So my friend picked the Empire…
It didn’t take us long to realize that the probe deck was shrinking fast and I didn’t have any reputation earned… so we ditched the 16 starting rep house rule and put it back to 14. My buddy caught on fast and I was on the ropes for most of the game, but his units were never close to my base (Which was in Dantooine). Luke was turned to the dark side, Leia went to Yoda, Obi Wan sacrificed himself, Lando was captured twice (frozen once), and Han rescued him twice. Very fun game, there was one factor in balance that I wasn’t counting on… and that was the advanced setup (first game using it) so I’m inclined to agree based on my few games that the game is balanced. Although, there was the same repeated moans coming from the Empire player (like each game I’ve played) about the ability to move the base whenever the Empire threat is knocking on the door. I definitely learn new things every game, and the lack of probe cards when moving the base is a big deal (so getting lots of probe cards is a must)… also, the ability to always attempt capturing a rebel leader is huge for the dark side. I think losing 1 reputation the first time the rebels move the base is a viable solution to the crying coming from the Empire’s side… but we won’t be using house rules for this game for a while now that we are using the advanced setup… as for results, the Empire beat me due to one rebel mission card played a fraction too late (and the fact that I foolishly talked about my new base location before the fat lady sang :oops:). Lot’s learned every game… thanks for the help, I’ll have more questions for sure.