The Shadow Syndicate is the fourth expansion of the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game released on September 24, 2009. It adds more than 200 new playable cards and more than 20 new loot cards to the game, bringing the total number of cards in the game to more than 1,400. The new loot cards include the Air-2 racing swoop and the ability to combine several loot items and create the AT-AT house. The new playable cards will feature vehicle units that can:
Grant additional movement bonuses to deliver units to battle quicker
Move multiple units at once
Redeploy units from one quest to another to either save potentially doomed units or reinforce others
Play during combat to help your defending units
In addition, this expansion introduces new Expertise Trait Cards to the game. Unit cards with the new Expertise trait, such as the Leia Organa card, increase combat stats over time and allow players to acquire other benefits as they reach certain thresholds in their stats.
The story mode of this set, represented in scenarios, puts the players in the service of both an illicit Rebel swoop racing operation led by Dash Rendar as well as the sinister PrinceXizor as he attempts to steal Rebel prizes for his own benefit. With increasing pressure on trade routes from the Empire, the Rebels are using swoop racing to hide their movements of much needed military vehicles from the Empire. Intent to discover the new Rebel tactic, the Emperor has tasked the Falleen Prince Xizor to uncover the Rebel activities. Using tips from his Black Sun agents, Xizor's attention focuses on the team of star driver Kimmi Chyler, who has hired legendary Corellian freelance smuggler, Dash Rendar, to provide transport. Knowing their cover to be exposed, Dash and Kimmi make a valiant break to deliver the new vehicles to the Rebels before Xizor and his Black Sun minions can seize the shipment for themselves.