TEAM FORMAT
5v5 or 3v3?
A team tested in 5v5 may depend on four allies. A 3v3 lineup may behave differently even with the same leader. Always select the matching format.
IDS TACTICAL INTELLIGENCE / GRAND ARENA
Find a counter without wasting a battle
Search common defenders, identify what makes the matchup dangerous, and open season-specific battle records before assigning your offense. This desk does not invent guaranteed wins or mix 5v5 results with 3v3.
01 / BEFORE EVERY BATTLE
Four things that determine whether a published counter applies
SEASON
How old are the results?
The counter source currently lists 5v5 Season 84 beginning October 7, 2026 and 3v3 Season 83 beginning September 9. A past season does not prove a result for a future update.
ABILITIES
Did the players have the same tools?
Omicrons, Zetas, relics, datacrons, mods, abilities and one changed defender can invalidate an apparently strong counter.
SAMPLE
How many battles back the result?
A 100% reported win rate over a tiny sample is not a guarantee. Prefer enough comparable matches, and inspect which attacking teams and defender variants were actually recorded.
How this desk uses live sources
IDS links directly to published matchup records on SWGOH.GG but does not copy a changing win-rate table or scrape private roster data. We describe the defender's known threats and let readers inspect the current evidence and team conditions at the source.
NEW / DEFENDER-BY-DEFENDER TACTICAL FILES
Five complete defensive scouting guides
Start with a recognizable defender, read the exact ability triggers and turn-order dangers, then open the current season match records. Each guide has an interactive 5v5/3v3 selector, a failure diagnostic and a locally saved preflight checklist. These are research-based preparation tools, not guarantees of a winning attacking team.
SWARM / SUMMONGeonosian Brood AlphaBrute Taunt, Hive Mind healing and assist loops.Read full tactical file →
GAC OMICRON / IMPERIALIden VersioLeader-tag restrictions, revives and out-of-turn penalties.Read full tactical file →
DROIDS / TARGET LOCKGeneral GrievousB1 stacks, B2 control and Grievous bonus turns.Read full tactical file →
SITH EMPIRE, DOUBT AND GRAND ARENA OMICRONSDarth MalgusScouting Darth Malgus requires checking all-Sith qualifications, Sith Empire tags, multiple Grand Arena Omicrons, Doubt and Fear. This file Read full tactical file →
PALPATINE, MARA JADE AND STARKILLEREmperor PalpatineA complete 5v5 Emperor Palpatine defense can hide Starkiller's qualifying Omicron, Mara Jade control, a Jedi Tank's Damage Immunity and a laRead full tactical file →NEW / ATTACKING TEAM WALKTHROUGHS
Twelve detailed offensive playbooks
Search illustrated attacking-team tactics, requirements and historic matchups →
Choose a historical attacking-team example and inspect its actual ability requirements, first-turn decisions and known failure cases. These are not guaranteed 2026 counters: you must open the live GAC matchup history and verify whether the same offensive formation appears against your exact defense.
HISTORICAL COUNTER / READ CONDITIONSDarth Traya vs GeonosiansTraya's leader Zeta and Isolate punish Geonosian swarm assists.Open six-step attack plan →
HISTORICAL COUNTER / READ CONDITIONSSolo Wampa vs Iden VersioA historical solo Omicron counter with serious Scout Trooper and Datacron restrictions.Open six-step attack plan →
HISTORICAL COUNTER / READ CONDITIONSBad Batch vs General GrievousEcho opens with Daze, Tech exploits it for Stun, Hunter swaps Turn Meter.Open six-step attack plan →
HISTORICAL COUNTER / CHECK CONDITIONSCLS Rebels versus BosskHan's first-turn Stun and Chewbacca's Guard counter an older Bossk contract strategy.Read illustrated attack plan →
HISTORICAL 3V3 / VERIFY EXACT TRIOVeers Troopers vs Mon MothmaVeers, Piett and Dark Trooper against the recorded Mothma, Cara Dune and Kyle Katarn trio. Newer Luthen compositions require separate research.Open the 3v3 attack plan →
HISTORICAL JEDI COUNTER / 5V5Jedi Revan versus GrievousDirect Focus, Jedi revival and a B2 plan offer a different route from Bad Batch; beware Grievous bonus turns.Read illustrated Jedi attack →HISTORICAL 5V5 / PHOENIX WITH CAPTAIN REXVeers vs PhoenixAssess Rex's GAC Omicron, Hera's revives and Moff Gideon's Turn Meter before committing a Trooper team.Read the 5v5 attack →HISTORICAL 5V5 / QUI-GON OMICRONBad Batch versus Qui-GonEcho Daze, Tech Stun and Anakin's response to Qui-Gon's defeat make this a different fight from Grievous.Read illustrated attack →
5V5 NIGHT SISTERS / HISTORIC MATCHUPTalzin versus Finn and ZoriiPlague, Merrin's Omicron and Zombie/Daka revives against Expose-heavy Resistance.Open source-linked battle plan →
HISTORIC 5V5 / 501ST VERSUS NIGHTSISTERSGeneral Skywalker vs TalzinGAS's anti-revival leadership against Talzin, Merrin, Zombie and Daka; includes resource-cost warnings.Open illustrated 501st plan →HISTORIC 5V5 / STARKILLER DEFENSEGeneral Grievous + BB-8 vs StarkillerStarting Droid Turn Meter, B2 dispels and Starkiller's GAC Omicron define this specific older matchup.Read visual battle playbook →
SOLO 1V5 / HISTORICAL CLASSIC EWOKSSolo Enfys Nest versus Chirpa's EwoksCompare a Zeta Nest's Bonus Protection and Tenacity to Logray's Daze and Elder's revivals before using the archived solo example.Open illustrated solo Nest guide →Each guide includes an interactive 5v5/3v3 archive selector, common failure diagnosis and a six-step checklist stored only in your browser. For a custom opening and backup decision, use the corresponding defender's attack worksheet.
INTERACTIVE / DEFENSIVE SCOUTING
Search 16 documented defensive leaders
Filter by defender or faction, then select the appropriate season. You can inspect individual defender considerations and open current or archived SWGOH.GG statistics. Each leader card links to a verified individual matchup page. Changing the 5v5/3v3 selector also switches these links to the selected season.
5v5 / Season 84
Open selected GAC season ↗Mode-specific records. Verify the same lineup, datacron and upgrades in the source before assigning a counter.
16 of 16 defender research cards shown
Rey
Threat: Survivability and sudden damage
Inspect the exact Resistance lineup, protected damage dealers and health-triggered abilities. Plan for the Galactic Legend's timing, rather than treating it like a normal Resistance leader.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Jabba the Hutt
Threat: Large-unit restrictions and attrition
Identify Boushh, Krrsantan, Skiff Guard and the fifth slot. Check status effects, contract completion and whether the proposed answer can finish before control and attrition decide the fight.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Lord Vader
Threat: Galactic Legend endurance
Check his starting allies, stacking and persistence mechanics, available cleanses and whether the intended counter is proven in the exact GAC format. A fast opening by itself may not be enough.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗General Skywalker
Threat: Two-stage squad priorities
Review 501st allies, taunt/protection mechanics and what happens when the leader cannot be attacked. Do not assume an easy opening elimination.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Pirate King Hondo Ohnaka
Threat: Current Era and Galactic Legend effects
Check the exact Pirate lineup and any limited-time mechanics or datacron. Use Season 84 evidence, not an older Hondo Ohnaka squad reference.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Ahsoka Tano
Threat: Galactic Legend version and allies
Distinguish the Galactic Legend Ahsoka Tano from Snips, Commander Ahsoka and Fulcrum. Review Spectre interactions and faction restrictions.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Rotta the Hutt
Threat: Leader variant and squad composition
Identify Rotta as the leader rather than assuming the usual Jabba lineup; check ally choice, season, and mode before reusing a counter.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Third Sister
Threat: Purge and Inquisitorius conditions
Read the Inquisitorius kits and Purge interactions. Grand Inquisitor and the exact support slots can change the matchup.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Jedi Master Kenobi
Threat: Galactic Legend ultimate and ally protection
Identify Commander Ahsoka Tano, General Kenobi and other allies, their opening protection effects and possible instant eliminations.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Leia Organa
Threat: Team survival and support effects
Check the complete Rebel lineup. Do not mistake Galactic Legend Leia Organa for Princess Leia or Rebel Officer Leia Organa.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Boss Nass
Threat: Faction mechanics and special restrictions
A Gungan-led formation may rely on allies and unique protection mechanics. Check the complete team and relevant event mode before picking an answer.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗General Grievous
Threat: Droid synergy and damage spikes
Read which Droid allies are present and when General Grievous gains momentum. Damage without a survival plan may create an unfavorable sequence.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Open tactical walkthrough →Emperor Palpatine
Read Palpatine + Starkiller scouting guide →
Threat: Turn-meter and debuff loops
Identify whether the team includes Mara Jade, Darth Vader or Starkiller. Check control immunity, openings and turn meter, and the exact 3v3 versus 5v5 lineup.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Darth Malgus
Read full Malgus scouting guide →
Threat: Tank, leader and GAC mechanics
Check relic level, squad partners and GAC-specific Omicron text. Do not assume a counter from Territory Wars is equivalent.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Geonosian Brood Alpha
Threat: Hive mechanics and durable summons
Identify the summoned Brute, enemy dispels and the team-wide survival loop. Read the mode and actual enemy roster before using a generic AoE strategy.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Open tactical walkthrough →Iden Versio
Threat: Leader restrictions and defensive triggers
Examine which Imperial Troopers are present, whether the composition matches the leader's restrictions, and whether Omicron effects apply.
View this leader’s GAC counter records ↗Open tactical walkthrough →02 / TACTICAL EXAMPLES
Understand why these defenders require different scouting
GALACTIC LEGEND
Jabba is not a generic Bounty Hunter defense
Jabba introduces large-character restrictions and Hutt Cartel synergy. Check Boushh, Krrsantan, the exact fifth ally, and the opposing leader's current abilities. A lineup with Rotta has different conditions.
INQUISITORIUS
Purge makes ability text essential
Third Sister teams interact through Inquisitorius abilities. If a recommended attacker cannot survive those interactions or lacks the needed upgrades, its recorded success elsewhere may be misleading.
OLD VS. NEW
Palpatine teams vary by their fifth
An old Emperor Palpatine and Vader composition differs from a Palpatine squad that also uses Mara Jade or Starkiller. The team identity is the full roster, not merely its leader.
MODE-LIMITED POWERS
Malgus illustrates why GAC differs
Darth Malgus is tied to Sith Empire synergies and mode-sensitive abilities. Check current Omicron text before applying advice from Territory Wars or Conquest.
03 / USE RECORDED RESULTS PROPERLY
Turn matchup evidence into a safe decision
- Identify the defensive leader and every ally. Confirm you selected the correct variant (for example, Rey the Galactic Legend versus Rey (Jedi Training)).
- Open the source records for the correct format. In October 2026, that means Season 84 for 5v5 and Season 83 for the most recent 3v3.
- Look for a candidate attacker whose units you actually own, at reasonably comparable ability, gear and mod levels.
- Read how many matches contribute to that particular result. A tiny perfect record may be less reliable than a strong result observed in many battles.
- Inspect Datacrons, Omicrons, extra turns and starting speeds. If the data hides these details, treat it as limited evidence.
- Plan an opening turn and fallback, then preserve scarce premium teams for other territories when feasible. If the counter fails, record the first decisive cause rather than blindly repeating it.
These are research links, not a live personalized counter simulator.
The exact attacker may not be accessible to your account and the battle data can change after every GAC event. No automatic roster import, guaranteed win percentage or paywalled data is reproduced.
SOURCES / LAST REVIEWED OCTOBER 19, 2026
Source material and limitations
- SWGOH.GG Grand Arena counter archive (season selector) ↗
- Season 84 · 5v5 matchup records ↗
- Season 83 · 3v3 matchup records ↗
- SWGOH.GG unit and faction reference ↗
- EA Help: Grand Arena phase and mode rules ↗
Independent editorial synthesis, not firsthand game testing or official EA recommendations. No third-party account was accessed and no unlicensed data feed is embedded. Exact competitive standings will change as the current season progresses.
Need a coherent attacking team first?
Open squad-building guide →Return to the squad guide or add a specific unit upgrade to your saved farming plan.