Many are asking for Generic Commanders for both the Rebels and Imperial factions. It sounds like the preference by FFG would only include major characters in the universe. I still think it would be fun to have a generic "Rebel/Imperial Colonel" to promote a theme or lore within a faction. If FFG does not want to produce a generic commander I'm sure there are many low level commanders within the Star Wars universe that could fit this role such as Major Bren Derlin (rebels).

I like the idea that @Kojib brought up to include body guards for some commanders. The most obvious being Krennic with his death troopers .

If FFG plans on using major characters to act as commanders (Luke, Vader, etc) then how will other characters be brought in? You could have stand alone characters such as Jyn Erso or others from Rogue One for instance. However, this wouldn't fit into the army building construct of Legion and could swamp the table. The other possibility is swapping out unit leaders with minor characters. Jyn Erso for example could be an upgrade to a rebel trooper squad by replacing the unit leader. She could buff the squad by increasing their courage and thereby reducing their chance of suppression.

What are your thoughts on your ideal commander and with the possibility in upgrading unit leaders?

From a magazine article we already know our next two commands will be Leia and General Veers.

We may get "attach to unit" commanders and rules but we aren't going to see squad level heroes. The minors will still fit into the second command slot, with more commands at various initiatives to add to the command pool (Remembering you are limited to seven cards) but being also cheap and boosting the range of issued commands without needing card tricks like comm links.

I really think people are underestimating how powerful commanders (and the loss of said commanders) can be to the battlefield. Most people want that generic to be cheap and cheerful, but i for 1 wouldn't like to take him only to have him sniped in round 1/2 and then have the loss of activation initiative AND full random activation's for the rest of the battle..............

2 hours ago, Ralgon said:

but we aren't going to see squad level heroes. The minors will still fit into the second command slot, with more commands at various initiatives to add to the command pool (Remembering you are limited to seven cards) but being also cheap and boosting the range of issued commands without ne

Good info!

2 minutes ago, Y-Wing said:

Good info!

It's Speculation. But it's based on what we know of commands, the command phase, commanders and force organization and makes solid sense. If not, there would be no need for the second command slot in the force org......

i vote for ...

...General Max Veers...

...Wullf Yularen...

...General Cas Tagge...

Sorry, I want generic Stormtrooper Captains, Imperial Army Captains, Naval commanders (for the naval troops)and so forth. Special characters are not going to show up in every little battle and there is zero reason to force us to bring them. Veers is cool and all, but he should be sitting in a command vehicle behind the lines letting captains and LTs run the show on the ground in the thick of things. Vader has better things to do with his time than babysit a bunch of stormtroopers, why else did the Empire pay for their officers to go to the Imperial Academy to learn to be officers? Not having generics is almost a deal breaker before even getting out of the gate.

To be honest, I doubt that there will be generic commanders. I mean, look at armada. Do you see any generic commanders there?

17 minutes ago, Col. Dash said:

Sorry, I want generic Stormtrooper Captains, Imperial Army Captains, Naval commanders (for the naval troops)and so forth. Special characters are not going to show up in every little battle and there is zero reason to force us to bring them. Veers is cool and all, but he should be sitting in a command vehicle behind the lines letting captains and LTs run the show on the ground in the thick of things. Vader has better things to do with his time than babysit a bunch of stormtroopers, why else did the Empire pay for their officers to go to the Imperial Academy to learn to be officers? Not having generics is almost a deal breaker before even getting out of the gate.

Yes, in real life a commander like Veers would not be close to a tactical melee; but this is fantasy game.

1 hour ago, Col. Dash said:

Sorry, I want generic Stormtrooper Captains, Imperial Army Captains, Naval commanders (for the naval troops)and so forth. Special characters are not going to show up in every little battle and there is zero reason to force us to bring them. Veers is cool and all, but he should be sitting in a command vehicle behind the lines letting captains and LTs run the show on the ground in the thick of things. Vader has better things to do with his time than babysit a bunch of stormtroopers, why else did the Empire pay for their officers to go to the Imperial Academy to learn to be officers? Not having generics is almost a deal breaker before even getting out of the gate.

Not gonna happen. Leaders will be named characters I assure you.

I doubt there will be generic commanders also....as mentioned, Armada is a good example of what I'm expecting.

It is however one of the first things I expect to see house ruled or community created.

Having Admirals and Naval Captains (Colonel equivalent) makes sense for Armada. There are many popular Admirals and Captains in the movies and universe to allow Armada to choose from. It also makes sense for them to lead an entire ship or a fleet. Legion is focused on Squad base combat for what I would consider Company level of command. The scale for commanders is off to have such high level figures to be on the battlefield leading troops. However, I can see why FFG wants to bring iconic characters to the table. It also doesn't change my preference for having some generic or made up commanders to fill traditional military roles since it does market itself as a tactical wargame.

Since you're talking about it, I thought I would throw out some thoughts on Commanders I've been having.

Basically, I've been trying to come up with 10 commanders per faction. I feel like this would give lots of choice as to how armies are built. More than that though, I have also tried to come up with Commanders for the FUTURE factions I envision. So far, these are who I suspect we might see:

Rebels

1. Luke Skywalker
2. Leia Organa
3. Han Solo
4. Jyn Erso
5. Cassian Endor
6. Lando Calrissian
7. Kanan Jarrus
8. Hera Syndulla
9. Ahsoka Tano (Fulcrum)
10. Admiral Ackbar

Empire

1. Darth Vader
2. General Veers
3. Grand Inquisitor
4. Grand Admiral Thrawn
5. Director Krennic
6. Grand Moff Tarkin
7. Emperor Palpatine
8. Admiral Rae Sloane
9. Gar Saxon
10. Iden Versio

Galactic Republic

1. Grand Master Yoda
2. Obi-wan Kenobi
3. Anakin Skywalker
4. Mace Windu
5. Captain Rex
6. Plo Koon
7. Kit Fisto
8. Qui Gon Jinn
9. Aayla Secura
10. Luminara Unduli

Separatist Alliance

1. Count Dooku
2. General Greivous
3. Darth Sidious
4. Darth Maul
5. Asajj Ventress
6. Admiral Trench
7. Kleeve
8. Koburn Sear
9. Poggle the Lesser
10. Wat Tambor

Resistance

1. Rey
2. Poe Dameron
3. Finn
4. Leia Organa
5. Snap Wexley

First Order

1. Kylo Ren
2. Captain Phasma
3. General Hux
4. Snoke
5. Agent Terex

Scum and Villainy (Mercenaries)

1. Boba Fett
2. Bossk
3. IG-88
4. Cad Bane
5. Aurra Sing
6. Zuckus
7. 4-LOM
8. Dengar
9. Crimson Corsair
10. Jango Fett

I think I need two more movies to flesh out my First Order and Resistance. Separatists were hard as well - not particularly happy with that list. All this said though, I don't know if we NEED nameless Commanders. Someone like Leia, or Ackbar, can get away with being a lot weaker than Luke Skywalker, providing a lower point value, lower health, and a different army strategy.

Anyway, we shall see. I think there is a lot of neat opportunity for Commanders though.

As long as there is a good range of points costs and abilities, i could take or leave generics.

I mean, ultimately people like Veers and the like are basically minor characters who are "generic" military commanders that just happened to get named at some point. I'd have no problem people just giving them different names if they don't want the same leaders all the time. It's not like most commanders would look significantly different from veers, Rieekan etc.

Obviously that doesn't work for the "hero" or "anti hero" characters. There's no pretending that Luke, Han, Vader etc are some random officer. Which is where the hope for variety comes in, because "counts as" is a great facilitator for the imagination

For me I want the Commanders to make sense. What I mean by that is the Commander should have some in universe reason for leading a platoon sized group of ground troopers. This means that they will need to come up with either some generic or names minor characters. Most of the major characters on the Imperial side were Admiral's or Political figures that wouldn't make sense in the setting for the game.

I do agree with you, and i'd like to see it. I just don't think we will.

I mean, it doesn't make a lot of sense for half of the Armada commanders to be leading fleets, but there they are. FFG like recognised characters.

11 minutes ago, jcmonson said:

For me I want the Commanders to make sense. What I mean by that is the Commander should have some in universe reason for leading a platoon sized group of ground troopers. This means that they will need to come up with either some generic or names minor characters. Most of the major characters on the Imperial side were Admiral's or Political figures that wouldn't make sense in the setting for the game.

Fair enough, but many of the various political figures have demonstrated some level of combat. Tarkin and Ackbar, for example, in the Clone Wars cartoon.

I could see Agent Kallus, Capt. Rex, Capt. Cassian, Iden Versio, Hera Syndulla and others from the Star Wars universe that could easily be added to groups without taking the leader role. Star Wars has many Generals and Admirals to fill the role of leader without running out of characters anytime soon.

I could also see Grand Admiral Thrawn investigating the local culture and then suddenly the rebels attack. Thrawn would have to lead the platoon from the ground.

Just my thoughts…

1 hour ago, Copes said:

Fair enough, but many of the various political figures have demonstrated some level of combat. Tarkin and Ackbar, for example, in the Clone Wars cartoon.

Mon Mothma is an Admiral in armada.

11 minutes ago, Portage said:

I could see Agent Kallus, Capt. Rex, Capt. Cassian, Iden Versio, Hera Syndulla and others from the Star Wars universe that could easily be added to groups without taking the leader role. Star Wars has many Generals and Admirals to fill the role of leader without running out of characters anytime soon.

I could also see Grand Admiral Thrawn investigating the local culture and then suddenly the rebels attack. Thrawn would have to lead the platoon from the ground.

Just my thoughts…

All of those sans Thrawn go Rebel at some point. The problem with most Admirals is they wouldn't be commanding Army forces, and most of the Generals are Rebel. It makes sense though as the Rebels wouldn't have the resources or manpower to fight the Imperial Army in any sort of regular battle, and there aren't many sources dealing with the Empires forces. If you look at the Original trilogy there are 2 imperial ground commanders Vader and Veers, but there are Rebel ones, Luke, Han, Leia, and Rikeen. Even Rogue One adds more Rebel Commander possibilities than Imperial ones. Now Fantasy Flight does have named leaders from Imperial Assault that they can use and I'm willing to bet that they make up some named people to put in vehicles as there are 0 named people that pilot an AT-ST in the movies yet there is a slot for a crew in that vehicle.

Crew slots on things like AT-STs don't have to be filled with named people. There's certainly plenty of Crew/Teams in Armada and X-Wing that are unnamed generic types. I agree we're likely to see some named people in most of them though.

As for Commanders, there really are more Rebel ground ones that are well known, but i suspect even a short trawl through novels and EU/Legends sources (which FFG seem happy to use so far) will give plenty.

The minor characters make far more sense to have than the major characters. Again Vader isn't showing up at every little skirmish, Mon Mothma and Admiral Akbar aren't getting off their ships nor should they. They are Strategic commanders not tactical commanders and Akbar has zero experience in ground combat. It makes sense that they would show up in Armada when we are talking fleet action and literally hundreds of thousands of sailors and troops. When you are talking 50 or 60 combatants, why would a general even be in the vicinity? Granted I have the exact same problem in 40k when I see the lord commander of all mankind show up in every little 2000 point game. I think Bolt Action did it perfect in that a special character is for special scenarios and for the most part all you have are generic characters like LTs and Captains since we are only talking platoon and maybe company sized games at the biggest. While my long term project(been years in the works and will continue to be years in the works) is a full battalion of both Germans and US army for Italy, realistically speaking, a named guy like Patton or Montgomery is still not going to show up even at that level. Now Michael Wittmann(German tank ace) could be on the field as he was notorious for doing so, by himself if he felt like it. the Ghost(Finnish sniper) was obviously a front line dude. Character equivalents like these can and should show up in Star Wars but shouldn't be super powered over generics. Cassian is a great example. Anyone say light col equivalent or less should occasionally make an appearance on the field, price them accordingly high and go. Luke, Vader, and big names not so much. I just really hate hero-hammer which is why I like the way BA handles them and feel that's the correct route to go in a war game. Imperial Assault is different, its kind of like an rpg and miniatures game rolled into one and I think they did things the right way there too with their special characters being such a part of the game.

I am not opposed at all of FFG coming up with new platoon and squad level characters that aren't a part of existing canon. I would rather make my own for my own unit's story but at least here there is a little more freedom. Look we have a Michael Wittman riding in an AT-ST into the middle of the Rebel force. My Ghost is a Rebel Commando sniper. Not Here is Gen Veers directing a squad or Vader micromanaging. Can you imagine him making sure the Storm troopers have dry socks? Because that's what leaders do at this level.

On 12/3/2017 at 7:16 PM, Ralgon said:

From a magazine article we already know our next two commands will be Leia and General Veers.

1

Would you mind sharing this or a link to it? I hadn't seen this article yet.

51 minutes ago, Col. Dash said:

The minor characters make far more sense to have than the major characters. Again Vader isn't showing up at every little skirmish, Mon Mothma and Admiral Akbar aren't getting off their ships nor should they. They are Strategic commanders not tactical commanders and Akbar has zero experience in ground combat. It makes sense that they would show up in Armada when we are talking fleet action and literally hundreds of thousands of sailors and troops. When you are talking 50 or 60 combatants, why would a general even be in the vicinity? Granted I have the exact same problem in 40k when I see the lord commander of all mankind show up in every little 2000 point game. I think Bolt Action did it perfect in that a special character is for special scenarios and for the most part all you have are generic characters like LTs and Captains since we are only talking platoon and maybe company sized games at the biggest. While my long term project(been years in the works and will continue to be years in the works) is a full battalion of both Germans and US army for Italy, realistically speaking, a named guy like Patton or Montgomery is still not going to show up even at that level. Now Michael Wittmann(German tank ace) could be on the field as he was notorious for doing so, by himself if he felt like it. the Ghost(Finnish sniper) was obviously a front line dude. Character equivalents like these can and should show up in Star Wars but shouldn't be super powered over generics. Cassian is a great example. Anyone say light col equivalent or less should occasionally make an appearance on the field, price them accordingly high and go. Luke, Vader, and big names not so much. I just really hate hero-hammer which is why I like the way BA handles them and feel that's the correct route to go in a war game. Imperial Assault is different, its kind of like an rpg and miniatures game rolled into one and I think they did things the right way there too with their special characters being such a part of the game.

I am not opposed at all of FFG coming up with new platoon and squad level characters that aren't a part of existing canon. I would rather make my own for my own unit's story but at least here there is a little more freedom. Look we have a Michael Wittman riding in an AT-ST into the middle of the Rebel force. My Ghost is a Rebel Commando sniper. Not Here is Gen Veers directing a squad or Vader micromanaging. Can you imagine him making sure the Storm troopers have dry socks? Because that's what leaders do at this level.

I respect your perspective, but I kind of disagree whole-heartedly.

There are countless examples in the canon of characters that we consider "heroes" working with a squad of troopers in skirmishes. There is an entire Clone Wars arc featuring Ackbar leading a Mon Cala army against separatists. Luke, Han, and Leia are working with nameless troopers on Hoth. Read Darth Vader comics, or the Star Wars series, or any number of canon comics... plenty of examples of him working with a small strike team to achieve an objective. Admiral Thrawn leads a ground force to attack a Rebel Base in the Season 3 finale of Rebels. I'll agree that Mon Mothma leading would be a bit silly... she is a politician... but the various military commanders can undoubtedly lead. And if players need things to make sense, Admirals can be leading a crew after their ship crash landed. Vader can be mopping up a small town with Stormtroopers in search for something. ****, look at the opening scene of The Force Awakens with Kylo. I'm sure in the 20 years between Prequels and Sequels Vader did plenty of stuff like that. In fact, I'm reading Bloodline right now, and there is a character who desperately hates Darth Vader because Vader frequently visited the factory that he and his family worked in and caused harm and fear to the workers.

More than that though... this is a game. It's a game that allows you to create "what if" scenarios. It allows you to use your imagination, make a scenario whatever you want, and have a laugh. Personally I hope desperately that they add the Galactic Republic and I can use them to fight the First Order. Not because its reasonable, but because Yoda versus Kylo Ren would be super cool, and it will add more diversity to the units in the game.

1 hour ago, gamer1886 said:

Would you mind sharing this or a link to it? I hadn't seen this article yet.

Not going to share the article (can't) but while not outright stated it is kind of implied. Quote from the two sections in question:

"We thought: 'you know, this is Star Wars, it's pretty crucial that we get these main characters together," Davy confirms. "If you want to field Luke, Leia and Han you can do that - you just have to go up to a certain scale of game. But even in the standard game you can take up to two, so Vader and Veers or Luke and Leia or any of the main trilogy characters you can think of who we'll probably do at some point."

AND

"So really the question becomes: how strong do I want my leader to be? Do I want to go full on with Darth Vader and eat up a bunch of points in him, his force powers and batllefield presence? Or do I want to take a step back and take someone like General Veers, who has a more modest impact on the battle but allows you to field far, far more Stormtroopers and support vehicles and the like?"

one reason I would like to see generic (either given a name or unnamed) commanders is because I would like to play in the Galactic Civil War, and as was mentioned earlier the Heroes simply weren't everywhere. Having the Heroes being the only commanders gives the impression that the only time anything happened is when the Heroes are around.