Star Wars: Shatterpoint review – “Dynamic and fast-moving”
Star Wars: Shatterpoint review - "Dynamic and fast-moving"
Star Wars: Shatterpoint – A Skirmish Game with a Twist
It’s easy to overlook Star Wars: Shatterpoint amidst a sea of skirmish games, especially since Atomic Mass Games already has the fantastic Star Wars: Legion in their lineup. But don’t be too quick to dismiss Shatterpoint! While Legion captures the epic scale of Star Wars battles, Shatterpoint brings the fast and fluid combat of the prequel trilogy and the Clone Wars animated series to life. Think of it as Kill Team versus 40K, but with lightsabers and droids.
The Shatterpoint starter set may seem a bit pricey (around $164.99 in the US or £150 in the UK), but it’s worth every penny. Packed with enough miniatures for two strike teams representing the Republic and Separatists, there’s plenty of content to explore. The models themselves are impressive, with their sleek design and crisp detail. Just be careful with those lightsabers – they’re a bit delicate! Even if you’re not the best painter, you can still get them to a decent standard with Contrast or Speed Paint.
But it’s not just about the miniatures. Shatterpoint also comes with 23 pieces of terrain, including buildings, walkways, and crates. Height and cover play a crucial role in gameplay, adding depth to the tactical experience. However, you may find yourself wanting more expansion packs to fully dive into all the game’s possibilities. And while there are no assembly instructions in the box, you can easily download them from the Atomic Mass Games’ website. It’s a small annoyance, but hey, we gamers love our miniatures!
In Shatterpoint, heroes take the spotlight. The game revolves around forming strike teams composed of two heroes and a support unit. Each character brings their unique abilities and playstyles to the table, creating exciting and dynamic battles. Objective-based gameplay is the name of the game, with victories earned through taking objectives or collecting Momentum tokens by inflicting damage. And don’t worry, list building is a breeze. Simply choose your Primary, Secondary, and Supporting Units, and you’re ready to go!
Combat in Shatterpoint is where the game truly shines. The dice-based system, combined with character-specific Combat Trees, offers a refreshing take on skirmish combat. Oh, and activations? Well, they’re randomized! While some might find this controversial, it injects tension and uncertainty. You might draw a Clone Trooper card when you desperately need Ahsoka to save the day. It forces you to make tough choices and adapt on the fly!
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Is Star Wars: Shatterpoint Worth it?
If you’re a tabletop gamer and a Star Wars fan, Shatterpoint is a must-have. It’s unique, full of personality, and captures the essence of the Clone Wars series. While it might not dethrone Games Workshop’s Warcry as my personal favorite skirmish game, it holds its own and provides hours of fun.
Buy it if…
- You want an accessible but compelling wargame that focuses on heroes and villains.
- You crave something unique and full of personality, with a novel Combat Tree system.
- You’re a Star Wars enthusiast looking for one of the best Star Wars board games around.
Don’t buy it if…
- You prefer complete control over character activations, as Shatterpoint adds a touch of randomness.
- You tend to be a bit clumsy with miniatures, as some parts can be fragile.
At the end of the day, our Shatterpoint experience was filled with excitement and epic Star Wars moments. Plus, if you’re curious about the competition, check out our reviews of Warhammer Underworlds: Gnarlwood and Godtear!
Note: This review of Star Wars: Shatterpoint was made with a copy of the game provided by the publisher.
