I really like the conflict we are seeing with wearing the helmet. Perhaps he is rethinking The Way he's been doing it? I don't take this off for anyone, no matter what. Not even with the Twi'lek ex-gf. Even for a pretty lady in a remote village who can shoot things really well. Close, but no. A droid technically isn't a living thing, so I will allow it this time. Even when others ruthlessly tease him, like maybe he's a Gungan. Not in front of an alien child. (Already breaks the BH code by stealing The Asset back.) Likes finding other Mandos, until they remove their helms. Declares others Mandos as NOT Mandalorian (and leaves) since they remove their helms. Does not say he'd hunt the Jedi, only listened to the offer. (Still being technically obedient to a code) Willing to remove the helm in front of others to get what he needs to save the child. Or, he at least thought no one would be face-to-face with him, so it was okay. A re-thinking of The Way or a weakening resolve? Is it a mortal 'sin' or mistake which he must atone for? Will he be hard on himself, repentant, and double-down? Or, is he learning that life is complicated and people are imperfect? Will we eventually see him helmet-free regularly? Will others, like him, change with him?

I have the same sentiment about creating something to explain the past of a character whose fate is already known. (e.g. the cringe-fest that, IMO, was Solo). We already know where it is going and we know what the end result of character development is. We don't know how the Mandalorian is going to turn out or what decisions he'll make. Half as good as The Mandalorian? YEAH!!! All in on that one!!! I hope it is just about the stand-alone exploits of Cassian Andor in his own series and not an endeavor to "weave" him into every possible plot that went on in that timeframe. I'm not a big fan of the "weave" format of Cassian in the shadows of everything the comics or novels have to offer. (Disclosure: I do not have knowledge of what Cassian has been in either novels or comics.) The worst would be explaining how Cassian got his last name (a la Solo). Do you want the credits AND a blaster, or credits OR a blaster? "And"-"Or"??? Andor!!! There you go, Cassian! We have a last name for you!! {{cringe}} Such is the material we've gotten out of some Disney endeavors. Since we know Cassian will do what needs to be done, I think it might be likely to start him off as someone completely different than the character we already know. However, that's a tough transition to pull off.

In recent years, I've found it useful to ask players their top-3. Top-3 Eras to play in, Top-3 character ideas to play, etc... This let's me sort of "pick" the one that is most pleasing to me. If you ask for only one, then it is yes or no. You can only give in or disappoint. If instead you say I am going with #2, then it isn't a big deal because the players are still playing in an era they want to play in. This top-3 thing came about when one particular player kept creating characters for campaigns that were all alike: psychotic, anti-social loners with no reason to trust anybody. I found that if I gave him a quota of three different PC ideas, then I could pick the least unplayable, least incompatible one for the group without putting down the other ones. I am with you on not being a Clone Wars guru. I think that the Clones vs Droids combat can only be done so many ways before it tires out. Age of Rebellion may be a better choice if they are working closely with troop movements and the military machine (Spy, Diplomat, Commander, Soldier). Everything they'd be doing would involve a sort of "Duty" to their cause. To keep it Edge, then I think it is safe to say that the group with be on the 'edge' of the whole military conflict. Non-military types like Smuggler, Colonist, Explorer, Bounty Hunter. They could play DURING the era, but do things like collect Separatists bounties, run illicit goods through smuggling, search out new resources. I think it is helpful to ask WHY they want to play in that era. Do they want to do the "Roger, Roger" bit over and over? Socialize with Clone Troopers? Be around for Order 66? Hunt Jedi?

At some game tables (especially in D&D), there can be a subtle assumption that "everyone" will have an optimized character. You really have to 'know' your table. I've seen this condescension coming more from people who were not long time gamers with each other before. If it is online gaming, then it might be something to bring up when making characters. Some groups want the tank, face, pilot, etc... to all have 4's in the main characteristic and a well-chosen spec. That's their business, but you just have to know your group. I don't enjoy those groups, but in the FFG SW system, playing the one guy without a 4 in your main stat can leave you pretty ineffective. I would disagree that it is new vs old players, where the older players (in game experience or age) are more of the optimizers. I think back in my nearly 30 years of gaming and the old crew of gamers never would talk down to someone who built their character 'wrong'. Actually, it was kind of a fun thing to do when you had a non-optimized character with lots of backstory. It was all about having a fun group. I never really heard about 'doing it wrong' until going online with Paizo forums, W.O.W., other online gaming, and such. I think that our society is becoming more and more tech-savvy and 'smart'-oriented and that talking down to people comes from all ages. I believe the concept of building a character 'right' is mostly just the product of cultural pressure that has developed in the internet/data age. Everything is about data. There is a right way and a wrong way, no middle ground. There is a phone app that does that for you and "smart people" have that app. Smart phones, smart cars, smart TV's, etc... I believe the "your doing that wrong" in gaming comes from this and not just from veteran players who have figured out the best way(s) to build each class. That said, as someone noted above, there IS the new player who just does not know about other options and methods of character build and that's a bit different, but it should be done while focusing on character development and not just stats. Some groups want optimization and you just have to know that upfront. Just my opinion.

I think that a 'classic' move would be to boldly steal a Sith ship from their base while they are away attacking the Star Destroyer. The Sith leader wouldn't expect it and it's probably their only way out. In true villainous form, you can imagine the outrage of that leader when he finds out what happened!