Star Wars: Rebellion (Rise of the Empire) Review with Sam Healey

Sam Healey takes a look at the new expansion for Star Wars: Rebellion from FFG, Rise of the Empire!
00:00 - Introduction
01:11 - Game overview
18:06 - Final thoughts
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[@thediceodyssey4690]

Love Rebellion base game, and you're right, the combat feels like it's missing some extra ooomph. The combat fix alone for me would make me want it.

[@Quincy_Morris]

The Dice Odyssey the idea of every unit on the table being able to do something unique fascinates me.

[@thediceodyssey4690]

David Umstattd Oh absolutely, that fact is not lost on me. The whole package seems like a big win. I'm loving the fact that they have interdictor Destroyers in the game. I have one of those for Armada and I love what they do with the gravity wells. And I just got a new game table to try it on just a few days ago. Felt, bumpers, cup holders, the works. Id love to do like a christening of it with this expansion honestly.

[@josepablolunasanchez1283]

The original game is more like dice automation of combat. The expansion enables human decisions during combat.

[@cocoashake]

please do a live play with this expansion!

[@vibingwiththewind2889]

My only comment: Why is Admiral Raddus not a leader when he is the single most badass character in all of Rogue One? He would be a brilliant leader and master of Rebel fleets? Come on!

[@vuk.3866]

True! Him instead of Chirrut and Thrawn instead of Death Troopers or Motti.

[@AlastairGames]

because he's a very minor character in the movie, compared to the others

[@ezeekiel101]

Great to see Jason too!

[@ScorchedRusalka]

OMG, great review, they improved the combat, amazing changes. Love the new cards, love the rerolls.

[@jvomkrieg]

Played 2 games using the new system, one a side with my regular opponent. Both using the new card sets. Have to say, the game feels better. Combat is vastly improved and the new combat system is far quicker and more intuitive. No more dumpster diving for more combat cards, to discard cards to block etc etc. Other highlights include the varied objective deck, which keeps both players guessing. The option of forward delpying in a remote system with a "death star under construction" and the new characters, which just add more variety. Also, the hard cap of 8 characters is excellent. Many of our games ended up previously in a 7-9 imperial imbalance.

[@alley28]

Hi Sam thanks for the review. Are you aware of Zen Bins providing updated storage solutions for the expansion? The current set fits the original game quite well, but only fits the original game.

[@carlosc862]

The small image of the game is of the computer game Rebellion, even the date is of the 1998 game, did somebody else notice it?

[@1970odessa]

You did an awesome job. Thanx!

[@bwild7859]

could you add something like axis and allies combat? like having house rules?

[@g07h4xf00]

You should make a video where you show all the new mission cards and action cards

[@CosmicTavern]

Looks like I'll be adding this to my collection!

[@jawsvvvvv]

What do you think of the changes to setup?

[@LazyNeutrino]

Nice component arrangement.

[@AJAXDelta]

Great way to cover yourself there in the beginning bro

[@sentient02970]

Great, detailed overview of the expansion. It feels less like just an expansion but more of an improvement on the original. Thanks!

[@josepablolunasanchez1283]

It is a patch, more than an expansion. It fixes things, does not expand them.

[@RJLNetwork]

is this expansion even out yet?

[@pubcle]

My big issue with Rise of the Empire is that it has some significant power creep in the leaders which both can hurt some of the balancing and the thematics, I can't help but grunt a bit seeing Jynn Erso as a better leader than Leia Organa or Tarkin and Palpatine both have less influence than Jabba.

[@aaronconnell3271]

bonus Jason is always awesome

[@g07h4xf00]

How do you already have a copy of this game and how do I get one??

[@Syrilian]

Did he ever talk about what the interdictors do in the game? He said he would talk about it later but I never heard him get back to it.

[@thedicetower]

Sam here...I don't know what happened...an unfortunate and unnoticed keystroke of some kind, I'd imagine...but the parts where I talk about each new miniature in the expansion got stricken from the review....uhhhh!!! I did actually say what makes them so nasty, though...it's the fact that the Rebels can't retreat from space battles when an Interdictor-Class Star Destroyer is present. Not being able to retreat is a huge bad thing for the Rebels!

[@Syrilian]

Ah thank you. Yeah that messes with the Rebels' "I'm going to go into a battle I am clearly going to lose just to destroy that one Star Destroyer" strategy.

[@nanorider426]

Bad Sam, bad Sam. ;)

[@milodrex]

So, who won? Sam or Jason?

[@josepablolunasanchez1283]

Rebellion core combat is run via dice automation. The expansion uses cards selected by player to influence combat. Rebellion core game destroys units. The expansion allows repairs. The expansion makes rebels more powerful. i.e a single snowspeeder can beat an AT-AT. The expansion is less an expansion and more like a patch. It replaces cards and modifies existing rules. The core game is solid. The patch adds more control to players in some areas. Expansion allows to have a shield generator and death star now can fire upon capital ships.

[@KabukiKid]

Does this mean that Sam will be reverting back to using the Meeple Realty insert, instead of the Zen Bins one? I assume the Meeple Realty insert can handle everything.

[@SamHealey6]

KabukiKid I gave it away for a contest on TPL, along with the one I had from Robert Searing. The ZenBin is the only insert I have for it, now. But I was able to fit everything in there.

[@KabukiKid]

Ah! That's great news that you were able to fit everything in the box, after all! :-D Huzzah!

[@iamspamus8784]

I kind of like the new combat system. I don't like that the first player can't heal damage while the second player can. Maybe I just had some bad dice, but 3:1 odds and I got demolished over 3 or 4 battles. The Empire shouldn't be afraid to fight a couple of Rebel ships.

[@MolnarG007]

the difference isn't that huge, and this slightly helps the rebel,vwhen not attacking. then he is screwed.

[@gamera2351]

So all of this is added right? The Rogue One guys don't replace characters like Luke? Curious since Jyn and Luke were never rebels at the same time.

[@joetaptaco]

The key allure of the game is that you create your own Star Wars story set in the same general timeline. Jyn Erso gets to blow up the Death Star. Princess Leia gets lured to the dark side and gets to torture Han Solo. Chewbacca gets to be fully utilized as the offensive weapon he is. You get to destroy planets and put that Rebel scum in it's place. If this isn't your cup of tea, it isn't for you.

[@gamera2351]

Joe Tapley Actually..that sounds really cool. I'll play a revisionist history of Star Wars. Problem is that I am part of a larger game group so never really get to play 2 player games. I need to try this out somehow.

[@joetaptaco]

Kind of curious how the new tactic cards will play into the 4 player variant, if it will make it more palatable. That could be a huge win for the game.

[@brandonjohnson9876]

Gamera 23 the alternate Star Wars history you get to create each game is what makes it so good. Last game we played, I played Empire and was able to turn Leia to the dark side. First mission the Rebels assigned Luke to, I got to send his now-evil sister to oppose him. It was just glorious.

[@jvomkrieg]

Yeah, played a game today and the cool story twists including Mon Mothma being turned to the dark side and becoming the Emperors primary diplomat, forcing systems to submit to the empire at the barrel of a blaster. Leia was held captive on Mon Cala and was rescued by Chewwy in the falcon, but not before she gave up the possible location of the rebel base Also, Lukes "one in a million" shot wasn't to kill a death star, but to kill the last imperial solider attacking the rebel base on the final turn.

[@KristoVaher]

Minor skills seem notably pointless, why would they not just be regular symbols? It's fiddly exception to explain in rules.

[@MolnarG007]

it's just help using green dice and make them less strong than those with full icons. not a big deal

[@chrismusix5669]

I'll only buy this if Zen Bins does a treatment.

[@neilerredge5358]

Ahh!!!!! So excited to get my hands on this! Btw did you keep the Zen Bin insert? Or did you do away with it due to this expansion?

[@SamHealey6]

Neil Erredge I was able to fit the expansion in with the ZenBin insert...granted, some things aren't where they should be, but I was able to fit it in, and no one's the wiser from the outside.

[@neilerredge5358]

Sam Healey awesome! Glad to hear! I love the Zen Bin for the game :)

[@junaidansari3467]

Good to know. Were the cards sleeves?

[@SamHealey6]

Junaid Ansari No, I usually don't sleeve my cards in any game.

[@Quincy_Morris]

Sam Healey sleeve it to Sam to not use card protectors :-P

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

However would you teach it right off the bat to a new player or suggest it to new people starting?

[@SamHealey6]

Yes, I would...because the things it changes, imo, are a better way to play the game.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Sam Healey Useful to know! It's hard to get it to the table!

[@ezeekiel101]

just the question i was thinking at the end of the review too .

[@Quincy_Morris]

Luke Hector seems like you have to unlearn a bunch of stuff in this expansion. So it seems going strait to the expansion makes sense.

[@ffbotha]

In my experience, if a game is hard to get to the table, it's a mistake to exclude expansions (assuming you prefer to play with the expansions) on the initial plays with new people. Reasoning being that if they're people that are turned off by the complexity of the rules they're likely to resist adding anything new after they already know how to play a specific version of the game (this is something that I've run into quite a lot), particularly if the expansions fundamentally changes how some aspects of the game work (I'd say the combat changes here qualify).

[@NickJacksonusa]

I need a Rise of the Rebellion expansion, I can never win as them :)

[@davedogge2280]

I'm here to rebel but I always trust Jason.

[@EclecticCamel]

Interdictor? I don't even know her.

[@MarioFanaticXV]

Interdictors are smaller Star Destroyers that instead of being built for direct combat, have gravity well generators to prevent enemies from jumping into hyperspace.

[@EclecticCamel]

MarioFanaticXV thanks for that.

[@ItsJustJerFromJersey]

TheGreatHamEl I don't know what's funnier, your comment or his response. 😝

[@EclecticCamel]

Jeremy Berger Shhhhhh don't tell him... ;)

[@Quincy_Morris]

TheGreatHamEl Get out

[@80gradescrewball58]

Looks great! But I am disappointed there is no Thrawn or Herra

[@Quincy_Morris]

80 grade Screwball probably saving that for the inevitable Rebels expansion

[@nanorider426]

Thrawn is after The Return of The Jedi. ^^

[@80gradescrewball58]

not anymore. The new Cannon has put him before a new hope

[@shared_xp]

Mechanically sound cake with enjoyable themed frosting. Enjoy this game and its complimentary rival War of the ring. Between the 2 just hours of strategic thematic entertainment. I find this one less fiddly than WOTR but WOTR slightly more immersive with you reviewing the game days later inside your own head just waiting to play again. Rogue One being one week before New hope in the timeline does not seem that much of a stress to me as some have pointed out that this completely breaks suspended disbelief. I'm happy with the alternate universe interactions. Now, I may get roasted for this but I'm greedy and would not say no to another expansion exploring more of the original trilogy, I do feel a little robbed having a young Luke and older Jedi Luke(ahem that appears on the box) or both with some mechanism in place. I say increase the size of the map to allow asteroids, moons etc as hiding places. In the end fun game even if theme was removed, mechanics are sound.

[@kevinsanders1656]

this just makes it even more like war of the ring

[@Nominrath]

Kevin Sanders As I was listening to Sam explain the new combat mechanics I was thinking the same thing... “Sounds a lot like ‘War of the Ring’ and ‘Battle of Five Armies’!” Which is fine by me. Makes the games that much more unified and since I own all three, it’ll make switching between the three a little less jarring.

[@billcook4768]

Is it just me, or does the picture of Chirrut Îmwe on the cover look a little like Jason?

[@dorpth]

I'm torn on this. The base game combat system BADLY needed a complete overhaul, but get out of here with this Rogue One crap. There was so much iconic original trilogy stuff that could have been added like B-wings, A-wings, TIE interceptors, TIE bombers, etc. So for the expansion we get...U-wings and TIE strykers?....uhhhh. I'm thinking of just sticking with the base game and house ruled combat: tactics cards gone, saber rolls are blocks, leader values simply give rerolls

[@MolnarG007]

those tactic cards change the Risk like throwing party into tactical engagement when and where to use them. They are powerful, and you dtart with all at your disposal

[@Icebear3D]

It is almost impossible to lose with imperium, sad to hear the expansion gives them a buff. I guess I will be bound to play as the rebels. The rest of the post may contain a way to ruin your game. Expand twice every turn to popules systems, Focus on build, build and build. Don't oppose sabotage just play research and development (remember that 2/10 of your projects remove sabotage as well), keep them down on max 2 sabotage. Place 5-6 fleets in key positions, so you can strike at all planets you don't have probe cards on, make sure to have assault carriers to probe planets around your different fleets. Don't build the second death star, keep 8 ties on the one you got, don't blow up any planets. Deny rebels to build airspeeders and cruisers, the rest you should easily be able to stomp with your focus on building units. Play something that gets you loyalty or removes loyalty as soon as you have fulfilled all the other criteria. Only spend time on capturing leaders if you have lure, carbonize or to remove one of their leader rings (Yoda), maybe if you have excess of leaders you need to do something with. You don't really won't to oppose the rebel missions unless it is the ones that give/select objectives, or something crazy like the shield and ion cannon. The Imperium engine is much bigger than the rebels, you will out sustain and squash whatever they can throw at you.

[@vojtasjedyny]

I highly doubt that designer never noticed advantages of the Galactic Empire.

[@MolnarG007]

Yes Empire should do that but Rebel can easily get systems with diplomacy, do mission unopposed where enemy fleets are or they can't move, and defender got advantage since attacker can't heal first round. The Rebel shoul fear and hide but still can win. I find this game extremely balanced

[@TonganJedi]

Can't wait to see how this shakes up the combat; IMO the weakest part of the base game. Otherwise, love this game!

[@magus32]

But but but.... I just got the zen bin insert....

[@Quincy_Morris]

magus32 feels bad man. I too will have to get a new insert :-(

[@kennewell4497]

Yeah I guess there is no way to make these fit in the zen bins?

[@discostubert1]

Just read in a different comment that sam was able to fit all of it into his zen bin insert

[@starwarsnerd100]

I don't see why anyone would waste money ordering a custom storage case online when they could just go to the store and pick up a fishing tackle box or 2 for relatively cheap.

[@kennygraham4067]

the zen bin insert isn't a storage case. it goes inside the box and organizes everything neatly inside the game box. Some of us would rather keep everything in the box instead of having random fishing tackle boxes

[@andrewbalmer274]

I'm not sure about this new combat system... This expansion has only came out around a year after the base set. Given the time taken to develop, playtest, design and manufacture the expansion, this means they must have realised there were problems with the combat system in the base game before it even came out, and rather than putting the release back to address this and give us a completed game, they put it out with a part of the game that seems pretty lazy and unfinished. It seems like they have sold us a nearly complete base set and now are selling us the full experience piece-meal... Maybe I am overly cynical but this seems like something of a sleazy marketing ploy to get us to buy the expansion by not giving us a complete game in the first place...

[@dorpth]

I'm not sure about conspiracy theories, but I'm also not sure who the heck could have looked down at the final combat system for the base game and said, "Yes. This is perfect. We're going with this one."

[@wroot_lt]

Seems more like a fix than an expansion.

[@kennethbaggerlarsen401]

Sam rocks! And so does this expansion…

[@scotchwhisky6094]

I like the new rules, but I don't like the sequel trilogy so won't be buying.

[@vojtasjedyny]

Rogue One isn't a sequel, it's just a moment before Episode IV: A New Hope. For me Rogue One is the best SW movie made after Return of the Jedi.

[@blind_surgeon]

"I dont like the sequel trilogy" *has profile pic and banner from the sequel trilogy* lol ok

[@martinlarouche4418]

I'm underwhelmed by this expansion. It adds a bit a variety, but that seems to be it.

[@Quincy_Morris]

Martin Larouche it foundationally changes the combat system. What were you wanting?

[@MrRadialdrift]

Agree, it doesn't really fix the big issues with the game, nor does it make combat even remotely workable.

[@Quincy_Morris]

How is combat an issue or unworkable? The combat system in Rebellion is excellent. Far deeper and more thematic than most war games of chucking binary result dice against single theater enemies.

[@MrRadialdrift]

Maybe you haven't played a lot of combat focused games. This system is crap. Try and get a hold of forbidden stars to discover a very well designed multi layered combat system.

[@nanorider426]

In the pc-game Interdictor cruisers are devastating to the rebels. They can't retreat in space battles!

[@MarioFanaticXV]

It feels so odd seeing Disney characters mixed with official Star Wars characters...

[@cthulwho8197]

MarioFanaticXV They are all Disney characters now 😁

[@MarioFanaticXV]

I assumed that the Luke and Leia etc from the base game were all the original versions of them, not the Disney versions?

[@Quincy_Morris]

There isn't a difference between "original" and "Disney" the EU wasn't even canon back when the EU was everywhere according to Georgie Luke.

[@MarioFanaticXV]

The EU is part of the original canon. Not sure who Georgie Luke is, but George Lucas overrides him on the matter. But even so, I'm not just talking about the EU, I'm talking about everything Star Wars before Disney. It's weird to see Disney characters mixing with the original versions of Luke and Leia, etc., especially with how wildly different their Disney counterparts are.

[@Quincy_Morris]

According to George Lucas only the films and the Clone Wars tv show was canon which is what Disney declared. Which is why the EU was so contradictory. Fun sure but it's own different canon aside from the actual canon of the creators. The new canon is far more cohesive and consistent even if it doesn't have cool characters like Kyle Katarn and Mara Jade.

[@MrRadialdrift]

The combat still looks awful. They should just implement the system from forbidden stars.

[@stormshadow2k]

Rogue One? Really? Anything other than Ep 4-6 is a no go. Old republic by the skin of its teets. The Last Jedi KILLED SW.

[@aj5150x]

No mention on how it makes no thematic sense? In a game that is dripping with theme. Another FFG money grab.

[@SamHealey6]

It makes thematic sense to me, though. It fits in the timeline that the original trilogy existed in because it's actually a prequel to them. The main thrust of the Imperial player is still to seek out the Rebel base. Almost everything about this expansion bolsters the theme, imo.

[@aj5150x]

There are characters from Empire and Jedi working together with rogue one characters. Not very thematic. I would have preferred a rogue one only add on expansion not a bunch of stuff thrown in a box.

[@keithkampenga8890]

Then leave the characters in the box that you don't want to play with if you feel the timeline isn't making it thematic at all. Either play with all Rogue One characters or all OT characters. To me with the new tactics and elements of combat I don't think this was something that was "a bunch of stuff thrown in a box".

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

aj5150x Also come on, it's just the universe not the official story. You can freeze someone other than Han for example!

[@corrado8955]

While I was concerned about this at first, I do think it can make a lot of thematic sense. This game is really an alt-universe Star Wars game after all where Luke can be turned to the Dark Side or Leia could be frozen in carbonite. Why couldn't the Rogue One gang have survived their desperate attempt to capture the plans? Would they have just retired if they had lived? No, they would have continued the fight alongside the heroes of the original trilogy. The expansion's alternate start reflects the state of the galaxy at the beginning of Rogue One and I'm certain some things can still go in a similar fashion to how it went down in the movie as well. That's half the fun!

[@pcuimac]

Can't they let Star Wars die? It's become annoying as hell. There was only one good movie "The Empire Strikes Back". It feels all old and is just a scam to rip off people. Just bring something new to the table.

[@EclecticCamel]

pcuimac You're strongly in the minority there.

[@drbasseri]

What. Are. You. Talking. About.... This game is original and great.

[@billcook4768]

The troll is strong with this one :)

[@MrRadialdrift]

Agree, they have milked this cow for way to long, but there are plenty of suckers out there to milk. Just look at the x-wing miniatures game, awful gameplay mechanics, based on a not very popular WWI game, but it has painted star wars ships so that makes up for the rest of the game poorly designed game.

[@HALOX30]

Then dont watch it instead of complaining.