How to Start Your Star Wars Shatterpoint Journey, and where to head next.

If you’ve ever dreamed of leading your own squad of Jedi, bounty hunters, or clone troopers into fast-paced battles across the galaxy… Shatterpoint is your game. It’s a dynamic skirmish system where every move matters, and each unit plays a key role in the fight.

But where to start?

This post is here to break it all down and help you make sense of the best way to enter the Star Wars Shatterpoint, and which sets to aquire later.

And everything that with gallery of painted miniatures by our studio.

If you’ll ever start collecting Shatterpoint minis, contact us to book a commission.

How to start your Shatterpoint Journey?

Pros and Cons of the Shatterpoint System

Let’s start with the basics. Is Shatterpoint a good game for you?

Star Wars: Shatterpoint is a dynamic, small-scale skirmish game. It’s designed for fast-paced, cinematic battles. Shatterpoint puts players in command of iconic characters and elite squads from across the galaxy, from Jedi and Sith to bounty hunters and clone troopers. You

Lets break it down to quick pros and cons list.

Pros:

Low entry threshold (in a core set you have good starting list)
Good control around the board
Innovative mechanics (ex. “Struggles”)
Low amount of miniatures (easy to pack and carry)
Huge Core Set (4 full squads, cards, dices, measurement tools and terrain pieces)
Flexibility of Squad building

Cons:

Miniatures basically don’t leave the board
Low amount of miniatures (for people who like 200+ minis on board)

As you can see there are not so much cons to enter. If you like typical wargames, rather than skyrmish battles in Star Wars setting, check out the Star Wars: Legion game.

What to buy first?

So, after finding out that the game sits well in your gameplay style, let’s think about where to start.

There are two ways of entering the Shatterpoint:

Starting with Core set
Starting with the Squad of your interest, knowing someone with stuff needed to play

The more obvious choice here is Core set of course. Even if no one from your gaming friends ever played Shatterpoint, with core set you have everything you need to start playing:

Modular terrain pieces – it’s enough to set up one table for the game of Shatterpoint, including different elevations
All cards you need
dice, measurement tools, tokens and Struggle Tracker
16 Units – whole four squads (including two high tier Strike Teams and 2 squads that are perfect for future expansions)

Let’s take a closer look on units which you can find in the Core Set!

You can paint measurement tools. Because why not?

Core Set comes with terrains worth painting as well.

SWP01 – Star Wars: Shatterpoint Core Set

Anakin Skywalker, Rex and 501st Clone Troopers

Anakin benefits from aggressive play style – every time he wounds Primary or Secondary units you will push struggle token 1 space to your side of Struggle Tracker. On the other hand Rex is a phenomenal Secondary Unit for any Republic Army.

Ahsoka, Bo-Katan and Mandalorians

Ahsoka is a highly reactive Primary unit that can change the situation on the board pretty quickly even during your opponent’s turn. Pair this squad with Maul Mandalorians (Mauldalorians xD) to get a high tier, aggressive meta list.

Painting jetpac fumes is quite tricky, but the effect is worth the time.

Ventress, Kalani and B1 Battle Droids

Units from this squad are essential in every Droid lists alongside the meta (especially Kalani). Asajj is a highly mobile primary unit that can quickly move through the table.

Darth Maul, Gar Saxon and “Mauldaloirans”

Maul is able to roll a huge amount of dice as well as he is designed for chasing your opponent units. Pair this squad with Ahsoka Mandalorians to get a high tier, aggressive meta list.

Expansions Squads

After quick review of Core set, lets look on Expansion Squads.

Remember as we mentioned flexibility of squad building? You can actually mix many units, not even looking if they come from light or dark side! There is only one requirement: all units in one squad need to be from the same era.

So, you can possibly make multiple different squads, and experiment on the way to finding the perfect one.

That’s why after getting hands on Core set, it’s good thing to get some expansions as well.

Let’s check all available expansions.

SWP03 – Twice the Pride Squad Pack

One of the Separatists leaders himself is quite a tough unit to play against. He has good defense and is pretty tanky due to his abilities. Supported by MagnaGuards he’s hard to stop. In addition you have one of the best standalone Secondary Units in the game in this box.

MagnaGuards were mostly next to the Grievous, but they came with dooku first.

SWP04 – Plans and Preparations Squad Pack

Luminara and her Padawan adds a huge amount of healing to every Republic list. In addition Luminara gives you more control of your activations. Except that you get Clone Commandos here, which are one of the best Clone Troopers. If you want to improve your clones strategy, this box is your go to!

Some of the finest Clone units in the entire game.

SWP05 – Appetite for Destruction Squad Pack

Aggressive squad that gives you heavy hitters in form of B2 Battle Droids and Grievous, as well as Kraken with another Tactical Network ability for your Droid Strike Team. General Grievous is a good choice if you want to implement your agressive strategies in Droid army.

Wondering why there are 2 B2 droids on one stand? To cover Grievous escaping (again).

SWP06 – Hello There Squad Pack

Obi-Wan makes your Republic units tougher and Cody makes your Clone Troopers shots more consistent. If you lack of defense, this expansion is for you.

SWP07 – Witches of Dathomir Squad Pack

Mother Talzin is a good supporting piece for aggressive strategies, and this box provides you with super aggressive Savage Opress. Acolytes also can do massive amount of damage, especially when paired with characters such as Maul and Savage. If you like aggro playstyle then this box is a must have!

Savage is ready to opress some enemies. Pun intended.

SWP08 – This Party’s Over Squad Pack

Definitely one of the most interesting expansion if you want to dramatically boost your Grand Republic Strike Team. ARF Troopers are one of the best supporting units in entire game. Mace Windu is a first character in the game that provide you with only 6 Squad Points, but he have decent abilites that are perfectly balanced between agression, utility and supporting your units with useful keywords and healing. He also have an interesting mechanic around built around Shatterpoint card as well. It’s worth to mention that in this box you can find one-and-only secondary unit that have 3 Point Cost and open new ways in building your Squads. Definitely worth to buy, especially for Republic Players!

Only one can wield purple lightsaber. And if you are into SW as much as us, you probably know why.

SWP09 – Fistful of Credits Squad Pack

Bounty Hunters definitely should be a part of Star Wars: Shatterpoint and there they are!

It’s worth noting that Cad Bane is a first Primary character that offers you 9 Squad Points, so he can be considered when you want to max out your entire squad with powerful units. Supporting Unit offers you an interesting new ability that allows you to give them a tag of your choice at the start of any of your activations.

They robbed Bane in the Book of Boba Fett. Change my mind.

SWP10 – That’s Good Business Squad Pack

That’s Good Business Squad Pack brings Hondo Ohnaka into Shatterpoint as a trickster-style Primary Unit. Supported by Gwarm and Weequay Pirates, this squad plays best when you disrupt your opponent’s plans and capitalize on chaos. Great pick for Clone Wars lists looking for something unpredictable.

The most iconic pirate of the SW universe has entered the chat.

SWP11 – Lead By Example Squad Pack

This squad gives us new utility and control tools for each Galactic Republic Strike Team (especially those Clone-centered ones).

Wolfpack Clones and Wolffe himself are able to make your opponent unit useless, giving them a lot of different condition tokens.

“Sir, we are just the clones, we are meant to be expandable” – Clone Trooper. “Not to me”! – Plo Koon.

SWP12 – Jedi Hunters Squad Pack

Inquisitors are interesting due to the fact that in this box are 2 separate 1-piece Supporting Units. They are designed to counter Force Users but are overall a strong list when paired with Vader due to the Grand Inquisitor & Vader combo.

Have you watched “Kenobi”? If not, you should.

SWP15 – We Are Brave Squad Pack

This box provides you with a highly aggressive support Primary Unit in form of Padme Amidala. She also offers your Galactic Republic strike team an interesting ability to contest objectives even when wounded! Supported by her loyal Bodyguard and Handmaidens she is pretty tough character with kinda big firepower.

Nute Gunray gets aneurysm each time, when he thinks about those ladies.

SWP16 – This Is the Way Squad Pack

This Is the Way Squad Pack adds The Armorer as a support-focused Primary Unit in Shatterpoint. Backed by tanky Paz Vizsla and fast Covert Mandalorians, this squad excels at holding key positions and punishing overextended enemies. A strong thematic pick for Mandalorian focused squads builders.

What we can write here, other than “THIS IS THE WAY”!

SWP21 – Fear and Dead Men Squad Pack

This squad opens up your path to the Galactic Empire lists. New version of Vader is relentless in his goal to vanish your opponent’s unit from the table with not only a huge amount of damage but also an ability to activate constantly until he wounds at least 1 of the opposing characters.

The name of the squad is a reference to the most hard line that Vader delivered in comics.

SWP22 – Fearless and Inventive Squad Pack

And here is the beginning of the Rebel Alliance in Star Wars: Shatterpoint. Although each Unit in this particular box doesn’t synergize with the Rebel Alliance keyword on their own, each character in this expansion is strong enough on its own to be a good addition in your list.

SWP24 – Certified Guild Squad Pack

Certified Guild Squad Pack introduces The Mandalorian as a solid Primary Unit in Shatterpoint, supported by Greef Karga and IG-11. This squad offers great flexibility and works well both on its own or mixed into custom bounty hunter lists.

And you have to admit: Grogu is just adorable!

(Iconic flute starts playing in the background)

SWP25 – We Don’t Need Their Scum Squad Pack

We Don’t Need Their Scum Squad Pack brings heavy hitters like Boba Fett, Dengar, Bossk and IG-88 into Shatterpoint. This squad is all about aggressive plays, deadly precision and relentless pursuit. Perfect for building a brutal bounty hunter strike team.

Can’t imagine how Vader got the idea to hire this guys in EP V.

SWP26 – You Have Something I Want Squad Pack

You Have Something I Want Squad Pack adds Moff Gideon to Shatterpoint as a great Primary Unit.

Backed by Death Trooper as a Secondary Unit, and heavy-hitting Dark Troopers, this squad brings durability and control to any Imperial list. Great fit for Galactic Civil War-era builds.

SWP27 – Ee Chee Wa Maa! and SWP39 – Yub Nub Squad Packs

Is there anything better than an Ewok? Yes, a ton of them!

And within these two boxes you will find a Strike Team full of Ewoks! Don’t be misled by their fluffy appearance, they’re known in the whole Empire as Endor’s Serial Killers! High synergy between each unit is gorgeous. Icing on the cake is a brand new mechanic of “Traps” that you will shuffle into your Order Deck and resolve as soon as you draw them, punishing your opponent for standing near the Active objective.

They probably ate stormtroopers after the Endor. Just saying.

SWP28 – Not Accepting Surrenders Squad Pack

Not Accepting Surrenders Squad Pack brings Grand Admiral Thrawn to Shatterpoint as a control-focused Primary Unit. Alongside Kallus and ISB Agents, this squad excels at disrupting enemy plans and locking down objectives. A top-tier choice for tactical Imperial players.

You gotta love the fact, that Thrawn in Rebels is pretty close to Timothy Zahn’s vision of the character.

SWP29 – Stronger Than Fear Squad Pack

Stronger Than Fear Squad Pack brings Rebel synergy to Shatterpoint with Kanan Jarrus as a solid Primary Unit, supported by Ezra Bridger and Zeb Orrelios. This trio blends force abilities with raw strength, making them a great pick for aggressive Rebel strategies.

Also great to pair with second squad: SWP44 – Make The Impossible Possible Squad Pack

SWP34 – Today The Rebellion Dies Squad Pack

Today The Rebellion Dies Squad Pack adds Iden Versio to Shatterpoint as a fast, tactical Primary Unit. With Gideon Hask and Inferno Squad at her side, this team excels at hit-and-run tactics and objective control in Imperial lists. Great for players who value precision strikes on the enemy team.

SWP35 – Real Quiet Like Squad Pack

Real Quiet Like Squad Pack brings Han Solo to Shatterpoint as a scrappy, risk-taking Primary Unit. Backed by Chewbacca and Rebel Commandos, this squad shines in guerrilla-style tactics and objective play. A great addition to any Rebel Strike Team, or one of two Ewoks squad.

SWP36 – Good Soldiers Follow Orders Squad Pack

Good Soldiers Follow Orders Squad Pack introduces Crosshair to Shatterpoint as a deadly, long-range Primary Unit. Paired with disciplined Elite Squad Troopers, this pack of units offers strong ranged pressure and coordinated strikes. Ideal for Imperial players who favor long ranged control of the battlefield.

You gotta love Crosshair redemption arc in Bad Batch.

SWP38 – Clone Force 99 Squad Pack

Clone Force 99 Squad Pack brings the Bad Batch to Shatterpoint with Hunter as a flexible Primary Unit. Supported by Wrecker, Omega, Echo, Tech, and Clone Wars-era Crosshair, this squad delivers adaptability, strong synergy, and tons of personality.

A must-have for Republic players.

Don’t let the animated style of Bad Batch throw you off. If you haven’t watched, do it.

SWP41 – This Is Some Rescue! Squad Pack

This Is Some Rescue! Squad Pack adds Princess Leia to Shatterpoint as a great Primary Unit, joined by Stormtrooper-disguised Luke and Han as Secondaries, and Chewbacca as Support. This squad blends thematic flair with solid Rebel flexibility and objective play.

Do you ever wondered what happend to other rebel soldiers, captured on Tantive IV, and left on death star? Don’t google it.

SWP44 – Make The Impossible Possible Squad Pack

Make The Impossible Possible Squad Pack brings Hera Syndulla to Shatterpoint as a leadership-focused Primary Unit. With Sabine Wren’s explosive toolkit and Chopper’s support utility, this squad is perfect for fast, Rebel hit-and-run strategies full of personality.

Great to pair with SWP29 – Stronger Than Fear Squad Pack.

When you see Chopper, you know there will be some war crimes.

SWP46 – Maximum Firepower Squad Pack

Maximum Firepower Squad Pack introduces General Veers to Shatterpoint as a tactical Primary Unit. Backed by a Snowtrooper Lieutenant and elite Snowtroopers, this squad excels in attrition and area control – a strong choice for Imperial players who want to hold the line.

Great to pair with SWP21 – Fear and Dead Men Squad Pack.

We would print 3D AT-AT for those guys. Definitely on to-do list.

SWP47 – What Have We Here Squad Pack

What Have We Here Squad Pack adds Lando Calrissian to Shatterpoint as a great Primary Unit. With Lobot offering tactical support and the Wing Guard providing solid defense, this squad thrives on smart plays, adaptability, and style. Perfect for Rebel and neutral lists alike.

Painting the cape of Lando took some time, but the effect is amazing.

Other Characters Expansions

So, we covered all available for now Expansion Packs.

But that’s not all.

There are special Expansions, which gives you not full squad, but some “free” characters. Right now there are only two: “You Cannot run” and recently announced “I am not a Jedi” Duel Packs.

You Cannot Run Duel Pack

This expansion is a diorama that contains two damn good characters. Darth Vader as I said above, is a perfect fit for the Inquisitors (but also can be used in Republic lists due to his Galactic Republic keyword) and Obi-Wan may be a defensive wild card in your lists.

Cool Vader pose, and the only Kenobi from non-Clone Wars era.

Hope they will do the final scene as well in the future.

Ready to play? Let us handle the painting!

Entering the Shatterpoint is already a big adventure in the galaxy far, far away…

And we hope you want to enter with full commitment. As Yoda said: “Do or do not, there is no try.”

At Minis For War, we understand that painting miniatures can be as challenging as navigating an asteroid field. But fear not! Our artists are ready to paint your models to the highest standard.

May the Force be with you!