Summary
AhsokaintroducedGrand Admiral Thrawnas the greatest villain ofThe Mandalorianera, and there’s evidence he’s an even more dangerous villain than Palpatine himself.Star Warsis about to return to a classic formula inThe Mandalorian & Grogu, as the nascent New Republic finds itself locked in battle with a resurgent Empire. All this is because Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned from his exile on the extragalactic planet Peridea, and has taken command of theImperial Shadow Council.
Thrawn is a very different kind ofStar Warsvillain. Most of the classic foes are powerful Force-wielders like Palpatine or Darth Vader, but Thrawn only understands the basics of the Force. Rather, he’s an alien genius noted for his ability to outmaneuver his opponents, figuring out their strategies and literally out-thinking them. This makes him a very different kind of enemy for the New Republic,one who may well be even more dangerous than Palpatine.
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Thrawn Turns His Allies' Weaknesses Into Opportunities
The threat of Thrawn is hinted at in the games
The true threat of Grand Admiral Thrawn has been revealed, oddly enough, by the latest updates inStar Wars: Galaxy of Heroes. This has unleashed Thrawn’s lieutenant, the mysteriousgold stormtrooper named Captain Enoch, and his signature power is quite telling. Named in honor of Thrawn’s Legends origin, it’s called “Last Command,” andit calls up a hologram of Thrawnfor the following effect:
Dispel all debuffs on all Imperial Remnant allies and they gain Protection Up (60%) for 2 turns and 20% Turn Meter, and all enemies with Blight lose 5% Turn Meter. Allies with Decay gain Critical Avoidance Up for 2 turns. Call another random ally with Decay to assist, dealing 40% less damage.
If all allies were Imperial Remnant at the start of battle, Attackers gain Advantage for 1 turn.
All Imperial Remnant allies lose negative status effects, gaining additional protection and a boost to their turn meter. To translate the game mechanics into story terms - because these mechanics have been carefully chosen to honor Thrawn’s character -the Grand Admiral’s allies lose any weaknesses, becoming better defended and swifter to attack and react. In story terms, Thrawn’s mere presence means the Empire is no longer on the back foot.
Thrawn’s Enemies Struggle To Adapt To His Tactics
How do you outsmart the Grand Admiral?
But the effect is even more dramatic than that, and hints at a major reason theNew Republicwill struggle to adapt to Thrawn. Notice that Thrawn’s enemies have a chance to lose their turn meter, meaningthey’re slower to attack and react. Thrawn was one of the Empire’s foremost military geniuses, a tactical and strategic mastermind who is almost unparalleled among the Empire’s ranks. Indeed, Palpatine believed he and Grand Moff Tarkin were the only ones who could have outthought the Rebel Alliance, and he was likely right.
With the notable exception of Hera Syndulla, the Rebel Alliance never really had to fight Grand Admiral Thrawn. He was lost shortly before the destruction of the first Death Star, the opening shot in the Galactic Civil War, and his absence - coupled with Tarkin’s death on the Death Star - meant the Empire never had a chance. Now he’s back, a strategic genius the Rebel Alliance doesn’t really understand, and he will be fiendishly difficult to outwit.
Palpatine Used The Force, But Thrawn Is A Genius
That’s why Thrawn is so dangerous
Palpatine was perhaps the most powerful Sith who ever lived, and he could skillfully manipulate his opponents; but even the Emperor’s genius appears to have dulled with age, as he came to depend ever more on overwhelming force in battle. In contrast, Grand Admiral Thrawn is essentially theStar Warsversion of Sherlock Holmes (the inspiration for his character). He studies and observes, only deciding how to act when he is confident he has enough information.
The New Republic has only one advantage.
The New Republic has only one advantage. FormerJedi Padawan Ezra Bridgerescaped Peridea as well, and he’s brought news of Thrawn’s return. It’s unclear whether Thrawn knows the New Republic is aware he’s back in the mainStar Warsgalaxy after the events ofAhsoka, which could mean he makes some strategic missteps. This could well be the New Republic’s only chance.
