When Star Wars: Unlimited hit the shelves in March, it was hard to miss. Launching hot on the heels of Disney Lorcana and rubbing shoulders with some of Magic: The Gathering’s most impactful sets in recent memory, it immediately caught the eye. Both critics and gamers praised its bold leap in power and complexity, as well as its faithful commitment to the original trilogy’s lore. The game’s third card set, Twilight of the Republic, really amplifies what makes this game stand out, taking its theme and storytelling to bold new heights.
Twilight of the Republic shakes things up by introducing token cards. These are double-sided, featuring a Clone Trooper on one side and a Battle Droid on the other, and they don’t go in your deck. Instead, they spring into action through specific card abilities. Along with these, two new mechanics – Coordinate and Exploit – add depth to the game, ramping up the battlefield action.
The Exploit mechanic shines brightest in Grievous’ deck. This allows players to clear out units, tokens included, and replace them with high-value cards. Imagine playing a four-resource On the Doorstep event card to deploy three Battle Droid tokens. In the same breath, you can remove those Droids, pocket a two-resource credit for each, and suddenly the hefty Separatist Super Tank costs only three resources instead of nine.
Meanwhile, the Coordinate mechanic is at the heart of Ahsoka’s deck, which requires stationed units on the battlefield – at least three – to activate engaging abilities. Once they’re in place, the Republic Commandos can execute sabotage missions; Coruscant Guards activate Ambush, allowing them to strike immediately as they enter the fray; and Clone Heavy Gunners pump up their attack power by two points.
These new abilities blend seamlessly with the characters we all know, evoking scenes from the Clone Wars cartoons and Disney Plus series. It’s easy to conjure the image of battle droids marching forward, backed by looming siege engines. You can sense Ahsoka’s intense focus as she rallies her troops, witnessing firsthand how effectively they operate as a cohesive unit.
The best part is how this game, complete with two poster playmats, is thoughtfully crafted with newcomers in mind. If you’ve been hesitant about diving into the Star Wars: Unlimited galaxy, pondering its worth, it’s time to make your move. Especially if the Clone Wars era holds a special place in your heart, now’s the moment to rally your forces and jump into the action.
