I wasn't really as impressed by Chewbacca's update as I was by Han and Vader, but as I'm looking for more fun and casual lists to try at the LGS, I'm more and more interested in trying out Chewie. At first I didn't really like the ability that basically forces you to add an overcosted and easily played-around command card to your deck that also then reveals to your opponent that you have the card. But I'm one of those weird people that actually likes the Biggs effect in X-Wing, and Chewie brings sort of a "soft" Biggs effect to Imperial Assault, becoming a giant fire magnet to avoid triggering his command card.

So how do we best take advantage of this ability? He seems to want to be paired with glass cannon figures like HKs, but Rebel figures seem to be on the tankier side and also have the best ranged units in the game that like to stay close to the deployment zone. Right now I have him in a sort of smuggler list that includes Jyn Lando regSmuggler and some Saboteurs, as well as the Rebel Landing Gear, all units whose only downside seems to be their squishiness which is made into an advantage thanks to Debts Repaid, and all conveniently have the Stun ability which could be really annoying for the opponent.

So how are people using their improved Chewbacca or think he should be used?

Use Hera and her Command card to trigger Chewie.

12 minutes ago, Majushi said:

Use Hera and her Command card to trigger Chewie.

I mean, yes that's an obvious interaction, but would you actually do that if you were trying to win, or is that just for the lulz? Her card costs 2 points also, that's a lot if you're also including debts repaid.

if they were only shooting at Chewie, who would you evacuate, 3po?

I used with Han, RCP, Lando and eEcho. The eEcho were the frontline and Lando was a attractive target too since I played him more offensive. Focused chewie so he could get more distant shots and playing without advancing him too much while making pressure with the eEcho/Lando trying to get the opponent to activate Debts Repaid.
My next test (which will take some time) will be with Han, RLG, Lando and Chopper, C3 can stay close to Han while chopper can get to terminals, Hera just improve the Smuggler/Leader synergy of the list and Lando because I really like him and add to the flavor. Balance of the force too in the list, what means Debts Repaid "for free" while I have the 15 points for the other 14 cards.

EDIT: Chewie was the character that I was expecting most for a fix. Gotta say I'm not disappointed at all, he has a good offense and defense with indirect damage (Slam) with control by Stun, I just think that he have a different learning curve.

Yeah balance of the force is huge for Han and Chewie I'd argue

One could go full tank and play:
Chewie w WA 11
2x eEcho base troopers 16
Hera 4
Gideon 3
+ 6 Points of flavor. Lando, Mak+Alliance smuggler or my favorite: rRebel sabouteurs+Alli smuggler. Or downgrade Hera or Gideon to C3PO and get eSabs.

Sort of a Close combat range squad.

What about MHD? He actually seems like a great fit with Chewie.

Well I looked at Drakkatta and felt that with Chewy I can get way more for another 2 points. I'm thinking Chewy's fix is reasonable.

1 hour ago, NeverBetTheFett said:

Well I looked at Drakkatta and felt that with Chewy I can get way more for another 2 points. I'm thinking Chewy's fix is reasonable.

Weird, I look at drokatta and think, "I can get way more for 2 points less"

Wookiee is like a non-existent ability. None of the cards are very useful. Heavy Weapon for Drokatta is great and Smuggler for Chewie is way better. None of the upgrades for the Wookiees are worth it really and the regular or elite wookiee warriors are pretty lackluster, so themed lists with multiple wookiees are pretty fun, but usually lose in a hurry.

Combining Wookie and Creature into the same trait, would have been better in the long-term even if not very galactically(socially) acceptable.

19 minutes ago, buckero0 said:

Weird, I look at drokatta and think, "I can get way more for 2 points less"

Wookiee is like a non-existent ability. None of the cards are very useful. Heavy Weapon for Drokatta is great and Smuggler for Chewie is way better. None of the upgrades for the Wookiees are worth it really and the regular or elite wookiee warriors are pretty lackluster, so themed lists with multiple wookiees are pretty fun, but usually lose in a hurry.

Combining Wookie and Creature into the same trait, would have been better in the long-term even if not very galactically(socially) acceptable.

I'm just not sure why Murne doesn't have Ithorian as a trait. Or Rodian for Greedo, Vinto and Hired Guns. Making Wookie an actual trait was just a bad call.

Or Human for Han!

57 minutes ago, TheUnsullied said:

I'm just not sure why Murne doesn't have Ithorian as a trait. Or Rodian for Greedo, Vinto and Hired Guns. Making Wookie an actual trait was just a bad call.

I think "Wookie" as a trait was supposed to mean "Rebel Creature". Which, yeah, is a very restrictive trait.

24 minutes ago, cnemmick said:

I think "Wookie" as a trait was supposed to mean "Rebel Creature". Which, yeah, is a very restrictive trait.

But they're sentient just like every other alien we have so far. It's only because they are a fan favorite that the got singled out. They aren't creatures like the Nexu, Wampa or Bantha.

There is a certain duality in Chewbacca in the original trilogy. On one hand, Chewie is a skilled engineer, heavy weapons and demolitions expert, pilot, ... he is not just sentient, he is a genius. On the other hand, he is treated like a pet, like Han's oversized dog or something.

21 minutes ago, DerBaer said:

There is a certain duality in Chewbacca in the original trilogy. On one hand, Chewie is a skilled engineer, heavy weapons and demolitions expert, pilot, ... he is not just sentient, he is a genius. On the other hand, he is treated like a pet, like Han's oversized dog or something.

Either way wouldn't change much. He'd either be labeled a creature or should have no label at all. I wish they would have let the keyword die with Drokatta and just give her the regular ones(heavy weapon and brawler maybe?) idk just don't make any more cards from it. Unless they give us a ton of Wookiee it's always going to be an unloved keyword with very few cards/figures toting it.

18 minutes ago, TheUnsullied said:

Either way wouldn't change much. He'd either be labeled a creature or should have no label at all. I wish they would have let the keyword die with Drokatta and just give her the regular ones(heavy weapon and brawler maybe?) idk just don't make any more cards from it. Unless they give us a ton of Wookiee it's always going to be an unloved keyword with very few cards/figures toting it.

I think we could tweak a few things to make it worthwhile . But, you know how I am about tweaking.

1 hour ago, TheUnsullied said:

Either way wouldn't change much. He'd either be labeled a creature or should have no label at all. I wish they would have let the keyword die with Drokatta and just give her the regular ones(heavy weapon and brawler maybe?) idk just don't make any more cards from it. Unless they give us a ton of Wookiee it's always going to be an unloved keyword with very few cards/figures toting it.

*Until they give us a Kashyyk box full of Wookie love.

I've ran the new Chewie one time, and he was fun. The command card being in hand is basically a cat/mouse game and you have to be able to dictate how that's handled.

I did this by putting Smuggler's Run on a regular Alliance Smuggler. As the Smuggler advanced to the opponent's deployment zone, they eventually had to make a decision. Kill the Smuggler and let the Wookie wreak some havoc, or let the smuggler score 5 VPs.

@Fightwookies also mostly hid Smuggler's Run under the Smuggler, so I almost decided against killing him haha. But who in there right mind runs a regular smuggler all the way into the opponents deployment zone, haha

2 hours ago, wannabepudge said:

@Fightwookies also mostly hid Smuggler's Run under the Smuggler, so I almost decided against killing him haha. But who in there right mind runs a regular smuggler all the way into the opponents deployment zone, haha

The artwork was covered due to spacial limitations on the table but all text was visible and it was said outloud during setup. Cant help that you forgot. There was clearly an attachment on the Smuggler and you can ask at anytime to view the open information, which you did when the Smuggler advanced on your deployment zone. You then chose to kill the Smuggler And let the Wookie wreck fools.

20 hours ago, Fightwookies said:

I've ran the new Chewie one time, and he was fun. The command card being in hand is basically a cat/mouse game and you have to be able to dictate how that's handled.

I did this by putting Smuggler's Run on a regular Alliance Smuggler. As the Smuggler advanced to the opponent's deployment zone, they eventually had to make a decision. Kill the Smuggler and let the Wookie wreak some havoc, or let the smuggler score 5 VPs.

That's brilliant. I have a smuggler in my current list, but I'd have to cut Balance for Smuggler's Run. What else did you run in the list?

52 minutes ago, Tvboy said:

That's brilliant. I have a smuggler in my current list, but I'd have to cut Balance for Smuggler's Run. What else did you run in the list?

haha. i don't know about brilliant, but it was pretty fun. I was really ok with either option that he took.That was our first night with HotE and I believe I was running:

Chewie/Han/Hera/RCP/eSabs/Alliance Smuggler/Smuggler's Run

I ran last night, Chewie, eSabs, Ko-Tun, Chopper, Murne, C3P0, Mak, Gideon. Chewie did some work but still under concentrated fire is pretty brittle (of course I rolled crappy defense dice last night as well every time when defending). If I replace anything in the list it'll be Ko-Tun for another set of eSabs. Mak was fine, Chopper was the star killing a Rebel Ranger after ramming it, and then attack it. The eSabs had done a lot of work on it and stunned it so it had to make a decision whether to move or attack after removing the stun.

33 minutes ago, Fightwookies said:

haha. i don't know about brilliant, but it was pretty fun. I was really ok with either option that he took.That was our first night with HotE and I believe I was running:

Chewie/Han/Hera/RCP/eSabs/Alliance Smuggler/Smuggler's Run

Han and Chewie together are pretty formidable. Lots of health and strong attacks to deal with.

1 hour ago, Fightwookies said:

haha. i don't know about brilliant, but it was pretty fun. I was really ok with either option that he took.That was our first night with HotE and I believe I was running:

Chewie/Han/Hera/RCP/eSabs/Alliance Smuggler/Smuggler's Run

I just love that you found a use for Smuggler's Run.