Databank Download: Darth Vader, the Emperor’s Servant Preview Article

This preview features perhaps the most iconic and unforgettable incarnation of Darth Vader as he was first revealed and witnessed in his full power as the foremost servant of the emperor. Here stands a powerful Sith in black armor who is as terrifying to officers of the Galactic Empire as to his adversaries among the Rebel Alliance.

As the Emperor’s Servant, Darth Vader becomes an ominous and implacable symbol, a warrior who does not seem like an ordinary living and breathing mortal, his body more machine than man. His terrifying demeanor is often enough by itself to force compliance, though he demonstrates no qualms at drawing on the Dark Side of the Force to punish any who dare to defy him. In this role, he takes to the fore of engagements against Rebel uprisings and  ruthlessly quashes any threats to the emperor, whether internal or external. Darth Vader has cast aside any lingering remnants of his former identity as Anakin Skywalker.

As hoped for, Darth Vader is well suited for an aggressive playstyle, rewarding those willing to press forward and attack unflinchingly. He is strongly connected to his inner Anger, Hate,  Aggression. This Active ability lets Darth Vader Dash to better reach the nearest foe and use the Force to add 3 dice to his next attack roll, but carries some risk of creating an opening for the  enemy. If the attack roll includes any failures, Darth Vader is left Exposed. The Emperor’s Servant does not fear attack, as those seeking to take advantage of this will suffer in turn. You Are Unwise to Lower Your Defenses is a Reactive ability that lets him retaliate to damage those who strike at him in melee, so long as they roll a failure.

You Don’t Know the Power of the Dark Side displays Darth Vader’s resiliency, a potent Tactics ability that removes either damage or a condition at the start of his activation, as well as  refreshing one Force. And no one who fights alongside him has liberty to relax under Vader’s watchful eye; Perhaps I Can Find New Ways to Motivate Them is an Innate ability that triggers on his wounding an enemy, allowing one of Vader’s allies to Dash into position. You Cannot Hide Forever is Darth Vader’s very potent Identity ability that allows him to activate again before refreshing the Order Deck if he did not wound an adversary during his activation, letting him renew the hunt for his chosen prey.

Darth Vader’s two stances allow him to switch between the two variants of his favored lightsaber Form V, which evolved to emphasize offensive capabilities, proving quite fluid and  adaptable. The Form V Shien variant is slightly more reactive, effective at redirecting an adversary’s attacks and helping evade incoming blaster fire. In this stance Darth Vader benefits  from higher Ranged and Melee Defense stats. This form works best when Vader is still at some distance from his foes, facilitating deadly throws of his lightsaber. This stance’s Combat Tree offers a diverse array of tactical options and a degree of damage mitigation through Healing, with additional healing made possible through its Defense Expertise Chart. The Combat Tree provides an immediate Shove, with a chance of a second Shove by advancing up on either branch, and the choice of following the Healing branch (which can Expose the foe) or selecting the branch with the ability to Pin and Disarm the foe, and potentially gain a vital Reposition.

Form V Djem So is preferred once melee is engaged, allowing Darth Vader to seize the advantage and swiftly overwhelm his adversary under rapid sequence of heavy blows. This stance foregoes the Thrown Lightsaber and lowers Vader’s Defense stats but increases his Melee Attack and has a strong Melee Attack Expertise Chart, making damaging strikes more likely, particularly when combined with the added dice from Anger, Hate, Aggression. The Combat Chart of this stance is simpler, but includes truly punishing damage potential, along with the opportunity to Strain, Disarm, or Shove the foe, or to make a Jump instead of Disarming, if that’s tactically advantageous. The Defense Expertise Chart of Djem So can still  potentially help block one or two incoming strikes and can turn a critical into a regular strike, though it lacks the Healing of Form V Shien.

Darth Vader, the Emperor’s Servant is an appropriately terrifying adversary who cannot be easily stopped and is likely to quickly tear through hapless foes in lightsaber distance while in pursuit of his goals. Getting in his way requires true courage, or the foolish bravery of youth.

Make sure to check back for our next Shatterpoint Unit preview, where we give you a first look  at how your favorite characters from the Star Wars™ galaxy translate into the gameplay of  Shatterpoint. Pre-order your own copy of Star Wars: Shatterpoint at your local game store or through our webstore today.

Until next time, Atomic Mass Transmissions, signing off!