Star Wars: Shatterpoint – New Campaign Mode For Key Operations Available
Atomic Mass Games is introducing a new Campaign Mode for Key Operations in Star Wars: Shatterpoint. It’s time to level-up your games!
Key Operations were already an alternate way to play Star Wars: Shatterpoint. As a series of linked campaign missions these Key Operations allow you to create a story line between the Aggressor and Sentinel players. Now, AMG is adding a new layer on top of that with an enhanced Campaign Mode.
Star Wars: Shatterpoint Campaign Mode
“A Campaign is made up of two kinds of Key Operations. Three Campaign Operations and one Last Chance Operation. The Campaign Operations are played in order until the Aggressor is defeated in a Key Operation. When this happens the next Key Operation played will be the Last Chance Mission, representing what the Aggressor must do to get back on track in the Campaign.”
On top of the new structure of the campaigns, the path to victory is also different based on which side you’re playing. For the Aggressor player, they need to complete all three campaign missions successfully to calm victory. For the Sentinel Player they just need to defeat the Aggressor player twice. Personally, I think this asymmetrical win condition is interesting. While each mission has straightforward win conditions this overarching campaign structure presents an interesting challenge to both players. I like the fact that the campaign length really depends on how your games go. They can be as short as two games or they last up to four.
Veteran Units and Experience
In Campaign Mode, players can also level-up their units. Each player must pick a Veteran unit for the duration of the campaign. They also choose an Advantage Pack to use as well. As your veterans gain experience this unlocks these advantages for them to use on the tabletop. Currently, there’s only two Advantage Packs (one for the Aggressor and one for the Sentinel). More are planned for later.
These Advantage Packs consist of three tiers of Advantages with three Advantages in each for a total of nine options. How you choose the Advantages is also based on the Experience you have gained in the campaign.
I do think the dice-rolling mechanic is interesting for the unlocks. But I also don’t know if it’s entirely needed. Maybe that’s just my independent “I wanna choose my own leveling up path” streak coming out. However, I’m willing to give it a go right out of the gate just to experience this mode as they designed it initially. I think you really need that “vanilla” experience before you start making tweaks or house rules to things.
Free Campaign Mode Downloads
Overall the new Campaign Mode does sound fun and the upgrades/leveling up Advantages can be rather potent. I also like that the upgrades don’t feel like a “win more” mechanic. The loser actually getting two experience vs one does allow them to play catch-up a bit. Plus, with the campaigns only going to a max of four games, this structure feels short enough that Veteran Units can’t get too crazy.
If Campaign Mode sounds like something you’d like to try then there’s good news: It’s free to download! There’s two key downloads you’ll want (along with the Key Operations).
- Key Operations Rules – Check Appendix B for Campaign rules
- Campaign Advantage Cards – A Print-and-Play document
So grab a buddy and gather your Strike Teams and prepare for Campaign Mode!
Aggressor or Sentinel — you’ve got your own job to do!
