance" brings him back! On a subsequent turn, the two bounty hunters conspire to deal 6 more damage to him, which finally puts him down for good!
After Rey eviscerates the heavily-wounded Sing, the battle comes down to a desperate flurry of re-rolls. In the end, support vehicles like the Falcon and the Quadjumper start to nudge the battle in favour of Ms. Miracle. Laden down with her Staff and a hot-rolling DL-44 Blaster, Rey eventually takes the duke!
For the record, L’il Miss Palpatine was just two damage away from defeat. The Millennials might struggle to deliver early hurt, but they get pretty vicious as they ramp up. Mercifully, deflecto cards like "Use the Force", "Draw Attention", "Flank", "Fight Back" and "Under Attack" bought Rey just enough time to go HAM on the hunters.
Bane and Sing, on the other hand, are all about piling on with fast and heavy damage. Frankly, if their luck had been just a tad (Cad?) better, or if they had some damage-dealing Vehicle Supports, they might have scored the "V"!
WINNER: Millennial Falcon
***
MATCH TWENTY
"Get Them Rebels!"
Options: Kallus (was 14/18 now 12/15) + Thrawn - Master Strategist (14/17) or Grand Admiral (15/19) + Arihnda Pryce (10/13)
Final Team: E-Kallus (15) + Grand Admiral Thrawn (15)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: The Imperial Academy on Lothal
Upgrades: E-11 Blaster, Imperial Discipline, Kallus’ Bo-Rifle, Mastermind x2, Promotion.
Downgrade: Cruel Methods
Supports: AT-DP x 2, Cultural Records x 2, Detention Center, Imperial HQ, Interrogation Droid, Press the Advantage, Tactical Delay.
Events: Art of War x 2, Counterintelligence, Domination, Face the Enemy x 2, Imperial Might, Occupation, Opening Volley, Revised Order, Tactical Mastery, Testing Procedure, Three Steps Ahead x 2.
vs.
Best Bahds (Han and Chewie)
Options: Han (was 14/18 now 13/16) or Savvy Smuggler (11/14) + Chewie (was 12/16 now 11/13)
Final Team: E-Savvy Han (14) + E-Chewie (13) + Profitable Connection (3)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Chalmun’s Cantina on Tatooine or the Mean Streets of Corellia
Upgrades: Ammo Belt, Bowcaster, Custom Bandolier, Han Solo’s Blaster, Han Solo’s Dice, Life Debt, Quickdraw Holster, Roguish Charm.
Supports: Escape Craft, Millennium Falcon.
Events: Against the Odds, Battle Rage x 2, Close Quarters Assault x 2, Dodge, Hyperspace Jump, Impulsive x 2, Jump to Lightspeed, Let the Wookiee Win x 2, Narrow Escape, Reap the Reward, Sabotage, Scramble, Scruffy-Looking Nerf-Herder, Shoot First, Smuggler’s Run.
6 versus 4, Kallis and Thrawn start!
After Han and Chewie roll well and deal a whopping 6 damage to Kallus in the very first round, the Imperial goon fires back on Han for 4 damage. "Never Tell Me the Odds" tees up another 6 points o' pain, 4 of which annihilate Kallus and final 2 batter Thrawn about the head an shoulders! Big yikes!
A Focus die result via “Cultural Records” lets Thrawn clip Han with 3 Melee Damage, but the dynamic duo generate another 6 potential damage while Chewie’s Special trowels on 2 more. Now completely desperate, Thrawn uses "Revised Orders" to poke Han with three more damage.
With all the effort of kicking his feet up on a cantina table / Death Star control panel / Millennium Falcon Ikea desk, Han casually ends Thrawn via a final 2-point Ranged coup de gras!
Soooo, that happened. Sure, Han and Chewie's Character Dice have a lot of damage sides, but, man, their luck was just insane! Thrawn and Kallus barely knew what hit 'em!
WINNER: Best Bahds
MATCH TWENTY-ONE
Wookiee Rage
Options: Kashyyyk Warrior (8/11) + Vengeful Wookiee (7) + Tarfful (11/14) + Wookiee Warrior (9) + Valorous Tribe (3)
Final Team: Tarfful (11) + Wookiee Warrior (9) + Vengeful Wookiee + Valarous Tribe (3)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Ewok Village on Endor standing in for where this should have happened...Chewie’s Village on Kashyyk. F#@king Ewoks.
Upgrades: Ammo Belt, Bowcaster, Fortitude x 2, Life Debt, Vibroknife, Vibroknucklers, Vibrosword.
Supports: Planetary Uprising x 2, Wookiee Protection.
Events: Battle Rage, Close Quarters Assault, Disarm x 2, Dismantle, Feat of Strength, Flank x 2, Fling, Hijack, Imposing Figure, Impulsive, Let the Wookiee Win, No Cheating, Rigged Detonation x 2, Swing In x 2, Wookiee Rage
vs.
Vader - Enforcer
Options: Vader - Terror to Behold (18/23) + Stormtrooper (9) + Taking Ground (2)
Final Team: Vader - Terror to Behold (18) + Stormtrooper (9) + Taking Ground (2)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: the War-Torn Streets of Jedha
Upgrades: E-11 Blaster, Force Choke x 2, Force Lift x 2, Force Rend, Force Throw, Infantry Grenades, Lightsaber.
Supports: Darth Vader’s Meditation Chamber, Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced, Emperor’s Favor, Ground Battalion, Interrogation Droid, Local Garrison, Power of the Dark Side, Vader’s Fist.
Events: Bacta Therapy, Breaking Bonds, Control, Dark Scheme, Endow, I Am Your Father, Isolation, Lack of Faith, Law and Order, No Disintegrations, Rise Again, Undermine, Your Skills are Complete.
5 + 2 = 7 (for "Taking Ground") vs. 3…Vader begins! Tarfful's 1-Resource die fuels a 5-damage hit on the Stormtrooper, which the Chieftain promptly finishes off on the very next round with one more Melee damage. Vader smokes the Wookiee Warrior with his insane 4-Melee die face, but the Sith Lord gets a similar clap back on the very next round!
A 2-Value Focus from Vader sets up a 3-point Melee strike to kill the Vengeful Wookiee, while his TIE singes Tarrful for 2 damage. Anyone else smell burnt fur?
But, in a scenario best described as “death by a million cuts”, Tarrful does 2 Melee damage to Darth, Claims the Battlefield and then does 2 more via “Planetary Uprising” to finish him off!
This was a genuine shocker. After the wookiees made short work out of the Stormtrooper, cards like “Fortitude” transformed Tarfful into a Hulk-like monster while “Planetary Uprising” did a crap-ton of consistent damage on Vader. It also helped that Tarrful’s special ability gave his allies a 1-point Health boost while “Valorous Tribe” let the furballs spread out the damage (*GASP*...SOUNDS LIKE SOCIALISM!!!) and heal the wounded. They barely even played any cards!
Vader, on the other hand, had some pretty decent cards in play, including his TIE for bonus damage, his Meditation Chamber for healing and deck preservation, “Power of the Dark Side” for bad luck mitigation and the economy-crippling “Local Garrison.” Unfortunately, he needed a lot more Resources to fund powerful cards like “Rise Again” and some of his crazier personal Upgrades.
If Vader is patient, saves up his space-shekels and sets up a nice support system for himself, I think this deck would kick ass. Having said that, I will look for more Resource-generating options for future.
WINNER: Wookiee Rage
***
MATCH TWENTY-TWO
Yoda and the Younglings
Options: Yoda - Wizened Master (10/13) + Youngling (4) + Barriss (9/12) + Padawan (8) + Jedi Trials (2)
Final Team: Yoda (10) + Bariss (9) + Padawan (8) + Jedi Trials (2)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: The Jedi Temple on Coruscant
Upgrades: Ancient Lightsaber, Crafted Lightsaber, Jedi Holocron, Lightsaber Training Staff, Padawan Braid, There is No Try, Yoda’s Lightsaber.
Supports: Defensive Teaching, Diatium Power Cell, It Binds All Things, Jedi Council, Professor Huyang, The Force is Strong, Yoda’s Hut, Yoda’s Quarters, Yoda’s Spirit.
Events: Ancient Wisdom, Concentrate, Defend, Disciplined Mind, Do Or Do Not, Fond Memories, Insight, My Ally Is The Force, Pacify, Patience, Peace And Quiet, Premonitions, Use The Force, Yoda’s Protection.
vs.
Subverted Expectations
Options: Snoke (11/13) + Kylo - Vader's Disciple (10/13) or Tormented One (14/17) or Bound by the Force (11/15) + Snoke's Praetorian Guard (8/11)
Final Team: Elite Snoke (13) + Elite Kylo - Tormented One (17)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Snoke’s Throne Room on the Supremacy
Upgrades: Ancient Sith Armor, Crossguard Lightsaber, Force Pull, Force Stasis, Immobilize, Kylo Ren’s Lightsaber, Lure of Power, Mind Probe, Torment,
Downgrades: Mind Extraction x 2
Supports: Command Shuttle, Kylo Ren’s Starfighter
Events: Act of Betrayal, Anger x 2, As You Command, Decisive Blow, Enrage, Inflict Pain, Isolation, Kill Them All, On Guard, Parry x 2, Pincer Movement, Power From Pain, Relinquish, Tantrum, The Power Of The Force.
4 vs. 2…Snoke and Kylo start! Despite a decent l’il support system provided by Yoda's Hut and his Quarters, the diminutive Jedi Master is soon laid low by a vicious synergy between the Tormented One’s innate special ability and Snoke’s power to Focus the sheer brutality of his pupil’s “Mind Probe”! Not long after, the Command Shuttle arrives, adding its own ability to mimic the latter, which sees the Padawan dispatched in short order!
Once again, Snoke's 2-Focus die result sets up another nasty 4-damage Melee strike from Kylo. Then, a well-timed re-roll sees Kylo's Starfighter special paste Bariss for another deals 4 damage, setting her up to be felled by yet another 4 Damage from Ben’s “Mind Probe” next round. It's an absolute slaughter!
Honestly, it was really brutal to watch Yoda and company get absolutely dismantled by Snoke and Kylo. I really thought Yoda's ability to heal n' shield might hold off the twin terrors long enough for the Jedi to chip away at them or run them out of cards, but this Sith-nami just wrecks everything in a single wave of smothering damage!
Note for next time: dump “Jedi Trials” since it requires Abilities not Upgrades, ya dumb-ass.
WINNER: Subverted Expectations
***
MATCH TWENTY-THREE
Cody's Commandos
Options: Cody (9/13) + Clone Trooper (8…7 with Cody) + Obi Wan Ardent Avenger (was 14/18 now 12/16) + Long Term Plan (3)
Final Team: Cody (9) + Trooper (7) + Obi (12) + Lightsaber Mastery (2) with Fatal Blow and Fluid Reposte!
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Fort Anaxes or the Training Room on Kamino
Upgrades: Dagger of Mortis, EMP Grenades x 2, Force Push, Obi-Wan’s Lightsaber, Overkill, Soresu Training, T-21 Repeating Blaster, Training.
Supports: ARX-170 Starfighter, Armed Escort, Drop Zone, LAAT Gunship, Mortar Team, Supporting Fire, Suppressive Fire, V-Wing.
Events: Attack of the Clones, Block, Fatal Blow, Field Medic, Fluid Riposte, Friendly Fire, Off The Sensors, Pushing Slash, Rearm, Reposition, Run to Safety x 2, Seizing Territory, Snuff Out, Standoff.
vs.
Iggy and the Filthy Bandaged Bastard
Options: IG-88 Assassin Droid (was 15/20 now 13/18) or Single Minded (14/17) + Dengar (was 11/14 now 10/13)
Final Team: Elite Single Minded IG-88 (17) + Elite Dengar (13)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Mos Eisley Spaceport on Tatoinne
Upgrades: Dengar’s Fire Blade, Hidden Blaster, Holdout Blaster, Pulse Cannon, Punch Dagger, Skilled Tracker, Sonic Detonators.
Downgrades: Dead Or Alive x 2, Wanted x 2
Supports: Black Market, Bounty Board, Bounty Hunter’s Guild, IG-2000, Punishing One, Weapons Cache.
Events: Armed To The Teeth x 2, Bounty Postings x 2, Evade x 2, Fight Dirty x 2, Misinformation x 2, Prey Upon x 2, Threaten.
4 versus 1…Dengar and IG-88 go first!
A Fire-Blade-wielding Dengar shivs Cody but the “Overkill”-buffed Clone Trooper strikes back, peppering Dengar with Ranged damage until he drops.
In a particularly-nasty (and arguably premature) move, IG-88 plays "Armed to the Teeth", throwing out a Hidden Blaster and Punch Dagger to finish off the Trooper! Even though Iggy is supported by both the Punishing One and the IG-2000, a “Soresu Trained” Obi-Wan, bolstered by “Force Push” and his own Power Action, keeps heaping 3-plus damage on the assassin droid every turn to steal the win!
I think the bounty hunters would have won if they could have played so much as a single Bounty card at the start of the match or early on, mainly because their ships and abilities are really geared towards exploiting Downgrades.
WINNER: Cody's Commandos
MATCH TWENTY-FOUR
Sebulba Might Win...In Theory
Options: Sebulba (9/12) + Watto (9/12) + Boonta Eve Classic (2) + Tusken Raider (9)
Final Team: Sebulba (9) + Watto (9) + Boonta (2) + Tusken (9)
TOTAL POINTS: 29
Location: Watto’s Shop or Mos Espa Arena, both on Tatooine
Upgrades: Bartering, Chance Cube, Gaffi Stick, Systems Guage
Downgrades: Shock Collar x 2.
Supports: Mining Guild TIE Fighter x 2, Play The Odds x 2, Podracer x 2, Remote Stockpile, Sebulba’s Podracer, Starviper, Z-95 Hradhunter x 2.
Events: Bad Credit x 2, First Claim, Hard Bargain, Monopolize, Podracer Betting x 2, Recycle x 2, Tinker, Sebulba Always Wins x 2, Start Your Engines.
vs.
Inferno Squad
Options: Iden Versio (12/15) + Stormtroopers (9 each)
Final Team: Iden (12) + 2 Stormtroopers (18)
TOTAL POINTS: 30
Location: Imperial Armory on the Death Star
Upgrades: Commanding Presence, Crimson Star x 2, Infantry Grenades, Inferno Squad ID10 Seeker Droid, Promotion, Rocker Launcher, T-7 Ion Disruptor Rifle, TL-50 Heavy Repeater x 2
Downgrades: Priority Target x 2
Supports: AT-ST, Ground Battalion, Local Garrison, Outpost, Vigilance x 2.
Events: Imperial War Machine, Questioned Loyalty x 2, Rally The Troops, Reach The Stars x 2, Recon x 2, To Victory x 2, Warning Siren.
5 vs. 2…Sebulba begins! The two Troopers spray their rivals with a ridiculous amount of Indirect Damage. Burdened by a Shock Collar, Iden takes out her frustrations by blasting away with her TL-50 Heavy Repeating Blaster.
This veritable fire-hose of damage gets so bad that Sebulba and company are forced to use their Tusken sniper as an (in)human shield! After being awarded the Crimson Star for eliminating the Raider, Iden casually vaporizes Sebulba! Finally, the Inferno Squad leader uses her special ability to flip the TL-50's die to the +3 side, augmenting her Trooper's 2-damage Ranged shot to effortlessly erase Watto from existence.
WINNER: Inferno Squad
Okay, so, full disclosure: I quickly cobbled these two decks together just to produce an even number of finalists for the next few rounds. I already had a lot of Iden-related cards set aside and, even though it’s missing Gideon Hask and some TIE's to really be Inferno Squad, it still feels different enough from my Imperial Army deck to keep it around. Plus, you can't ignore the fact that it completely wrecked ass on poor Sebulba and company.
My original inspiration for the Jawa deck was to pair the l'il junkers up with Watto, who is clearly exploiting their efforts to buy some splashy spaceships and whatnot. But, after the Jawa’s first disastrous match, I decided that Watto's real passion was podracing, so I partnered him up with Sebulba. I also threw in a rando Tusken Raider, who's apparently just camped out on the ridge, taking the odd pot-shot at Sebulba's rivals.
The resulting deck was meant to be the high water mark of the whole “high-Resource-production-leads-to-fancy-toys” build, but clearly this didn’t add up to enough damage needed to compete with Iden's shooting gallery.
ROUND TWO FINALISTS
LIGHT SIDE
Cody's Commandos
Millennial Falcon
(Plo) Koon and Friends
We're Rebels, We Rebel
Rebel Aces
Rex Havok
Qui-Gone Gym and Obi-Brawn Kenobi
"My Sister?!? Whaaaaaaaaat?!?"
Spectre 2
Hot Shots: Part Deux
"What's a Padawan?"
DARK SIDE
Subverted Expectations
Krennik's Hobby
Sith Goon Squad
Imperial Navy
Sargeant Grievous's Lonely (Shattered) Heart's Clankers Band
Darth Vader - Deulist
The Kiwi and the Geriatric
Inferno Squad
FRINGE
Wookiee Rage
Best Bahds
Fett's Vette
Who's the Bossk?
Aphriana Jones
***
