DICE’s beta for Star Wars Battlefront on PlayStation 4 is now available for all to download, and yesterday we got you started by offering you some handy tips for beating the Walker Assault on Hoth; a mission that many of you will likely flock to, since it’s based on an iconic battle from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. However, one of the highlights of the beta is the chance to step into the legendary boots of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, and as such, we’ve cobbled together a guide for both characters so you can make the most out of your time with them.
Do you have what it takes to take down one of the fearsome Hero units? How do you play as Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker? Hopefully, you’ll find everything you need below. In addition, we recommend reading through our detailed Star Wars Battlefront beta article for all the basic info on game modes, download size and other useful information before you get started.
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How to play as Luke Skywalker
Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker: how to play as the Empire and Rebel force’s iconic Hero units, and things to take into consideration
The ability to play as either character comes via a random drop, which means anyone who comes across the perk can pick it up and become a deadly lightsaber-wielding hero. Playing as Darth or Luke comes at a price though; your health will slowly drop, and enemies can still inflict damage on you and kill you outright, so you must be careful. While it can be tempting to simply go on a killing spree to showcase your Jedi prowess, you are better off taking a small squad with you and heading towards your objective. Utilising your Jedi abilities is paramount to your survival, such as the ability to throw your lightsaber. It’s also worth noting that you can only play as Vader and Skywalker during the Walker Assault on Hoth.
Luke Skywalker
The young Jedi and son of Anakin Skywalker is based around speed. Luke is incredibly fast and agile, allowing him to navigate the battlefield quirky and efficiently, often taking his opponents by surprise. To maximise your survival during Hoth, it is recommend you utilise the sprint function whenever possible, and jump frequently; this will allow you to cover distance while simultaneously avoiding incoming fire. As for your attacks, Luke’s arsenal is comprised of three basic moves:
Force Push: A classic Jedi manoeuvre, the Force Push is a proximity-based attack that will shove your opponent backwards with great force. However, it is still able to be used outside of regular striking distance, so use it when your Lightsaber isn’t quite within range and you need a quick solution to down an enemy.
Heavy Attack: This sees Luke make deadly use of his lightsaber in a sweeping attack designed to dispatch multiple enemies at once. It’s great when things are getting hectic up close and you need an effective way of removing threats as quickly as possible.
Saber Rush: Luke’s primary long-distance attack, the Saber Rush is a brilliant way of closing the distance between you and an opponent in the shortest time possible.
How to play as Darth Vadar
The Dark Lord of the Sith is a slightly heavier character than Luke Skywalker, and while he’s agile enough in battle, you’ll want to rely more on your jumping ability to close the gap on your enemies. As Vader isn’t quite as nimble as the young Skywalker, you’ll run the risk of taking heavy fire from enemies unless you mix up your tactics and use the jump feature alongside regular movement. Darth Vader is deadly in close proximity, however, which you’ll see below.
Force Choke: The Dark Lord’s signature attack sees him utilise the power of the Force to choke his victim from afar. In addition, you can also use this attack on multiple opponents, letting you lift them off the ground and deliver a deadly blow to the throat, stopping them in their tracks from a safe distance.
Heavy Attack: Similar to Skywalker, Darth Vader can wield his lightsaber to deadly effectiveness to dispatch multiple enemies when close enough. However, one thing to consider is that if Luke and Darth clash on the field of battle, they’ll be locked in an epic struggle for power as their lightsabers clash and each player grasps for control of the fight.
Saber Throw: Vader’s range attack sees him throwing his lightsaber at an enemy with deadly accuracy. Much like Luke’s long-range attack, it’s great for dishing out punishment when you can’t get close enough for a traditional lightsaber attack, especially when you are vulnerable to enemy fire and need to strike out quickly.
Be sure to keep an eye on the cool down meter for each of your special attacks, so you don’t get caught short in the heat of battle.
How to beat Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker
It’s inevitable that at some point during the game, you’ll find yourself battling against The Darth Lord of the Sith or the young Jedi Master. So, what should you do? Well, you definitely have your work cut out for you, that’s for sure, and there’s not an awful lot you can do by yourself. Don’t ever try to take on one of these lightsaber-wielding behemoths; instead, if you have to take them on, do so with a fireteam and hope that a spot of luck is on your side. Overwhelming firepower is what’s going to win the day for you in this case, so concentrate your fire as a group on Darth or Luke, and hope that they don’t get too close. Keeping your distance is key, so attempt to reduce their health from as far away as possible. Yes, they have long-range attacks, but they are not quite as effective as their close-range lightsaber attacks, so use that to your advantage. As we said though, it’s no easy task eliminating a Jedi, so sometimes running is the best option.
Watch us playing Star Wars Battlefront on Tattoine.
Watch us playing Star Wars Battlefront on Sullust.