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Destiny Origins: Who is Finn?

If you managed to pick up a Rey (AW38) hero starter deck, then you will also have Finn (AW45). One of the main characters in The Force Awakens, just who is the First Order defector, Finn? (Warning, spoilers below for Star Wars: The Force Awakens)

First Order Stormtrooper

Before Poe Dameron (AW29) gives him the name ‘Finn’, he was known simply as FN-2187. One of many Stormtroopers in the ranks of the First Order, FN-2187 was under the command of Captain Phasma (AW1). Excelling in simulations, it’s a mission to Jakku that would prove to be a turning point in his life.

Mission to Jakku

During the assault, FN-2187 is faced with the death of a comrade, while around him the firefight rages.The death hits him hard and bypasses the training and conditioning. Witnessing the execution of Lor San Tekka at the hands of Kylo Ren (AW11) and the cold-blooded slaughter of the Jakku villagers rocks FN-2187 to the core. He is transfixed, not firing his raised F-11D Rifle (AW8). When he returns to his command ship, he is ordered by Captain Phasma to turn in his rifle for inspection and report himself for evaluation.

A Crisis of Conscience

This prompts his defection, during which he frees prisoner Poe Dameron. The pair steal a First Order TIE Fighter (AW6), and during their attempted escape they crash on Jakku, becoming separated in the process. The newly-christened Finn soon finds himself at Niima Outopost where he meets Rey and BB-8 (AW43), after the droid recognises Poe’s jacket, which Finn is wearing. The First Order soon launch an attack with two TIE fighters and the trio flee in an old freighter. During the escape they manage to destroy the pursuing ships and then make it to space.

Thrust Into the Resistance

A short time later, the ship is captured and, believing the First Order has them again, they prepare to sabotage the ship. They are soon discovered by Han Solo (AW46) and Chewbacca, hiding in the compartments they themselves had hidden in many years before. With that, Rey and Finn realise they are aboard the Millennium Falcon (AW49). After a skirmish with gang members and hungry rathtars, the group find themselves on Takodana in the company of Maz Kanata. Their purpose is to get BB-8 and his map to Luke Skywalker (AW35) in the hands of the Resistance.

Finn gets cold feet and implores Rey to join him in fleeing to escape the First Order. Rey declines, leaving Finn to depart on a different ship. Before he can go, the First Order attacks following a tip-off from an agent, and reduce Maz’s castle to rubble. During the ensuing battle, Finn is forced to kill former comrades, even wielding Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber (AW41) during the battle. The Resistance soon arrives with Poe leading the attack in Black One (AW32), and the First Order is driven off. Prior to their escape, though, Kylo Ren captures Rey.

Assault on Starkiller Base

Finn goes to the Resistance HQ with Han, Chewbacca, and BB-8. The Resistance plans to attack the First Order base, with Finn providing insider information on how to destroy it. Finn tags along in the Millennium Falcon, his primary motivation to rescue Rey. The attack on the base is a success and the group successfully takes down the shields, allowing the Resistance X-wings to attack and destroy the base. Beforehand, Finn and Rey witness the death of Han at the hands of his son, Kylo Ren. As the base begins to come apart, they flee, eventually facing Ren in the forest near the base. Kylo badly wounds Finn, but Finn is ultimately rescued by Chewbacca and Rey, who deliver him into the hands of Resistance medics. Now the wait is on to see how Finn will recover and what awaits him in The Last Jedi.

The Card

Looking at Finn’s card, one of the real strengths is his very thematic ability to bring Red Villain weapons and vehicles to your deck. Upgrading Finn with the F-11D rifle adds another three ranged damage sides. You could also add the First Order TIE fighter support which brings another three damage sides to the table. His character die adds another thematic element, having that one melee side which references his multiple uses of the lightsaber in the movie. All in all, Finn is a great card to include in the starter set due to the flexibility brought about by his ability.

 


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