Star Wars Miniatures
From Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki.
Star Wars Miniatures is a fast-paced RPG-style game by Wizards of the Coast featuring miniature 34mm scale models of characters and vehicles from across the Star Wars Saga.
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[edit] Collecting
For collectors, the underside of each model's base contains information on the set, rarity, and the model's unique number in the set. The models can be used to represent created characters or non-playable characters (NPCs) in the Star Wars Roleplaying Game.
Fan support for this product has been so great, a freeware tracking program known as the Star Wars Mini Manager was created and is currently maintained by Chuck Monarch and the Star Wars Miniatures Game fan base.
For help with all Characters unique and non unique, special abilities, force powers and commander effects a resource has been created at http://swmgamers.com/phpBB2/index.php under the Archives of the Jedi. This resource was developed by players and fans for assistance with rules of the game.
[edit] Gaming
The primary use, however, is with the special Star Wars Miniatures rules. This game pits two or more squads against each other in a quick and heated death-match scenario. Players will agree on a point total (100, 150 and 200 being the official standards) and create a squad that does not exceed the chosen point total for one of the following formats:
- Free-for-all: Each player makes a single faction(and Fringe) squad for the battle. Factions may battle factions of different eras or even the same faction. This is the format used for sanctioned tournaments.
- Era Play: Players will choose an era then choose one player to be a light side faction and one to be a dark side faction from that era. Fringe characters may mix with either player's squad.
- Light Side vs. Dark Side: Players make a multi-faction squad with one player representing the light side (Old Republic, Republic, Rebel Alliance, New Republic) and the other representing the dark side (Sith, Separatists, Empire, Yuuzhan Vong). Fringe may belong to either side.
- No Faction: Players make a squad using any combination of characters.
- Sealed: Players will open a predetermined amount of Starters and Boosters and make a No Faction squad with the miniatures contained inside.
Once all players' squads are ready, the units are deployed on to a gridded map--typically on opposite sides. The map can be customized with terrain tiles that come with some sets and books. The units are "activated" two at a time during each "phase" of play. Players can choose to move a unit six grid spaces and attack (in either order), or move twelve grid spaces but not attack. In order to attack, players roll a twenty-sided die (known as a d20) and add on their unit's attack bonus. If the combined total is greater than or equal to the defending unit's defense, the attack hits its mark and damage is dealt. The player/team that completely defeats all of their opponents, score enough victory points, or forces their opponents to forfeit, is declared the victor.
In the game, the vast majority of characters have Special Abilities, which give unique gameplay options to the player in addition to both offensive and defensive resources. Special Abilities come in all different levels of effectiveness, some being game-breaking (or even game-ending) while others are rarely utilized at all.
Also, Force-sensitive characters (Jedi, Sith, etc.) can have Force Powers. These powers are drawn on from the Force (represented in the game by spending Force points) and are usually more powerful than Special Abilities. However, like Special Abilities, some Force Powers are much more effective than others. These statistics and abilities are recorded on the unit's corresponding stat card. The card details a unit's faction, hit points (HP), defense, attack, special abilities, force powers, and other advanced information. The other side features a reference sketch used in the creation of the model.
[edit] Miniatures sets
Nine sets of miniatures have thus far been released. Each set contains sixty models of varying rarity. The sets are as follows:
- Rebel Storm: Classic trilogy Era
- Clone Strike: Prequel trilogy Era
- Revenge of the Sith: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Universe: Prequel Trilogy through New Jedi Order Era, introduction the first "Huge" models, and introduction to the factions: New Republic and Yuuzhan Vong.
- Champions of the Force: All eras, including Knights of the Old Republic models. Introducing the Old Republic and Sith factions.
- Bounty Hunters: All eras, and introduces Mandalorians.
- Alliance and Empire: Utilizes Original Trilogy characters to celebrate thirty years of Star Wars.
- The Force Unleashed: The set includes characters from its namesake game and the expanded universe. The game also has new force powers and puts a focus back on force using melee characters in the game.
- Legacy of the Force: A set released March 28, 2008. Focuses on Star Wars: Legacy and other Expanded Universe sources.
- Knights of the Old Republic: A set to be released August 7, 2008.
- The Clone Wars: A set to be released 2008 based on the new Clone Wars movie from George Lucas due out in August.[source?]
Apart from the standard expansions, standalone themed "packs", resembling scenarios from the movies have been announced, with four released already:
- Galaxy Tiles: Due out in January 2008, Contains tiles for use with the RPG Game.
- AT-AT Imperial Walker Colossal Pack: Packaged with an AT-AT, as well as a special scenario/rulebook, and Hoth maps.
- Attack on Endor: A reposed AT-ST with several assorted Imperial troopers, a special scenario/rulebook, and several maps including Endor.
- Hoth Battle Pack: This set includes two new characters (General Veers Hologram and Blizzard One ATST) with some reprints of several characters (some now on round bases). The set also includes a rulebook and a new Hoth Map.
[edit] Ultimate Missions
The Ultimate Missions book series is a supplement for Star Wars Miniatures. One book is released for each expansion (including one that covers all eras) and includes scenarios, gameplay ideas, full maps, and terrain tiles to further expand the game's playability. However, due to poor sales, the Ultimate Missions series was discontinued shortly after the Revenge of the Sith set came out. Many online scenarios also utilize the maps and tiles found in these books. The three books are, Ultimate Missions: Clone Strike, Ultimate Missions: Rebel Storm, Ultimate Missions: Revenge of the Sith.
[edit] Starship Battles
- Starship Battles is a totally new Star Wars Miniatures game involving miniature starships engaging in space battle.
[edit] See also
- Wizards of the Coast web supplements
- Star Wars Miniatures Set Lists
- Force Powers and Special Abilities
[edit] External links
Size Matters Not: Star Wars Miniatures on StarWars.com
- A Closer Look at The New Miniatures Game on StarWars.com
- Star Wars Miniatures Update on StarWars.com
Official Star Wars Miniatures on Wizards.com
- Official tournament rules on Wizards.com
- Wizards of the Coast Star Wars Miniature boards
- SWM Gamers Site - Fan Site with Resources, Articles, Maps and Forums all for Star Wars Miniatures
- The Holocron - Number 1 Fan Site for all things Star Wars Miniatures!
- Star Wars Miniatures Fansite, includes custom battle maps
- Star Wars Miniatures Shoebox, includes inventory tools
- Star Wars Miniatures seen at GenCon '06 on Wizards.com
- French Star Wars Miniatures Forum
- French Star Wars Miniatures Blog
- INITIATIVE : The first Star Wars Miniatures Magazine of the french community
- The Custom Star Wars Miniatures Database
- The Star Wars Miniatures Wiki
- Bloo Milk - Stats, Squad Building, Trading, Collection Tracking and more
