“Only Imperial Stormtroopers are so precise.”
   —Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars: A New Hope

Massive war machines such as the AT-ST and the TX-225 Occupier Combat Assault Tank do more than crush any resistance to total Imperial domination. They also project the Empire’s might across the planets they are stationed, quelling any resistance before it begins. The Empire takes a similar approach when acquiring local wildlife to support its operations throughout the galaxy.

When these operations take them to desert planets like Tatooine, mighty creatures like Dewbacks make excellent mounts for Imperial Sandtroopers, their imposing frames proving both intimidating to opposing forces and resiliant to blaster fire. Soon, you’ll be able to use these beasts to spread Imperial might across the battlefield with the Dewback Rider Unit Expansion for Star Wars™: Legion! 

This expansion brings another option for the support units that back up the bulk of your Imperial armies. Within it, you’ll find an unpainted and beautifully-detailed Dewback miniature with a Sandtrooper rider who can be assembled with four different weapon options: the standard shock prod, a T-21 blaster rifle, a RT-97C blaster rifle, or a CR-24 Flame Rifle. These weapons and their associated upgrade cards each give the Dewback Rider unique new ways to attack while three additional upgrade cards invite you to modify your Dewback Rider with more training and comms systems. 

Join us today as we take a closer look at the Dewback Rider Unit Expansion!

Adapted for Battle

Life on the brutally hot planet of Tatooine has made Dewbacks an extremely rugged species of reptiles able to survive at the most extreme temperatures. Fortunately for the Empire, these environmental adaptations also make them particularly useful in battle. Whether its patrolling a planet or charging headlong into a skirmish, Imperial commanders can use these hearty beasts in a number of ways.

No matter their purpose, Dewback and rider must work together to acheive maximum effectiveness in combat. For instance, while a Dewback’s claws can help them cross the difficult terrain of Tatooine with ease, it can only truly use this ability when it is spurred forward by its rider. Doing so helps these normally lumbering creatures cover a substantial amount of ground with surprising speed, allowing them to become a major part of any engagement. While these short bursts of speed may spook an untrained Dewback, the best display an uncanny Endurance  that lets them push forward without adverse effects.

Once they do enter battle, both Dewback and rider can again come together to unleash a powerful attack. Combining the Dewback’s razor-sharp claws with the Sandtrooper’s shock prod creates a unique attack that is both deadly and sends panic running through the targeted unit. Such an attack requires engaging an enemy unit up close, of course, but luckily the Dewback’s thick and scaly hide create a natural layer of protective armor against incoming attacks.

Before a Dewback can unleash one of these powerful melee attacks, though, it first needs to engage with an enemy unit, which can be quite difficult for these lumbering lizards. With its rider carefully guiding its movements, the Dewback can reposition before or after moving, putting itself in position to march directly at an enemy unit. Better yet, the rider relentlessly drives the beast forward, allowing them to immediately perform an attack after moving. 

  

As powerful as its melee attack may be, it is only the most basic option available to a Dewback Rider. You can just as easily outfit the Sandtrooper with three other weapons that make them effective in a variety of situations. If you’d like a highly mobile trooper who can pick off targets from a distance, a RT-97C Blaster Rifle  extends the Sandtroopers range, making the unit effective both up close and from a distance. Those who want a better chance of hitting their targets regardless of cover or armor, on the other hand, can make use of a  T-21 Blaster Rifle  for the maximum amount of fire. Alternatively, your Dewback Rider can clear swathes of the battlefield with a  CR-24 Flame Rifle,  paving the way for the rest of your troops. 

Whether attacking from afar or bullying opposing units with their sizeable bulk, a Dewback Rider can support Imperial ground operations in a variety of ways, making them invaluable tools to any Imperial commander.

Show Your Might

Towering above all but the largest units, a Dewback is an initimidating symbol of the Empire’s strength. With one in your army, you can remind your enemies of this strengthe every time it takes the battlefield. 

Look for the Dewback Rider Unit Expansion (SWL42) and the Imperial Shoretroopers Unit Expansion (SWL41) at your local retailer in the third of 2019. Pre-order your copies at your local retailer or online through our website—with free shipping in the continental United States—here!