When I first cracked open Star Wars: Unlimited earlier this year, I was finding my footing, learning the flow of battles, figuring out resource management and revelling in the thrill of putting Luke or Vader on the board at the perfect moment.
Now, with Set 6: Secrets of Power in hand, I feel like I’ve stepped into the real game. This isn’t about who has the biggest blaster anymore, it’s about who can outthink, outmanoeuvre and out-manipulate their opponent.
As the developers put it, Secrets of Power shifts the fight from the front lines to the corridors of power. This set is all about politics, espionage and quiet influence. Instead of stormtroopers clashing with rebels, you’ve got senators cutting deals, spies gathering intel and puppet masters pulling strings from the shadows.
It’s a clever thematic pivot that brings a whole new dimension to gameplay, and as someone who was extremely excited for the second and final season of Andor, it hits exactly the right note.
Playing politics
The two spotlight decks in this set, Padmé Amidala and Emperor Palpatine, perfectly capture the push and pull between idealism and control.
Padmé’s deck, built around diplomacy and synergy, rewards strategic thinking. You’re not trying to blast your opponent off the board early in the game; you’re trying to build alliances and make your moves count. Many of her cards are about incremental advantage, little boosts that stack into something formidable if you plan ahead.
Palpatine’s deck, naturally, goes the opposite way. It’s ruthless, direct and dripping with manipulation. You can feel the theme running through every card, gaining power through deceit, discarding your own troops for greater influence or turning your opponent’s resources against them. It’s the kind of deck that makes you cackle when things go your way and groan when your opponent outplays you.
Even outside the spotlight decks, Secrets of Power deepens the meta with mechanics that reward patience and timing. There are more effects that trigger off resource usage, more cards that mess with the tempo of play and more ways to win without brute force.
It’s less about a lightsaber duel and more about a Senate debate (I mean that as a compliment).
A galaxy of subtlety
What really stands out this time around is the flavour. Secrets of Power leans hard into the political and espionage side of Star Wars, which doesn’t get nearly enough love in games (tabletop or video games). It’s full of characters from Andor like Mon Mothma, Luthen Rael, Dedra Meero and Cassian himself, and their abilities feel true to who they are in the show.
Luthen’s ability to manipulate the flow of play mirrors his secretive double life, while Mothma’s steady leadership bonuses feel like a quiet but persistent force.
It’s refreshing to see this part of the galaxy getting some spotlight. Most Star Wars games stick to the big battles, Jedi showdowns and Death Star trench runs. Here, the tension is quieter; a card drawn at the right time, a resource kept hidden, a scheme that suddenly pays off three turns later.
If Unlimited started out as a game about conflict, Secrets of Power shows it’s just as good at intrigue.
Familiar, but deeper
What’s been most fun about diving into this set is realising how far I’ve come since my first match. Back then, I was just happy to play a stormtrooper without accidentally locking myself out of a turn. Now I’m reading the board like a chess player, plotting turns ahead and actually using those keywords and interactions I used to gloss over. Secrets of Power rewards that kind of understanding; it’s a set for players who know the basics and want to start pulling the strings a little tighter.
The booster packs were a blast, too. I got a few standout cards, including some fantastic Andor characters and a couple of event cards that’ll shake up my existing decks.
The artwork continues to be top-tier, balancing nostalgia with modern polish. And yes, I’m now the kind of person who keeps sleeved cards on my desk just because they look cool.
That’s the magic of Star Wars: Unlimited; it’s not just a strategy game, it’s a shared moment. Secrets of Power adds depth, intrigue and a touch of political drama to that mix, reminding you that sometimes the real power in the galaxy isn’t on the battlefield, it’s in the deal you make when no one’s looking.
A cheeky side note
I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for the tactile joy of cracking open new packs. So, when I packed for Hopkins Creek Festival over the weekend, I threw one in my bag. Between sets and snacks, my friends and I sat around a camp chair, opening boosters under a tarp as rain started to fall.
