Yet Another Hutt Defeat

Things have not gone well for the Hutts these last few weeks.  Tonight was no different, except for the Rudy's BBQ brisket. 

Things started with a spirited defense against Rebel (Kent) incursions, but an initial Hutt offensive with 12 legions against three Imperial defenders ended in disaster.  The Hutts were never again a credible threat. 

Rebels and Storm Troopers duked it out for a number of turns with some catastrophically good and bad dice rolls.  Rebels failed conspicuously against the Hutts at Byss and Duro.  The Storm Troopers failed the same against Hutss at Kessel.  But even with large numbers of reinforcements, the Empire couldn't significantly dent the Rebels.  By gradually pushing the Force Meter to the light side, the Rebels were able to use their faction card surplus to good effect, eventually capturing Starbase Barbarella, which led to still more faction cards.

In the end, Starbase Sith Lord Laban was cutoff from reinforcements.  A concerted attack by the Rebels captured the Emperor.  Game ova. 

I won; how come I feel like I lost?

Deputy Rebel Leader Karl got off to a strong start, knocking off a bunch of Imperial systems garrisoned by lone legions.  But there were no Hutts to be attacked.  Kent the Hutt responded by a dismal set of rolls, barely getting his faction cards.  Sith Lord Ric then proceeded to kick ass -- he could not roll anything less than a six.  Hutt resistance crumbled; Rebels fell like nine pins.

From that inauspicious start, things went slowly downhill for the Hutts.  The Rebels held their own, but only just.  Faction cards at least kept the Force Meter in the positive side.  The Empire's clones continued to gain ground.  The Sith Lord locked in the Wild Space early on, eventually conquered the El'Rood Sector, fully occupied the Ison Corridor, and nearly had the entire Mid Rim captured.  Things were looking grim, Kent was despondent, the Rebels were hiding under rocks.

When the Empire used the Death Star stationed at Omwat to destroy its own garrison at Excarga,it hinted strongly that the Emperor himself was within the heavily fortified Wild Space.  An enormously successful Imperial assault reduced the Rebels to a half-dozen systems and perhaps a dozen legions.  Fortunately, a faction card straight provided enough fire power to roll over Mon Calamari, make the long hyperspace jump to Bffassch, take Sluis Van from behind, and capture Omwat.  In a desperate forlorn hope attack, two legions threw themselves at the weakly held but still fortified Elom, their best guess as to the Emperor's location. 

With one lucky roll, the Rebels captured the Sith Lord.  Had they failed, the Hutts had some prodigious faction cards of their own to unleash, but it certainly looked like it was going to be the Empire's game. Ultimately, despite a Rebel victory, it was clear that all the dice rolls went in favor of the e-vile Empire.  At least by capturing the Emperor, we stopped the incessant sixes. 

Another Hutt Victory

It seemed like such a simple thing:  whomp on the Hutts until they were no longer a threat, then duke it out with the Empire.  But Pizza da Hutt had no such plans -- he quietly amassed faction cards and made his decisive moves. 

It began simply enough with Rebel Leader Karl setting up in a strong initial position and actually captured the Core Worlds in the first turn.  The Hutts made good progress, neutralizing the Core World threat, and then Sith Lord Wood managed to capture the El'Rood Sector. 

The battle see-sawed back and forth.  A well-timed Imperial faction card saved the Death Star from destruction, but as the Hutts continued to gain cards of their own, the green hoard grew in strength.  After two faction card straights in three turns, they were able to control ten resource planets. 

Game ova... Hutt victory.