Mutants & Death Ray Guns Report: Star Wars - "Rogue Two"

BEN KENOBI AND DARTH VADER BATTLE OVER A SECOND SET OF DEATH STAR PLANS

This game was played using the basic rules of “Mutants And Death Ray Guns” by “Ganesha Games”, and was 'thrown together' using some pre-painted "Wizards Of The Coast" miniatures in order to represent the Rebellion's attempt to steal a second copy of the Death Star plans on the planet Scarif. The scenario comprised of a party of six Pure Human characters facing a smaller (but better equipped) gang of Pure Humans across a 2’ x 2’ tabletop populated with Island Palms by “Battlefront Miniatures”.

“The story so far… During the Battle of Scarif a shuttle containing a copy of the Death Star plans has been blasted into pieces before it could reach Princess Leia's CR90 corvette. Believing that she could still recover the data from the wreckage, Organa has enlisted the help of Jedi Knight Ben Kenobi and flown to the planet's surface on a recovery mission. Unfortunately, Grand Moff Tarkin, aware of the shuttle's fate, has also arrived at the crash site, and together with Darth Vader, is personally scouring the area for the battle station's schematics..."

THE TABLETOP - THE PLANET SCARIFF

Landing on of northwestern corner of the tropical planet, the Rebel's mission was to visit three debris locations (Objectives Alpha, Beta and Omega) and extract as much valuable data as was hidden there. The Empire, arriving in the southeastern corner, had to try and stop Princess Leia, and additionally retrieve as much of the Death Star plans as they could. No-one would know how much information had survived the crash at the three locations until they had used an Action to search for it.

Because all of the Stormtroopers were wearing their instantly recognisable white armour, they were all treated as having Flak Jackets, and carried Assault Rifles to represent their E-11 blaster rifles. Darth Vader had some additional special rules for being both a Hero [always automatically rolls one success, regardless of their Quality] and the group's Champion [+1 to Combat Score]. He was armed with a Powered Weapon [+2 in Melee Combat unless opponent is wearing a force field] and was given a Force Field in order to better replicate a Sith at the height of his defensive powers. Grand Moff Tarkin was armed with a Pistol and a Fragmentation Grenade, and was the group's Leader [Quality increases by +1].

GRAND MOFF TARKIN INSTIGATES HIS PLAN TO RETRIEVE THE DEATH STAR SCHEMATICS

The Rebel Troopers all wore Flak Jackets, and were armed with Pistols (to represent DH-17 blaster pistols). They were also given the Slippery skill to allow them to retreat from hand-to-hand combat without penalty. Obi-Wan Kenobi had the special rules Hero and Champion. He was armed with a Powered Weapon, and was treated as wearing Flak Armour to represent his aged skills with a 'swirling' lightsaber. Princess Leia was armed with a Pistol and a Fragmentation Grenade, and was the group's Leader.

Confidently striding northwest, Lord Vader made his way directly towards Objective Beta in the centre of the battlefield. Behind him, Tarkin began moving west, just south of some palm trees, with an accompanying stormtrooper providing the Grand Moff with some protection. Two more 'bucketheads' headed north in the direction of Objective Alpha.

Realising that the Sith Lord could not be allowed to dominate the middle ground, Ben Kenobi began hurrying towards Objective Beta himself. Perhaps it was time for the former friends to meet one another a final time..? Behind the 'Clone Wars' general, a couple of Rebel troopers started to fan out towards Objective Omega. Whilst Leia and another of her men, raced east towards Objective Alpha.

BEN KENOBI RACES TOWARDS DARTH VADER TO STOP THE SITH LORD IN HIS TRACKS

Straining his elderly muscles, Obi-Wan managed to get within touching distance of the crash debris at Objective Beta. He momentarily smiled as he realised he had arrived before his 'young' padawan. Surely the Force was with him. Unfortunately however behind him, perhaps somewhat intimidated by how powerful Anakin Skywalker had become, the Rebel advance faltered and no-one else moved...

To the north, one stormtrooper continued on his journey towards Objective Alpha, whilst his companion fired at the 'crazy old wizard'. Sensing the attack, Ben easily batted away the shot with a flick of his lightsaber. Hearing the sound of battle commencing, Tarkin increased his pace west and momentarily spotted Darth Vader purposefully stomping up to the elderly Jedi Master; an epic confrontation was about to occur...

THE OLD JEDI KNIGHT PERHAPS FOOLISHLY LEAVES HIS REBEL FRIENDS FAR BEHIND

Standing amidst the shuttle's wreckage at Objective Beta, Vader launched himself at the old man in front of him, and frustrated, stepped back when he saw his blow parried by the bearded Jedi Knight. The northernmost Stormtrooper continued on his trek towards Objective Alpha, but perhaps enthralled by the lightsaber duel taking place in the middle of the battlefield, no-one else from the Imperial party moved.

Realising she had a chance to strike for the Rebellion, Princess Leia fired at the Stormtrooper fast approaching Objective Alpha. The shot flew wide, and frustratingly was all the offence Organa's party would muster. Had Obi-Wan missed an opportunity to strike down his protege..?

Firing again at the seemingly hapless Imperial trooper in the northeastern corner, Alderaan's senator cursed as she saw her intended target remain untouched. Padmé Amidala's daughter was clearly far deadlier in the senate's debating chamber than she was with a laser pistol. To the south Obi-Wan Kenobi attempted to defeat his opponent with a powerful strike, mistimed his blow and was killed by Vader gruesomely... Fortunately for the Rebellion, no other Rebel troopers were within range of the Jedi Knight's death to warrant an obligatory Morale Test. But Ben's death clearly rattled Leia's forces as they all momentarily stopped to grieve.

DARTH VADER DEFEATS HIS OLD MASTER AND CLAIMS OBJECTIVE BETA FOR THE EMPIRE

Successful in his personal duel, Darth Vader retrieved the Death Star data located at Objective Beta and discovered it was worth two victory points. Turning northeast, the Sith Lord then started to make his way towards Princess Leia and Objective Alpha. He would soon crush the Rebellion with one swift stroke.

However before Anakin Skywalker could get any further, the stormtrooper by Objective Alpha arrived at the shuttle's debris field, and managed to fire at Organa's approaching figure. The Alderaan senator was hit, and crumpled to the ground dead. Horrified at their inspirational leader's demise, and already unsettled by Vader's seemingly simple victory over General Kenobi, all but one of the Rebel Troopers fled. With Grand Moff Tarkin close to Objective Omega it was clear the day belonged to the Galactic Empire and the Dark Side of the Force...