Resumption of Hostilities

After a respite of several weeks, we return to our regularly scheduled galactic conflict.  The impetus for this was the arrival of the Vermonters, including my nephew David.  Rather than rolling for who got first and second choice of faction, we let the dice decide.  They awarded me the Hutts and David got the Empire.  That left Kent with the Rebels.

The setup was unremarkable except for the six systems left to the green worm.  That said, the Hutts quickly lost one and thereafter struggled to get even close to a bonus card.  It was well into turn four that they clawed their way up to seven resource systems. 

Meanwhile, the Storm Troopers and Rebels exchanged blows repeatedly.  Early in the second turn, the Rebels were able to destroy the Death Star.  Sectors were captured but never held.  Starbases accumulated but the Emperor was nowhere to be found.

A slight advantage in the Force Meter let David get ahead with faction cards, which led to more vessels, which led to more systems.  Rebel Leader Wood struggled to hold the line, but for every push of the Force to the light side, the Empire was able to push back to the dark side.  It began to look like the game would soon go to the Imperial forces.

But as luck would have it, the Hutts picked up a faction card straight for 7 legions of reinforcements just in time to take a run at a series of 3 resource planets.  It was turn 5 and the Hutts already had 7 resource systems and a capital ship (1d8) to help lessen the Starbase defensive rolls (2d8).  After a desperate and costly battle onYlesia, the remaining Gamorran mercenaries were forced to fight on against a reinforced Kessel.  Eventually, a few survivors were able to push on and attack Ord Mantell.  With the help of all things that the Hutts hold holy, they were able take the 10th system and a victory.