Star Wars Outlaws: Insider Strategies for Mastering Kessel Sabacc

Starting today, you can dive into Star Wars Outlaws’ first story pack, Wild Card, available on Xbox Series X|S. This fresh content introduces players to the thrilling world of Kessel Sabacc, a game played on the casino cruiser Morenia, which is known for its unique rules and larger table layout. If you’re ready to up your game, you’ll want to get familiar with these changes and start crafting your strategy. Developer Thibaut Machin offers some insider tips on the best cheats and strategies to use if you want to outsmart your rivals and claim the ultimate prize.

For those eager to jump in, accessing the Wild Card story pack requires players to have completed the Gunsmith quest and The High Roller quest for Lando Calrissian. Once you’re in, you’ll step into the shoes of Kay Vess, who has been given a challenging mission by Governor Thorden from Toshara. Kay must infiltrate a high-stakes Kessel Sabacc game and win a cherished prize, only to discover a hidden game taking place in the underworld. This adventure is just one part of what Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card has in store. But, beware, the game is invite-only, so Kay must rely on her cunning and charm to gain access.

As with any version of Kessel Sabacc, the goal remains to outmaneuver your opponents by assembling the best hand with blood and sand cards. Each round involves three turns, and once your chips run dry, you’re out of the game. The game on Morenia, however, comes with a twist. Protocol Droid EY-E9, who runs the casino cruiser, has implemented some house rules – namely, the banning of shift tokens. This change is meant to create a level playing field, as shift tokens could previously be used to gain an advantage or disrupt an opponent’s strategy.

Though shift tokens are out, the art of cheating isn’t entirely forbidden if you can manage it discreetly. In the Wild Card, three main cheats can be utilized: magnetic dice, a sneaky double draw trick courtesy of Lando, and using Nix to peek at opponents’ hands. Yet, in this installment, Nix has a bit of a challenge. The open and busy game environment means he must find new ways to help Kay out, like planting cards on other players to get them caught for “cheating.”

This new flavor of Kessel Sabacc also allows opponents to use their own cheats to gain the upper hand. It’s crucial for Kay to pay close attention and call out these antics to EY-E9. Doing so increases the chances of troublesome players being ejected from the game altogether.

Unlike the usual four-person setup across the galaxy, Morenia hosts a larger six-player table, adding a fresh level of competition. EY-E9 narrates the game to onlookers, interacts with players, and keeps watch for sneaky maneuvers. To navigate these new dynamics and reach victory, we caught up with Ubisoft Paris’s game director, Thibaut Machin, who shared some advice on making the most of Wild Card’s new rules.

Machin emphasizes the importance of the double draw technique, a clever move that players can learn from Lando. This tactic can be crucial, allowing players to pull extra cards discreetly, but Machin suggests pairing this with Nix’s card-planting ability instead of discarding the extra card. This combo not only helps you build a stronger hand but can also get other players booted for “cheating.”

Players are also encouraged to gather intelligence as they explore Morenia, picking up on clues about their competitors at the table. These insights will prove invaluable during the game, allowing you to outsmart others by exposing their tricks to EY-E9.

Besides mastering the game, maintaining a good reputation with various syndicates on Morenia is key. Kay will find her way to the Sabacc table more smoothly if she’s fostered positive relations with these groups, allowing for an easier and more immersive story experience.

Machin also advises players to exercise patience at the table, suggesting that rushing might cost more than help. With the game enduring several rounds and limited chips at hand, cautious play can often yield better results. Observing table dynamics and opponent banter closely is essential to staying ahead in this intense setting.

As Machin notes, the characters add a layer of amusement with their dialogues, lightening the mood in this high-stakes game. If you’re ready for the challenge, Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card is available to play now on Xbox Series X|S. Stay tuned for upcoming content and updates by following Star Wars Outlaws on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and right here on Xbox Wire.