Star Wars Zero Company, often known as ZCOM, understands one in every of its style’s commandments: a great techniques recreation is not nearly taking part in chess. It is about taking part in chess with characters you really care about.
I have been taking part in Zero Firm the previous few weeks, and am fairly certain I am on the finish; I am on the “let’s go beat this last boss however for REAL this time” mission. After I went into the sport, I totally anticipated to get pleasure from its turn-based tactical depth, based mostly on a raft of intriguing previews and glowing reviews. I didn’t, nevertheless, count on to be simply as enthralled by its forged of characters, whom I’ve gone to excessive lengths (learn: restarting whole hour-long missions from scratch) to guard. I’m genuinely going to overlook this motley crew.
Under, see our the definitive rating of each main Star Wars Zero Firm character. (Word: This checklist solely covers playable heroes, which means Runa would not rely, although everyone knows she’d be #1 if she did.)
8
Hawks
It is sensible that Hawks is the least fascinating hero in Star Wars Zero Firm. Because the participant character, Hawks to some extent must be a clean slate. You may have a variety of customization choices for Hawks, together with selecting from six Star Wars species, however are finally corralled into taking part in the traditional sci-fi RPG protagonist: an even-keeled chief who’s typically prepared with a quip and withholds any real emotion till the sport’s last act. Erica Luttrell does flip in some distinctive vocal work right here, although. (Sure, as with FemShep, we hail FemHawks on this home.)
7
Kabb
Sufficient time has handed that we will all admit Kabb’s rhyming factor received outdated effectively earlier than the 35-hour mark.
6
Cly Kullervo
A brooding and mysterious Mandalorian who appears to harbor deep remorse at residing a life anchored by a long time of violence? Inform me one thing I have not heard! The brutal fact of it, although, is that Cly is absolutely, actually good at violence. One in every of her talents permits you to fireplace a dart gun at anybody in her line of sight, then shock everybody who’s been caught with a dart — and anybody who’s of their neighborhood. For those who’re affected person and stack it proper, you’ll be able to clear all the battlefield in a single flip. Cly has helped me escape extra sticky conditions in Zero Firm than I can rely. Too unhealthy she would not include a Child Yoda.
5
Jae Mordant
Jae has additionally saved my ass extra occasions than I can rely. Her distinctive means lets her take a free shot at any enemy who is not fairly completed off by one in every of your different squad members; degree this up all the way in which, and Jae principally takes out any enemy who’s not robotically killed within the first flip, thereby stopping them from placing again. Jae is an unbelievable asset in fight, however I am extra a fan of her for the aspirational altruism she embodies: Jae is a rich heiress who offers up assured generational wealth to strike a critical blow towards a fascistic regime. It is good to see Star Wars has nonetheless held onto a few of its whimsy.
4
Tel-Rea Vokoss
I really like that Tel-Rea…kinda sucks as a Jedi? Star Wars Zero Firm highlights this by letting you play as Anakin Skywalker for one mission. He, go determine, completely wrecks home as an successfully invincible homicide machine. In contrast, Tel-Rea feels fragile but kinetically highly effective — a hero who’s simply as prone to get critically harm in a flip as she is to wipe out a whole squadron of battle droids by herself. Zero Firm so simply might’ve given you a celebration member who deflects blaster bolts from all angles and carves by means of armies with ease. However as a comparatively unskilled Padawan, Tel-Rea is much extra fascinating to play.
3
Luco Bronc
Luco Bronc is a little bit of a dick. When he joins your celebration, he begins fights for little purpose, prances round like he owns the place, and might’t shoot for shit. At one level, you’re even given the prospect to dismiss him. However should you follow him (and, in my expertise, spec him as a medic sniper), he softens up and turns into a important staff member on the battlefield. His relationship with Trick — two troopers utilized by their international locations, who begin as rivals however bond over their animosities — is one in every of Zero Firm‘s emotional centerpieces.
2
Trick
Of all of the characters in Star Wars Zero Firm, Trick has the closest factor to a full three-act narrative arc. A clone soldier who was dishonorably discharged after serving the Republic for years, what Trick needs most is to rejoin his brothers in arms — however would by no means betray his household to take action. Trick ultimately is an integral half of what’s arguably the best-executed twist in Star Wars historical past (apart from that entire “I’m your father” factor).
1
BR-1 (Your Astromech)
This little droid can tank hits, increase your protection, allow you to carry out a number of actions in a flip, use objects twice as typically as anybody else, and even throw grenades, making it a viable combatant in its personal proper. And it does all of it with out a lot as a beep-boop. There’s just about a maxim in fashionable Star Wars that each new entry has to introduce an iconic droid to canon (BD-1, Ok-2SO, B2EMO!!!). BR-1 has greater than earned its place.