The sequel to Star Wars Battlefront will feature many popular Star Wars characters as playable heroes.
Gamers who have wanted to get a feeling for the force lightning of Emperor Palpatine, the raw power of Chewbacca or the acrobatic combat skills of Darth Maul can now fulfill their destinies in Star Wars Battlefront II.
In its partnership with Dice Studios, EA has revealed many of the playable heroes for the game, which will be available to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One users on Friday, Nov. 17. The cast of characters represents both sides of several generations of the Star Wars saga, including a few wild card characters.
These playable heroes will be available for game players in both single-player battle modes against the game’s artificial intelligence along with multiplayer battles as well. On the vast myriad of immersive maps, these characters will show off a wide array of specific abilities that are sure to make them devastating to nearby enemies.
Five of the characters who have been confirmed so far are carry-overs from 2015’s EA Star Wars Battlefront, while the others are new to this game. The five who are brought forward to Battlefront II have abilities and powers that have correspondingly been updated.
Without any further delay, the 10 playable heroes thus far revealed by Dice and EA begin with one of the central figures from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
Rey
The girl from Jakku with a mysterious past which more will be revealed about in Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi is still learning to use her Force abilities in the films, but players of Battlefront II can take full advantage of her combat and Force abilities when the game is released.
The first ability that gamers will be able to use is a common one for characters who wield a lightsaber, as Rey does in the game. It’s called “Dash Strike” and features Rey sprinting forward, saber slashing enemies at a furious pace.
Rey’s other two abilities have more to do with her Force sensitivity. Using “Mind Trick,” Rey disorients her enemies for a short time. With “Insight”, Rey comes to a stop and uses the Force to sense the presence of enemies in the vicinity.
Rey might be highly susceptible to taking damage in open battle, but clever gamers will rarely have her in that position through using her abilities to set her up to claim victory before the battle ever begins.
While Rey’s story is still being told, the next playable hero on the list is perhaps the most well-known Star Wars character of all time.
Darth Vader
The first of the five carry-overs from Star Wars Battlefront, the Battlefront II rendition of the Dark Lord of the Sith is complete with Vader’s most iconic abilities.
Like the earlier version, Vader can eliminate enemies using “Saber Throw,” which is exactly what it sounds like. Additionally, Vader can use the force to suffocate his enemies at a distance with “Force Choke.” “Focused Rage” allows Vader to connect to the dark side of the Force through his anger, making him able to sustain greater damage while doling out additional punishment.
Altogether, Vader’s only weakness in battle may be a lack of speed, which makes him vulnerable to ranged attacks like grenades or mines. Blaster fire can backfire given Vader’s ability to reflect the blasts. Engaging him in close combat will prove to be a very painful experience.
The next character got to know very well the pain of being up close and personal with Vader in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
Han Solo
The sometimes-estranged husband of General Leia Skywalker and father of Ben Solo, better known as Kylo Ren, is another carryover from the first game. True to the films, Solo’s strength lies in his ability to use his DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol.
His “Six Shooter” ability from the first game hasn’t been brought forward, but there is a similar aspect to Solo’s game in this version. “Sharpshooter” allows Han to rapidly fire his blaster with great precision for a few seconds, delaying the cool-down on the weapon.
Solo also comes armed with a range attack, as “Detonite Charge” allows him to lob a grenade that sticks to enemies. Solo can then detonate the weapon at his leisure. Finally, Solo gets physical with “Shoulder Charge.” Similar to Rey’s “Dash Strike,” Solo sprints into enemies and knocks them over.
Solo’s best chance at survival is to keep himself out of harm’s way until the situation turns to his advantage and then spring his attack. To defeat him, an opponent should do as much damage to him as quickly as possible.
Solo is an important part of the film lore for fans. The next character will be completely unfamiliar to fans of the films, however, because she has just been created for this game.
Iden Versio
Versio is an Imperial special forces unit commander who has been created for the single-player campaign mode in Battlefront II. Players should enjoy using her ingenuity and combat skills in other modes of the game, however.
One of the advantages that Imperial forces always enjoy is superior technology. Versio is no exception, as she can use “Droid Shield.” Her loyal Imperial droid creates a protective shield around her when called upon. The droid amplifies Versio’s effectiveness in battle in another way with “Stun Droid.”
With this ability, enemies are temporarily stunned. Making this ability even more powerful is the fact that it can chain from one enemy to the next. Versio’s final ability is in her weaponry, with “Pulse Cannon.” This is a long-range, charged shot that does heavy damage to enemies in its path.
Versio’s weakness is in hand-to-hand combat, but with her trusty droid and a powerful weapon, the chances of her getting into that situation are slim.
Versio’s story begins with the Empire’s final days, but the next character was a part of the chain of events that led to its creation.
Darth Maul
Most of Maul’s abilities are strongly similar to those of the first Sith Lord on this list, but Maul’s use of them has a much more acrobatic, elegant, almost ninja-like dynamic whereas Darth Vader is more typified by brute force.
Using “Furious Throw,” Maul’s double-bladed lightsaber gets hurled at enemies, like a fidget spinner of death. Maul replicates that action using his entire body in “Spin Attack.”
Using “Choke Hold,” Maul grabs enemies within close proximity, lifts them into the air by their throats, then slams them to the ground.
The easiest way to defeat Maul, if easy is an applicable term, would be to have allies and stagger attacks in waves. In that way, his enemies can turn his focused attacks into a vulnerability.
The next hero would be a formidable foe for Maul, mainly because of his advanced skill in using the Force.
Luke Skywalker
One of the most powerful Jedi in the history of the order has new powers in Battlefront II, and they are an improvement from the earlier game.
While these abilities are powerful, they are quite simple. “Push” is exactly what it sounds like, in which Skywalker throws his enemies across the map. “Repulse” is quite similar but does much more damage.
“Rush” is almost the polar opposite of Skywalker’s first two abilities; instead of creating distance between himself and his enemies, Skywalker quickly closes the gap to his advantage.
As Skywalker’s abilities are powerful but simple, that is how an advantage can be wrought by his enemies. Laying traps in his path like mines and grenades can prove effective against him.
As with all saber-wielders, Skywalker can also deflect/reflect blaster fire. That ability to deflect enemy attacks would come in handy when facing the next character on this list.
Emperor Palpatine
The embodiment of the Sith, Palpatine uses his legendary connection to the dark side of the Force with even more efficacy in Battlefront II than he did in the first game.
“Electrocute” features Palpatine using his infamous Force Lightning to fry enemies, but it has an even more powerful alternative. “Chain Lightning” is the same power amplified to spread from one enemy to others in Palpatine’s vicinity. There is an even darker ability yet that Papa Palpatine wields, however.
“Dark Aura” is akin to Rey’s “Mind Trick” in that it confuses enemies for a short period of time, allowing Palpatine to traverse the map in their presence unharmed.
As was mentioned in Return of the Jedi, Palpatine’s arrogance is his weakness. If a player can weather the storm of the initial barrage and engage him in close combat, an advantage can be gained.
Palpatine came to power not through brute force, but through manipulation, which is often done with money. That’s all that the next character on the list is interested in.
Bossk
The reptilian bounty hunter briefly included in Empire is a fun addition to Battlefront II because of his unique outfitting.
Bossk is the only character revealed thus far who uses gas against his enemies with his “Dioxis Grenade.” Additionally, Bossk stays true to bounty hunter form by sniping targets from afar with his Relby V-10 blaster.
Bossk’s other two abilities both exist in regard to the rest of his arsenal. He uses his reptilian heat-sensing powers and strength as he arms micro grenades in “Predator Instincts.” Finally, Bossk mirrors Solo’s “Detonite Charge” with “Proximity Mines,” three sticky bombs that detonate upon Bossk’s command.
When not using “Predator Instincts” Bossk is highly susceptible to taking damage. Opponents facing him should charge him in a random pattern and engage him in close combat to take him down.
Like Bossk, the next character has no allegiance to the Republic, Empire, Rebellion, First Order or Resistance. He’s all about the money.
Boba Fett
The most famous bounty hunter in Star Wars lore has quite a litany of appearances in media of all kinds, so it’s only natural that he be playable in Battlefront II.
This update from the 2015 game gives Fett a truly unstoppable ability called “For the Hunt.” While using it, Fett’s Mandalorian jetpack has unlimited fuel, Fett doesn’t appear on enemies’ radars, and he acquires intel as to where those opponents are.
While in flight or on foot, Fett can use a devastating weapon called “Rocket Barrage.” When utilized, three small rockets fire from Fett’s wrist. Their size doesn’t mean that opponents shouldn’t fear them, however.
Fett’s final ability is “Concussion Rocket,” thorough which he fires a single rocket from the top of his jetpack that stuns enemies. Defeating Fett will be difficult, but it can be done if an opponent can get close enough to engage him in close combat.
The final character revealed by Dice and EA so far has been one of Fett’s targets.
Chewbacca
The most famous member of the Wookie race wields his famous crossbow and utilizes his tremendous strength to his great advantage in Battlefront II.
With “Shock Grenade,” Chewie launches a grenade that breaks up into several smaller parts that electrocute multiple enemies. The legendary Wookie growl comes out when players call upon “Furious Bowcaster.”
In this ability, Chewbacca’s roar precedes him overcharging his crossbow and sending out devastating blasts from the weapon. Finally, “Charge Slam” depicts Chewie launching into a sprint and powerfully striking the ground in front of enemies, knocking them off their feet.
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While there are rumors swirling about other playable heroes such as Kylo Ren and Yoda, these are the only ones who have had their abilities and inclusion confirmed by Dice and/or EA. As more is revealed, further updates will be posted. Until then, gamers can study this information to prepare themselves for the launch of Battlefront II on Nov. 17.