Come see the latest preview of the crew cards from X-wing Miniatures’ Ghost Expansion Pack from Fantasy Flight Games. The Rebels are coming don’t miss this!
The largest of the Wave VIII expansion packs for X-Wing™, the Ghost Expansion Pack allows you to head to battle with the Ghost , the Phantom , and the six different members of their crew. Last week, we began our previews of this loaded expansion pack with a look at its ships, the rules that let you dock the Phantom aboard the Ghost, and some of the ways that the two ships can be paired together in a full, 100-point Rebel squadron.
Today, we conclude our overview of the Ghost Expansion Pack with an exploration of the different ways it gives life to the six characters who crew the Ghost and Phantom—the six protagonists of the television show Star Wars Rebels.
Crewing the Ghost
“We’re not exactly anything. We’re a crew. A team. In some ways, a family.”
–Sabine Wren
Led by the Jedi survivor Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla, the Twi’lek owner and pilot of the Ghost, the Lothal Rebels (also known as “the Spectres”) worked against the Empire primarily as a discrete Rebel cell. In addition to Kanan and Hera, they included explosives expert Sabine Wren, Astromech Droid “Chopper,” Lasat rebel Garazeb Orrelios, and Lothal orphan Ezra Bridger.
The Ghost Expansion Pack brings all six Spectres to life in X-Wing, but not just once. All six of these characters appear as both pilots and crew upgrades, and both versions come with game abilities to match their unique talents and personalities.
Hera Syndulla
“I thought I was a good pilot. But you—you’re amazing.”
–Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla
First, you have Hera Syndulla , whom we saw as a pilot of the Ghost in our earlier preview. However, Hera is notable not only because she owns the Ghost, but because she is the only Spectre to appear not twice, but three times in the expansion – as a pilot for the VCX-100, a crew upgrade, and as a pilot for the attack shuttle.
An extremely capable pilot whose talents amazed even Kanan Jarrus, Hera Syndulla was also quick to recognize and respond to threats. Accordingly, she brings the same, versatile pilot ability to both the VCX-100 and the attack shuttle:
“When you reveal a green or red maneuver, you may rotate your dial to another maneuver of the same difficulty.”
Given Hera’s relatively high pilot skill value of “7” and the many different red and green maneuvers on the VCX-100 and attack shuttle dials, her unique pilot ability presents you a fantastic measure of freedom to respond to other ships and their maneuvers.
The maneuver dials for the VCX-100 (left) and the attack shuttle (right)
Kanan Jarrus
“I lost my way for a long time, but now I have a chance to change things.”
–Kanan Jarrus
Outwardly cocky and quick to crack a joke, Kanan Jarrus makes his way to X-Wing as a crew card and as a pilot of the VCX-100. In both instances, Kanan’s influence is primarily calming and protective.
As a crew member, Kanan Jarrus can enhance his ship as well as any other friendly ships within Range “1-2.” Once per round, whenever such a ship executes a white maneuver, it can remove one stress token as though it had just completed a green maneuver.
Ezra Bridger
“I’m using everything I learned on the streets, and all that I’m starting to learn from Kanan about the Force, to make a far bigger difference than I could have made by myself.”
–Ezra Bridger
The youngest and most recent addition to the crew of the Ghost, Ezra Bridger arrives to X-Wing as a pilot of the attack shuttle and as a crew upgrade. In both instances, he excels in moments of great stress, as his abilities allow him to rise to the occassion.
Of course, both versions of Ezra Bridger play well with Hera Syndulla and Kanan Jarrus.
Sabine Wren
“The Empire wants to paint over everything with its boring shades of gray, black, and white. Sabine puts the color back.”
–Ezra Bridger
Mandalorian explosives expert Sabine Wren brings pilot and crew abilities to X-Wing that reflect two of her major interests—expressing herself creatively and blowing things up.
As a pilot of the attack shuttle, Sabine Wren flies by her own rules. Whenever she activates, immediately before she reveals her maneuver, Sabine Wren can perform a free boost or barrel roll action. Then, like any pilot, Sabine Wren can perform a normal action after she completes her maneuver. Still, the action advantage that her ability provides is just the beginning of its benefits; more importantly, it opens an additional action type and permits the execution of two key actions outside of the normal timing.
“Zeb” Orrelios
“Zeb is the muscle of the group. He’s great at smashing things, including things he doesn’t mean to smash.”
–Ezra Bridger
A former member of the Lasan Honor Guard and a highly skilled combatant, Garazeb Orrelios witnessed the Empire’s devastation of his homeworld first-hand and was, therefore, typically eager for any chance to beat up Stormtroopers or other Imperials. Zeb was big, brash, and quick to anger, but he was also full of compassion for his friends and others who suffered under Imperial rule.
In X-Wing, the crew version of “Zeb” Orrelios continues to carry the fight to the Empire, even when his ship is touching an opponent’s.
“Enemy ships inside your firing arc that you are touching are not considered to be touching you when either you or they activate during the Combat phase.”
Although his wording technically leads to double-sided situations, in which neither his ship nor the ship that he’s targeting is considered to be touching the other during the Combat phase, partnering Zeb with a skillful pilot can make his ability a bit more one-sided and advantageous. For example, Hera Syndulla could adjust her maneuver to slam the Ghost into a Lambda-class Shuttle outside of its firing arc. Then, even though neither ship is considered to be touching the other, only the Ghost will be able to claim its shot.
“Chopper”
The sixth and final crew member of the Ghost is the cantankerous astromech droid C1-10P, commonly known as “Chopper.” Ill-tempered and stubborn, Chopper was nonetheless loyal, heroic, and extremely capable. During his time aboard the Ghost, Chopper aided with everything from repairs and communications to gunnery.
Chopper’s versatility comes to life in X-Wing largely through his crew card. As a crew upgrade, “Chopper” allows his ship to perform actions, even when it is stressed. However, his ability also comes at a cost; whenever you perform an action with his ship while it is stressed, “Chopper” forces it to suffer one damage. This means that Chopper’s is an ability you won’t want to use lightly, but when you decide it’s worth using, Chopper’s ability can easily prove the difference between life and death.
The Good Fight
The Ghost Expansion Pack brings more to X-Wing than its pre-painted miniatures, its maneuver dials, and its cards. It gives life to the protagonists of Star Wars Rebels, and it brings the show’s heart and optimism to your gaming table.
How will you crew the Ghost and Phantom? Head to your local retailer to pre-order your copy of the Ghost Expansion Pack today
Who’s down for more X-Wing?
About the Author: Rob Baer
