Hutts vs the Galaxy

A surprising evening--two games, two struggles for galactic domination, two winners--none of them Hutts.

Game #1.  In a surprising initial setup, Darth Horak was able to claim most of the El'Rood Sector and the Wild Space.  In the first turn, the Empire took control of the El'Rood Sector.  In the second turn, they captured the Wild Space.  Star bases soon fortified all egress to these areas and the extra legions began to make a difference.  Kent the Hutt and Generalissimo LaBan capitulated by turn 4.

Game #2.  With a much more heterogeneous setup, there was little likelihood of a repeat of Game #1.  In fact, the Rebels immediately assaulted and destroyed a large Imperial garrison in the Wild Space.  A failure to take Tatooine early on left the Storm Troopers weak.

The Hutts soon garnered 7 resource planets and the Empire turned its deadly attentions to that threat.  Control of systems in the Mid Rim swung back and forth, costing Kent the Hutt large numbers of faction cards.

At one point the Empire briefly controlled the entire Outer Rim but the Rebels quickly counter-attacked.  As the Empire dwindled, they stuck out with the Death Star and reduced an enormous garrison of Hutts in the Mid Rim to asteroids and rubble.

With all the battling between Hutts and Storm Troopers, the Rebels gradually gained in strength until they were able to knock out a few star bases.  Eventually they took on Kessel, captured the Emperor there, and ended the game for a Rebel victory.