1. Just wanted to get some clarification as to whether you can use Channel the Force when you draw your initial hand of command cards to start the game?

2. Also, when you use Channel the Force, do you:

A: Draw all the command cards you would first (minus one), then search for the force user card after drawing the others (potentially drawing the last of

your force user cards naturally)

Or

B: Search for the force user card first, then shuffle the deck and draw any remaining cards you still can.

From the rules it is not quite clear. It feels strange because step 5. Draw Command Cards is part of the setup.

But, you can use other skirmish upgrade abilities during setup (like including more command cards, or more expensive command cards, or including other affiliations), so why not all abilities. But this is only my interpretation.

A. Channel the Force explicitly says to draw the command cards first, then search the deck. ("Draw 1 fewer card than you would have. Then, search your...")

Channel the Force is in play when you draw your initial hand, so, I would say yes, you could use it for your opening hand.

I think the difference is that Balance of the force is in effect before the game begins but this card is a exhaust trigger which implies it's used during gameplay. The Skirmish rules state that as part of setup you draw 3 cards and then can start playing the game. So this says you're not technically playing until after that act. That's my interpretation anyways.

I was basing that off my incorrect off the top of the head remembering of how Rule by Fear worked.

I still feel that it works, but I am less certain.

I figured it was "A" but wanted to make sure.

And at this point I'm leaning towards unless someone finds a specific reason it's not doable then it can be used on your opening hand. Which would also let it be used with rule by fear in an empire list. Now that's fun...

I think you can use it at the start.

You draw 3 cards normally. So in this case you would Exhaust Channel the Force, draw 2, then search your deck for a Force User card, then apply the strain.

this card is a exhaust trigger which implies it's used during gameplay.

I don't think there is any rule text limiting exhausting cards to just during gameplay or prohibiting it from being done during setup. But I might be wrong.

this card is a exhaust trigger which implies it's used during gameplay.

I don't think there is any rule text limiting exhausting cards to just during gameplay or prohibiting it from being done during setup. But I might be wrong.

You're right I couldn't find anything explicit either which might be why this may need clarifying. Can you exhaust before gameplay begins?

Can you exhaust before gameplay begins?

I don't see why not. a1bert also said there seems to be nothing against this idea. So I'd say go for it. It doesn't break the game (as far as I can see) and seems to be intended.