Review of Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

I will keep this review spoiler-free for now, but will expand on it once a suitable amount of time has passed. 

-Nate 

Pros
I liked a lot of things about this movie.

• It established really strong connections back to the Original Trilogy, stronger than any of those from the previous two films. In this way, it doesn't seem like it was just tacked on in order to be able to sell more movie tickets.
  
• There were satisfying story arcs for each of the main new characters—Poe, Finn and Rey—something that cannot be said about The Lost Jedi.
  
• I was also pleased by the sense of closure that was provided for characters from the Original Trilogy.
  
• It moves along at a steady clip, and never becomes boring.
• Lando!

Cons
I didn't like a few details.

• A couple of scenes had tremendous scope, to the extent that I think it could have been reduced without diminishing their overall effect.
  
• There's a character connection established that leaves a big question unanswered; given that this is the final movie in the Skywalker saga, I wonder if we'll ever learn that answer.
  
• At times I think the movie could have slowed down some and taken its time to develop some of the scenes more.

Questions
There are some big looming questions, too.

• There's the character question connection that I mentioned above.
• Outside of the current series, The Mandalorian, and the other two that have been announced—featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi and Cassian Andor—I wonder what the feature holds for the Star Wars franchise.

All in all, I was quite satisfied with this movie; I'll say more after another viewing or two, and go into more detail once it seems safe to mention spoilers.

Report #9: Galactic Reconnaissance

Following the Battle of Endor, it's crucial that the New Republic can find and deal with any remnants of the New Order. To that end, an old Rebel base—Tierfon Outpost—has been reorganized as the staging point for a squadron of Y-Wing A4 recon fighters, ones whose sole purpose is to seek out the remaining Imperial forces. Detailed below are some of the beings tasked with that mission.

-Vor Sendalin, New Republic Intelligence Operative

Recon Pilot Type: Brash Pilot DEXTERITY 3D KNOWLEDGE 2D MECHANICAL 4D Astrogation 4D Starfighter Piloting 6D Starship Gunnery 6D PERCEPTION 3D Search 4D STRENGTH 3D TECHNICAL 3D Starfighter Repair 4D Special Abilities: None Force Points: 1 Character Points: 5 Move: 10 Equipment: New Republic uniform, medpac, vacuum suit, blaster pistol (damage 4D), Y-Wing fighter, Astromech droid

Recon Pilot Brawn 2 Agility 3 Intellect 2 Cunning 2 Willpower 2 Presence 2 Soak: 3 Wound Threshold: 12 Strain Threshold: 13 M/R Defense: 0 / 0 Skills: Astrogation 1, Discipline 1, Gunnery 2, Mechanics 1, Perception 1, Piloting—Space 2, Vigilance 1 Talents: Deat to Rights, Full Throttle, Galaxy Mapper, Grit, Improved Dead to Rights, Improved Full Throttle, Skilled Jockey Abilities: One rank in two non-career skills Equipment: New Republic uniform, medpac, vacuum suit, blaster pistol (Ranged—Light; Damage 6; Critical 3; Range [Medium]; Stun setting), Y-Wing fighter, Astromech droid.

These pilots are trained to jump into hot zones or unknown regions, make a quick assessment of the situation, and then jump out again, before reporting back to their superiors. While some might think them foolhardy, most recognize that their skills are an essential part of defeating the Galactic Empire once and for all.

Support To find stats for the Astromech droid, refer to page 52 of the Star Wars Sourcebook. Stats for the Y-Wing A4 fighter can be found on pages 83-6 of the Rebel Alliance Sourcebook. For a map of Tierfon Outpost, refer to pages 112-6 of the Star Wars Sourcebook.

Support To find stats for the Astromech droid, refer to page 428 of the Age of Rebellion core rulebook. Stats for the Y-Wing A4 fighter can be found on page 268 of the core rulebook. For a map of Tierfon Outpost, refer to pages 83-7 in Strongholds of Resistance.

Using this Report in a Star Wars RPG Campaign

There are many ways in which the details from this report can be used in adventures and campaigns, including the following possibilities.

• The PCs could be recon pilots themselves, tasked with investigating an area of interest designated by New Republic Intelligence.
• In that case, it could be a good chance for the GM to use the Star Warriors or X-Wing games, requiring the PCs to reach a certain location on the map to gain the required information before escaping and jumping to hyperspace.
• Astromech droids carrying vital information have sometimes been known to jettison themselves from fighters that were about to be destroyed.
• Of course, intelligence gained by recon pilots could be fodder for all manner of RPG scenarios, providing the starting point for a Special Operations team to investigate.