With the Rebel Veterans and Tauntaun Riders announced, this can only mean one thing- the Empire is getting another corps and support units!

So what do you guys think they'll be?

For corps:

My best guess are Shore troopers or Death Star/Naval troopers. Judging from the fact that a lot of the card art has teased whats up and coming- we have not seen Shore Troopers in any art but with Star Wars Celebration doing the Scarif diorama with Legion miniatures it could very well be the next corps to be displayed there. However we have seen a taste of Death Star/Naval troopers in the Imp Specialists pack and they appear in the background of Vader's "New Ways to Motivate Them" card art. And they would be a mirror to the Rebel Fleet troopers. I'd love to see these guys and maybe their deployable heavy could be a K2-SO droid. Hmm...

For support:

A Dewback seems to be the obvious choice / mirror to the Rebels getting Tauntauns but what role would a Dewback play exactly? Because the Tauntauns are basically Rebel speeder bikes, but a Dewback would be a slower unit with probably more health than a Tauntaun and a bigger gun, maybe better melee? Which means its basically a living/smaller tank to the one thats already about to come out. Could it be a creature equivalent to an AT-RT? Maybe so...

But my best guess for the next support is actually either a probe droid or maybe a pair of them. One appeared on the "Covert Observation" card and is pretty much the only thing left in all the card arts that we havent seen released or announced. It could also offer the "Infiltrate" ability to the Empire.

I think the dewback is coming for sure. I wouldn't pay attention to the art for confirmation though. I think a probe droid would be awesome with alternative deployment options.

I would prefer a cheaper, less armored option for imperial corps so my vote would be for deathstar technician style figures. Shore troopers would be cool too, but frankly the weapons are the only real difference makers as far as the troops go, otherwise they are all pretty similar

Navy troopers would be interesting, but if the Empire Corps unit will also have Training upgrade slot, then an "Elite" unit is more likely. Possible Shoretroopers, but I wouldn't be surprised if FFG went with Sandtroopers.

Not all releases for Legion have been mirrored, for example, the fleet trooper/snowtrooper waves. Therefore, I wouldn't be hugely surprised if whatever is coming next for the imperials isn't an elite corps plus a mount. That said, I expect it will be dewbacks and sandtroopers. I personally hope it's navytroopers and probots, though I'd be fine with the former.

If we get probe droids then the empire could have an infiltrate option. Plus it might give us a hint about how they will handle the separatist armies. I'd prefer that to Dewbacks personally but I guess we will have to wait and see.

I think in terms of parallelism, Imperials will be getting a Creature Trooper. And it'll probably be Dewbacks because, y'know that was a thing on screen.

The Corps is wigglier, the Empire always had the best option for more. I want it to be shoretroopers, because we're on a bit of a run with R1 content and they do make a great paralel for a corps unit with extra training, maybe they Coordinate. I might be a little sad if it's Sandtroopers (even if they call them something different) because that's just Storms with backpacks, even if they get the T21 but that would be like, maximum parallelism. Do we have an Imperial version of Defend where you get an Aim token when you're issued an order? Because that'll probably be what they get.

For Corps I'm guessing Shoretroopers mostly due to the diorama announced for Celebration but ultimately whatever they give us what we do know is it will have a Training slot to keep it inline with the Rebel Veterans. Probe Droids would be interesting, but if I have to guess it will instead be a Dewback since we got a new type of unit in Creature Troopers. To play towards IA it would be interesting if maybe the Dewback could take a flamethrower, and that would let them play up like the AT-RT letting it take alternate weapon options.

Navy troopers and dewbacks would be my hope. Guess we'll know soon enough.

Sandtroopers are way too much like Legion's generic stormtrooper minis but they didn't worry about that with a bunch of the rebel releases. Shoretroopers seemed like not-corps to me.

Hopefully Dewbacks -- the Imperial AT-RT.

And Shoretroopers -- because they've been going all Rogue One. Small % chance of Imperial Army troopers (mud troopers).

Some of my group friends think dewbacks and mud troopers from Solo

48 minutes ago, TauntaunScout said:

Navy troopers and dewbacks would be my hope. Guess we'll know soon enough.

Sandtroopers are way too much like Legion's generic stormtrooper minis but they didn't worry about that with a bunch of the rebel releases. Shoretroopers seemed like not-corps to me.

Nope.. you’ve got your tauntauns, you don't get a say anymore. 😜

All kidding aside, I think dewbacks make sense, and have too iconic an aoperance not to be included.

I agree with you on the sand troopers. They really can be done up just by painting a dirty stormtrooper. The hoth troopers off a visual difference from the other units.

Shore troopers are a strange area. They are described fighting alongside regular, and even commanding regular stormtroopers as seargeants. But they would also function well as a unit to themselves.

But here is the thing with shore troopers, or also the coastal defender stormtrooper.. we have no coasts. Even if they covered all environments, their shtick would be to, basically have environmental gear baked in? Sure the training upgrade could be useful, but I'm not so sure. There is also the issue of an analog for the detatchment trooper for rebels, which we don't see.

Perhaps the direct analog shouldn't be tried. Perhaps they could get a release that functions as a stand alone squad, and the seargeant mentioned above? Maybe instead of a “medium” blaster analog, The empire can get a personel upgrade that becomes a leader for a stormtrooper squad? Gives a training slot, becomes the leader, but HAS to take a training upgrade? This is not likely, admittedly, as it steps on the generic officer personnel upgrade.

Visually, I like the shore troopers, and can certainly fit the highly trained trooper based on Del Meeko from battlefront, it is just I don't see them having a onscreen detatchment analog, nor having an ability that can't be replicated by taking the environmental gear upgrade.

As to the imperial fleet troopers.. well, if I was in charge, I would hold off for a bit - and here is why: First, I think they don't have a role that can't be accomplished by another trooper. They also don't show or have mentioned any particular degree of skill, and as such, no notable characters are are from their ranks in canon. They are currently superfluous. We do see the rebe fleet troops holding posistions against army troops.

Now, as I said, they don't have a “thing” yet. At most we have seen them guard a door on a bridge and stand at the semi-circle imperial computer console - and this is the important part to delay them..

We need another objective based expansion, like the priority supplies. We are getting the downes AT-ST, bug that is limited use. A second priorty supplies type pack with new battlefield cards that will utilize the half moon computers that come in it, would need troops that are adept at interacting with objectives. The navy trooper could do that.

I'd even consider giving them the console on a large base, as a support unit, that is stationary, but can coordinate air strikes, or attacks as on any unit, as long as an ally is in line of sight. I think that would work better than something that interacts with objectives.

Yes, a large base with computer console, stationary, couple navy troops lets you get the visual and thematic feel of what we see them doing. Also, indirect attacks, via ally line of sight which is pure flavour text as an air strike is something wanted in the game. The navy troopers fit that bill in my opinion.

Of course some battlemats/terrain that detail interiors of ships, I might change my mind, but as is, I think an armoured trooper is more likely. We have Hoth, Endor, and Scarif motifs going, barring the fleet troopers, so I see that continuing.

Final option, and still better, a command upgrade that gives a Commander upgrade a couple of extra models to follow them around. Helps offset any Bounty, and again, more thematic than a basic trooper.

But, I think the navy troopers could be better utilized as any of the above, than a standard corps, especially as the Empire has no shortage of frontline army troopers.

Basically navy troopers are not my first choice, BUT, should be included. They would look real good as a diorama unit like the support I detailed above, or a couple of them following around Veers, or the generic officer commander as well as making that unit more durable. Rebels could obviously get a similar unit for their commanders. A command upgrade called “Entourage” A good middleground way to get more obscure units to the table, without giving a full unit unto themselves.

1 hour ago, Animewarsdude said:

For Corps I'm guessing Shoretroopers mostly due to the diorama announced for Celebration but ultimately whatever they give us what we do know is it will have a Training slot to keep it inline with the Rebel Veterans. Probe Droids would be interesting, but if I have to guess it will instead be a Dewback since we got a new type of unit in Creature Troopers. To play towards IA it would be interesting if maybe the Dewback could take a flamethrower, and that would let them play up like the AT-RT letting it take alternate weapon options.

The at-rt analog is a good one, I certainly could see that. Maybe not the exact weapon, but a could work. Heck, giving the dewback an option of taking the big shock pole or a t-21 would eliminate the need for a “sand trooper” release. Model wise, it would work with the idea of multiple pieces/options.

This maquette shows a riding stormtrooper with a t-21. Give the dewback spotter as well. I just want a t-21, and troopers on dewbacks could give it.

My bets on Shore/Mud Troopers with the Probe Droid support.

Someone just needs to create a profile named DewbackScout and complain about the lack of a complete set of tattooine themed models

My prediction is of course Dewbacks unless there is some other light imperial vehicle we don't know about. As for the corp unit I think we are getting 501st stormtroopers which have the sandtrooper paldrins and rifles (remember the sandtroopers didn't have standard stromtrooper rifles).

3 hours ago, KommanderKeldoth said:

Someone just needs to create a profile named DewbackScout and complain about the lack of a complete set of tattooine themed models

If that were to work, I would so make a ‘FirstOrderScout’ profile..

I wouldn't mind a unit of mud troopers (aka imperial army) as the new Corps option. As for support, a dewback doesn't sound bad but I'd like something with more pizzazz, wow factor, maybe an AT-DT to support the 224th Armored Division.

1 hour ago, Chili-52 said:

I wouldn't mind a unit of mud troopers (aka imperial army) as the new Corps option. As for support, a dewback doesn't sound bad but I'd like something with more pizzazz, wow factor, maybe an AT-DT to support the 224th Armored Division.

The only problem with mudtroopers is they aren't really indicative of the veteran or highly trained trooper. They seem to be more of a throw bodies at the enemy type of use. There will be an equivalent unit for the Empire. Mud troopers need to be a cheaper option.

19 minutes ago, That Blasted Samophlange said:

The only problem with mudtroopers is they aren't really indicative of the veteran or highly trained trooper. They seem to be more of a throw bodies at the enemy type of use. There will be an equivalent unit for the Empire. Mud troopers need to be a cheaper option.

I hear you, but that's why mud troopers would be the perfect choice. They wouldn't be a symmetrical counter to the rebel release. Death troopers are the Special Forces/elite option for empire. In my opinion (for whatever that's worth), a throw away troop option would shake things up and make it more interesting.

6 hours ago, KommanderKeldoth said:

Someone just needs to create a profile named DewbackScout and complain about the lack of a complete set of tattooine themed models

Ah, Dewback Scout, my old nemesis. I hope never to see the likes of that rapscallion on these boards.

I think it's likely to be Shore troopers. There is going to be the whole scarif board thing which would tie in to the shore trooper thing. The Shore troopers also have a heavy weapon setup that mirrors that of the Rebel Veterans. The heavy options would be the E-22 and reciprocating quad blaster cannon. As they were seen mixed in with storm troopers they could also have their extra mini have a card that allows it to become the leader of a storm trooper unit similar to the generic commander.

however i would like it to be the Imperial Navy troopers as they are the last trooper option that got screen time in an actual battle during the OT.

2 minutes ago, jcmonson said:

I think it's likely to be Shore troopers... however i would like it to be the Imperial Navy troopers...

Whatever it is, given production times, it's presumably already been decided.

11 minutes ago, TauntaunScout said:

Ah, Dewback Scout, my old nemesis. I hope never to see the likes of that rapscallion on these boards.

You rang?

You may have won this time, TauntaunScout, but I shall be victorious in the end!

I was initially thinking dewbacks, but I could see FFG doing a total switcheroo and giving us probe droids and death star/imperial navy troopers. Instead of a detachable heavy maybe a a K2 type droid (someone already mentioned that) or a melee unit (like Jyn disguised herself as in Rogue One).

But it will probably be dewbacks and shore troopers.

It will definitely be Dewbacks. It is known.

Four legs good; two legs bad!