Rebels vs. Empire

[IDKCharlie]

So I noticed some major differences between Rebels and Empire. I just got it recently, so can a more experienced player correct me on this? The empire has cheaper units (Like Stormtrooper is 300 while rebel soldier is 320) and more variety. The Rebels earn credits faster and have faster-moving vehicles (in general)

[duo131]

A broad generalization would be that Rebels have better ground forces (plex troopers and speeders) and Empire has better space forces.

[IDKCharlie]

Thanks

[butterfingers158]

For base game or FoC? Base game I'd agree that Empire is better in space, but in FoC I disagree. If Interdictors didn't exist, B-Wings and MC30c frigates would totally demolish the Empire.

[funewchie]

To be honest, I've never noticed that kind of difference; especially since those unit costs will change depending on what worlds you own, or if a certain unit (i.e. Palpatine/Mon Mothma) is currently at the world.

As for speed, you might be onto something.
The rebels seem faster, because a lot of their ground units are repulsor (hovering) craft, and so move pretty quickly. Further, the Empire does tend to be a bit slower, because a lot of their ground forces are Walkers, and so lumber on legs rather slowly.

Rebels probably make more money, because while the Empire has to build research labs to advance in technology, the Rebels have to buy (steal) technology one unit type at a time, and thus would need the extra credits.

In general, the difference is that the Empire smashes a world with brute force, while the rebels have to whittle down the opposition, slowly weakening them. It might take several Raids to weaken the Empire enough to land a proper force. Even in space, just taking out certain units (i.e. Imperial Star Destroyers) or the Space Station is a victory, even if you are defeated.

So the Rebels favor multiple waves, doing chip damage to the enemy fleet/base/garrison; while the Empire favors all-out, crushing force, taking the base in one fell swoop.

[duo131]

@butterfingers800 I would have to agree about FoC. B-wings are a complete game changer from the original.

@funewchie I have to agree that victory for ground forces for the empire rely on massive deployment of troops. It seems like (at least with ground forces) that the empire has a specific unit that excels at only one thing while failing at anything else while the Rebels have a sort of adaptability/survibility to them due to the shields on most the ground force vehicles.
I have to agree raid fleets are the way to go with Rebels, it gives you an extreme advantage in the way you fight.

[funewchie]

Of course, once the Empire starts fielding AT-AT's, then the battlefield changes. The rebels will have a time trying to take them down, at least until they finally gain the Snowspeeders.

Until then, the rebels will especially have to rely on bombing runs to handle AT-AT's...except that you have to have a Y-wing squadron in orbit to have that option; so in a Raid, that might be an issue.

And once the Empire builds the Death Star...land battles quickly become irrelevant, don't they?

[butterfingers158]

Snowspeeders are useless. 1 company of AT-AA will kill infinite speeders, I'm pretty sure they one shot them.

[funewchie]

Originally posted by butterfingers800:

Snowspeeders are useless. 1 company of AT-AA will kill infinite speeders, I'm pretty sure they one shot them.

Like other units, that's where the strategy and tactics parts come in. You have to take out the AT-AA's, which are pitiful against ground units (especially PLEX soldiers, which AT-AT's have trouble killing quickly), and then send the Snowspeeders against the AT-AT's, since they can bring them down pretty quick.

[butterfingers158]

You'd be better served just killing the AT-AT, especially since AT-AA have an anti-missle field.

[funewchie]

Originally posted by butterfingers800:

You'd be better served just killing the AT-AT, especially since AT-AA have an anti-missle field.

I haven't faced many AT-AA's, so I didn't know about that jamming field. But then, what are you going to kill the AT-AT with? Anything bigger than infantry-size will get quickly scrapped by the AT-AT, and the AT-AA will shoot down both Snowspeeders and Y-Wing bombers, so... PLEX soldiers are about all that's left.

I don't suppose AT-AA's are just as helpless in jamming mode as Interdictor Cruisers are? (For those new to the game, Interdictors are defenseless when jamming hyperspace and/or missiles)

[butterfingers158]

They are helpless, but they come in companies of 3 so 1 can jam while 2 can still fire. It isn't an infinite jam like interdictors, I have not paid enough attention to the cooldown to know if a group of 3 could loop it endlessly.

[duo131]

The problem is you have to field the AT-AA's. AT-AA versing anything else other than flying units is a waste. I haven't versed a computer opponent that used them; only other people.

[IDKCharlie]

Snow speeders are not that bad. You can send them somewhere fast for raids on mines and turrets (other than anti-aircraft turrets).