Besides the AT-ST being in an initial or reserve group, has anyone ever chosen it as an open group?

Considered it last night, but the mission was all indoors. Since I got the "combat veterans" attachment, troopers are just so much more cost effective.

I guess this was more of a general question on the vehicles in the game. Apart from a few missions that force their use, I don't think they're practical in the game. Not many of the maps have outside terrain and of those it probably about 50%, the rest being interior spaces. With the Return to Hoth we get the tank and even at 10 points and it will probably be used very little outside missions that force it's use.

Well, I dont see it being a problem. The first time the rebels encounter one has a decent wow-factor.

I used it during the Luke side mission and had is stand a little in the hanger so the rebels couldn't win... but it wasn't really necessary.

So far in my playgroup the AT-ST hasn't had a pretty poor run. Usually it's just there to intimidate people and doesn't actually do much else.

I've had the AT-ST turn up... 3 times, if you don't count Weiss.

First time they blew one up as a part of the mission.

Second two times it was controlled by the Rebels.

Oddly enough, they've had a blast with the AT-ST turning up.

Personally, I've never considered picking it as an open group as it's too expensive and many of the maps are indoors.

Used it on Sunday to block the rebels path to the exit on Viper's Den. I only did because I had a pretty large selection of groups already, and on that mission the threat level is doubled, so I knew I would be able to bring it in if I wanted. I ended up not bringing it in until close to the end anyway, and was more of a demoralizing finish since three of them were already wounded. And I never actually got to attack with it because they stunned it on their first attack. Other than that, only used it on the Weiss mission so far.

I used it in the mission where the rebels have to save Han. Left it near(ish) to the entrance, on one side, to put the rebels off trying to escape via that route. It worked, although they made a strategic error and lost Han quite quickly anyway.

Screw this I am going to go over to game board geek and see if someone has made house rules for the AT-AT miniatures I got from the days of Star Wars miniatures when Wizards of the Coast had the licenses.

I mean how can you have a hoth battle without AT-ATs and snow speeders?

No, i never grab it as an open group. I find I prefer to have units on the board, even if cheaper because it gives me more activations in the campaign and more activations means more trouble for the rebels.

I think one of the new command decks in the new expansion is for more vehicle play. or i think it is an agenda that makes vehicles cost less.

The other day I heard about an interesting strategy in which a player would land his AT-ST on top of E-Webs to push them forward, make them faster. In a hallway, it could also prevent enemies from breaching the doughnut and making melee attacks on the walker because the E-Webs (or other friendly figures) are now in the way. Seemed interesting.