What Playable Characters We Want To See In 'Star Wars: Hunters'
On February 17, 2021 Lucasfilm announced a new video game called Star Wars: Hunters, to be published by Lucasfilm Games, together with Zynga in late 2021 for Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android..
Hunters, the origins of which go back to August 2018, is described as a “competitive arena combat game,” promises “team-based multiplayer battles” (a team is probably made up of 4 players) with “daring Bounty Hunters, heroes of the Rebellion, and an Imperial stormtrooper,” but also “a diverse array of distinctive new Star Wars characters,” the battles taking place at “Star Wars-inspired locations.”
At this time, little else is known about the gameplay or the characters that the players will be able to choose. There is, however, a short 27-seconds long teaser trailer that includes the hologram of a female alien with a red lightsaber, a stromtrooper with a heavy blaster-gun, a Mandalorian (no, not The Mandalorian), and a Wookiee. At the end, we get so see a blue lightsaber ignited in the smoke of the fight, but we don’t get to see the wielder.
The game is set after the fall of the Empire (5 ABY) and before the events of Star Wars - The Force Awakens (34 ABY), which is a bit of an odd choice. Although the story of the game (if there is any) will certainly not be canon, the playable characters for the battles probably will be part of this timeframe. So you most likely won’t be able to play as Darth Vader, Obi-Wan, Maul, or Yoda (if there are no Force ghosts). And although the characters from the sequel trilogy could technically be alive at this time, there is doubt that you will be able to choose, let’s say, Poe Dameron, Maz Kanata, or Supreme Leader Snoke.
So, let’s take a look at who could or should be part of Star Wars: Hunters:
The Good Guys:
Luke Skywalker: This is obvious. Lucasfilm’s press release even mentions heroes of the rebellion, and with the recent cameo of the Jedi in The Mandalorian, it would really be surprising if the former farmboy from Tatooine doesn't end up being a playable character. What will be interesting in this respect is how the game will balance the abilities and disadvantages of the characters. Luke surely can’t be the all-powerful badass; he has to have some weaknesses too, otherwise any team that has him on their side is a sure winner.
Ahsoka Tano: Also, basically a no-brainer. She is versatile with various weapons, can handle two lightsabers at the same time, and use the Force. And she is going to get her own Disney+ show. Like with Luke, the challenge will be to give her some weaknesses
Han Solo: He is quick with his blaster, so he would be a suitable character for this game.
Lando Calrissian: For basically the same reasons as Han, and he may be even a bit more agile.
Leia Organa: Although she has resigned from her Jedi training at this point in time, she is still able to use some Force powers. And she is a good fighter, with and without a blaster.
The Mandalorians:
Din Djarin: This, too, is a no-brainer. The press release mentions “daring bounty hunters,” the teaser shows a person in Mandalorian armor, and Mando is a fan favorite right now. Add to this the beskar armor and a whole slew of cool weapons. So, yes, he’ll be there!
Boba Fett: For the same reasons as Din Djarin, plus he knows how to use a gaffi stick. And he is Boba Fett!
Bo-Katan: She surely has some experience in fighting all kinds of enemies, and she might get to wield the Darksaber again.
Koska Reeves: She has proven to be a good (street) fighter
The Wookiees:
Chewbacca: Although the Wookiee in the teaser doesn’t look like Han Solo’s co-pilot, Chewie and his bowcaster would make a great addition to this game. Throwing stuff at your enemies and ripping their arms off are great battle moves, aren’t they?
Tarfful: If you can have one Wookiee, why not take two?
Black Krrsantan: Combines the advantages of Wookiee with those of a bounty hunter.
The Bounty Hunters:
Fennec Shand: the game is called Hunters, so why not put more bounty hunters in it? Also a fan favorite in The Mandalorian, soon to be in the Bad Batch and The Book of Boba Fett. And a hell of a sniper.
Cad Bane: He has all kinds of cool weapons and rocket boots. Technically, he is a Clone Wars era character, but he could be still alive at the end of the Galactic Civil War.
Bossk: A Trandoshan would nearly be a natural fit in a fighting arena
Embo: I would really like to see the Kyuzo throw his hat at his enemies
Beilert Valance: the terminator-like cyborg bounty hunter surely knows how to fight and survive
The Bad Guys:
It’s harder to pinpoint some bad guy of this game. The female alien with a red lightsaber from the trailer could be a “side project” of Vader or Palpatine, someone like Ventress, or Starkiller, or the Inquisitors. And we know that you will be able to play as a stormtrooper, but otherwise?
I personally don’t think that you will be able to play as Palpatine. And after Jakku, there are not many Imperials left that stick out as great fighters.
Moff Gideon: Also a tough fighter who could also use the Darksaber
Dark Troopers: Slow but with a mighty punch and great endurance.
Morgan Elsbeth: As we didn’t see her die in The Mandalorian, she could show up and probably use the beskar staff as her weapon.
Of course, the creators of the game can always add new characters, as has happened with Galaxy of Heroes. So maybe Thrawn will show up at some point in time, or Ezra Bridger with his combined blaster/lightsaber, and probably a lot of other characters from Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, or Rangers of the New Republic.
Maybe even Cara Dune!