This time last year, I was looking at the Shadows of the Galaxy set, and it’s interesting to reflect on how the game has developed since then: we’ve seen card bans, but also the evolution of a more rounded meta as a result, along with more of an emphasis on balance between the two arenas. And, like the balance of space and ground, now we must find the balance in the Force. Will you choose the Light or the Dark? Or will you find a path that is more… grey?
It’s worth noting that, unusually, the whole set of Legends Of The Force has been released ahead of time on starwarsunlimited.com following a leak, in order to prevent some players having an unfair advantage over the competition. I really applaud FFG in doing this, and the fact that they’re willing to both head-off potential issues whilst remaining engaged with their player base.
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU
Just as Jump to Lightspeed was about Pilots and the space arena, Legends Of The Force is unsurprisingly about channelling the Force, which represented by each player’s Force token; when the Force is with you, you can typically spend it to trigger game effects. Normally, you will gain the Force token on Attack, as this is the mechanic which the new Common, 28 Health Bases introduce. Whilst this is logical (and indeed practical) in-game, I would argue that perhaps having another way to consistently gain the Force might have been, well, less Sith-like? Granted, there are other ways of gaining the Force, such as the Rare, 25 Health bases… but tbh they’re simply not as good as the 28 Health ones.
There’s a reason that a lot of Rare bases don’t seem competitive play in SWU: being at less than maximum health is a big risk (and as a side-note, it’s interesting to see that Colossus, with its 35 Health, IS popping up in the meta).
FEAR LEADS TO ANGER. ANGER LEADS TO HATE.
One of the most surprising things about this set – though really the name is the give away – is the appearance of Legends characters. KotR fans rejoice, because Darth Revan is here and bringing the power of the Dark Side, with our first single-aspect leader. To counter the penalty this brings, his ability is rightly fearsome, stacking villainous units with experience. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out, but mono Aggression seems a viable build from the outset.
He’s joined by a range of classic characters who most certainly use the Force to their advantage, and it’s not just restricted to the Dark Side of the force.
So technically, that gives us our first character from The Acolyte – though of course, it’s her younger, comic incarnation. There’s a lot of excitement around Cal Kestis too, and rightly so. Heroic decks have lagged behind a bit, outside of Sabine Green (and, to some extent, Quinlan Vos), but even the generic force users are very potent in this set.
NOW THERE’S A NAME I HAVEN’T HEARD IN A LONG TIME
We also get some really new interesting variants of characters, including entirely different named versions. A new version of Anakin as a Heroic Leader allows you to walk a dangerous path:
Like Revan, he’s a mono leader, but with a twist, allowing you to play non-unit villainy cards at no penalty.
Thematically, this just perfect. It’s a really stylish piece of game design that fits Anakin’s journey whilst being playable and interesting. I’m likewise very pleased to see the evolution of Count Dooku in game, whilst still remaining consistent and on-theme.
One thing that we see a lot on this set is Force users without Hero or Villain as an aspect.
Whether it’s the perfectly paired Asajj and Quinlan, or one the greatest elders of the council, this absolutely captures the inherent neutrality of the force.
Similarly, there’s more of characters switching sides, epitomised by our first Villainous Jedis:
I SENSE MUCH FEAR IN HIM
That’s not to say there aren’t some standout beacons of light to balance the dark. Yoda is incredibly potent, as are the rest of the council – especially Plo Koon, who is a one-man (well, one-Kel Dor) wall of grit.
YOU CANNOT BEGIN TO IMAGINE THE POWER OF THE DARK SIDE
Another theme that’s explored in this set is the Night Sisters. We’ve seen a surge in the last set of When Defeated abilities with Thrawn, so it’s only natural in light of the events of Ahsoka that this is also reflected in the Witches of Dathomir.
I SHALL ENJOY WATCHING YOU DIE
One thing that this set does do is breathe life into older cards, which I really applaud. We finally have a use for Jabba the Hutt! I have a bit of a problem with the way that SWU introduces keywords and mechanics only to abandon them in the next set. Jabba’s Trick mechanic has been there since Spark of Rebellion, but there’s never really been the cards to use it: however, now we have plenty.
A Villainous Trick deck is suddenly a really viable strategy, particularly as it gives access to Sentinel as well – so no need to pair with Blue if you’re not minded to do so. Pounce works as well on Salacious Crumb as it does on the Rancor, and the Rancor keeper reduces the cost of Creatures by 1; with loads of Creatures in the new set, a Cunning/Command deck using Jabba (or maybe even Moff Gideon) is a fascinating Pet Project (sorry).
Creatures are also explored in more detail this set, in particular with the Purrgils. I’m not sure, honestly, how viable they are going to be, but it’s certainly fun and on-theme.
The flock of Porgs, on the other hand, is one of the single best cards in the game, a legitimate resource sink that works in every deck.
THE CIRCLE IS NOW COMPLETE
There is a lot to like in this set. I really do worry about older mechanics getting sidelined, even if there are some stand-out cards for older archetypes (Axe Woves is a must-have for Gar Saxon decks, for example).
But the lack even of any Piloting really bothers me – wasn’t that just the last set? I had hoped for hotshot jedi pilots, but never mind. As always, it’s a game that absolutely soars in sealed deck, and if you do buy in, I would always encourage you to open a box and play through it first (standard sealed is 8 boosters) – sit with a couple of mates, and have a duel of the fates of your very own!
