I was forced to do it. All this talk about her and I had to try my hand a loving recreating her. I'm sure it will spark debate, but as with Greedo, it will only lead to a better, more balanced figure. This is not my best work, artistically. It was a bit hurried. I was running out of space for her abilities too. Constructive criticism is always welcomed.

Edit: Added Version 2 upon suggestions. Credit to Patrickman for his Strike From the Shadows idea.

Interesting interpretation. But not one that I can 100% get behind. Still its nice to see this much interest in her.

I think theres 2 other submissions of her in the Homebrew Character thread.

Basically, I'd like to think of her as a hit and run assassin character. Not a sniper. Perhaps she could be like an Imperial version of the new Jedi Luke. Instead of deflect, she gets a blaster to help her gain focus or hide.

(Here are the other submissions: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/185885-homebrew-characters-thread/?p=1752183

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/185885-homebrew-characters-thread/?p=2097967 )

I don't know why I always thought of Mara as a sniper. I guess I was incorrect.

So I like Strike from the Shadows. I think that works well. So we are looking at her as and infiltrator that carries a blaster pistol. How about something like this: {action} Blaster Barrage: Perform 2 {ranged} attacks using 2 green dice. Each attack must be against a different target. Targets within 3 spaces gain {strain}. So we get rid of priority target, since she is not a sniper. I still like Force Shroud, but maybe not by that name. I'll see what others think.

Of Patrickman's ability bar components. I don't like recover for her. Maybe if it was tied to an action and not just a surge. I know Diala has it. I think, after re-reviewing the character, I'd remove Focus from mine and add an evade, rather than a block. Being that she isn't a sniper, I'd still leave the +1 ac, +1 {damage} but I would remove +2 accuracy. Maybe change it to Weaken, or Bleed. Since Diala and Davith both had two dice, and +3 pierce is automatic for Mara is we use Strike from the Shadows, then I think it is probably more prudent to go back to maybe RG for dice. I suppose as long as it is costed appropriately, she can have 3 attack dice. Being RYG would be like being perpetually Focused.

I'd think Mara Jade would work best as a spy unit that uses a lightsaber, she'd be a hit and run character sneaking in doing a precise strike and then dashing away before being caught. Then she'd probably have a hold out blaster to make a ranged attack when she needed to.

With only RG (or even GG twice) shes going to have a hard time getting surges. With that many surge options I think she deserves atleast a Y die. With Blaster barrage shes going to have a hard time hitting people without a blue. Her HP seems kinda low too. Inquisitor costs 9 and he has 15 hp.

I think the best idea is still to make her a hit and run character. How about...

+1 anti-surge -: +1 damage -: Pierce 3 -: Hide

-> Holdout Blaster: Perform a ranged attack using a Blue and yellow die. Apply +1 damage and +1 accuracy to the attack results.

-: Deadly: -1 Evade to the defense results.

Heroic: Perform an attack without spending an action (full text on Jedi Luke card.)

12 threat. 14 hp 5 speed W defense Melee RGY

I think heroic (despite the name) would be a great way to make her a hit and run character. as it allows her to move twice and attack. Or if cornered lets her attack twice. The blaster is there to help with getting hidden without being in the middle of the fight... and in case its too dangerous to go in for a melee hit but you dont want to waste her turn. Every lightsaber has pierce 3. the +1 damage surge is just so she has something to spend a surge on if she doesn't need the pierce.

Just my idea though. The problem with hit and running is some maps are just too tight!

Think Assassins Creed with lightsabers when it comes to Mara Jade.

~D

Blaster Barrage does not have a once per activation limit, it also does not specify during your activation, so it can be used quite a few times during a round. It could be basically be used after every timing instance. So, is it meant to be a surge or action ability?

(Also, "this character" is simply "you". Strike from the Shadows: While you attack while Hidden, gain pierce 3.)

Thanks A1bert,

I didn't even consider that with Blaster Barrage. You make a great point. Hmmm, I almost want an Imperial Officer to be able to trigger it again. I think i did intend to make it an action, since that would replace her attack. Thanks for the heads up, that's the kind of criticism I'm looking for.

So, as far as making her "hit and run" it seems the suggestions run towards "run and hit". I think, maybe, she should have some ability similar to Davith that allows her to disengage after the hit and get away. How about some variant of Fell Swoop where instead of being able to attack again, she gets more movement. Something like {surge}{surge} After this attack resolves, become hidden, and move up to 4 spaces. Then make Blaster Barrage an action. How does that sound?

Force Shroud is pretty bad in my opinion...

maybe power it up a little, or power it down and make it one action

Thanks A1bert,

I didn't even consider that with Blaster Barrage. You make a great point. Hmmm, I almost want an Imperial Officer to be able to trigger it again. I think i did intend to make it an action, since that would replace her attack. Thanks for the heads up, that's the kind of criticism I'm looking for.

So, as far as making her "hit and run" it seems the suggestions run towards "run and hit". I think, maybe, she should have some ability similar to Davith that allows her to disengage after the hit and get away. How about some variant of Fell Swoop where instead of being able to attack again, she gets more movement. Something like {surge}{surge} After this attack resolves, become hidden, and move up to 4 spaces. Then make Blaster Barrage an action. How does that sound?

Thats an interesting idea with a variant of fell swoop. But an additional attack is worth much more than 2 movement points. I'd make it cost only 1 surge as that ability would be pivotal for her survival and gameplay. I'd still increase her hp if she is going to be 9-10 threat, consider how much HP other recent uniques have with similar threat costs. Also give her a yellow die for surges. Grand Inquisitor costs only 9 and gets RGY. I still find Blaster Barrage odd on her though. It seems like an ability you'd find on one of the Bounty Hunters than her.

Blaster Barrage comes from her original, Rebel Storm, Star Wars miniatures card:

I wasn't going to use it initially but as I re-read the wookiee article and tried to re-familiarize myself with the character, I realized he was just as good with a blaster as a lightsaber, she is kind of unique in that way. Really, she's defined more by her blaster and poison blade than by her lightsaber, but because everyone, except me, wants to define Star Wars by the glowbat wielding cheddar monks, anyone who has ever held a lightsaber is seemingly defined by it.

Now, I agree Force Shroud needs an improvement. It needs a better name too.

I think you are right about the surges, DarthBahamut, I think one surge is probably the correct call. Now, about having 3 dice. That's a tricky one. I'm loathe to get on this current tangent where every unique is going to have 3 attack die. I can see it creeping in. That being said, I understand. Maybe a yellow dice would be the way to go, I'll have to crunch the math on percentages of one and two surges on Green-Green and RGY. I'm open to any names for this escape ability.

Ah I see about Force Shroud.

Personally I think she should use the lightsaber as a balancing mechanic. So she isn't just a ranged villian that hangs back and shoots. The hit and run playstyle would give her some uniqueness unlike all other villians at this point. Now whether or not you want to make her use her poison blade instead (perhaps it is RG with auto-bleed but no pierce 3 option.) is up to you. I just think she should be melee with a weaker ranged option. Anyways, adding a yellow dice doesn't do much for damage when the figure only has weak damage surges. It's more of a way to guarantee she'd get that surge she needs to escape. Unless you just want to make it auto after every attack... which I wouldn't as then there could be no way to catch her.

I don't see anything wrong with the name Force Shroud and would think it'd be a fitting name for her escape ability.

So I think the best option for your idea would be to make her normal attack ranged. Say... BGY? But give her a more powerful and bleed inducing melee attack. Like RG or RGY. This method allows you to save text space and the surge abilities from the blaster can be applied to her poison blade. (Since most blaster surges are just simple pierce or +damage.) So her surge abilities could be +1 or 2 damage. +2 or 3 Accuracy and Pierce 1 or 2 or two of these three options.

Perhaps if theres text room after her second attack option and force shroud, she could have Resourceful from the Lando deployment card? Or cunning. White die figures can die pretty fast.

Boost her health a bit (atleast 3) to put her on par with recent uniques and possibly her threat by 1 or 2 to compensate for extra damage and health.

(Also Bossk, Lando, and Greedo all recent uniques only have 2 dice. And they cost less than Mara.)

Usually I post these proposals with no cost, because I like to work out the details first, and then decided the appropriate cost. So we can ignore cost. I don't look at Mara as a brawler. Her survivability shouldn't be wrapped up in her health. That isn't to say I'm unwilling to raise her health, I'm just saying the cost I posted it pretty much arbitrary at this point.

I definitely considered cunning. Then it started looking too much like the original mini. I still wanted her to have a lightsaber strike, I just didn't want it to be the focus. I'm going to consider all this and redo the card tonight.

Usually I post these proposals with no cost, because I like to work out the details first, and then decided the appropriate cost. So we can ignore cost. I don't look at Mara as a brawler. Her survivability shouldn't be wrapped up in her health. That isn't to say I'm unwilling to raise her health, I'm just saying the cost I posted it pretty much arbitrary at this point.

I definitely considered cunning. Then it started looking too much like the original mini. I still wanted her to have a lightsaber strike, I just didn't want it to be the focus. I'm going to consider all this and redo the card tonight.

You could also consider Foresight instead of Cunning. Vader has it and so does Diala. Honestly thats probably the best defense you could give a white die user instead of just flat out adding another dice or auto block/anti-surges.

If Disney / Lucas Film / FFG have any brains between them, they will make Mara Jade. The number of people who don't even play the game that will buy her alone would be worth it.

If Disney / Lucas Film / FFG have any brains between them, they will make Mara Jade. The number of people who don't even play the game that will buy her alone would be worth it.

Her merchandise sells. I know they made a 3 3/4 " Black Series figure for her, but not a 6 inch. I think she'd outsell Rey.

The difference is, from a business perspective, is that Mara Jade, as she is right now, sells to current fans.

Rey sells to current and future fans... Rey grows the Fan base. Mara Jade presented as Mara Jade, without any basis in Canon, only references the "Legends" of the EU, does not grow the market...

From a Business perspective.