Star Wars Pocket Model Ground Assault - First Look

After discovering that the contact lens solution I use is either having supply issues or has been discontinued, I went to my local Target store looking for it. While there, I took a diversion down the CCG isle to see if they carried Battleground: Fantasy Warfare. Not surprisingly, they did not, but they had a box full of the Star Wars Pocket Model: Ground Assault boosters. Ground Assault is the first expansion on Wizkids's Star Wars Pocket Model game. For the most part, it only adds new units and cards to the game. Though several new attributes have been added as well. The only addition to the rules are ground units. Since this is Star Wars, ground units come in classic favorites such as the AT-AT, and the AT-ST. Some oddball ones, such as the Tie Crawler(Is this a real unit?), have been tossed in. Not all of the units are ground units as this expansion also introduces landing craft and a few a more starships.

As for how the ground units can act, they have limitations on engaging the starships, but have a more powerful attack when striking your opponent's objectives. Its not a far stretch to imagine a battle which involves ground units and space craft. Many of the ships in the Star Wars universe can operate inside the atmosphere. But this image only works if the battle is taking place on a single planet. Objectives can be from several planets(or Battlestations such as the Death Star). While just about every miniature war game requires the player have some level of supension of disbelief, I just cannot get the image of an AT-AT gracefully galloping through space from planet to planet out of my head...

At this point things just break down for me. We reviewed this game on Episode 14 of the Tabletop Battlefield and we were not to thrilled by it. Personally, I thought the game was better before we discovered we were playing the game wrong. Our mistake only involved the way battles were resolved. As a result, I doubt we will or even that we need to do a full review of this game. Besides, I want to end the year on a good note with Starcraft The Board Game by Fantasy Flight Games.

Just a note for everyone new to the game: You might happen to see a special 30th Anniversary Battle for Hoth Tin. That pack is not a starter set for SW Pocket Model. It contains 13 models and 30 cards and thats it. So that means it has no game rules or instructions on how to build the figures. If you do decide to pick that pack up, get at least one booster as well to get the rules and figure construction info.