Star Wars: Legion - Beginner's Guide & Tactics
Hey there, fellow gamers! Ready to dive headfirst into the epic battles of Star Wars: Legion? This guide is your ultimate starting point, whether you're a seasoned tabletop veteran or a fresh recruit to the galaxy far, far away. We'll cover everything you need to know, from the basics of gameplay to advanced tactics. So, grab your dice, assemble your miniatures, and let's get started.
What is Star Wars: Legion? A Galaxy of Tactical Combat
Star Wars: Legion is a miniatures game from Atomic Mass Games (formerly Fantasy Flight Games) where you command squads of iconic Star Wars units in thrilling tabletop battles. Think of it as a strategic blend of army building, tactical movement, and dice rolling, all wrapped up in the beloved Star Wars universe. The game focuses on infantry combat, with units ranging from Rebel troopers and Stormtroopers to powerful vehicles and iconic heroes like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. The gameplay is designed to be both accessible to newcomers and deep enough to keep experienced players engaged. You'll be making crucial decisions about where to deploy your forces, how to utilize cover, and when to unleash special abilities.
Building Your Army: Before you even roll a die, the fun starts with building your army. Each player chooses a faction – the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire (with other factions like the Separatist Alliance and the Galactic Republic available through expansions). You then purchase and assemble miniatures, which come unpainted. This gives you the creative freedom to paint your units however you like, making each army unique. The game provides points that limit your army size, typically around 800 points for standard games. This forces you to make tough choices about which units and upgrades to include.
The Gameplay: Once your army is built, it's time to play. Games of Star Wars: Legion involve a series of turns, with players alternating activations of their units. The core mechanics involve moving units, attacking enemy units, and completing objectives. Movement is measured using a range ruler, and units interact with terrain to gain cover, which can be critical for survival. Combat involves rolling dice to determine the number of hits and then applying those hits to the defending unit. The game also incorporates command cards, which are played each round to determine the order of activations and to provide special abilities or strategic advantages.
Why Play? Star Wars: Legion offers a dynamic and engaging tabletop experience that captures the essence of Star Wars battles. The combination of strategic army building, tactical gameplay, and the opportunity for creative painting makes it an incredibly rewarding hobby. The game's community is also very active, providing opportunities to play in local game stores, tournaments, and online forums. Whether you are a fan of the movies or looking for a challenging strategy game, Star Wars: Legion delivers an exciting and immersive experience. In the end, the game is all about enjoying the feeling of commanding your favorite Star Wars characters and units in epic battles. It's a great way to meet new friends and share your passion for Star Wars and strategy games.
Core Gameplay Mechanics: Mastering the Battlefield
Alright, let's break down the core mechanics to give you a solid foundation for your first game of Star Wars: Legion. Understanding these will make your initial experiences smoother and help you make better strategic choices on the battlefield. Think of it like learning the Force; you've gotta understand the basics before you start throwing rocks at AT-ATs.
Activation and Command: One of the unique aspects of Legion is its activation system. Each round, players secretly select a command card from their hand, which dictates the order units activate. The command cards also provide special abilities. This creates a fascinating blend of anticipation and tactical planning, as you try to outmaneuver your opponent. If you play the same command card as your opponent, you use the 'Priority' system to decide the activation order. When activating a unit, you can either issue a move action, an attack action, or a combination of both.
Movement and Terrain: Movement is key to success. Use the range ruler to measure distances and maneuver your units into advantageous positions. Terrain is your best friend. Forests, buildings, and even small bits of scatter terrain provide cover, which can negate hits during combat. When moving, you can either take a standard move or a speed-1 move (which allows you to do other actions). Terrain can also provide other benefits like difficult terrain, which slows down your movement, or line of sight blockers, which can protect units from enemy fire. Good positioning and use of terrain can dramatically increase your unit's survivability.
Combat and Dice: Combat is handled through a straightforward dice rolling system. Attack dice determine the number of hits, and defense dice (rolled by the defending unit) determine the number of successful blocks. Different weapons have different dice pools and special abilities, adding variety to your attacks. Each unit has a health track, and when a unit takes enough damage to reach the bottom of the track, it is defeated. The dice system is designed to provide moments of both high drama and tactical depth. Units with stronger weapons and abilities will naturally be more effective in combat, so building an army with these units can be a great option.
Objectives and Victory: Every game of Legion has objectives that determine victory conditions. These objectives range from controlling specific points on the battlefield to eliminating enemy units. Understanding the objectives and tailoring your strategy to achieve them is crucial for winning. Before a game begins, you will choose an objective card and a deployment card. The objective card determines the goal of the battle, and the deployment card tells you where to set up your forces on the battlefield. Many times, these two cards can inform the types of armies that you want to bring.
Tips and Tricks for the Battlefield: Consider these pieces of advice. Always think about your command cards. Don't be afraid to take cover, as it will help you survive combat. Finally, play test your army before you go to a tournament or competitive event.
Building Your First Star Wars: Legion Army
So, you're ready to build your own army? Awesome! Let's walk through the process of choosing a faction, selecting units, and getting your force ready for battle. Don't worry, it's not as complex as navigating the Kessel Run. We'll make it as easy as possible.
Choosing a Faction: You've got options. Each faction offers a unique play style, so consider what appeals to you most:
- Rebel Alliance: If you like underdog stories and overwhelming odds, then the Rebels are your guys. They're often characterized by their flexibility, utilizing a mix of ranged firepower and daring melee tactics. Key units include Rebel Troopers, iconic heroes like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, and powerful vehicles such as the AT-RT.
- Galactic Empire: If you're into precision and overwhelming force, the Empire might be the faction for you. They excel at ranged combat and utilize powerful vehicles and elite units. Key units include Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, and the AT-ST.
Additional factions, like the Separatist Alliance and the Galactic Republic, offer even more variety in play styles and unit options.
Selecting Your Units: The next step is choosing the units that will make up your army. Every unit in the game has a cost in points. You are restricted to a total point value, usually 800 points. You'll need to balance your units to meet the requirements. Consider a balanced force with a mix of infantry units, support units (like medics or snipers), and perhaps a vehicle or two.
Core Units to Consider:
- Rebels: Rebel Troopers (standard infantry), AT-RT (light vehicle), Luke Skywalker (hero), Han Solo (hero).
- Empire: Stormtroopers (standard infantry), AT-ST (heavy vehicle), Darth Vader (hero), Imperial Officers (support).
Upgrades: Don't forget upgrades! These enhance your units with special weapons, abilities, or equipment. They can significantly boost your unit's effectiveness.
Army Lists: Look online for examples of army lists, or create your own based on your preferred strategy. The official Legion website and various online resources provide plenty of inspiration and guidelines. Consider the game's official website, or other online tools.
Advanced Tactics and Strategies: Level Up Your Gameplay
Alright, you've got the basics down, now it's time to take your game to the next level. Let's delve into some advanced tactics and strategies that will give you a competitive edge on the battlefield. These are the kinds of things that separate the Padawans from the Jedi Masters.
Strategic Deployment: The starting position of your units on the battlefield is important. Carefully consider the deployment card for each game. Think about your objectives and where you want to be positioned early in the game. Do you want to seize a key objective, or set up a strong defensive line? Placing your units behind cover at the start of the game is also a good idea.
Command Card Optimization: The command cards you choose each round are arguably the most important decision you'll make during the game. Command cards have a number that determines the activation order. The command cards also provide special abilities. A good strategy is to use the same cards as your opponent to activate units that you want to move first. Using the same card as your opponent means that your units go first, so you can control the activation order.
Coordination and Synergy: Think about how your units work together. Combine units with complementary abilities. For example, a heavy weapon team might provide fire support for a squad of infantry advancing on an objective. Coordinate your actions to maximize your effectiveness.
Objective Play: Focus on the objectives. Winning the game isn't always about destroying your opponent's units; it's about completing the objectives. Prioritize capturing objectives and using your units to deny your opponent the ability to do the same.
Adaptability: Don't be afraid to change your strategy. If your initial plan isn't working, adapt your approach based on what your opponent is doing. Sometimes, you'll need to make bold decisions. Consider redeploying units and focusing on the opposing units that have a clear advantage.
Painting and Customization: Make Your Army Unique
One of the coolest parts of Star Wars: Legion is the ability to paint and customize your miniatures. This allows you to add a personal touch and bring your favorite characters and units to life. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Getting Started: Begin with a basic painting set that includes paints, brushes, and a primer. Primer is crucial because it prepares the plastic for the paint. Choose a primer that matches your desired base color.
Painting Techniques:
- Base Coating: Apply a base coat to all your miniatures. This can be done with a large brush, making sure to cover all areas of the miniature.
- Layering: Apply layers of lighter colors on top of the base coat to highlight the details. This provides a sense of depth and realism to your miniatures.
- Washing: Use a wash to add shadows and definition. This is done by applying a thin layer of a dark color to the recesses of the miniature.
- Drybrushing: Drybrushing is done by lightly brushing a dry brush across the raised areas of the miniature. This helps to highlight the details and make them stand out.
Customization: Don't be afraid to experiment with your painting. Paint your units in unique color schemes or add battle damage effects to make them look more realistic.
Tips and Resources: Watch online tutorials and read guides to learn painting techniques. There are countless resources available to help you improve your skills. Practice on a single miniature before painting a whole army.
Expanding Your Collection: Building Your Star Wars: Legion Universe
Star Wars: Legion offers a ton of ways to expand your collection and enhance your gameplay. Whether you're a casual player or a dedicated hobbyist, there's always something new to discover.
Expansion Packs: Atomic Mass Games releases regular expansion packs that add new units, commanders, upgrades, and scenarios. These are a great way to diversify your army and add new strategies.
New Units: Explore different unit types to add to your force. Consider adding a vehicle to your army, or perhaps more special units to supplement your already existing units.
Upgrade Cards: Upgrade cards can be added to the units to add new weapons or abilities. The various options allow you to tailor your units to fit the situation.
Community and Events: Attend local game store events and tournaments to meet other players, learn new strategies, and test your army. Playing with others allows you to see how your army works compared to others and can help you build on your knowledge.
Organized Play: Consider participating in organized play events. This gives you the opportunity to learn from other players and improve your own skills.
Conclusion: Your Journey Begins Here!
There you have it, folks! This guide has hopefully given you a solid foundation for your Star Wars: Legion journey. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the epic battles in a galaxy far, far away. So, gather your forces, strategize your moves, and may the Force be with you! If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. Happy gaming!