A Rare Two-fer

Two games in one night, a rarity these days.  Even more rare, I was twice the victor, once as Rebel Leader and once as Emperor.  Next week I have an opportunity to seize the coveted Trifecta crown. 

Game #1

Peetza da Hutt, true to his name, brought pizza.  Darth Kent took up the imperial reins of power leaving me, the low roller, to struggle with the disorganized Rebels.  The first Rebels assaults fared only modestly.  The Hutts fought a major engagement with the imperial forces at Hoth.  Although the Hutts came out victorious, it was a Pyrrhic victory.  The Empire made numerous counterattacks, especially against the Hutts, but this left them mostly with singletons for garrisons. 

Unbeknownst to the Rebels, the Emperor's starbase came out on turn 2.  With only light garrisons spread widely, Sith Lord Wood placed it on Elom where a few legions could protect him from the small group of Rebels on Omwat. 

That turned out to be ill-fated, because the Rebels had gained 4 faction cards... all Imperial troops must flee and a straight.  With the garrison on Elom reduced to 1 and 10 in-coming Rebel legions, the starbase was overwhelmed.  Game ova by the beginning of turn 3. 

Game #2

With such a quick end to the game, we elected to go on for a second one.  Rotating seats counterclockwise, I became the Emperor, Kent became the Hutts, and Ric moved over to the Rebels. 

Needless-to-say, this game went differently.  Rebel Leader Boom-boom got an early lead by punishing the Stormtroopers.  Typical Imperial reinforcements were only 4 or 5 troops.  Also, the Hutt concentration in the Mid Rim kept the Empire from picking off any stragglers for extra faction cards.  However, that also worked to the imperial advantage by protecting the Wild Space from invasion via Gamorr.  Meanwhile, the Death Star blocked egress at Sluis Van.  Lucky thing, too, because the Emperor's starbase came out in turn 2 again.  Safely placed on Elom, it came under no threats for the duration of the game. 

With so much Rebel attention on the Stormtroopers, the Hutts flourished.  Eventually, Ric had to turn his forces on the green hoards, who had run up to 7, then 8 resource planets.  With that distraction underway, the Sith were able to close off the Wild Space by destroying Omwat and moving the Death Star to Gamorr. 

After securing the Wild Space, the Stormtroopers advanced into the Ison Corridor and the El'Rood Sector.  Hutt attacks nearly won the game, but they fell short and overwhelming Imperial forces soon wiped out the last Rebel vestiges.  Game ova in about 9 turns.