Looking to jump into Star Wars: Legion in 2026? This guide breaks down the four faction Starter Sets by playstyle, hobby effort, and how well they scale as you expand. In short: pick Rebels for agile, hero-led plays; Empire for sturdy, straightforward attrition; Separatists for clever order-chaining and board control through numbers; and Republic for elite coordination and tactical flexibility. Below you’ll find quick recommendations, painting tips, and first expansion ideas to help you make the right call.
Before we dive in, a quick note on choosing: Star Wars: Legion is balanced enough that you can follow your heart and still do well. Start with the faction fantasy that excites you, then tweak your list and tactics as you learn. Each Starter Set gives you a functional army out of the box, a window into core mechanics, and a flavor of that faction’s identity.
How to choose at a glance
- Want a nimble force with clutch hero plays and daring objective grabs? Rebel Alliance.
- Want durable troops, disciplined lines, and a juggernaut centerpiece? Galactic Empire.
- Want a clever swarm with order-sharing and board coverage? Separatist Alliance.
- Want elite troops that share tokens and excel at teamwork? Galactic Republic.
Rebel Alliance: agile, heroic, scrappy The feel: Rebels win by movement, timing, and smart use of tokens and cover. They rarely brute-force their way through a wall; they move around it, misdirect it, or stab it in the back at the right moment.
What the Starter Set teaches you
- Push-and-pull with dodge tokens and cover management.
- Using a centerpiece hero to skew the tempo, especially with jumpy movement and powerful melee or shooting that rewards careful setup.
- Trading up: sacrificing a small element to pull enemy attention while a hero or special forces unit goes to work.
Strengths
- Excellent objective play and displacement tools.
- Heroes that can swing a game when supported well.
- High ceiling for skilled players who like layered turns.
Trade-offs
- Lower raw durability on average; mistakes can snowball.
- Positioning matters more than most, so there’s less margin for error.
Hobby notes
- Lots of personality and variety in sculpts. Great for hobbyists who enjoy mixing textures, alien skin tones, and kitbash vibes.
- More color choices can mean more time per model, but the end result pops on the table.
Scaling up
- Lean into versatile special forces and a second hero for list variety.
- Consider complementary supports or skirmishers that force your opponent to answer multiple threats.
Galactic Empire: iron wall with a lightsaber edge The feel: The Empire marches methodically, absorbs punishment with stout defenses, then crushes resistance under relentless fire and an unstoppable leader.
What the Starter Set teaches you
- How to build and hold a gunline with solid saves and steady suppression.
- Patience: advance under fire, take favorable trades, and counterpunch at the right moment.
- Supporting a powerhouse leader who demands attention and shapes the battle.
Strengths
- Durable corps that hold objectives and stick around.
- Straightforward plan that rewards consistency and focus fire.
- A marquee commander who can dominate fights and anchor your line.
Trade-offs
- Less innate mobility; can feel predictable if you don’t vary your approach.
- Overcommitting the leader can leave your line exposed.
Hobby notes
- Clean, iconic armor is friendly to beginners. Zenithal priming and a simple wash go a long way.
- Uniform palettes speed up batch painting nicely.
Scaling up
- Add a fast flanking element or long-range pressure to complement the slow roll.
- Sprinkle in specialists that solve specific problems, like armor cracking or objective disruption.
Separatist Alliance: the calculated swarm The feel: The Separatists flood the table with expendable bodies and clever order chains. You’ll manage AI limitations, coordinate activations, and suffocate foes with board presence.
What the Starter Set teaches you
- Order token management: planning activations so your units do what you need when you need it.
- Trading quantity for control: cheap units screen, score, and stall while your hitters move in.
- Area denial and scenario pressure with overlapping fields of fire.
Strengths
- Tons of activations to outmaneuver opponents in the turn order.
- Excellent objective saturation and board control.
- Cost-effective bodies that enable bold plays without risking your whole game plan.
Trade-offs
- Individual units are fragile and can fold under focused fire.
- Higher cognitive load: you’re juggling AI and order chains every turn.
Hobby notes
- Assembly-line painting shines here. Prime, basecoat, wash, quick edge highlights, and you’re done.
- Repetition can be soothing or monotonous depending on your painting mood.
Scaling up
- Add a durable or mobile threat to punch above your weight while the swarm scores.
- Expand your toolbox with specialized droid types for suppression, mobility, or firepower spikes.
Galactic Republic: elite synergy and token sharing The feel: The Republic plays like a finely tuned squad shooter. Units bolster each other with shared tokens, coordinated fire, and precise positioning.
What the Starter Set teaches you
- Token economy: sharing and stacking defensive and offensive tokens to swing trades.
- Small model count management where each activation matters a lot.
- Protecting and leveraging a defensive-minded leader to keep your elites in the fight.
Strengths
- High-quality dice when supported properly.
- Flexible responses to threats thanks to shared resources and disciplined positioning.
- Exceptionally rewarding for players who like tight, coordinated turns.
Trade-offs
- Lower model count means mistakes are costly.
- Requires good planning to ensure tokens and orders end up where they matter.
Hobby notes
- Clean armor panels make for crisp edge highlights and weathering.
- Squad markings and color accents help readability and look fantastic on the table.
Scaling up
- Add a complementary hero or specialist to broaden threat vectors.
- Look for supports that extend your token game or solve armor/skirmisher problems.
Which one fits your personality?
- The tactician: Choose Republic. You like a tight ship and squeezing value from every token.
- The raider: Choose Rebels. You win with movement tricks and daring plays.
- The juggernaut: Choose Empire. You enjoy a sturdy core and a boss unit that demands answers.
- The puzzle-solver: Choose Separatists. You want to out-activate and out-plan opponents with clever order webs.
Table size, time, and learning curve
- Time to table: Empire and Republic are the quickest to paint to a great standard. Rebels and Separatists take longer but can look more varied and characterful.
- Learning curve: Empire is the most forgiving; Republic is the most demanding. Rebels and Separatists sit in the middle but reward practice.
- Teaching friends: Empire vs Rebels is still the classic starter showdown that showcases Legion’s core mechanics clearly.
Expanding beyond the Starter Set
- Double down on your identity: More of what your faction does best makes early list building intuitive and fun.
- Add a curveball: One unit that breaks your stereotype keeps opponents honest and helps you adapt to local metas.
- Heroes and command cards: A second commander or operative can refresh your playstyle without redoing your whole collection.
Shadow Collective and mercenaries If you love the idea of underworld operatives and hired guns, the mercenary ecosystem can bolt onto many lists or run as its own theme. It’s a fun side road once you’ve learned your primary faction, especially if you enjoy unusual combos and independent operators.
Final quick picks
- Easiest to learn and paint: Galactic Empire
- Most dynamic hero plays: Rebel Alliance
- Most models and order puzzle fun: Separatist Alliance
- Highest tactical ceiling and teamwork: Galactic Republic
Bottom line Pick the Starter Set that matches how you want to win. If you crave durability and clear lines, march with the Empire. If you want slick movement and hero moments, join the Rebels. If planning and board coverage is your jam, assemble the droids. If you want a precise, elite squad game, stand with the Republic. Any of these boxes will get you playing fast in 2026—and each offers a distinct path to mastery once the dice start rolling.