Shadow Guards are much more fearsome then the Senate Guards you've been facing. For one, they have mastery of the Force, unlike even some of the Jedi you've faced so far. They can use Push, Lightning, and even Grip. The lightning isn't so much painful as it just slows you down. When they pick you up with Grip, rapidly press B O to escape.

Emperor's Shadow Guard

TheEmperor's Shadow Guard is a new fighting force based on EmperorPalpatine's elite Royal Guard. Completely mute and rarely seen inpublic, they are dispatched on special missions as directed by theEmperor himself. It is rumored by some that the Shadow Guard areactually corrupted Jedi whose minds have been altered -- but as withall rumors, one must consider the source.

The Shadow Guard wears a black variation of the Royal Guard armor,the most apparent difference being the color scheme. The Shadow Guard'sgreatest secret is that they receive some basic Force training thatenables them to use a unique weapon called a lightsaber pike, which hasa lightsaber blade at one end. (The roleplaying game statistics belowreflect those of a Shadow Guard Initiate who has just begun the secrettraining.)

In the Star Wars Miniatures Game, the Emperor's ShadowGuard is one of several new types of Imperial troops. On the surface,the Shadow Guard appears to be an improved version of the Royal Guard.However, there are several significant differences that will lead youto use this piece in a very different way.

To start off with, the cost of this unit is over twice that of theRoyal Guard. Those are points well spent, as you get three times thenumber of hit points, better defense, more special abilities, and theaddition of Force powers. The attack and damage values remain the same.The Bodyguard ability has been dropped, so you will have no extraincentive to keep the Shadow Guard close to the Emperor or other unitsyou are defending.

The Shadow Guards can be much more aggressive, especially with theirsuperior hit points and Stealth ability to survive a few hits whileclosing with their opponents. Their Lightsaber Block power is a niceaddition to their defense, but it is limited to one use unless they arein a squad where they can occasionally use Force points from anothercharacter able to share them -- such as the Emperor, appropriatelyenough.

Star Wars Miniatures Stat Card Preview

Faction: Imperial
Cost: 23
Hit Points: 90
Defense: 19
Attack: + 8
Damage: 20
Special Abilities: Cunning Attack, Deadly Attack, Melee Attack, Stealth
Force Powers: Force 1, Lightsaber Block

Star Wars Roleplaying Game: Saga Edition Statistics

Imperial Shadow Guard Initiate

CL 10

Medium Human nonheroic 6/Soldier 6/Elite Trooper 1/Force Adept 1
Force 3; Dark Side 7
Init +17; Senses low-light vision, Perception +16
Languages Basic

Defenses Ref 21 (flat-footed 20), Fort 22, Will 24
hp 63; Threshold 22
Speed 4 squares
Melee lightsaber pike +12* (3d8+7**) or
Melee unarmed +13 (1d6+6) or
Ranged heavy blaster pistol +11 (3d8+4)
Base Atk +11; Grp +13
Atk Options Point Blank Shot, Power Attack
Special Actions Damage Reduction 10, Delay Damage
Abilities Str 14, Dex 10, Con 11, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 9
Talents Armored Defense, Damage Reduction 10, Empower Weapon, Equilibrium, Power of the Dark Side
FeatsArmor Proficiencies (light, medium), Cleave, Exotic Weapon Proficiency(lightsaber pike), Force Sensitivity, Martial Arts I, Point Blank Shot[9th level], Power Attack, Skill Focus (Initiative), Skill Training(Use the Force), Weapon Proficiencies (pistols, rifles, simple weapons)
Skills Initiative +17, Perception +16, Use the Force +11
PossessionsShadow Guard armor (+7 armor; as ceremonial armor with helmet package),lightsaber pike, heavy blaster pistol, comlink (encrypted, long-range[miniaturized], holo capability), utility belt with medpac

* Includes 1 point of Power Attack
** Includes +1 damage die for Empower Weapon

Vader's Apprentice, Unleashed

Froman early age, the Apprentice was secretly raised by Darth Vader, whotrained him in the power of the dark side of the Force. By the time theSecret Apprentice reached adulthood, Vader's training had made him oneof the most powerful Force-wielders in the galaxy. After Order 66,Vader sent the Secret Apprentice on missions to destroy the last of theJedi, and he became one the most lethal weapons Vader had at hisdisposal. (The roleplaying game statistics below represent Vader'sprotégé fairly early in his apprenticeship, before he manifests histrue potential by unleashing the Force.)

In the Star Wars Miniatures Game, Vader's Apprentice,Unleashed fills an interesting niche. While he can act as a low-cost'beat stick' -- he is not much behind the likes of Lord Vader or DarthVader, Jedi Hunter, at least in terms of basic statistics -- he hasonly Double Attack to augment his actual attacks. Thus, he can't standagainst top-tier melee uniques without substantial backup.

Instead, Vader's Apprentice, Unleashed has a value that buildsduring the game. His Force powers cost too much to activate early inthe game, so normally he will have to let Force Renewal build up for atleast a few rounds before he can use his best abilities. Given thatForce Lightning 4 and 5 have the ability to deal damage comparable toan AT-AT and leave the targets activated (with the higherversion affecting multiple targets), this can be a coup de grace thatbrings a skirmish to a quick end. Even better, if Vader's Apprentice,Unleashed can be given a source of extra Force Points (such as EmperorPalpatine from Rebel Storm or Rebels and Imperials), hecan use this tactic much earlier in the game, crippling an opponent'scentral character and potentially changing the flow of the entire fight.

Star Wars Miniatures Game Stat Card Preview

Faction: Imperial
Cost: 48
Hit Points: 130
Defense: 20
Attack: +13
Damage: 20
Special Abilities: Unique, Melee Attack, Double Attack
Force Powers:Force 2, Force Renewal 1, Force Lightning 4 (Force 4, replaces attacks:range 6; 50 damage to target. Huge or smaller characters are consideredactivated this round; save 16), Force Lightning 5 (Force 5, replacesturn: range 6; 60 damage to target and 2 characters adjacent to thattarget. Huge or smaller characters are considered activated this round;save 16) Fallout 3 unique chinese assault rifle.

Star Wars Roleplaying Game: Saga Edition Statistics

Vader's Apprentice (early apprenticeship)

CL 10

Medium Human Jedi 7/Jedi Knight 3
Destiny 2; Force 5; Dark Side 15
Init +11; Senses Perception +7
Languages Basic

Defenses Ref 23 (flat-footed 21), Fort 23, Will 24
hp 93; Threshold 23
Speed 6 squares
Melee lightsaber +15 (2d8+10) or
Melee lightsaber +13 (3d8+10) with Rapid Strike or
Melee lightsaber +17 (3d8+15) with Rapid Strike and Powerful Charge
Base Atk +10; Grp +13
Atk Options Powerful Charge, Rapid Strike
Special Actions Block, Deflect, Redirect Shot
Force Powers Known (Use the Force +17): corruption, Force grip, Force lightning, Force slam, Force thrust, mind trick, move object, repulse, and surge
Abilities Str 16, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 15
Special Qualities Improved Force thrust
Talents Block, Deflect, Juyo, Redirect Shot, Soresu, Telekinetic Savant, Weapon Specialization (lightsaber)
FeatsForce Sensitivity, Force Training (2), Powerful Charge, Rapid Strike,Skill Focus (Use the Force), Strong in the Force, Unleashed, WeaponFocus (lightsabers), Weapon Proficiency (lightsabers, simple weapons)
Skills Acrobatics +11, Initiative +11, Perception +7, Use the Force +17
Possessions lightsaber, dark clothing, comlink