Databank Download: Sabé, Royal Bodyguard & Naboo Royal Handmaidens Preview

SWP15 Sabé & the Naboo Royal Handmaidens

This Star Wars™: Shatterpoint preview examines some of the stalwart protectors of Naboo led by Sabé, a Royal Bodyguard. The Royal Handmaidens possess a deceptively peaceful guise despite being highly skilled and disciplined combatants. They are utterly committed to the protection of the planet’s royal family. Sent far afield to safeguard Queen Padmé Amidala, this group is as comfortable in combat as they are persuasive in politics.

The bond between Sabé and Queen Amidala is strong, and it is no coincidence that this Royal Bodyguard closely resembles her charge. Not only is Sabé leader of the Handmaidens who protect the queen, she periodically serves as a decoy and stand-in, allowing Padmé Amadala to take on other vital tasks while disguised. Even when Sabé appears unarmed she is ready to confront potential threats and is quite ready and willing to give her life to save her beloved queen. She is both a skilled marksman and lethal martial artist, carrying hidden weapons on her person that can be brought to bear at a moment’s notice.

Led by Sabé, these Loyal Protectors move as one to intercept danger, communicating with one another through subtle hidden gestures. Her Bodyguard Innate ability provides Cover to whichever Primary and Secondary characters she has been assigned to protect, so long as she is nearby. Because of this she most often prefers to keep close to her ward to help facilitate their combat actions.

As part of this close support, Sabé possesses the Coordinated Assault Reactive ability, gaining a Dash to close on a nearby adversary when her allies attack them. This can facilitate getting her into the ideal position either for her own attacks, to defend her allies, or to reach a key objective. She prefers when possible to strike from higher ground, making use of Expose Flank to Jump into a position where she gains the advantage of Sharpshooter to augment her blaster fire.

The Decoy Stance employed by Sabé demonstrates her lethality and tactical usefulness both at range and in close combat. She can potentially inflict considerable damage with either her ELG3A blaster pistol or her hand-to-hand combat training. The Decoy Stance Combat Tree offers an immediate Shove and early opportunities to Disarm or Strain the foe, along with the capability for additional Shoves, Pinning the foe, or gaining useful chances to Reposition or Jump to a different location. This Stance also has a relatively strong Defense Expertise Chart, potentially turning a critical attack roll against her to a failure and at the highest level a free reposition.

Sabé is rarely alone in protecting her charge, particularly if watching over Queen Amidala, when she is very likely to be joined by Naboo Royal Handmaidens, who also stand ready with concealed blaster pistols.

The first priority of the Handmaidens is to put themselves in harm’s way that would otherwise be directed at their charge. They will always move to Engage threats, allowing them to Intercede and prevent the foe from targeting nearby Primary or Secondary characters with their attacks. Prior to closing on such foes, they will seek a higher vantage to gain a clear shot using their Expose Flank Active ability, gaining Sharpshooter in the process. Handmaidens can additionally work together to Disarm a nearby foe already being attacked thanks to their Coordinated Fire Reactive ability. These capabilities allow them to effectively disrupt incoming threats and dictate the terms of an engagement.

There is no question the Handmaidens possess Absolute Loyalty, and this Stance proves they are quite capable in battle despite their innocuous appearances. Their Combat Tree is simple and has somewhat limited damage output but in exchange offers considerable flexibility. They can Heal a small amount of damage to themselves or a nearby ally early in this tree or choose to Jump to a better position. Higher results allow them to Disarm or Expose a foe, and potentially Reposition, which is particularly useful when combined with Intercede.

That’s our first look at the stalwart protectors of Naboo, who are never underestimated more than once, particularly when fighting alongside Queen Padmé Amidala!

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 We Are Brave Squad Pack at your local game store or through the webstore today.

Until next time, Atomic Mass Transmissions, signing off!