Kessel Sabacc in Star Wars Outlaw Explained

As a seasoned space scoundrel with more years under my belt than I’d care to admit, I’ve learned a thing or two about surviving in the rough and tumble world of Star Wars Outlaws. And one thing is for certain – if you wanna stay ahead of the game, you gotta be smart, cunning, and occasionally, a little bit sneaky.

In the world of video games, particularly open-world ones, it’s common for developers to include an engaging side activity or mini-game. These mini-games can be so captivating that they divert players from the main storyline. For instance, Gwent in The Witcher 3 and Machine Strike in Horizon Forbidden West are examples of this phenomenon. Now, Star Wars Outlaws offers a new potential champion: Kessel Sabacc, a card game with intricate and interconnected mechanics that could easily consume players for dozens of hours and thousands of credits.

Similar to Gwent and Machine Strike, the intricacies of Kessel Sabacc might take some time to fully comprehend. Don’t worry if it takes a few attempts to get the hang of it. Although you can bypass the mini-game during most parts of the game, there are points in the narrative where you’ll need to play it. To ensure you don’t miss out on those story elements, here’s a rundown of everything you should know about Kessel Sabacc.

Card Value and Set in Kessel Sabacc

In Kessel Sabacc, you’ll find two distinct sets of cards: Sand (symbolized by yellow) and Blood (symbolized by red). Each set encompasses three cards for every number from 1 to 6, which means there are a total of six cards for each number across the entire deck. The worth of a card is signified by the symbol placed centrally or atop the card.

Furthermore, there are two additional types of cards: the Sylop Card and the Imposter Card, which we will discuss in detail at a later time.

How Kessel Sabacc Works

As a gamer, I’m ready to dive into this game that accommodates up to four of us. The robot, or the dealer as we call it, is our host, dealing out a single card per round to each player from two decks at hand. We all begin with a pair of cards – one yellow and one red. The dealer also reveals and discards one card from each deck into their respective piles. When I need more cards, I can draw from any pile, but doing so uses up my Stock, a precious resource that’s not limitless.

In this game, you’re required to eliminate one card from the deck you chose, ensuring it matches the color of the card you picked initially. For instance, if you select a yellow card, you should discard either a new yellow card or a previously held yellow card. It is essential to maintain a balance by always having one yellow and one red card in your possession throughout the game.

Goal of Kessel Sabacc

Kessel Sabacc in Star Wars Outlaw Explained

In Kessel Sabacc, the aim is clear: to create a pair of cards, or a Sabacc Hand, in order to emerge victorious. Since it’s not common to have a pair when the cards are first dealt, you can swap your cards by spending Stock (golden chips). A round consists of three turns, providing you with three opportunities to form a Sabacc Hand. The rounds continue until only one player has any Stock left.

4 players can join this game concurrently, and unlike other games, there’s no prize for coming in second – only the last remaining player collects the entire prize pool. The entrance fee and ultimate reward details will become clear once you take your seat at a Sabacc table.

Ranks and Value of Sabacc Hand

Not all Sabacc Hands are created equal. In Kessel Sabacc, a hand with a lower value is actually stronger, meaning a pair of 1s from each deck will win over a pair of 2s or 3s. The best Sabacc Hand is a Sylop Sabacc, but more on that later. The ranking of pairs is as follows:

A Pair of Sylop Cards (more on this below)
A Pair of 1s
A Pair of 2s
A Pair of 3s
A Pair of 4s
A Pair of 5s
A Pair of 6s

If you’re missing a Sabacc Hand combination like a pair, don’t fret! You can still emerge victorious if none of the other players have a pair as well. The worth of your hand depends on the gap between the two cards you hold. A smaller difference generally increases your chances of winning.

In simpler terms, a combination of a 5 and a 6 beats a 1 and a 3 in this game, as their total values are closer together (only one point apart). But, regardless of what either hand holds, they will lose to any Sabacc pair, including a pair as low as 6s.

Special Cards in Kessel Sabacc

Sylop Cards

In every set of cards, there’s just one Sylop Card. Across all games, you’ll find only two. The unique quality of these Sylop Cards is that they mimic the value of another card in your hand. For instance, if you have a Sylop Card and a 2, it’s treated as a pair of twos. Remarkably, a pair made up of two Sylop Cards is the strongest hand in the game, and no other pair can beat it, not even a pair of 1s.

Imposter Cards

In this game, there are three fake cards within each set, amounting to six in total. If you possess a fake card in your hand, you’ll roll two dice at the end of each round. You have the option to decide the value of either die as the value of your fake card.

How to Draw and Stand in Kessel Sabacc

Previously mentioned, taking a card from the stack will decrease your Stock by 1, with the exception of utilizing a suitable Shift Token (details provided later). If you’re content with your cards or wish to preserve your Stock for the next round, you can opt to Stay still, resulting in no Stock being used and no new cards being obtained. It is crucial to remember that, unlike poker, there’s no option to Fold in Kessel Sabacc.

What Are Shift Tokens in Kessel Sabacc

Shift Tokens serve as variable elements within the game, each one carrying distinct influences based on the particular Shift Token at hand. To illustrate, a Refund Shift Token empowers a player to recover two Stock Chips that were previously placed in the stockpile.

At the outset of every match, players have the option to pick three Shift Cards to utilize within the game. Each card can be used only once during a single match, but any unused ones can be saved for later matches. These Shift Cards are played at the beginning of your turn and do not require any Stock to spend. You can obtain different Shift Cards by winning rounds, buying them from the Black Market, or discovering various locations within the game world.

Reveal Phase and Tax Overview in Kessel Sabacc

Following three rounds, every participant unveils their hidden cards. Those who have run out of resources (Stock) will be eliminated, whereas players still holding some resources will advance to the subsequent round. The amount of resources (Stock) for the following round is determined by performance in the preceding one.

In this game, if a player emerges victorious in the previous round, they get all their initial Stocks returned. However, those who lost with a Sabacc Hand (a pair) will have to pay one Stock as tax. If someone loses without having a pair, they forfeit an amount equivalent to the gap between their two cards. The game proceeds until there’s only one player left with any Stock, and that person takes home all the winnings.

Cheats in Kessel Sabacc

In the gritty universe of ‘Star Wars Outlaws’, it’s neither just nor straightforward – and there’s no need for you to conform to either. With your roguish nature, you can certainly bend the rules when playing Kessel Sabacc, but be mindful. The initial rule-bending trick you’ll discover is peeking at your adversaries’ cards with Nix. You can have your trusty companion sneak a peek at other players’ hands, helping you decide whether your hand has the strength to emerge victorious.

At the onset of each round, I find myself drawn to subtly bend the rules of this Sabacc game. But tread lightly, for if discovered, I risk a short-term exile from this very table. As I advance in the game, I’ll uncover more covert ways to manipulate the cards.

Tips to Win at Kessel Sabacc

Use Cheats Wisely: Utilize cheats whenever possible. If you find the cheating quick-time event cumbersome, you can disable it by going to the Gameplay options in the Settings Menu and turning off the Kessel Sabacc Cheat minigame. This will allow cheats to complete automatically.
Simplify Card Values: If you have trouble reading card values, you can switch the card header symbols to numerical values. To do this, open the Settings Menu, select Gameplay, then go to the Minigames section and set the Kessel Sabacc card header to Simple Numerals. This makes it easier to determine card values.
Minimize Taxation: If you know you’re going to lose a round, try to minimize the difference between your cards. This strategy will reduce the amount you’re taxed at the end of the round.
Utilize Imposter Cards: In tough situations, Imposter Cards can be valuable as they give you a 33% chance of drawing the card you need.
Strategize Your Stand: Sometimes, standing to save your tokens for the next round is a smart strategy. Use this approach when it suits your overall game plan.
Acquire Shift Tokens: Progress through the game to collect as many Shift Tokens as possible. These tokens can significantly impact your gameplay.
Check for Shift Tokens: Shift Tokens that you have discovered but not yet acquired can be reviewed in the Collectibles tab. This tab also provides information on how to obtain them.
Use Shift Tokens Sparingly: Be strategic with your Shift Tokens. Avoid using all of them in the first round, and consider targeting specific players with some of them.
Leverage Discard Piles: Don’t forget to use the Discard Card piles. These can be useful for forming a pair.
Review the Rules: If you’re unsure about any aspect of Kessel Sabacc, you can review the rules at any time. Access them via the game’s journal by heading to the Databank tab, selecting Tutorials, and then Kessel Sabacc.

2024-09-03 10:35