Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes Celebrates Phantom Menace Anniversary with STAP

What does the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace mean for the turn-based mobile game Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes? To start, it means the ubiquitous B-1 Battle Droid is climbing atop the Single Trooper Aerial Platform, AKA the STAP, and unleashing some bombad havoc.  

In the kit reveal for the STAP, the team over at Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes writes, “When we were looking at what units we could add that were iconic to Episode I for its 25th Anniversary this year, the STAP jumped out as an early favorite.”

That makes sense: The STAP was one of the most iconic vehicles from the prequel era of Star Wars storytelling, showing up not only at the Battle of Naboo but all throughout the Clone Wars. After all, the Trade Federation brought its toys when it joined the Separatist forces.

Speaking of toys, “STAP was one of the first toys made for The Phantom Menace,” the team continued. (And for what it’s worth, it was my favorite build from last year’s Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar.)

So, what can players expect from this new unit? The STAP has four abilities. Its basic attack—“Checkpoint Secure!”—deals damage and can inflict Target Lock on a selected enemy. Additionally, if the enemy already has Target Lock, they are inflicted with a new mechanic: “Pinned.” Pinned means the target unit “can't gain bonus Turn Meter and has -25% Speed, does not stack with Breach, Fracture, or Speed Down.”

The STAP’s first special ability—“Die, Jedi Dogs!”—deals damage to all enemies, damage that Jedi can’t evade. It also inflicts Provoked and deals additional damage to Pinned foes. The second special ability—“We Need To Recharge!”—recovers health and protection, and gains stacks of Overcharge. It also calls an ally to assist, followed up with an attack from the STAP.

Finally, the STAP’s unique ability—“Single Trooper Aerial Platform”—further speeds up the STAP based on stacks of Overcharge and synergizes with Separatist Droid allies.

Read the full kit reveal to learn more.   

The B-1 Battle Droid has been a playable unit for some time now. But now players will be able to field a team that includes a ground-based B-1 Battle Droid as well as the new STAP unit, leading to an onslaught of Separatist droid forces.

Jedi, Clones and Gungans—beware.

Speaking of Gungans, I wonder if we’ll see some make a Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes appearance as the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace continues. We'll have to wait and see!