Double Rebel Whammy

Game #1

Rebel Leader Karl went up against Sith Lord LaBan and Hutt Spice Merchant Extraordinaire Kent Wood in a pizza-fueled battle for control of the galaxy.  In an unusual initial setup, the Rebels were very strong in the Mid Rim. 

After their first turn, they managed to capture the Wild Space, only to follow up with capturing the Ison Corridor and, surprisingly, the Mid Rim as well.  Of course, the Mid Rim was immediately invaded and neutralized. 

But the cards were all in the Rebels hand.  The Emperor's starbase was discovered and destroyed at the beginning of turn 3 for a short game. 

Game #2

After such a quick game there was time to spare, so we set up with the same factions for a rematch.  The Emperor came out on the first turn and his starbase went under the Death Star at Hoth.  The Rebels had drawn a "Move the Force Meter one space to the light side and look under any starbase" faction card as well as "Set all dice on their maximum value."  Playing the first card revealed the Emperor's hiding place and neutralized the initial +1 Imperial Death Star advantage.  The second card destroyed the protective Death Star and the remaining troops were quickly overcome by eager Rebels forces.  This represents the shortest possible SWR game (1-1/3 turns or 4 plays).

Ric La Ban, King Maker Extraordinaire

April 30

Wood the Hutt came out against Horak the Hutt and Darth Ric.  The Empire grabbed the Wild Space and began to put the hurt on both opponents.  Then the Sith Lord played the dastardly "Name an Imperial planet.  All troops must flee..." against a mighty garrison at Gamorr.  While it was easy for them to flee to Elom, it opened the way for the Hutts to capture Gamorr and Rodia.  With the addition of a faction card straight, the ten required systems were quickly taken for the victory.

Side note:  On April 24, McGoey retired from Boeing.  :-)

May 7

Tonight Horak drew Hutts and LaBan took the Rebels, thus sticking Wood with the unenviable position of playing the Empire.  The initial set up left the Hutts in control of 6 resource systems.  By turn 2 they had one capital ship and captured a 7th resource planet.  Meanwhile, Ric had pushed the force meter completely to the light side.  The E-vile Empire was hurtin' for certain. 

On turn 3 the Rebels attacked Imperial and Hutt forces thoughout the Mid Rim from his stronghold in Kessel.  This drove the Hutts down to 5 systems, but it was too costly.  The capital ship plus troops already on Rodia sweep up the Rebel bomber and garrison on Gamorr followed by the destruction of the weaker force on Nar Shaddar.  At the same time, a Hutt straight gave them a huge force on Ylesia, which overwhelmed in turn Kessel, Ord Mandel, Yavin 4, and finally Balmorra for the win.  Victory Hutts.