Ok... so was reading up on these rules in the AoR GM screen last night & was wondering if I’ve read this right....

Once in a Squad/Sqaudron the minion group makes no initiative roll & does not have a combat turn.

So... ???

Does that mean that only the leader of a squad gets any chance to attack or have I totally misunderstood that?

Any clarification would be much appreciated 😃

You're mostly right, yes. The leader can spend a Triumph for the squad(ron) to make an attack roll, otherwise they don't get an action.

In exchange, however, the sqaud(ron) leader gets the benefits of the current formation as well as the "ablative armour" of the minions.

Also note the leader can use a Triumph from any check he makes, not just attacks. So if you're not a shooty leader, it might be better to focus on the mission requirements, and let those other checks you're good at generate the Triumphs.

Cheers for the responses 👍

Ok... so that’s a bit disappointing then.

Seems to defeat the object of squading up though for me, granted they’re a meat shield but then that takes away the risk to the PCs, & for me there’s got to be some risk else where’s the excitement!

Seems to be the PCs would be more effective working as a unit themselves & directing separate groups of minion soldiers (as long as they’re in range)... that way you get separate attack’s from each PC plus the attacks of each minion group.

5 minutes ago, AceSolo5 said:

Seems to defeat the object of squading up though for me, granted they’re a meat shield but then that takes away the risk to the PCs, & for me there’s got to be some risk else where’s  the excitement! 

I disagree. The main point of being in a squad(ron) is to be one-among-many. This gives you some protection from enemy fire (as is seen a lot in the TV shows and movies). The ability to trigger an attack on a Triumph is a side bonus.

It's all about the plot armour, IMO.

7 minutes ago, AceSolo5 said:

Seems to be the PCs would be more effective working as a unit themselves & directing separate groups of minion soldiers (as long as they’re in range)... that way you get separate attack’s from each PC plus the attacks of each minion group.

Until your lone PC gets shot up, that is 😛

Your PC squads up with some, but not all, of the minions in the group and then directs the un-squadded minions. Best of both worlds!

1 hour ago, c__beck said:

I disagree. The main point of being in a squad(ron) is to be one-among-many. This gives you some protection from enemy fire (as is seen a lot in the TV shows and movies). The ability to trigger an attack on a Triumph is a side bonus.

It's all about the plot armour, IMO.

Until your lone PC gets shot up, that is 😛

Your PC squads up with some, but not all, of the minions in the group and then directs the un-squadded minions. Best of both worlds!

I like the last bit of this 👍

3 hours ago, AceSolo5 said:

I like the last bit of this 👍

That last bit is exactly as the rules are intended. If you want your squad/ron to focus on dealing damage, leave them as a minion group. But these rules give you some more flexibility with how your squad/ron is deployed.

5 hours ago, AceSolo5 said:

Seems to defeat the object of squading up though for me, granted they’re a meat shield but then that takes away the risk to the PCs, & for me there’s got to be some risk else where’s the excitement!

How about the risk of not completing the mission?

In addition to giving that feeling of larger battles without having to micro-manage endless NPCs, one point of the meat shield is to mitigate the rather lethal or incapacitating aspect of these rules so that the story can "fail forward". It gives more options than just success, death, or capture. Eg: the PCs couldn't stop the Imperial kyber shipment in time, so they retreat to regroup and work out a new plan.

Besides, those meat shields have names. If the PCs are constantly losing other pilots, it doesn't speak well for their ability to plan and lead...at some point people won't exactly be signing up to fly with the "suicide squad".

Ok... I’m starting to see it’s uses now, so again many thanks for the responses 👍

Whafrog.... Plan??? If only my players would plan 🤣

Also, it's not just or even primarily for PCs. It's super useful for giving some plot armor to that villain or NPC you really need to survive a battle.

4 hours ago, KRKappel said:

Also, it's not just or even primarily for PCs. It's super useful for giving some plot armor to that villain or NPC you really need to survive a battle.

Never thought of that! That could be, sorry... is going to be, very useful 👍

Insert evil laugh 😃