Okay, a bit of an exaggeration, but the new description page really opened my eyes to just how thematic this dial was with a simple phrase: "just like in the movies." I hadn't really thought about the Rebels racing against the clock until I read that part of the description. Let's look at some examples of the Rebels racing against time in the movies.

A New Hope:
Rescue the princess before she's executed.
Destroy the death star before it clears the planet.

The Empire Strikes Back:
Evacuate Echo Base before the Imperials overrun it.
Get the hyperdrive fixed before getting captured.
Rescue Han from the Bounty Hunter before he gets away.

Return of the Jedi:
Destroy the death star before it's operational.
Destroy the shield generator before the fleet arrives.

That's not really as extensive of a list as I was expecting, but the point is that they made it sound much more thematic than I ever gave it credit for, and I think it could really work if I just gave it a chance . . . if.

Don't be too proud of this technological terror FFG have constructed…

But seriously, I don't mind it at all, I just had to get the joke in

I agree. While I initially felt that the dial mechanic was a bit tacked-on (I still do somewhat), the concept of the light side racing against time fits perfectly with the theme. With this aspect of the game, at least, I have no complaints.

 But the DS dial could've easily been "just another" objective(card).

It's not a make or break thing for me but i'm still in the less-dials-more-cards/objectives-corner.

It's just an excuse for FFG put another dial in their games….

I'm not usually a fan of the purposeful misquote, but this thread has quite possibly just made my day 

Cool, there's a theme for Rebels vs. Imperials… but what about Jedi vs Sith?  Or Smugglers and Spies vs Scum and Villany?  Or anything prequel era?  Or anything New Republic era?  It's a cool theme, but the theme is too narrow for the scope of the card game.

(Note: my main worry about the dial is the difficulty keeping the sides balanced, not the theme… but the theme isn't great.  In general, the strength of the game seems to be in game play more than Star Wars feel)

dbmeboy said:

It's not actually representing a Death Star being built though. It just happens to be Death Star shaped. It more represents the Dark Side gathering enough strength to crush the galaxy, or the Rebellion, or to pull off something so horrible like a planet blowing up that the Light Side takes a morale loss. I think that general theme can be equated to the other eras or factions easily enough.

Speaking of which, I really hope we do see deluxe big box expansions down the road with New Republic and Prequel era factions. I don't see why they wouldn't. That'd be so freaking cool to see General Grievous, Maul, Dooku, Mace Windu, Jacen and Jaina, etc, etc done up with this fantastic art. The mixing of eras would maybe be a bit off thematically but who cares, I say. It'd be awesome and fun, and if a Rancor can destroy a capital starship in this game then who cares if the eras get a little wacky. Bring on GRIEVOUS!

 I vote for no prequel material.

Bolfa Fluffbelly said:

*waves hand*

"You want to go home and rethink your life."

dbmeboy said:

While it's true that the death star being constructed is completely superfluous to many factions, the fact that the light side is racing against the clock seems to be pretty consistent across factions to me.

Mattr0polis said:

Nah man, i like Star Wars not Shit Wars.

And Jedi mind tricks only work on the weak minded. 

Bolfa Fluffbelly said:

Why?  Just because the movies didn't stand up to the originals doesn't mean the story and the characters aren't worth using.

EU characters are one of the main reasons I'm excited that FFG went with original art.

ScottieATF said:

This. I'm imagining all kinds of awesome pods, like a 'Wipe Them Out, All Of Them' objective with Maul, his double-bladed lightsaber, his Sith speeder, a dueling event, etc. Or Grievous and his Droid Army, or same kind of themey things with Jaina, or Corran Horn, or Grand Admiral Thrawn with his ysalamiri, etc. etc.

Including the prequels and EU opens up unlimited cool possibilities for diehard Star Wars fans.

ScottieATF said:

I didn't say no EU (there's plenty of EU in the core by the look of some of the art), i said no prequel shit.

EU-stuff that existed before, hmm let's say May 19th 1999' is okay in my book. Not saying all EU is great or even good, but i like Zahn's books and alot of the old Star Wars videogames eu (Dark Forces series, X-wing series etc). There is really no need to go prequel for a loooong long time either.

But hey, my wishes rarely materialize. Maybe you'll get lucky and get Jar-jar in the first expansion.

Bolfa Fluffbelly said:

No one has said anything about Jar-Jar, but my not even going near the Prequels you are cutting out a lot of good characters.  But we get it,  you're "Old School".