Scene to Stats: LM-432 Crab Droids

“Crab droids have a subpar targeting percentage, but deliver a profit of forty-eight-thousand credits per unit. They might not win the war, but they could save the Techno Union’s fiscal quarter.”
―Techno Union risk-assessment report

The LM-432 Crab Droid was one of many specialized mechanical soldiers deployed in the war against the Galactic Republic. During the Clone Wars, these models saw extensive use in marsh terrain, and thereby earned the nickname “Muckrakers.” While several variants were used throughout the conflict, the Techno Union primarily utilized a four-legged version with an underslung blaster cannon. Equipped with powerful claws and durable armor, these walkers were a formidable sight on the battlefield. Let no rough terrain stand in your way as we scuttle onward to take a closer look at the LM-432 Crab Droid for Star Wars™: Legion!

A single miniature support unit, the Crab Droid is a complex machine with various support and combat options. Its many legs give it excellent maneuverability, with a combination of Climbing Vehicle, Reposition, and Scale ensuring the LM-432 Crab Droid can cross all manner of terrain with ease. These abilities mean that the Crab Droid can climb like a trooper unit, ascending height 2 terrain to gain an advantageous attack position or contest a key objective. The Crab Droid is also as fast as it is versatile, utilizing a move speed of 2 on a 70mm base to reach enemies quickly. This pairs well with the next two keywords on the Crab Droid: Scout 1 and Scouting Party 1. Not only does the LM-432 scout ahead for friendly forces, but it also brings an additional trooper unit at trooper unit forward and into the fray. This ability gives droid commanders several flexible options, from advancing short-range threats like B2s or Magnaguards into better positions to creating additional space for the deployment of your forces. While these keywords are useful in their own right, that’s not all the LM-432 Crab Droid brings to your games of Star Wars: Legion!

No overview is complete without examining the offensive and defensive capabilities of a unit, and the Crab Droid comes with many to explore. Known for its hardy reinforced armor, the Muckraker strides forward protected by Armor 2 and Red defense dice. Once it arrives at the fight, the LM-432 delivers powerful melee strikes with its Crab Claws. Impact 2 and Pierce 1 give the Crab Droid a unique functionality against troopers and vehicles at close range, with 2 Red, 1 Black, and 1 White attack dice delivering punishing blows to your enemies.

Choosing a Programming Upgrade for the Crab Droid allows you to further customize this unit—from the simple but effective Engagement Protocols to the more protective Defense Protocols. Attack Protocols will synergize well with two new hardpoint options specific to the LM-432 Crab Droid. If you want to upgrade the unit’s ranged firepower, you have a choice between the Twin Blaster Cannons or the Heavy Laser Cannon. The two barrels of the Twin Blaster Cannon pummel the enemy at range 3, throwing 2 Red and 2 Black attack dice downfield. For a higher cost, you could instead choose the Heavy Laser Cannon, a more specialized weapon that utilizes 5 Black attack dice and Impact 3 to hammer enemy armored units. No matter what you decide to equip, all of the Crab Droid’s weapons benefit from Surge to Hit, and give the LM-432 offensive potential. Finally, a Comms slot gives the Crab Droid a further option for customization, with upgrades like Linked Targeting Array giving its ranged attacks more consistency, to Comms Jammer frustrating enemy front-line fighters.

Once your Crab Droids have been outfitted to your liking. They can be used to fulfill a variety of roles in a CIS list. Scouting Party 1 can help dynamically posture troopers to dominate a flank or ensure a key piece of terrain is quickly secured. If a linebacker role is more your style, Crab Droids can instead be used as a direct support unit, bolstered by a Super Tactical Droid’s Strategize X for more consistent shooting, but also to rapidly react to melee assaults by aggressive armies. Finally, you could outfit Crab Droids to support a melee aggressor like General Grievous or Count Dooku, pushing an LM-432 into enemy lines with Defensive Protocols while backed up by a Comms Jammer to disrupt them before your commander crashes in!

Once you are ready to scout ahead, pre-order your copy of the LM-432 Crab Droid unit expansion at your local game store or through the webstore today. Be sure to check back later for yet another installment of From Scene to Stats, the series where we give you your first look at how your favorite characters transition to the tabletop in Star Wars: Legion.

Until next time, Atomic Mass Transmissions, signing off.