Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card – Expert Strategies for Kessel Sabacc Domination

Star Wars Outlaws fans, get ready because the game’s first story expansion, Wild Card, is officially available today for Xbox Series X|S. This new addition introduces players to the thrill of a high-stakes Kessel Sabacc tournament aboard the luxurious casino cruiser, Morenia. Though this table boasts a slightly larger setup and some unique rules compared to others scattered across the galaxy, mastering these intricacies could be key to securing your victory. To ensure you’ve got the upper hand, developer Thibaut Machin shares some tips on effective cheats and useful intel that could help you outsmart your opponents and grab that grand prize.

Now, to dive into Wild Card, players need to have completed both the Gunsmith and The High Roller quests with the charismatic Lando Calrissian. Once ready, step into the adventurous shoes of Kay Vess, who’s been tasked by Governor Thorden of Toshara with infiltrating a high-profile Kessel Sabacc game. But, it’s more than just about winning a prize—Kay soon discovers there’s a secret game unfolding in the shadowy underworld. Access to this clandestine gathering is strictly by invitation, so Kay will have to rely on her cunning and street smarts to secure entry.

At the heart of this episode is Kessel Sabacc, a game where you’ll match wits and strategy against others, dealing with blood and sand cards to forge that perfect winning hand. You’ll be playing through rounds, each spanning three turns, but once your chips run out, you’re out of luck.

This high-stakes version of Kessel Sabacc isn’t what players might expect. Hosting the event is the Protocol Droid EY-E9, who runs a tight ship on Morenia. One of her strict house rules includes banning shift tokens; these tokens typically offer a strategic edge, yet EY-E9 prefers an even playing field, ensuring that everyone has an equal chance of claiming victory.

While shift tokens might be off the table, cheating is still in play if you can slyly execute it. In Star Wars Outlaws, three main cheats are in your arsenal: magnetic dice, Lando’s signature double draw move, letting you pull two cards instead of one, and Nix’s peeking abilities. However, under Morenia’s watchful eyes, Nix won’t be able to perform his usual surveillance unnoticed. But fear not, in Wild Card, Nix can now sneakily plant cards on unsuspecting players, potentially getting them accused of foul play and thrown out by EY-E9.

Adding to the challenge, your opponents aren’t afraid to bend the rules either. They’ll use their own tricks to try and scoop victory, and it’ll be up to Kay to eavesdrop on conversations or notice subtle moves that might signal underhand tactics. This information can help her subtly alert EY-E9, resulting in their ejection.

Expect table dynamics to be different on the Morenia cruiser, typically featuring six opponents, compared to Kay’s usual four-player setup. EY-E9 not only manages the game but also engages with players and observers, adding a vibrant layer to the casino experience.

For those eager to master the game, we caught up with Ubisoft Paris’ game director, Thibaut Machin, for his insights. He emphasizes the importance of mastering the “double draw” tactic from Lando. Usually, players might use a double draw to increase their odds of getting a good card, sneakily discarding the rest, but Machin advises pairing it with Nix’s card-planting technique instead. This way, you hold onto valuable cards while pressuring opponents with the threat of ejection.

It’s also crucial to explore the Morenia for intel on fellow players. “Seek out clues about how rivals cheat,” Machin suggests, which gives you leverage during gameplay to expose them.

Reputation matters too. Many syndicates present on Morenia received exclusive invitations, and managing your alliances can make maneuvering through the story pack much easier.

Lastly, Machin stresses patience. “Avoid rushing,” he advises. Take time to understand the game’s flow and only spend chips wisely, as your supply is limited while games extend over longer rounds.

Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card invites you to test your strategy skills today on Xbox Series X|S. Stay tuned for more content updates through the official Star Wars Outlaws channels on social media and right here on Xbox Wire. Dive in and may fortune favor your hand!