My Edge of the Republic game may be starting up again soon and when we left off the crew of the Black Duchess (a brand new YT-1300) found themselves in the midst of a fleet battle between the forces under the Hutts and a group of "unauthorized" pirates (meaning not giving the Hutts a cut). Now I know there are mass battle rules available, but I am wondering if anybody had any advice to share on this subject? The players were assigned to intercept some bombers making a run on the flagship of the Hutt fleet when we ended the last session, so their success or failure may have impact on the greater battle. I need other such parts of the battle they could get involved in.

Go Pirates! Rah!..... ☠️

A few ideas:

• A trio of Hutt boarding craft have lost their escort, and the players are ordered to give the shuttles cover. Meanwhile a flight of Scyk fighters have moved to engage the easy targets.
• One of the Hutt ships has been forced to jettison a cargo container with some very valuable cargo. They players are closest and commanded to retrieve it, but must race against the crew of a pirate transport (perhaps a modified Skipray Blastboat) that wants the cargo for themselves.
• A pirate C-ROC has taken a major hit that has vented the command deck to space. Scans show that the light cruiser is still powered and operational, but drifting uncontrolled. The players are tasked with boarding the vessel, eliminating any remaining crew and taking the prize.
• One of the pirate transports is punching well above its weight, whether it has a crack crew or is heavily modified into a pocket gunboat. The players need to engage the pirate ship and destroy it - or at least draw its attention away from the Hutt support ships.