"Star Wars" 1/270th Space Battle Report: Darth Vader Verses Han Solo

HAN SOLO AND "DUTCH" VANDERS BATTLE THE EVIL LORD OF THE SITH

This game was played using some homemade rules (M.I.S.S.) in order to allow us to play a quick space-fight utilising many of my long unused "Star Wars: X-Wing" miniatures by "Fantasy Flight Games", and took place upon a 3' x 3' "Hotz Mats" Deep Space Game mat. The battlefield was populated with a variety of asteroids which I bought from a seller on "Ebay" many, many moons ago.

“The story so far… Whilst on a Reconnaissance Mission searching for the exact location of the mysterious Death Star, the Millennium Falcon encounters a squadron of marauding Imperial TIE fighters led by none other that the Sith Lord himself, Darth Vader. Accompanied by Captain Jon "Dutch" Vander in his  BTL Y-wing light bomber, Han Solo decides to show the Empire just what his YT-1300 Corellian light freighter can do..."

THE TABLETOP - A REGION OF SPACE POPULATED BY THREE ASTEROID CLUSTERS

The two Rebel spacecraft started along the eastern edge of the battlefield, and consisted of Han Solo in the Millennium Falcon and Captain Vanders in a Y-Wing. Some of their more notable special abilities were the Corellian's "Sharpshooter" expertise [+1 to hit], and the Rebel officer's "Leadership" skill, which provided Han Solo one re-roll per turn providing his ship was within 12" of "Dutch".

The Imperial force started along the western edge and contained Mauler Mithel and Dark Curse in two TIE Fighters, along with Darth Vader in his Advanced TIE Fighter. Some of this factions special abilities were "Tight Turn" and "Jink" [a D6 Saving Throw]. In addition the Lord Of The Sith had "Sharpshooter" [+1 to hit] and "Intimidate", meaning there was always the chance an enemy would be too fearful of his reputation to attack him. 

THE EVIL DARTH VADER PREPARES TO LAUNCH AN ATTACK AGAINST HAN SOLO

The game would last six turns and was a straightforward head-to-head confrontation, with the victor being the side who had caused the most damage by the end of the skirmish.

Winning the initiative, Darth Vader and Dark Curse speed east straight towards the "Rebel scum". Whilst Mauler Mithel swung northeast towards Asteroids Alpha. Taking up the Sith Lord's challenge, Han Solo pointed the Millennium Falcon directly at the oncoming two Imperial TIE fighters, closing the gap between them with every par-sec. "Dutch" meanwhile, peeled southwest towards the Asteroids Omega.

HAN SOLO AND DARTH VADER ENGAGE IN A GAME OF "CHICKEN"

Keeping his western heading, Han Solo soon drew within range of Vader's Advanced TIE Fighter and summoned up the courage to fire at the Lord Of The Sith. Without shields or armour, the Imperial vessel was struck twice of the Millennium Falcon's quad-bolt cannons, and was already down to half-strength before the battle had barely begun. Believing there was a good chance of besting the Empire early on, "Dutch" turned his Y-Wing so it was also facing due West and fired his ion cannons at Dark Curse. Unfortunately, the Captain was just out of range.

In retaliation for the failed attack, Dark Curse swung southeast past Asteroids Beta and locked onto Vander's spacecraft. Firing his laser cannons, the Imperial pilot noted that the Y-Wing's shield had dropped. The Rebel fighter was defenceless. Pleased with his underling's performance against "Dutch", Darth Vader plough straight on towards the Millennium Falcon and was almost within touching distance when he finally fired at the Corellian light freighter. 

DARK CURSE LOCKS ON TO "DUTCH", WHILST HAN SOLO AND DARTH VADER GO -HEAD-TO-HEAD

At such a close range it was almost impossible for the Lord Of The Sith to miss, especially with his "Sharpshooter" ability, so it came as no surprise that the shields on Han Solo's vessel immediately went down. However, the hunk of junk's duralloy plating protected it from any lasting damage. Realising that the large spacecraft was vulnerable to attack Mauler Mithel, tightly turned to the right and also blasted away at the Falcon. But Vader's left wingman missed...

Both "Dutch" and Chewbacca desperately tried to get their shields back up. However neither Rebel ship had any luck. They'd be as vulnerable to attack as the Imperial TIE Fighters for the time being. Soaring past Darth Vader, Han Solo attempted a tight manoeuvre around Asteroids Beta and savagely struck one of its rocks, causing some damage. Realising he needed to cover the Corellian's exposed flank, Captain Vander turned northwest to face down Dark Curse at close range. But once again the Rebel officer's ion cannons missed their target.

DARTH VADER LOCKS ON TO "DUTCH" VANDER AS THE MILLENNIUM FALCON CRASHES

Laughing at his opponent's poor aim and the sight of a battered Millennium Falcon, Dark Curse made a hard turn southwest around Asteroids Beta. Meanwhile, Darth Vader steered his Advanced TIE Fighter into sight of the Rebel's Y-Wing. All five of the Sith Lord's laser cannons struck home, blasting "Dutch" to smithereens. Inspired by his commander's destructive success, Mauler Mithel manoeuvred himself right behind Han Solo's stranded vessel and pounded it mercilessly. Despite its "Armour" [D6 Save], the light freighter took more damage.

THE IMPERIAL FIGHTERS CIRCLE A STRANDED MILLENNIUM FALCON

Dark Curse continued to safely steer around Asteroids Beta, whilst fearing a potential crash with the Corellian Light Freighter, Mauler Mithel broke off his attack and headed northwest. Darth Vader however, wanted to get Han Solo's vessel in his sights, so sped southwest and struck the Millennium Falcon with a glancing blow. Fortunately for the smuggler though, his Wookie co-pilot finally managed to get one of the spacecraft's shields back up, and he was able to slowly skirt around Asteroids Beta.

Somewhat cornered, and unable to get his ship's remaining shield working, Han Solo had to settle for steering the Falcon past Asteroids Beta. Sensing his foe was ripe for the kill Darth Vader attempted to squeeze his TIE Fighter in between some of the rocks of Asteroids Beta. Meanwhile Mauler Mithel headed southwest in a lazy curve to ensure he'd soon be behind the Corellian's partially stranded spacecraft.

HAN SOLO TRIES TO ESCAPE BUT DARTH VADER HAS OTHER PLANS FOR THE SMUGGLER

Finally bringing the Millennium Falcon's shields back up to full strength, and completing his navigation of Asteroids Beta, Han Solo turned his Corellian Light Freighter due east and headed straight for the safety of the stars. Behind him Dark Curse continued his manoeuvre northwest away from Asteroids Beta, whilst Mauler Mithel managed to just get within range of the fast-departing Rebel vessel and fired off a frustratingly poor last salvo.

However, despite having already won a crushing victory over Han Solo, Darth Vader was not finished yet. He masterfully finished threading his Advanced TIE Fighter through the rocks of Asteroids Beta, and blazed away at the Millennium Falcon. The Light Freighter's shields, so recently restored, were stripped away in the attack, and only the smuggling vessel's "Armour" protected it from further damage. The Rebel may well have escaped, but Han Solo would not forget this day's battle in a hurry...