https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2015/11/9/brave-the-cold/

Stealth preview of a new supply card:

Which looks pretty awesome.

Rule 63 Star Lord works with kind of the same concept that I was looking for when I designed a hero.

These guys in general excite me more than Biv and Saska did.

So is there a rule change or did I just misunderstand the rule on abilities. I was under the impression that abilities could only be used once per activation. Yet the article states that Hero Verena can use Close Quarters multiple times (as long as the condition is met.)

Regardless, they all look quite good. Loku seems like the weakest of the three, but thats mostly just because the others are 'stronger'. And that in most missions it seems like the rebels can't use distance as an advantage as they need to rush for objectives.

I'm actually really excited for Loku. I think I sniper will be fun, especially if he could actually function as a sniper. I don't normally play rebels in skirmish, but I might try a list with him, more of a ranged list. As for campaign, I don't play rebels, but I might do I can try him.

So is there a rule change or did I just misunderstand the rule on abilities. I was under the impression that abilities could only be used once per activation. Yet the article states that Hero Verena can use Close Quarters multiple times (as long as the condition is met.)

It's once per instance in which it could trigger, so you can kill a figure then CQ, which kills a figure and lets you CQ again. But you can't kill a figure then CQ twice.

Other stuff: Between Loku and the HKs they seem to be very deliberately trying to add more long range figures to the game, I wonder if this means they'll have more open maps in this expansion.

Medical droid seems good adition to my IG+HK scum droid squad, not competitive but fluffy as hell

So is there a rule change or did I just misunderstand the rule on abilities. I was under the impression that abilities could only be used once per activation. Yet the article states that Hero Verena can use Close Quarters multiple times (as long as the condition is met.)

It's once per instance in which it could trigger, so you can kill a figure then CQ, which kills a figure and lets you CQ again. But you can't kill a figure then CQ twice.

Other stuff: Between Loku and the HK's they seem to be very deliberately trying to add more long range figures to the game, I wonder if this means they'll have more open maps in this expansion.

Longer range units may be about enabling multiplayer too, which will presumably use larger maps

I'm really disappointed in MHD's model. MHD is a hard working medical droid that's very accomplished, yet look: the figure is clearly sexualized what with having no clothes, being practically anorexic, and even a full on thigh gap. :-D

No but seriously, each of these is unique and really cool. Being able to spend surge to heal others is pretty cool. I like the stimulants with verra. Actually verra is very cool. You have to make interesting tactical choices about who to use her ability on, as it is expensive enough That you wouldn't want to waste it on just anyone, plus the idea of her picking up the head of an AT-ST to fire at enemies is pretty funny.

I'm actually really excited for Loku. I think I sniper will be fun, especially if he could actually function as a sniper. I don't normally play rebels in skirmish, but I might try a list with him, more of a ranged list. As for campaign, I don't play rebels, but I might do I can try him.

I like him in campaign, though he's really narrowly focused. He has poor health backed by a white die, and his strength and tech tests are terrible. However, he's also at the top in terms of speed and endurance, and the ability to remotely tag crates to be claimed without an action is going to be very helpful.

A robot drug pusher who can search for stimulants and share them around. Classic.

So much fluff! Love it!

I was under the impression that abilities could only be used once per activation

You may be mixing up abilities with special action abilities.

Special action abilities (listed on hero cards with the arrow symbol) can only be used once per activation (RRG, page 2).

Regular abilities can be triggered multiple times each round, but it can only be triggered once per timing instance (RRG, page 2).

It would be nice to see all their class cards, as this brings up an interesting problem for Verena. One of her class cards shows that she is meant to use pistols in close range, (434 Deathhammer would be perfect for her). However since she specializes in being in melee, it might be best to just give her a melee weapon. Or perhaps even both if the rebels have credits to spare.

That said, this means we still only have 2 dedicated melee rebel heroes. Gaarkhan and Diala. That is 2 heroes out of 11 for a single weapon type. This is a problem because it makes most melee weapon draws during the shopping phase a 'dud'. Imagine drawings 2-3 melee weapons and/or melee weapon upgrades and not even having Gaarkhan or Diala in the group.

Hopefully in the next expansion they introduce a Teras Kasi expert for the heroes so they can get another dedicated melee user.

It would be nice to see all their class cards, as this brings up an interesting problem for Verena. One of her class cards shows that she is meant to use pistols in close range, (434 Deathhammer would be perfect for her). However since she specializes in being in melee, it might be best to just give her a melee weapon. Or perhaps even both if the rebels have credits to spare.

That said, this means we still only have 2 dedicated melee rebel heroes. Gaarkhan and Diala. That is 2 heroes out of 11 for a single weapon type. This is a problem because it makes most melee weapon draws during the shopping phase a 'dud'. Imagine drawings 2-3 melee weapons and/or melee weapon upgrades and not even having Gaarkhan or Diala in the group.

Hopefully in the next expansion they introduce a Teras Kasi expert for the heroes so they can get another dedicated melee user.

A lot of heroes can effectively use either, Saska has literally nothing that benefits from ranged weapons, Gideon only has his stun, Fenn can also use melee before havoc shot becomes very powerful, even Mak can be effectively used in melee (I don't think no-escape requires ranged but can't check right now). It's probably easy to skip PBS (and maybe one or two other cards) and have Elsa use a melee weapon, same for MHD.

It would be nice to see all their class cards, as this brings up an interesting problem for Verena. One of her class cards shows that she is meant to use pistols in close range, (434 Deathhammer would be perfect for her). However since she specializes in being in melee, it might be best to just give her a melee weapon. Or perhaps even both if the rebels have credits to spare.

That said, this means we still only have 2 dedicated melee rebel heroes. Gaarkhan and Diala. That is 2 heroes out of 11 for a single weapon type. This is a problem because it makes most melee weapon draws during the shopping phase a 'dud'. Imagine drawings 2-3 melee weapons and/or melee weapon upgrades and not even having Gaarkhan or Diala in the group.

Hopefully in the next expansion they introduce a Teras Kasi expert for the heroes so they can get another dedicated melee user.

A lot of heroes can effectively use either, Saska has literally nothing that benefits from ranged weapons, Gideon only has his stun, Fenn can also use melee before havoc shot becomes very powerful, even Mak can be effectively used in melee (I don't think no-escape requires ranged but can't check right now). It's probably easy to skip PBS (and maybe one or two other cards) and have Elsa use a melee weapon, same for MHD.

She also has nothing that benefits her to use melee weapons, making it better to stick with ranged for safety.

Mak would be severely crippled if he used melee weapons. Covert requires him to be 4 spaces away (unless you complete his super-hard side mission) Target Acquired would be completely useless. Execute would be much less effective without Ambush (which 99% of the time requires ranged weapons to achieve.) And decoy would again become limited.

Basically there'd be no reason to use a melee weapon on anyone but Diala and Gaarkhan at all... unless you want to handicap yourself.

It would be nice to see all their class cards, as this brings up an interesting problem for Verena. One of her class cards shows that she is meant to use pistols in close range, (434 Deathhammer would be perfect for her). However since she specializes in being in melee, it might be best to just give her a melee weapon. Or perhaps even both if the rebels have credits to spare.

That said, this means we still only have 2 dedicated melee rebel heroes. Gaarkhan and Diala. That is 2 heroes out of 11 for a single weapon type. This is a problem because it makes most melee weapon draws during the shopping phase a 'dud'. Imagine drawings 2-3 melee weapons and/or melee weapon upgrades and not even having Gaarkhan or Diala in the group.

Hopefully in the next expansion they introduce a Teras Kasi expert for the heroes so they can get another dedicated melee user.

A lot of heroes can effectively use either, Saska has literally nothing that benefits from ranged weapons, Gideon only has his stun, Fenn can also use melee before havoc shot becomes very powerful, even Mak can be effectively used in melee (I don't think no-escape requires ranged but can't check right now). It's probably easy to skip PBS (and maybe one or two other cards) and have Elsa use a melee weapon, same for MHD.

She also has nothing that benefits her to use melee weapons, making it better to stick with ranged for safety.

Mak would be severely crippled if he used melee weapons. Covert requires him to be 4 spaces away (unless you complete his super-hard side mission) Target Acquired would be completely useless. Execute would be much less effective without Ambush (which 99% of the time requires ranged weapons to achieve.) And decoy would again become limited.

Basically there'd be no reason to use a melee weapon on anyone but Diala and Gaarkhan at all... unless you want to handicap yourself.

The reason would be drawing melee weapons and not ranged weapons (or not enough ranged weapons for everyone). Or just getting some AOE if you don't have it.

Edit: Also Rule 63 Star Lord wants to be in melee range anyway so if an available melee weapon would do more damage than a ranged weapon there's no reason for her not to use the former.

Why do you keep calling her Rule 63 Star Lord when she's clearly analogous to Zoe Washburne from Firefly?

Why do you keep calling her Rule 63 Star Lord when she's clearly analogous to Zoe Washburne from Firefly?

Because her aesthetic is more Star-Lord than Zoe and I didn't know anything about her skill set until today (but thank you for giving me another name to use instead of hers).

It would be nice to see all their class cards, as this brings up an interesting problem for Verena. One of her class cards shows that she is meant to use pistols in close range, (434 Deathhammer would be perfect for her). However since she specializes in being in melee, it might be best to just give her a melee weapon. Or perhaps even both if the rebels have credits to spare.

That said, this means we still only have 2 dedicated melee rebel heroes. Gaarkhan and Diala. That is 2 heroes out of 11 for a single weapon type. This is a problem because it makes most melee weapon draws during the shopping phase a 'dud'. Imagine drawings 2-3 melee weapons and/or melee weapon upgrades and not even having Gaarkhan or Diala in the group.

Hopefully in the next expansion they introduce a Teras Kasi expert for the heroes so they can get another dedicated melee user.

A lot of heroes can effectively use either, Saska has literally nothing that benefits from ranged weapons, Gideon only has his stun, Fenn can also use melee before havoc shot becomes very powerful, even Mak can be effectively used in melee (I don't think no-escape requires ranged but can't check right now). It's probably easy to skip PBS (and maybe one or two other cards) and have Elsa use a melee weapon, same for MHD.

She also has nothing that benefits her to use melee weapons, making it better to stick with ranged for safety.

Mak would be severely crippled if he used melee weapons. Covert requires him to be 4 spaces away (unless you complete his super-hard side mission) Target Acquired would be completely useless. Execute would be much less effective without Ambush (which 99% of the time requires ranged weapons to achieve.) And decoy would again become limited.

Basically there'd be no reason to use a melee weapon on anyone but Diala and Gaarkhan at all... unless you want to handicap yourself.

Well ya the melee weapons are better than his default gun. Every tier 1 item should be better than a hero's starting class item.

Could Loku place a recon token at the start AND end of his activation?

Could Loku place a recon token at the start AND end of his activation?

I think so (well on enemies anyway). Scouting report uses the same wording but says exhaust which implies that if it didn't get exhausted you could do it both times. In general it seems outlandish to think about the start and the end of the turn as a single timing instance for the ability.

Talos is pretty cool, cinematically its like she kills a royal guard, then uses the defeated guards force pike to attack the next enemy.

with the cost of 2 strain and no special action indicator she can stack the attacks. I was also wondering can she trigger it outside of her activation, it says 'when an adjacent hostile figure is defeated.' could that be from a friendly attack on an enemy? as long as she has the strain to spend.

I think Diala has a power she can use to take stain to get the heroes to re-roll attack. and that is outside of her activation

MHD-19:

I like it quite a bit. From the supply deck, you have the choice of 5 hp, 3 hp and condition, focus and 3 strain, and the new one that mitigates 4 strain as you use it. All quite good in the right situation. Combined with its cards, the damage and strain mitigation is quite substantial. The imp player will have a hard time winning via wounding with this droid in play, but on the flip side, the round timer is a greater threat.

Loku Kanoloa:

I have to see more before I can really evaluate him. At the beginning, Set your Sights is going to be worse than Precise Strike in most cases, tho it will be great versus higher hp targets like Royal Guards. You need to generate +2 damage(that matters) for it to be better, but we will see how other cards use the recon token. As is, +2 accuracy is only okay but if he gets a card that allows him to ignore figures for LoS then it will be really good (it seems reasonable given his skirmish card). Overwatch is an amazing card, anytime you have time for a non-attack or move action you can use that and get a free attack later. Scouting Report is also quite good. Also, the fact that he starts with 5 endurance and 5 speed is unique and really good. The one thing I am unsure of is Coordinated Attack. Since the token costs 2 strain, 2 additional strain for 1 die of your choice seems very weak to me (especially when compared to Mak's no escape, which gives a green and an extra attack) , but it is possible there are other cards that make it better.

Venera Talos:

I really do wish she was a melee character, 9 ranged and 2 melee is dumb imo. She also competes with Biv for the melee ranged niche, with Gaarkhan for the spot right in the middle of grouped enemies, and with Jyn for pistols.

Regardless, she does seem quite good. Close Quarters is more restrictive than Charge, C&P, and command, but the fact that it is not a special action makes is really cool as it can be chained and used on other players activations. Duck and Weave is solid. Point Blank Shot is really good (although replacing a die doesn't become really good until you have 3 dice), Sporting Blaster with spread barrel competes with Gunslinger Jyn (although is does have a range issue). Master Operative is extremely good, 6 endurance is all kinds of awesome and Combat momentum is solid too.

So yah, I'm quite looking forward to these guys!

I really do wish she was a melee character, 9 ranged and 2 melee is dumb imo.

Heroes are not ranged or melee. Thus far that we know of Zoe has one 3xp ability that you may or may not buy based on a ranged weapon. Her with the other previewed abilities and the BD-1 seems like a very effective combination. Likewise saska or mhd can use vibro-knucklers to do a bunch of cleave damage and not lose out on anything.

I really do wish she was a melee character, 9 ranged and 2 melee is dumb imo.

Heroes are not ranged or melee. Thus far that we know of Zoe has one 3xp ability that you may or may not buy based on a ranged weapon. Her with the other previewed abilities and the BD-1 seems like a very effective combination. Likewise saska or mhd can use vibro-knucklers to do a bunch of cleave damage and not lose out on anything.

While I do agree, she is probably the best candidate to carry both weapons, but I was referring to a character you primarily uses melee weapons.