What is the point of the new companions? they can't block line of sight or do anything useful!

Well if those rules were the beginning and end of companions, then no, they don't do anything useful.

But the companions themselves have unique abilities that let them do more than be a token scooting around.

But even then their abilities aren't amazing.

But they are pretty cool

They are simple tools for simple jobs. Because they cost little, they can't do much, but can do their job well. Some can even attack, which is a big help in the action economy. Dealing that last damage needed to defeat a figure is a big advantage.

Maybe i forgot the R5...Or i just didn't read it

Unless I'm misinterpreting the rules, a Companion would basically add a surge result to the next attempt, thus making it easier for the next attribute test to succeed.

You are. Just trying a test does not add successes. You need to roll or otherwise add the successes to the results that get saved if the test does not pass. An ally or companion does not roll for tests, and thus cannot add successes to a test. It could take away some if there are mission rules that apply -1surge to the results. Also, most tests require a hero to perform them. And the companions cannot interact.

The clause for attribute tests is there for the cases when the companion needs to perform the attribute test from an imperial ability or mission rule (for example Arc Blasters).

(Although companions currently seem to be able to control objectives, I would not get too attached to it.)

The clause is there for the cases when the companion needs to perform the attribute test from an imperial ability or mission rule (for example Arc Blasters)

What are arc blasters???

Arc Blasters is an attachment in the Technological Superiority class deck.

Arc Blasters - 3 XP - Attachment - After resolving a ranged attack, each figure who suffered 1 or more tests strength. Each figure that fails is Stunned. If you have the ranged attack type, you gain: : +1, Blast 1.

But what does arc Blasters have to do with it??

(Although companions currently seem to be able to control objectives, I would not get too attached to it.)

Ugh. I certainly hope not. Considering their already limited functionality, I at least hope that gets to stick around (though I do understand by removing that ability it may free up more design space for future companions).

Considering their already limited functionality

You said it fsd!!!

But what does arc Blasters have to do with it??

If you shoot a companion with an arc blaster and deal damage, the companion automatically fails the required strength check and thus becomes stunned.

If you need help, here is the card:

http://cards.boardwars.eu/index.php?album=Core-Box/Imperial%20Class%20Decks/Technological%20Superiorityℑ=Arc+Blasters.jpg

But what does arc Blasters have to do with it??

It shows how there must be a rule that companions fail attribute tests even when the companions cannot interact and thus can not even initiate attribute tests by themselves.

They all do something interesting. A junk droid could potentially activate and attack 3 times a round, depending how many Ugnaughts there are, and gets put back pretty easily when it's destroyed. The astromech can get up to 4 extra supply cards per mission (1 per crate) without using hero actions... that's pretty powerful. And the camdroid can mess with Imperial plans... you can scout ahead to trigger effects, attack enemies and force them to activate next, and with the automatic dodge it becomes pretty hard to damage the camdroid.

Speaking of Camdroid, how do you kill one if they have a +1 Dodge?

Speaking of Camdroid, how do you kill one if they have a +1 Dodge?

With Fire?

Blast and Deadly come to mind.

With Relentless, Deadly, or Pinpoint Accuracy, (Cleave too.)

With Relentless, Deadly, or Pinpoint Accuracy, (Cleave too.)

I would generally advocate not attacking things like that and doing indirect damage (the cam droid only has one health iirc).

Bantha could stomp it too.

Darth Vader can totally force choke it. Bossk can use indiscriminate fire.

Elite isb infilterators can also cut through doges

sadly the junk droid does not benefit from the actions you get from Tech Support (Class Card) since it can only attack or move by command

the +1 speed applies tho

http://imperial-assault.wikia.com/wiki/Technical_Support

What do you mean only attacks or moves by command? The Junk Droid activates as-if part of the Ugnaught's group, is a separate figure and thus has two actions to spend during its activation.

But, there are other reasons why the Technical Support class card does not affect the Junk Droid, not even the +1 Speed.

A companion cannot interact and cannot use abilities on Class, Item, or Supply cards.

What do you mean only attacks or moves by command? The Junk Droid activates as-if part of the Ugnaught's group, is a separate figure and thus has two actions to spend during its activation.

But, there are other reasons why the Technical Support class card does not affect the Junk Droid, not even the +1 Speed.

A companion cannot interact and cannot use abilities on Class, Item, or Supply cards.

oh i missed that one

thanks for pointing it out

but I wonder what the Forage Action does then on the rebel droid?

it retrieves a supply card that it cannot use?