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Old 02-01-2018, 02:56 AM   #6
SolemnGolem
 
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: The Hall of Fallen Columns
Default Re: Star Wars Rebellion (and addon Rise of the Empire)

Interestingly, one of the popular fanmakes on BBG (for the base game, before the expansion came out) also divided the combat tactics cards by faction. Apparently FFG saw this as a meritorious mechanic for their expansion.

Mechanically, I like several of the mechanics of the expansion, especially in how they give somewhat more choice to the players (choosing and playing tactics cards instead of randomly drawing). Stylistically, I'm not particularly interested in some of the things that the Rogue One movie introduced (TIE Strikers were an unnecessary addition given the wealth of prior EU TIE model fighters, for example) but I like the introduction of the green dice and the fact that some units make use of them.

I may get a second copy of the game and mod it, much as I did with Twilight Struggle. Additional advanced tactics cards for the Empire that showcases all the different models of TIEs could be fun. ("TIE Interceptor escort: must be played when a TIE Fighter squadron is present - reroll up to 3 black dice" etc.) Replacing the Striker and U-Wing (which I never liked) with Assault Gunboat and B-Wing could be a nice touch too. Assault Gunboat miniatures are available from the Shapeways 3D printing marketplace site, and they're roughly the right size for the Armada and Rebellion game scales.

There's also the possibility of replacing some of the R1 leaders (whose inclusion seems a bit suspect, given their generally brief screen time in the entire SW saga) with EU leaders, like Thrawn or Talon Karrde.

Interesting options - but before I go modding, I really should put in more games using this expansion, and really understanding it well. I have once again hit the unfortunate hurdles of "I'm starting to dislike this game, but it's very likely because I misread some of the rules and I am not playing it correctly". I had this same problem with Twilight Struggle and Labyrinth: War on Terror.

The game is playable on Tabletop Simulator, for those who have Steam. The automated setup and Refresh Phase commands are very nice, but you do have to watch out - for example, the game engine will still (incorrectly) count your systems as contributing to your build queue even if there is an enemy unit in it.

Last edited by SolemnGolem; 02-01-2018 at 03:00 AM. Reason: Shout-outs to TTS and Shapeways, for those thusly inclined.
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