I'm one of the many who have acquired Legion over the holidays but I'm not unfamiliar with FFG games. Does this game follow suit with some other games where I might need to buy some expansions to get certain upgrade cards even if I don't plan on using the unit they come with? It's not a huge deal, I'm just curious.

Generally speaking yes, but they also sell the Upgrade Card Pack which has a number of cards in it that also help a lot such as Comms, Gear, Grenade, Training, and Command Cards. Found most of the cards I needed were in this pack.

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/star-wars-legion/products/upgrade-card-pack/

If you got the Galactic civil war set (GCW) and plan to buy some expansions soon, I wouldn't worry too much about the card pack. Then again, it is only 10 bucks.

If you got the Clone wars set, then the card pack should catch you up for the most part on all of the stuff you don't have from the GCW expansions.

49 minutes ago, Bigbboyd said:

Generally speaking yes, but they also sell the Upgrade Card Pack which has a number of cards in it that also help a lot such as Comms, Gear, Grenade, Training, and Command Cards. Found most of the cards I needed were in this pack.

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/star-wars-legion/products/upgrade-card-pack/

I would actually say generally speaking no. This game doesn't have "must have" upgrades in the same way that other FFG games do. Corps units, for example, are most often fielded with just a heavy weapon upgrade, which is included in their box.

The upgrade card pack almost removes what little problem there was with this entirely. It includes at least 1 copy of every neutral/generic upgrade card that had been released up to that point (except smoke grenades). However, you can still run into issues. For example, if you wanted to run an AT-ST, you would likely want the pilot upgrades that only come in the TX-225 box.

1 hour ago, Sulfurious said:

I'm one of the many who have acquired Legion over the holidays but I'm not unfamiliar with FFG games. Does this game follow suit with some other games where I might need to buy some expansions to get certain upgrade cards even if I don't plan on using the unit they come with? It's not a huge deal, I'm just curious.

Welcome to Legion!

So, the short answer is “yes” there are cards that you’ll want spread out across units.

The long answer is that legion cards are way more accessible than any other cards I’ve seen before (xwing also from ffg, and GW’s Warhammer Underworlds).

First, most of the upgrades in a unit pack are unit specific. If you don’t want to use an AT-ST, there’s no reason to buy one because the cards are virtually exclusive to the vehicle in the box.

Second, every faction has at least one unit with the card* You don’t have to buy across the aisle or buy minis to an army you’ll never play. This is huge.

* Original trilogy era. For prequels, you have to buy a $10 card pack of universal upgrades to catch up. At least until all the clone war army units arrive.

Lastly, a lot of the upgrades aren’t super critical in my opinion outside of what you place on your heroes. Most of my standard issue troopers only carry the upgrade card for their special weapon mini, maybe some specialist from those packs. I don’t invest a lot in upgrades.

If you ever found a case where you thought you really needed a card and didn’t have it, try playing a casual game with a proxy. Then once you’re sure you **need** it, start looking.

Just my opinion. I’ve never had a case come up where proxy wasn’t allowed, but legion is my beer and pretzels minis game where it’s a social setting unto itself not organized tournaments

Good to hear! I’m going to try to pace myself with Legion but I’ve never been good at it. :)