I'm the Imperial player in our games. The friend I play it with has a clear pattern now with every campaign: Take Diala, make a mad dash to get Dancing Weapon, proceed to make every round "Diala uses Dancing Weapon twice."

It's obviously a very good, useful card. It's just... dammit it's Every. Single. Game. I have no other issues with him or the ability except the knowledge that Diala will be doing it until she can't take any more strain. If it's supposed to be a saber throw, I don't recall off the top of my head what length of real time an action takes, but the visual I get is that she throws the saber, it comes back, and just immediately hurls it again.

I'd be interested in any strategies for countering it, etc.. I accept that we might be using it wrong but it seems like once she gets it, that's MOST of what she'll be doing for the rest of the campaign, so if there's a rule I'm overlooking, would be interested in that too.

Dancing Weapon is a special action, so it can only be used once per activation.

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1319188/what-are-some-crazy-or-common-rule-breaking-mistak

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1631857/ability-resolution-order-during-attacks

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/218205/a1berts-imperial-assault-play-forum-campaigns

If you need a reference: RRG, page 3, Actions section, 5th bullet, 2nd dash.

3 hours ago, Doctor X said:

I'm the Imperial player in our games. The friend I play it with has a clear pattern now with every campaign: Take Diala, make a mad dash to get Dancing Weapon, proceed to make every round "Diala uses Dancing Weapon twice."

It's obviously a very good, useful card. It's just... dammit it's Every. Single. Game. I have no other issues with him or the ability except the knowledge that Diala will be doing it until she can't take any more strain. If it's supposed to be a saber throw, I don't recall off the top of my head what length of real time an action takes, but the visual I get is that she throws the saber, it comes back, and just immediately hurls it again.

I'd be interested in any strategies for countering it, etc.. I accept that we might be using it wrong but it seems like once she gets it, that's MOST of what she'll be doing for the rest of the campaign, so if there's a rule I'm overlooking, would be interested in that too.

As others have said, dancing weapon is a special action and limited to once per activation. It also costs strain. So if you want to counter it, go for Subversive Tactics and make sure she's always strained out.

Also it's a ranged attack so try not to leave your figures in line of sight.

Another counter is to bring out cheap units. Like Hired Guns. If a rebel is capable of one shot killing more expensive troops the trick is to spam them with cheap units, so most of the attack damage is wasted, and they probably won't have enough actions to kill them all. The advantage of hired guns is they can shoot back when killed.

3 hours ago, Doctor X said:

I'm the Imperial player in our games. The friend I play it with has a clear pattern now with every campaign: Take Diala, make a mad dash to get Dancing Weapon, proceed to make every round "Diala uses Dancing Weapon twice."

It's obviously a very good, useful card. It's just... dammit it's Every. Single. Game. I have no other issues with him or the ability except the knowledge that Diala will be doing it until she can't take any more strain. If it's supposed to be a saber throw, I don't recall off the top of my head what length of real time an action takes, but the visual I get is that she throws the saber, it comes back, and just immediately hurls it again.

I'd be interested in any strategies for countering it, etc.. I accept that we might be using it wrong but it seems like once she gets it, that's MOST of what she'll be doing for the rest of the campaign, so if there's a rule I'm overlooking, would be interested in that too.

@a1bert solved your main problem but here is a counter strategy for DW

You dont mentioned what expansions you have, but my basic advice is Military Might with Endless Ranks to Troop swarm. If you have ToL DeathTroopers or Jabbas Realm with Jets you can basilcy make the rebels suffocate under presure.

On Bepin Gambit Campaign sometimes you get Agent Blaise as well. It means 1 rDeathTrooper for 1 threat/turn... My Rebels (Diala as well) begged not to use that anymore.

DW is 1 big attack. But with this you have several remaining figures too keep them pressured

Apart from the rules mistake, it'd be helpful if you also post who are the other 3 Rebel heroes chosen (Diala + ?), which Imperial class deck you're using and which Campaign you're running (Core? Hoth? Bespin?)

Bleeding is usually a less desirable status effect ... but it can slow down heroes and cause strain. Trandoshan/Nexu ambush can help curb this issue.