Han Solo vs. the Death Star

A Scenario for Star Wars Miniatures

By Sterling Hershey

"Get back to the ship!"

So began Han Solo's brave yet foolhardy one-man charge of an entire stormtrooper squad aboard the fearsome Death Star. Having freed Princess Leia from the detention center and escaped a lethal trash compactor, Han, Luke, Chewbacca and Leia were sneaking back to the Millennium Falcon. As they navigated the space station’s maze of corridors, they unexpectedly came face to face with an equally surprised stormtrooper patrol.

Outnumbered and outgunned, Solo's wild yell and spontaneous charge caught friend and foe off guard. At his first shot, the stormtroopers broke and fled as one of them went down. Solo raced after the squad, soon followed by his faithful Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca.

This scenario recreates Han Solo's one-man charge in Star Wars: A New Hope. Use the blank side of the Starter Set Map and position upside-down terrain tiles and cards as indicated in the diagram to create the layout of the Death Star corridors.

Rebel Setup

The Rebel forces consist of Han Solo and Chewbacca. Han Solo starts at Location A (see map). Chewbacca is Han's only reinforcement (see Rebel Reinforcements, below).

Rebel Victory Conditions

The Rebel player wins by accomplishing the following goals:

Escape is Their Plan: Both Han Solo and Chewbacca must exit the map at the blast door (between the green squares, indicated on the map below).

Defeat the Imperials: The Rebel player also wins if all Stormtroopers are defeated before the blast door closes.

Imperial Setup

The Imperial force consists of 10 Stormtroopers, totaling 50 points. If the Imperial player chooses not to use the suggested forces listed below, he can build a 50-point force of his own combination of Stormtroopers, Elite Stormtroopers and Heavy Stormtroopers. Elite and Heavy Stormtroopers may only be included in the Hangar Bay reinforcements.

The Imperial player sets up with six Stormtroopers fleeing Han Solo and places them in the Corridor (Location C on the map) at least seven squares away from Han Solo. The remaining Imperials start as reinforcements in the Hangar Bay.

Imperial Victory Conditions

The Imperial player wins by accomplishing the following goal:

It's Them! Blast 'em!: Han Solo or Chewbacca must be defeated or trapped by closing the blast door.

Special Scenario Rules

The follow special rules are in effect for this mission:

Rebel Reinforcements: Chewbacca enters the map at Location B, at the start of the round after Han Solo Han Solo moves at least 12 squares away from his starting location. Upon Chewbacca's arrival, his entry corridor is sealed off by a locked door at the edge of the map. Chewbacca chases Han Solo until the two have line of sight with each other.

Imperial Reinforcements: The Stormtroopers within the Hangar Bay may not activate until they have line of sight with Han Solo or Chewbacca.

Aaahhaaeiieaiiahh!!!!: Han Solo must pursue the Stormtroopers until he has line of sight with the Imperials in the Hanger Bay. The six Stormtroopers fleeing Han Solo must move at least six squares each turn toward the Hanger Bay until the Hangar Bay Stormtroopers activate. The fleeing Stormtroopers do not fire at Han until they turn around at the Hangar Bay (and thus realize that only one Rebel is pursuing them).

Close the Blast Door: One turn after the Hanger Bay Imperials are activated, any Imperial with line of sight to either Han Solo or Chewbacca and the blast door may order the blast door closed (indicated on the map between the green squares). The blast door takes three rounds to close completely. The door opening becomes progressively smaller each round, closing in from the sides:

Starts: 5 spaces open
Round ordered closed: 3 spaces open
Following round: 1 space open
Following round: closed

Use 1x1 tiles or unused character cards to represent the closing door.

Set Dressing: At the players' discretion, additional Stormtroopers may be placed in the Hangar Bay to represent the dozens shown in the movie. However, they may not be used as part of the scenario.

Campaign Play

If you wish to play this scenario as part of the Ultimate Missions: Rebel Storm campaign, the Rebel player has 52 points available from his pool of forces, and the Imperial player has 50. The winner of the scenario receives one Victory Point.

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About the Author
Sterling Hershey has been a full time architect and freelance game designer for over 10 years. Initially published in Polyhedron, he quickly moved on to work with West End Games on Star Wars The Roleplaying Game products. He authored Flashpoint! Brak Sector, "Rogue Elements" in The Kathol Rift and "Rodia" in the Shadows of the Empire Planets Guide. For Hideouts and Strongholds, he was both designer and cartographer. He also created the Nebulon-B deck plans for The Far Orbit Project. His work with Wizards of the Coast includes Talnar's Rescue and scenarios for Star Wars Miniatures. Sterling lives in the midwest with his wife, Mary.