Astromech are different from other Operators in Star Wars Zero Company. They may not have access to conventional weapons, but they make use of tools, explosives, enemy debuffs, and AP-sharing techniques to aid the squad. In addition, they have good mobility, which enables them to reach high places where other operators must use ladders.
How to Unlock Astromechs
First, you will have to create the Droid Repair Bay at The Den. You may find an Astromech in ruins at the location while in the earlier stages of the process, but it is only after the upgrade terminal has been made available that you will be able to use the repair facility.
You will need to spend a particular amount of Credits to construct it, and complete a mission while waiting for one complete cycle. It will then provide you with the BR-1. After that, Astromechs become accessible through the recruitment terminal while you can also create some custom droids by means of using the character database.
How Astromechs Work
Most Astromechs serve as utility operators instead of pure damage dealers. They can attack using grenades, and other utility items for offense, while their most important abilities improve the rest of the squad.
One of their strongest features is their ability to make use of AP. Thanks to the Built-In Comlink feature, the Astromech can spend 1 AP to share the same amount of AP with an ally once per turn. With upgrades, it becomes possible to do the same twice per turn or without limitations, which significantly increases the efficiency of the operator.
Enhanced Scanners costs 1 AP and applies Scanned to enemies within range, removing their Defense and making them easier to hit. The range can be as high as 24 meters, while upgrading it allows for Scanned targets to gain the Vulnerable status in the end.
Coordinated Support remains the greatest capability of the Astromech by permitting the allotted units to acquire AP. The ability costs 1 AP and gives 1 AP to each operator in the unit. The ultimate upgrade gives 2 AP to all members of the unit. Because Advantage is given to the whole team, the ability can help even more in combination with Operators who can create more Advantage.
Best Way to Play Astromechs
Astromech is best kept active until the end of turn by using it correctly. Let other Operators attack and create Advantage first and then use Coordinated Support when the squad can take full advantage of the extra AP.
Before that, use Enhanced Scanners on important enemies removing their Defense and making them easier targets. Built-In Comlink enables passing excess AP to your strongest damage dealer and allowing it to do one more attack or useful ability.
Astromechs also work wonderfully at higher ground. Astromechs can use their movement and vertical mobility to access rooftops and get to elevated positions. They can still escape quickly if enemies get too close.
Best Items
Grenade: Allow Astromechs to deal direct damage. The sorts of grenades available include impact bombs, thermal detonators and droid poppers.
Med Kits: Astromechs can successfully use med packs, with Lifesaving Measure ensuring higher amounts of restored health.
Combat Stim: Good for increasing the maximum health and power of a true damage dealer for a given timeframe.
Best Squad Synergy
The combination of Astromechs and damage dealers is powerful because their extra AP means more actions for your attacks. While a front line Operator is aided by their extra moves in battle, the Scout has the added benefit of helping create an Advantage that can allow you to use the Coordinated Support ability.
It is not necessary to have a dedicated Medic when using an Astromech since their assistance comes through AP sharing, debuffs against the enemy, and battlefield control, and traditional healing.
Astromech Limitations
Astromechs are not necessary for all operations. Their capability for offense is reliant upon the utility they have, and once they run out of explosives their ability to deal damage becomes limited. They also cannot be treated by Medics and can only self-heal.
When it comes to upgrades for the Focus, emphasis needs to be placed on built-in communications, utility items upgrades, and Enhanced Scanners. The idea behind this is to help your Astromech take more actions and effectively utilize items for debuffing enemies.
In conclusion, it must be stressed that your Astromech acts as a force multiplier and not merely as an attacker. Ensure that it is always active, safe and tasks enemies out of their Defense to maximize the action number and use Coordinated Support accordingly.
