Databank Download: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Out of Hiding & Darth Vader, Jedi Hunter Preview

SWP30Obi-Wan Kenobi & Darth Vader

In this Star Wars™: Shatterpoint preview we’re taking a look at a couple of familiar individuals, seeing them at a different point in their respective legends during a crucial time where they and the galaxy they occupy has drastically changed. Let’s talk about Obi-Wan Kenobi, Out of Hiding, and Darth Vader, Jedi Hunter from the You Cannot Run Duel Pack!

This iteration of Obi-Wan Kenobi represents his diminished capacity in a dark period of his life, after the execution of Order 66. At this time, Obi-Wan has gone into hiding to avoid being hunted down while keeping a vigilant watch over Anakin Skywalker’s unknown son. Obi-Wan has been isolated and his strong connection to the Force has faltered from a lack of use, as has his practice with the lightsaber. He is forced to take action when his path crosses with the brothers and sisters of the Inquisitorius who are hot on the trail chasing a different Jedi. Though intending to avoid conflict, Kenobi has no choice but to emerge from hiding to protect Anakin’s children.

Having this iteration of Obi-Wan Kenobi as a secondary rather than primary unit works well in representing his diminished state when he emerges Out of Hiding, no longer capable of directly dueling the formidable adversaries seeking his destruction. The embers of his former power as a Jedi Master still burn within him, and this version of Obi-Wan Kenobi can be added to both Clone Wars and Galactic Civil War-era squads, making him a particularly versatile member of any strike team.

He has always had a knack for the Jedi Mind Trick, a potent reactive ability that can divert a nearby attacker, forcing them to pick a different target and strike less effectively. And his Greater Purpose to protect Anakin’s children makes it impossible for adversaries to leave Obi-Wan Exposed, even reinvigorating him for the effort. Trying to corner Kenobi or his allies proves to be difficult, as his Run tactic enables them to avoid unwanted engagements by repositioning. And even when caught at a disadvantage in a melee, the Last Stand of the Jedi makes Kenobi even more dangerous when injured as he draws on hidden reserves.

Obi-Wan relies on the familiar strengths of his Form III Soresu stance, which served him so well during the Clone Wars. This stance gives him considerable flexibility despite his weakened Force connection. Its Combat Tree emphasizes defense with healing and repositioning, but is reasonably strong on the offense as well, with sufficient shoves to keep his adversary from an objective. This Stance also features simple but effective Attack and Defense Expertise Charts.

Though far from helpless, in this state Kenobi will need the help of formidable allies to evade his most terrifying and implacable enemy, Darth Vader, the Jedi Hunter. This represents the emergence of Darth Vader onto the galactic stage after recovering from near lethal injuries. He has abandoned the identity of Anakin Skywalker and fully embraced the Dark Side under his mentor and master, the Emperor. Now standing at the head of the Inquisitorious and empowered to extinguish the last remnants of the Jedi, there is little trace of his former humanity. Like his former master, this version of Darth Vader can also be added to both Clone Wars and Galactic Civil War-era squads and, as a Primary Unit, he can handpick his squad from either era.

Darth Vader is impressively lethal, and his abilities demonstrate how powerfully the Dark Side flows through him. It is nearly impossible to emerge unscathed when confronted by Vader’s Fury, an Active Ability which guarantees damage as he swiftly advances and strikes. He knows that Your Hatred Makes You Powerful, inspiring his allies to accept self-inflicted pain to inflict potentially crippling blows on their foes.

Very much embodying the concept that the best defense is a strong offense, Darth Vader possesses strong Reactive Abilities to punish those foolish enough to engage him. His Riposte exploits Failure results on attack dice used against him to cause immediate harm to the foe. Even when wounded, The Sith Lord Strikes Back, allows Darth Vader to move and retaliate against the one responsible.

As would be expected of such a fierce combatant, both Stances available to Darth Vader are offensive in different ways. Dark Rage is brutally straightforward, drawing on the Force to batter the enemy into submission with high damage output and multiple Shoves, but also the ability to potentially Strain the foe and Dash forward with a burst of speed.

Alternately, Darth Vader can use the Stance Form V Djem So, which Anakin Skywalker favored. An aggressive but more balanced Stance, this allows Darth Vader his signature lightsaber throw, enabling him to slice through adversaries at considerable range. It also offers considerable deflective defense against incoming blaster fire without sacrificing offensive capability. This Stance’s Combat Tree remains quite capable of high damage output but can also Shove, Expose, or Pin the foe, or at its upper end, has the option to sacrifice some damage output to gain the higher vantage with Climb.

Combined with his durability, Darth Vader, Jedi Hunter’s ability package makes him downright terrifying to face on the battlefield, and it is no wonder most Jedi opt to run rather than face him!

Make sure to check back for our next Star Wars: 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 Star Wars: Shatterpoint. Pre-order your own copy of the You Cannot Run Duel Pack at your local game store or through the webstore today.

Until next time, Atomic Mass Transmissions, signing off!