Shadows of the Galaxy: Comprehensive Rules Update

With the release of Shadows of the Galaxy, the latest set for Star Wars: Unlimited, we have an exciting update to the Comprehensive Rules to talk about. This marks the first major revision to the rules since the game’s launch. 

Let's dive into the changes and what they mean for players.

New Rules Additions

Introducing Bounty and Smuggle Keywords

The theme of Shadows of the Galaxy surrounds the stories of the famous smugglers, bounty hunters, and general scoundrels, so it's only fitting that they introduce some new Keyword abilities to the game. With new Keywords comes new rules to handle those interactions.

• Bounty: This new keyword allows an ability on your unit to be resolved by your opponent. This is a unique mechanic that adds a new layer of strategy to the game. As such, the rules needed to be updated to define how “controlling” these abilities works.
• Smuggle: This keyword lets you play cards from your resource zone. To accommodate this, they've revised the rules on playing cards and handling facedown cards.

Capture Mechanic and Clarifications

• New Capture Rules: Sections 8.34 and 8.35 introduce the new capture mechanic. These rules also clarify how “for each” expressions resolve, addressing common player questions.

Quality of Life Improvements

Enhanced Clarity and Error Fixes

• We've fixed several errors and restructured sentences for better clarity, making the document easier to understand. These changes are based on player feedback and our observations.

Revamped Abilities Section

• Section 7 - Abilities and Effects: We’ve overhauled this section to improve clarity. The term “nested actions” has been replaced with new entries:
  • 7.1.6: Discusses “Abilities that Modify Actions.”
  • 7.6.11-12: Focuses on nested abilities specifically.
• These changes aim to make the rules more intuitive without altering how abilities function.

Rules Adjustments

Leader Units Update

This one is a big one. Now, Leader Units are considered to enter play when deployed and leave play when defeated. This change aligns Leader Units with how other units behave, addressing confusion among new players.

This adjustment is timely with the introduction of mechanics in Shadows of the Galaxy, such as Smuggling and capturing units, which involve turning cards faceup or facedown and this change ensures consistency in gameplay.

Right now, this only really affects Boba Fett: Collecting the Bounty (leader) and Boba Fett: Disintegrator (unit) but as the card pool grows with the addition of future sets, this fundamental rules change is only going become more relevant.

Conclusion

Nothing groundbreaking or game-changing, but it's nice to see the rules team keeping an eye on how players interact with the game and trying to make the rules more intuitive. What do you think of the rules update? Are there any rules or areas of the game you'd make a change to if you could wave a light saber and make them happen right now?

Let us know! 

The Shadows of the Galaxy release day is just around the corner on July 12th. Make sure you check out our selection in store and join us for our Star Wars Unlimited casual events and bi-weekly tournaments on Wednesdays!