“And I thought they smelled bad on the outside.”
   –Han Solo, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

On an icy planet like Hoth, even the most advanced technology can’t save you from the subzero temperatures. The Rebel Alliance learned this lesson well when they had difficulty operating their repulsorlift speeders on the frigid planet. In their place, the Rebels turned to creatures naturally suited to roaming the windswept plains of Hoth: Tauntauns.

These sure-footed snow lizards can swiftly navigate the treacherous environments common to the backwater planets where the Alliance hides its bases, making Tauntauns perfect for patrol duty around Echo Base and beyond. Soon, you’ll be able to make your Rebel armies even more mobile with the Tauntaun Riders Unit Expansion for Star Wars™: Legion!

This expansion brings a new support unit to aid your Rebel forces on the battlefields of the Galactic Civil War. Two unique Tauntaun Rider miniatures relentlessly charge into battle, harrying the enemy with fire from their DL-44 blaster pistols or attacking with their Tauntauns’ horns and hind claws. Already well-equipped for living in harsh climates, three upgrade cards invite you to make your Tauntaun Riders even more hearty with new training or comms systems.

Read on for a look at everything inside the Tauntaun Riders Unit Expansion!

Ready for Battle

Vehicles like the AT-RT and T-47 Airspeeder may be engineered to overcome environmental hazards, but these designs are no replacement for the natural adaptations made by creatures like Tauntauns. While these physical characteristics help them survive the harsh conditions of their home planet, they can also serve many purposes in the Rebellion’s fight against the Empire.

A tauntaun’s long claws, for example, make them particularly surefooted when crossing the massive snowdrifts and icy fields of Hoth—so surefooted, in fact, that they can still maintain their top speed while navigating this treacherous terrain. With this in mind, Tauntauns can easily reach forward combat areas or make surprising flanking maneuvers to catch enemy units off guard while the rest of the Rebel army advances.

Charging headlong into battle with little backup is obviously a risky choice for any unit, let alone one that is as visible as two riders mounted on Tauntauns. Fortunately, Tauntauns are also surprisingly agile and can quickly dodge incoming attacks while on the move. Better yet, an experienced rider can take advantage of their mount’s agility to make sudden turns, changing direction in the blink of an eye to stay out of the line of fire and keep their movements unpredictable.

Even when they inevitably begin taking fire, a unit of Tauntaun Riders still has plenty of options to keep operating at peak efficiency. Both tauntaun and rider are trained to operate as a single unit and the Rebel troopers mounted on their backs can make precise shots with their powerful DL-44 blaster pistols immediately after moving their Tauntauns into position, ensuring they can attack despite drawing suppressive fire. Furthermore, living on a hostile world like Hoth requires incredible Endurance  and—when sufficiently trained—Tauntaun Riders can muster their courage and continue fighting in the name of the Alliance.

Blasters may be the more conventional weapon for units of Tauntaun Riders to use, but they are far from their only option. Although they are not predators, Tauntauns have developed some features that can be useful in melee combat. Their horns and hind claws are powerful enough to do some major damage to anyone foolish enough to stand in their way. With enough speed—and perhaps some Tenacity —the force from a tauntaun’s ram can be strong enough to punch through the thick armor of an enemy vehicle.

As a forward unit often roaming far from friendly troops, it’s important for Tauntaun Riders to be in close communication with the rest of their army. As such, they can carry a comms upgrade into battle, helping them receive their orders or act as the linchpin between two units. Alternatively, if they are already slowing the enemy’s advance, they can further disrupt opposing commanders by carrying aComms Jammer into these engagements.

Whether they’re quickly moving to outflank the opposition or are charging directly into the fray, Tauntaun Riders can be an indispensable piece of any Rebel army.

Charge In

No matter where they hide, the Rebellion must remain ever vigilant to protect itself from the Empire, even if that means making use of the local wildlife to help their cause. Mount up and charge into battle!

Look for the Tauntaun Riders Unit Expansion (SWL40) and the Rebel Veterans Unit Expansion (SWL39) at your local retailer in the third quarter of 2019. Pre-order your copies at your local retailer or online through our website with free shipping in the continental U.S. here!