My Top 8 Most Confusing Rules | Star Wars Unlimited

These are my personal top 8 most confusing/most asked rules questions for Star Wars Unlimited. I would bet there are some in here you were not aware of! These will become more important as competitive play begins to ramp up!
Are you ready to delve into the intricacies of Star Wars Unlimited? In this video, we tackle the top 8 rules questions that every player should know. From mastering gameplay mechanics to understanding advanced strategies, we've got you covered! Stay tuned to become a Star Wars Unlimited pro!
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[@Rallek25]

One thing to mention about shields is on attack damage. On attack damage happens as a separate instance. So with Sabine or DV you can damage with their On Attack, get rid of the enemy shield, & then damage them with the actual attack.

[@rebelresource]

This is an excellent point!!

[@juliosantiagosantiago3843]

Uxixijxikzjkzzk gjs💞💞💞💞🧟

[@Binzob]

Good to know we havent been cheating by playing like that lol 😅

[@rebelresource]

@@Binzob sure feels like it.

[@Jfreak7]

Don't forget shielded being a "when played" ability as well. As a Krennic player, I love killing off a unit with my cargo jugg (ECL or Piet), dealing some damage to it (giving it +1 attack), then plopping on the shield after the ambush. Avenger with Piet is also a neat interaction. If they have a unit in space, you want to ambush FIRST before the when played ability happens. If they sack the space unit to your when played ability, you won't be able to ambush and trigger the ability again.

[@RossCooper]

What a fantastic video, and really appreciate the time you put into this. I learnt a lot and you made things very clear, whilst also interesting. Gonna be some interesting contributions in the comments for sure about other rules!

[@thehikingcucumber3410]

This is such a useful video. Thank you!

[@rebelresource]

100%!

[@Phobion_1]

Very useful video, thank you very much!

[@rebelresource]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JazzOnMars]

Always something to learn, first tcg - so a lot of new things

[@PontusWelin]

Great video! There are however two small but important things that are wrong/unclear. 1. There is no stack. Most of the time it doesn’t matter if you think of it as a stack. But the fact that it isn’t one matters since it means you can pick the order to do the abilities after finishing the entirety of a previous ability (as well as any abilities triggered by that). 2. Saying that there are layers of keywords can make people thing that you can have double sentinel and therefore be immune to one specforce soldier. What is actually happening is that you can have either have or not have a keyword and if it is temporarily removed nothing is stopping you from using another ability or card to give it the same keyword again.

[@Jfreak7]

The stack would just be the clog of activated abilities waiting for the nested abilities to resolve. It's the same thing, just called a little something different. As you resolve them, they are stacked up waiting to go. I agree with you though, sometimes magic players get it wrong on a few cards. U wing doesn't put the cards into play, which would stack their "when play" abilities, it stacks the actual playing of the cards and you choose the order they are played. Choosing 3 yularen in Magic would grant you 9 health. in SWU, you would only gain 5. Keywords without numbers don't stack. Raid and restore are the only examples we have currently. (7.5.4 in the rules).

[@michabanasiak2073]

There is no stack. You are right but there are timing windows. Easy to say all triggers taking the same spot happen at the same window, but controller of a unit affected bu those triggers do have convenience to chose order of those triggers to execute, what can lead to some of them not being executable. I.e interaction between Traitorous + SuperLaser Technician interaction.

[@rebelresource]

These are great points. I’m using the word stack as a concept, but you were right to point out that I can probably confuse people that the game has a similar resolutions structure to magic. And I can see how the layers comment could be misinterpreted or was open to interpretation there. The second layer of sentinel holds only if it was played after the initial loses ability.

[@rebelresource]

@@michabanasiak2073 there is no “magic the gathering” stack, but conceptually, players can create a stack of their own creation. The stack here is the ordering in how they want their abilities to resolve. So, philosophically speaking, it could be talked about as a stack. But it was confusing for me to use that language as so many Magic players play this game

[@Jfreak7]

@@rebelresource The magic stack happens because you can play cards or make actions WHILE an action is waiting to happen. it's definitely a good point though. Probably the most confusion I've seen (other than some really crazy scenarios).There are no instants in this game.

[@gganoobis2789]

My one ruling question is where do the unused cards you look at for Darth Vader/U-Wing go? I always assume bottom of the deck but nothing on either of the cards specifies.

[@uglycalendar4178]

I'm not positive, but I think I read that in the competition rules it states any cards that go back in the deck go randomly on the bottom. Someone please confirm or correct me, please.

[@dartai6100]

In the comprehensive rules it says that anytime you "search" for something (like Vader unit ability, recruit, etc.) the extra cards go on the bottom of the deck in a random order.

[@tesla6938]

u wing does clarify, and if you look at the sight, click on a card and it shows rules clarifications

[@paulcave87]

To your point, “Leaders are always ‘in play’ from the start of the game”, what do you make of sections 3.4.3 and 3.4.4 in the rule book? 3.4.4 seems to indicate that a leader card is considered “in play” only when it is deployed.

[@mychalferrante154]

I think this is worth touching on. 3.4.4 seems to be the one that contradicts the statement made in the video. The verbiage on 3.4.3 is just referencing what "side" of the cards in play and therefore stating that the other side cannot be used at this time.

[@danteunknown2108]

I think it's worth a look. I read it that "defeated" still works on a leader that leaves the arena. It's more that leaders have a replacement effect essentially that directs them back to the leader zone.

[@Granite-ny8up]

Great video

[@ajtame]

One ive seen catch people out is even if you use your tap leader ability if they deploy they still come in untapped then if they attack and die and return to being a leader they do so tappen so you couldn't use their tap to use ability

[@rebelresource]

That is another common one!

[@Dirpman42]

Hey hey. So if you have say 3 damage marked on a five heath dude and give it +2/+2 till end of turn like with the green overwhelm dude. At end of turn will it have 1 damage marked on it cause it "healed" 2 or still 3? Curious if it follows Runeterra rules or not. Haha. Thank you!

[@jonshirley4464]

It would still have 3 damage on it. It didn't actually "heal", it just temporarily got 2 additional HP.

[@WinTheCentGaming]

How "until end of phase" - effects dissappear uf there are many (aka. is there and order or is it simultaneous), but I did get the answer that it's simultaneous so I thought I'd share it.

[@michabanasiak2073]

Traitorous + Superlaser Technician interaction, that confusing You should cover this one for sure.

[@Jfreak7]

And don't forget countering palatines flip ability with traitorous as well. I mean, sure it's likely to never happen, but man that would be fun.

[@PontusWelin]

What is confusing about that? To me it looks straight forward.

[@Webslinger0026]

Reminds me of yugioh. Controlled unit goes back to owners graveyard. Then owner can interact with the card ability

[@PontusWelin]

@@Webslinger0026 no. In the comprehensive rules under “Take control” it says “When a unit is defeated, it is placed in its owner’s discard pile, but any “When Defeated” abilities are resolved by whichever player controlled it when it was defeated.”

[@KillTheIrishman]

Saboteur is a good one I see a lot people miss out on, not only does it allow you to ignore sentinel effects you also defeat all Shields on the opponent, so let's say your opponent has a unit with Sentinel that has multiple Shields. You can actually choose to attack that sentinel unit and defeat all the shields and still do damage it means you can easily defeat a shielded sental rather then ignoring it with that unit. Even allowing for more attacks from other units

[@rebelresource]

I actually forget that a lot. Straight up misplays lol

[@UnlimitedDOE]

I didn't know it also deals damage after defeating all shields 😮 Never been in that situation before but good to know.

[@bobothehobo4158]

Overall a great video! My only suggestion would be to use official terminology that is used within the game. This way, folks that are new to card games or coming from games that are not magic can understand the terminology better.

[@rebelresource]

Yeah, I think I could have been more consistent. Also not to mention the official terminology is sort of complicated. The rules use terminology like “nested” abilities. Feels really wordy and not really sure I like their choice of adjectives there.

[@Granite-ny8up]

Agree

[@whyareyousosalty896]

There is something I was wondering. If a card states for example "force throw" says if you control a force unit gain x effect. Since my leader is always in play and has the force keyword can I gain the effect without having them deployed? Or would they have to be deployed?

[@rebelresource]

Force throw says control force unit. So a leader that isn’t a unit isn’t a unit

[@danteunknown2108]

Rallying cry is a big question mark to me because it references each friendly. I can't tell if it's giving the effect to the player or to the units you have currently.

[@letopizdetz]

Rallying Cry is a tactic, it resolves and it goes to the discard pile. So it can only affect the objects it sees as it resolves. If you want continuous 'auras' you need Red Three, Veers, any unit that stays on the table and continuously buffs

[@AnotherHuan]

First of all, congratulations getting a video up. Secondly, I’m going to say that this video, to me, was more confusing to watch than helpful and I don’t say this to be rude. My tone is that of constructive criticism. I would listen to everything that was said in your comments section and use it make your next videos with improvements. If this is a video about confusing/clearing rules/things up, you can’t be the one making mistakes. Especially not when there’s people with videos on this subject being concise and clear. Use the proper terminology, use simple examples and when you ramp up to advance ones, still try to keep it simple so you don’t confuse the new/future players. Good luck on your future videos! 👋🤓

[@rebelresource]

Thank you! I did use some terminology that could be misinterpreted. What specifically was "incorrect"? Honestly asking, as I didn't think anything in here was actually false.

[@rebelresource]

In retrospect, I think I could have animated actual examples of each one. I intend on doing that in the future!

[@BryRocBry55]

Hello, what about the millenium itself, it says "when you ready cards" means that every other cards that you control, you have to pay one or the falcon comes back to your hand? Or the cards itself? I played against so many players that do "only paying one for untaping the falcon, otherwise they put it back in their hand". What do you think?

[@rebelresource]

I’m sorry, I don’t see the full question here. What’s the exact issue?

[@BryRocBry55]

@@rebelresource all good I found the answer, it says "cards" in plural on the millenium falcon and I thought that it meant "every cards that you ready" but it says in plurarl because it means the phase when you ready cards. That was where the confusion was. Thank you anyway :)

[@deeterful]

Does anyone know where I can find the rules clarification on Sabine Wren- Explosives Artist's first ability? The lack of the word "different" has caused some consternation within our playgroup. Most of us understand how she's meant to be played but others are willing to argue over vague minutiae, and will only acquiesce with written proof.

[@deeterful]

Never mind, found it.

[@rebelresource]

haha are you from the Facebook post?

[@deeterful]

@@rebelresource , no.....

[@bleeker5348]

I have question about ECL, does its only care about the initial cost of a card or do you still have to pay the aspect penalty if using ECL to ambush out a card out of aspect colours i.e. playing blue/ white/ green but have one card that’s 6 or less but green/back

[@jeffkoenig7402]

Effects that look at card cost, like ECL or Chewie Leader or U-Wing Reinforcements or whatever, only care about the printed cost. However, if it allows you to play a card and does NOT say play it "free", you still have to pay out of aspect costs in addition to other costs. So you can ECL a card with a printed cost of 6 to give it Ambush, but if it's out of aspect on one icon, you'll have to pay 8 resources for it. ECL sees it as a 6 cost (printed cost) not an 8 cost, but that doesn't get around the card actually costing 8 to play with the out of aspect penalty.

[@bleeker5348]

@@jeffkoenig7402 thank you so much for your reply

[@rebelresource]

@@bleeker5348 sorry was alsleep! Yes the printed cost

[@colteranderson880]

I think this only accounts for the 2 resource Sabine? But when i first read "at least 3 aspects among other friendly units" i thought it just mean the individual sheild, not 3 distinct aspects (which i know they've since clarified)

[@deeterful]

I ran into this issue last night. The player with Sabine was arguing that since it doesn't state three different aspects that he just needs three symbols in play amongst his units, not three different ones. Where did they clarify this so I can show it to him, as he still doesn't believe me?

[@colteranderson880]

@@deeterful on the SWU official website, they have a card database. If you go to Sabine's page, there's a "Rules Clarification" section that says this: "Sabine's first ability requires 3 different aspects among other friendly units."

[@deeterful]

@@colteranderson880 , holy hell how did I miss that, LOL! Thanks!

[@WR4ITHGAMING]

Do you have to pay the cost of the unit when using energy conversion lab? It doesn't specify on the card.

[@rebelresource]

Yes, you do. It needs to specifiy if it is played for “free” or without “cost”. Like U-Wing Reinforcement.

[@RichNieves]

If a leader is always in play, does that mean if my leader is Luke Skywalker and I play, "it binds all things" for example, that the part that says,"if you control a force unit, you may deal that much damage to another unit" will always activate?

[@PontusWelin]

No. Luke is only a force unit while he is deployed. If you look at the leader cards you can see this on the card card type in the top left

[@RichNieves]

@@PontusWelin thanks for that clarification 👍

[@francisfoucault-bouchard129]

Question about rule 7. If the player for whatever reason gives 2 layers of Sentinel to one of their unit then I play SpecForce Soldier. Does it lose all of its Sentinel or only 1 layer?

[@rebelresource]

It would lose Sentinel all together... That was a bit confusing on my part. The 2nd layer of sentinel will stay IF it was played AFTER SpecForce Soilder.

[@francisfoucault-bouchard129]

@@rebelresource this is what I thought but the layer part confused me a bit, thanks for the reply

[@rebelresource]

@@francisfoucault-bouchard129 yeah that was my bad. I could have been more clear there.

[@ErikIsaksen]

When a Boba Fett unit attacks it deals 3 damage to the defender (if the defender is exhausted and was in play before this turn). If the defender is a unit with 3 or less HP left does the defender deal damage back?

[@rebelresource]

It does not. Boba fetts on attack ability will occur before combat damage

[@ErikIsaksen]

@@rebelresource thanks

[@RepublicOfBridger]

Does deploying your leader count as your action, or if it’s not a unit and is always in play, is it allowed to attack right after deploying?

[@rebelresource]

When you deploy your leader, it does take an action. All leaders currently come into play as Ready.

[@BDB-cs1py]

Does that mean Regional Governor can stop leaders from being played? Or does the fact that you're deploying then supersede it?

[@calebstg5279]

Leaders are in play from the start of the game, like was mentioned. Deploying a leader does not count as playing a card. Therefore, it could not stop a deploy

[@michabanasiak2073]

Leaders never leave play, they are only deployed what is not a play, leader unit can be defeated thou still will never leave play.

[@PontusWelin]

Technically it can prevent leaders from being played, but there is no way to play a leader so it’s pointless. By that I mean that when you name a card you are allowed to name the other players leader (since it’s a name of a card). But leaders are never played and only deployed as a leader unit.

[@massimilianosimeoni9605]

If I have Grand Moff Tarkin as a leader and I play royal guard; they take sentinel because my leader is a unit or I must play the leader on the board to trigger the royal effect?

[@rebelresource]

You have to have an official unit onboard

[@massimilianosimeoni9605]

@@rebelresource so I must employ it?

[@rebelresource]

@@massimilianosimeoni9605 Deploy? Yes. You need at least 1 official in order to give Royal Guard to have sentinel.

[@markwilliams5604]

So u stated that leaders cannot leave play but does it count as them being defeated if they die? Wondering because if my leader dies will my Luke Skywalker unit do -6-6 or -3-3?

[@rebelresource]

Yes, they are defeated.

[@markwilliams5604]

@@rebelresource thanks

[@stevenm1832]

The ambush + ready doesn’t make sense as doing all that is 3 actions. The when played ability has to be resolved on that action when played. You can wait two actions after to ready him.

[@rebelresource]

If you have multiple "when played" effects happeneing at the same time, you can choose how to resolve them.

[@stevenm1832]

@@rebelresource yes that makes sense but not when you use the epic action from the base.

[@rebelresource]

@@stevenm1832 The epic action gives the card ambush AS it is played - the epic action does not need to resolve or something like that.

[@stevenm1832]

@@rebelresource that makes total logical sense but what’s explained in the video is that you can attack twice over the span of like 3 actions. If you use conversion lab for fire spray you cant wait two actions after to use its when played ability. That makes no sense.

[@davynreed8022]

Ambush + Count Dooku. Does this defeat a 9 life unit, or does his effect not have a target when he is played?

[@DJSerpent]

you have 3 effects to resolve, Shield, Ambush, and When Played. Choose all in any order. You can Ambush first, attack, take damage, then shield, then When played: So if you can give Dooku Ambush somehow then yes.

[@rebelresource]

@@DJSerpent whoooop! 🫡

[@davynreed8022]

@DJSerpent Thanks for the info. Targeting is weird that it waits for the ability

[@user-xz8xm2de9s]

Does the Regional Governor ability stop a player from transforming a leader into a unit?

[@rebelresource]

No. It does not stop leaders. Leaders are never played, they just deploy and flip. The governor only prevents you from “playing” that named unit.

[@EgeTunca]

what would happen if a unit with Sentinel had a protector on and then u play specforce soldier? Does the unit loose both sentinels or one?

[@rebelresource]

It would lose sentinel, yes. If you layer a instance of sentinel you would get sentinel back

[@skinnypepper1553]

I think they mean if there’s already 2 layers of Sentinel. Does SpecForce only remove one layer at a time or remove all instance of Sentinel?

[@Onderon87]

I have to say that rule 4. can be debated. Leader cards have 2 different wording: "leader", and "leader UNIT". So, I'd say that a leader card that is in play as a "leader UNIT" should trigger any "when a UNIT leaves play" effect because is a unit fair and square. The keyword UNIT is written on one side of the card, as opposed to just the leader keyword on the other side of the card. As you said "leaders" do not leave play, but leader units do. Does it make sense? or am I missing something? Genuine question

[@Onderon87]

unless... unless... LEADER UNIT counts as a single keyword. In this case no cards that affect UNITS could affect LEADER UNITS, because they are different. You would need a card that says its effect targets LEADER UNITS. 🤔

[@rebelresource]

Leaders never enter play. They just deploy. Maybe a better word to help understand is “transform”. But they never leave play.

[@hellgast0]

We were confused what happens with Han leader resourcing cards that have "on defeat" and then defeating that resource?

[@rebelresource]

When they are defeated they go to the discard pile. I’m not 100% sure what the question is though.

[@hellgast0]

@@rebelresource if the on defeat effect triggers when a resource is defeated by Han's ability...

[@rebelresource]

@@hellgast0 Ahh I see. I didn’t fully get the original comment, my bad. The answer is no. If you defeat a resource that Happens to be “K2-SO” then you do not get to do the on defeat trigger.

[@hellgast0]

@@rebelresource thanks!

[@Oneidos_Gaming]

Resource cards don't maintain their initial attributes/abilities. They essentially become tokens the moment you decide to resource them.

[@amc6354]

If I play Vader and pick snow trooper lieutenant would the when played effect work ?

[@rebelresource]

No, since Vader unit enters tapped. Your snow trooper would be targeting a tapped unit. Vader doesn’t ready until he uses ambush, and ambush only allows you to attack a unit.

[@amc6354]

@@rebelresource cheers but the lieutenant could use ability on say another friendly unit ?

[@rebelresource]

@@amc6354 correct! That would be perfectly fine. I was just assuming Vader would be the only other unit. But if you had a different target then yes.

[@amc6354]

@@rebelresource awesome thank you

[@amc6354]

@@rebelresource cheers

[@robdoyle5660]

Great video, but one challenge: For #8 "naming a card" --> I'm not sure the CR means the same thing that you are saying. This might come down to a judge decision (or possibly more clear wording from the developer)... But for reference, MtG has a similar rule, and it came up in a pro tour some years ago. The "Borborygmos" incident --> there are 2 cards (1) "borborygmos" and (2) "borborygmos, enraged". And a card "meddling mage" which has similar rules text to this "regional governor". Player A tried to game the system by stating that Player B had named card (1) and that he was playing card (2) instead. It caused some online drama and MtG had to later update and clarify their rules, to a matter of intent and understanding. I think the CR you are citing here is something similar to MtG --> the player does not need to specify a subtitle when naming a card: sounds more like a way to make it easier for players without comprehensive knowledge to be able to roughly name out their intended target card. It does not quite sound like the phrasing you would need to block multiple cards with similar names --> I think the phrasing on regional governor would be more clear if that was the intent. But that's just my thoughts. I'll bring this idea up to my buddy, and I'm sure he'll reach out through the SW:U discord for more clarity.

[@PontusWelin]

I see what you mean. I agree that the first part of that CR probably has such a purpose. But the part about subtitles seems very clear to me that it is different. Here is the full wording of the last sentence of that CR. “These abilities do not account for subtitles; the player does not need to specify a subtitle when naming a card.” Also see CR 2.2 card anatomy -> Name. And CR 2.3 subtitle. The rules clearly state that name and subtitle are different things.

[@rebelresource]

Sadly, if you read the comprehensive rules I believe regional governor would prevent all versions of “Luke Skywalker” from being played since they are clearly going to use subtitle to differentiate units. And the ruling currently allows for naming cards to ignore the subtitle. In magic, subtitles are apart of the core name of a card. In this game, the subtitles are explicitly separated. Very weird

[@DR-pb8hx]

Would Regional Governor prevent Leaders from being deployed?

[@rebelresource]

No, leaders are never played. They are deployed. The RG only prevents you from playing the named card.

[@BighackT65]

Can you confirm that bullet point saying Boba does not get to untap resources when defeating a leader unit? The leader UNIT leaves play but the leader side remains in play. Edited: just found it in the rules regarding in play vs out of play zones. WOW that’s fiddly as all heck.

[@rebelresource]

So the leader unit does not leave play. Leaving play would be going back to hand, discard etc. something considered “out of play”. When boba defeats a leader unit, that leader doesn’t leave play, it just transforms back into its leader side. So boba Fett doesn’t get 2 resources if the only unit that was defeated was a leader unit.

[@rebelresource]

Ope didn’t see the edit part. Yeah it’s SUPER counterintuitive. But I think they did that to create more nuance for these interactions.

[@ironfistdirector]

@rebelresource im still getting hung up on the term unit leaving play for Boba. The deployed leader has the unit tag but when defeated it flips back over and loses the unit tag signifying that a unit left play. If a unit tag is removed during the turn shouldnt that count? What a web! 🫨

[@rebelresource]

@@ironfistdirector leaders transform and never leave play. It’s called deploy in this game. Once you realize that leaders are treated special then I think it makes more sense.

[@ironfistdirector]

@@rebelresource so i found in section 3.4.4 “when a leader is deployed, flip it to its Leader unit side and move it to the ground arena,ready. THE LEADER IS THEN CONSIDERED TO BE A UNIT IN PLAY” so i guess what im saying is the leader isnt considered a unit in play until it is deployed and therefore would be considered a unit leaving play when flipped back over to its leader side.

[@mik3h0nch0]

At my locals, I play vader, the leader I was against Boba deck he played no good to me dead exhausted my vader I had motti in play witch says when defeted ready a unit would that counter the no good to me dead event

[@rebelresource]

It would not - since "can't" effects overpower "can" effects. No Good to Me Dead says you cannot ready for the rest of the turn.

[@mik3h0nch0]

@rebelresource ok, thanks. we played it correctly, then

[@ggninokun]

Regional Governor is busted lol