29 minutes ago, subtrendy2 said:

Let's not forget, we see Finn in a combat role in the movie's first scene. He wasn't even stationed on Starkiller Base at the time, and Phasma seemed to know him pretty well for just being a custodian.

I think it was either a poorly thought out throwaway line, or perhaps that was his job on weekends before "graduating" from Stormtrooper Elementary.

In the US Military there is something called "grinding" in which enlisted members are made to do remedial tasks for 90 days, including custodial and dish washing. Everyone had to do this work regardless of their job training until their 90 day grind had been served. This was also a threat for misconduct. I imagine that Finn's time as custodial was something like this.

I sometimes have trouble with Finn's character because I think that the Stormtroopers would be pretty F--ed up, socially speaking, having been raised in that environment. The training from birth is a very Spartan-like idea and I would think pretty grueling. But, you also have to remember that Finn is an outlier (1 in a million) and so it makes sense that he doesn't add up to expectations. This is what makes him so interesting.

Grueling and death-culty as the troopers were, they were the only family Finn had ever known. And yet, he turned those TIE Fighter blasters on them without a scrap of hesitation. Finn is a sociopath?

13 minutes ago, TauntaunScout said:

Grueling and death-culty as the troopers were, they were the only family Finn had ever known. And yet, he turned those TIE Fighter blasters on them without a scrap of hesitation. Finn is a sociopath?

Possibly. Though, to be fair, they were shooting at him first.

Plus, he clearly has compassion. That's what prompted him to leave in the first place.

58 minutes ago, VadersMarchKazoo said:

In the US Military there is something called "grinding" in which enlisted members are made to do remedial tasks for 90 days, including custodial and dish washing. Everyone had to do this work regardless of their job training until their 90 day grind had been served. This was also a threat for misconduct. I imagine that Finn's time as custodial was something like this.

I sometimes have trouble with Finn's character because I think that the Stormtroopers would be pretty F--ed up, socially speaking, having been raised in that environment. The training from birth is a very Spartan-like idea and I would think pretty grueling. But, you also have to remember that Finn is an outlier (1 in a million) and so it makes sense that he doesn't add up to expectations. This is what makes him so interesting.

The novel Lost Stars does a pretty good job of showing how the Empire raises its recruits and officers, while also showing the disillusionment that can happen over time. I think it does a pretty good job. It looks like the new Battlefront might tackle some of these themes, too.

Anyway, we've gone way off topic, so just to try to jumpstart this conversation a bit-

Jabba's Realm was announced 8/5 of last year, and the first preview article was of the new heroes, released 9/15.

HotE was announced 5/5 of this year. Do we expect a new preview in mid June, and do we think the first preview we'll get is of the heroes? Personally, I'm more interested to see the details on the Merc and Imperial units, but some hero details would be good, too.

Originally I didn't like this expansion at all. Another Walker? We have an AT-ST. More stormtroopers? Yawn. And some droid and a prequels alien. Plus the conehead...

But after thinking it over, its actually got a lot going for it. This is an urban expansion in the... Heart of the Empire. The riot police and security droid aren't soldiers in the army. The walker should similarly have rules about suppression and stunning, being more of a riot van to the AT-ST's tank.

Also, there looks to be some fun mechanics. Shields and rubble to change the battlefield. Giving people tokens to increase dice rolls, its fun stuff. Also new heroes is always good to shake things up.

Okay, the conehead is a silly look, and there's no way i'm having the emperor running around in my games (and only 8 points, what a loser), but it looks like there might be more to it than you get at first blush.

12 minutes ago, RED NED said:

Originally I didn't like this expansion at all. Another Walker? We have an AT-ST. More stormtroopers? Yawn. And some droid and a prequels alien. Plus the conehead...

But after thinking it over, its actually got a lot going for it. This is an urban expansion in the... Heart of the Empire. The riot police and security droid aren't soldiers in the army. The walker should similarly have rules about suppression and stunning, being more of a riot van to the AT-ST's tank.

Also, there looks to be some fun mechanics. Shields and rubble to change the battlefield. Giving people tokens to increase dice rolls, its fun stuff. Also new heroes is always good to shake things up.

Okay, the conehead is a silly look, and there's no way i'm having the emperor running around in my games (and only 8 points, what a loser), but it looks like there might be more to it than you get at first blush.

From what I gathered online, the AT-DP's weapon was more of a focused punch than the scattered AT-ST dual blasters. Like it was built to do heavy damage to a single, armored unit.

43 minutes ago, RED NED said:

Originally I didn't like this expansion at all. Another Walker? We have an AT-ST. More stormtroopers? Yawn. And some droid and a prequels alien. Plus the conehead...

But after thinking it over, its actually got a lot going for it. This is an urban expansion in the... Heart of the Empire. The riot police and security droid aren't soldiers in the army. The walker should similarly have rules about suppression and stunning, being more of a riot van to the AT-ST's tank.

Also, there looks to be some fun mechanics. Shields and rubble to change the battlefield. Giving people tokens to increase dice rolls, its fun stuff. Also new heroes is always good to shake things up.

Okay, the conehead is a silly look, and there's no way i'm having the emperor running around in my games (and only 8 points, what a loser), but it looks like there might be more to it than you get at first blush.

I like the Wookiee, the other two heroes are "meh". I like the Dark Troopers, but I'm not keen on Riot Troopers. The Empire doesn't seem like the type to resort to non-lethal tactics. You ever see Chinese police with riot shields? The changelings are ok, we'll see what their cards look like. I'm most excited about new tiles.

9 minutes ago, Rikalonius said:

I like the Wookiee, the other two heroes are "meh". I like the Dark Troopers, but I'm not keen on Riot Troopers. The Empire doesn't seem like the type to resort to non-lethal tactics. You ever see Chinese police with riot shields? The changelings are ok, we'll see what their cards look like. I'm most excited about new tiles.

Yes, just google (images): "chinese riot police clash with protesters"

Sorry if this has been asked already - don't think so - is there only a cardboard token for the Jax droid companion? That's incredibly frustrating bearing in mind he should be active all the time. And I can't see them making a module outside of the boxed set.

5 minutes ago, ellhaynes said:

Sorry if this has been asked already - don't think so - is there only a cardboard token for the Jax droid companion? That's incredibly frustrating bearing in mind he should be active all the time. And I can't see them making a module outside of the boxed set.

Companions are always cardboard so far. That actually serves a gameplay purpose as well in that companions are able to stay in the same hex as another figure.

The spaces are squares, not hexes.

Anyway, as you say there's the functional reason (sharing a space) for the companions being tokens. I have suggested that a companion figure could have a stand on top and bottom to be able to stack, but it still would not work with large figures.

The expansion spread doesn't show Jax (it shows the 88Z token and card), so we don't know for sure, but I'm fairly certain Jax will be a token.

12 hours ago, VadersMarchKazoo said:

Yes, just google (images): "chinese riot police clash with protesters"

Chinese cops are usually very friendly, despite what the online videos look like. Been here for 10 years and never had any problems with them.

The way the Empire polices its own citizens would be a lot different to the way it enforces law on the rebellious outskirts. Espionage missions in Imperial cities sounds like a lot of fun and a cool change of pace. I'm digging it.

Clawdite shapeshifter:
From what we can on the picture, the "surge bar" is replace by the stat bar.
With the little spoiled text from the world, I guess the surge bar (and abilities) will be base on the Form you decide to get at the begining of the game.

It might be fun to get two or three diferente Form and choose the most adapted after you discover the list of your oppenent.

Am-I the only one to think this will be the way they work ?

Don't want to wait for the preview, eh?

Regarding the riot troopers-

I get that the Empire and the First Order are two separate entities, but if one had them I find it well within the realm of possibility that the other would as well.

Plus, the campaign itself is set in Coruscant. Despite the Empire's ruthlessness in the original trilogy, they attempted at least some facade of decency near the core worlds. So I could see these guys come in during civil unrest (when it was ever dared) rather than stormtrooper legions with E-11s.

I'll probably sell my extra ATST and replace the head of the cone lady, I"m not a big fan of the emperor, although I see where he might be useful in the campaign as the big baddie at the end, everything else looks fantastic and right where I want it to be. alleys and streets, next up Naar Shadaa

I do wonder if the next set after this will be the long awaited Imperial hero set (or possibly more merc heroes). Jabba's Realm was very merc heavy- this one seems to have an Imperial bias. If that trend continues, the Rebels would likely need a Wave to boost their ranks as well, and what better way to do that than by releasing an entire box full of Rebel non-uniques as enemies?

The only issue with that- every Imperial and Rebel unit in the game would theoretically need its own acquisition mission for at least one faction, both for uniques.

1 hour ago, subtrendy2 said:

I do wonder if the next set after this will be the long awaited Imperial hero set (or possibly more merc heroes). Jabba's Realm was very merc heavy- this one seems to have an Imperial bias. If that trend continues, the Rebels would likely need a Wave to boost their ranks as well, and what better way to do that than by releasing an entire box full of Rebel non-uniques as enemies?

The only issue with that- every Imperial and Rebel unit in the game would theoretically need its own acquisition mission for at least one faction, both for uniques.

I could see this happening but it might feel a bit too close to Inferno Squad and Battlefront II that will have Imp Heros. I could also see them making a story where you are Imp-double agents and must fight the rebels to keep up your cover.

Speaking of double agents: SubT-2, why the new handle?

I suspected Jax would be only a cardboard token, but was hopeful as it seems he will be used much more regularly (i.e. Every single mission) than the tokens we've seen before. And there's no obvious proxy miniature from the SWM range, annoying.

1 hour ago, VadersMarchKazoo said:

I could see this happening but it might feel a bit too close to Inferno Squad and Battlefront II that will have Imp Heros. I could also see them making a story where you are Imp-double agents and must fight the rebels to keep up your cover.

Speaking of double agents: SubT-2, why the new handle?

Ooh, that would be neat, I like the idea of double agents. Would make integration of components easier across the board.

New handle is... well, I'm not really sure. I tried logging in on Sunday, but was logged out of all devices. Tried a password reset, and when I did so I was able to log in... but with a new handle and apparently new account. It was a password reset, though and used the email I already had set, so I'm very confused how it happened. Oh well.

10 minutes ago, subtrendy2 said:

Ooh, that would be neat, I like the idea of double agents. Would make integration of components easier across the board.

New handle is... well, I'm not really sure. I tried logging in on Sunday, but was logged out of all devices. Tried a password reset, and when I did so I was able to log in... but with a new handle and apparently new account. It was a password reset, though and used the email I already had set, so I'm very confused how it happened. Oh well.

I got an email over the weekend about Asmodee merging the accounts from all of their various lines (e.g. Asmodee, FFG, Days of Wonder) into one. I'm betting that you had at one point created an account for one of those other companies that for whatever reason it decided was your main account.

22 minutes ago, subtrendy2 said:

New handle is... well, I'm not really sure. I tried logging in on Sunday, but was logged out of all devices. Tried a password reset, and when I did so I was able to log in... but with a new handle and apparently new account. It was a password reset, though and used the email I already had set, so I'm very confused how it happened. Oh well.

Sorry to hear it. If you need a character reference now that your community reputation has been lost, let us know:)

Back to HotE, here's some 4th wall material: What is the "Heart" of the Empire: Coruscant or the Emperor?

53 minutes ago, ManateeX said:

I got an email over the weekend about Asmodee merging the accounts from all of their various lines (e.g. Asmodee, FFG, Days of Wonder) into one. I'm betting that you had at one point created an account for one of those other companies that for whatever reason it decided was your main account.

36 minutes ago, VadersMarchKazoo said:

Sorry to hear it. If you need a character reference now that your community reputation has been lost, let us know:)

Back to HotE, here's some 4th wall material: What is the "Heart" of the Empire: Coruscant or the Emperor?

Meh, I'm not too worried about the reputation lost, but thanks! I'm back, that's all I'm worried about.

Regarding HotE- It could also be the relic that is being sought by all 3 parties.

Or, it could be any mix of those things. It could totally be a double entendre, in that Palpatine is the Empire's heart (it does fall apart quickly without him) and Coruscant is its capital.

However, my theory is simply that it stands for Coruscant, given that this objective card from Star Wars Rebellion that is awarded for a Rebel occupation of Coruscant (Palpatine is no way involved) shares a name with it.

10 hours ago, subtrendy2 said:

I do wonder if the next set after this will be the long awaited Imperial hero set (or possibly more merc heroes). Jabba's Realm was very merc heavy- this one seems to have an Imperial bias. If that trend continues, the Rebels would likely need a Wave to boost their ranks as well, and what better way to do that than by releasing an entire box full of Rebel non-uniques as enemies?

The only issue with that- every Imperial and Rebel unit in the game would theoretically need its own acquisition mission for at least one faction, both for uniques.

That's what I've been saying an Endor box could be. Imperial heroes, squads of ewoks and the like.

just to point out, there are already tons of Rebel non-uniques, just not in the same box (troopers, sabs, wookiees, echobase troopers, rangers)