SWGOH Grand Moff Tarkin Update: New Dark Side Synergies and Abilities Explained

There’s nothing like a bit of fear to keep the local systems in line—especially when Grand Moff Tarkin is calling the shots. The latest update to Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes brings a host of improvements to Tarkin’s abilities, making him a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, particularly when teamed up with the newly introduced Dark Side Clone Troopers. If you were wondering what this means for your 3v3 GAC strategy, let’s just say you might want to reconsider leaving Tarkin on the sidelines.

Tarkin Gets a New Look: Special Damage and Synergy Overhaul

One of the most notable changes is that all of Tarkin’s abilities now deal Special damage, moving away from the mix of Physical and Special that previously defined his kit. This makes his damage more predictable and allows for better scaling with Potency, which—spoiler alert—gets a massive boost in this rework.

His Basic ability – Grand Moff’s Attack now dishes out Special damage to target enemies, with a fresh twist. Instead of just boosting damage for each living ally, it now boosts for each active Dark Side Clone Trooper, adding another layer of synergy. Oh, and did I mention it now gives Tarkin 100% stacking Potency until Ultimate Firepower is used? Yeah, he’s not playing around anymore.

Ultimate Firepower: Now with Double the Trouble

Tarkin’s first Special, Ultimate Firepower, still hits all enemies and rips away 50% of their Turn Meter, but it’s gotten a nasty new perk. If his team is fully stacked with Dark Side Clone Troopers, it triggers a second round of damage. That’s double the firepower for double the fear—and you can bet those Rebels won’t be feeling so plucky after that.

The added synergy means that even without Lord Vader, Tarkin’s leadership can turn a squad of Clone Troopers into a relentless tide of destruction. CG_Mouse from the EA team wasn’t kidding when they said they wanted a second option for Dark Side Clone Troopers, and Tarkin is stepping up to the plate.

New 3v3 Omicron for Grand Arenas

If you love your 3v3 GAC, get ready to deploy Tarkin in a whole new way. His Leader ability – Tighten the Grip now has a 3v3 Omicron, making him a viable leader for Clone Trooper squads. The ability grants:

• Stealth for Supports at the start of the encounter
• Protection Up (50%) for Tanks that can’t be dispelled
• Scorch gaining 5 stacks of Bulwark

And that’s just the appetizer. Tarkin also assists whenever a Clone Trooper uses a special ability, and he gains Turn Meter and health recovery whenever enemies resist a debuff. Throw in Fear on all enemies when Ultimate Firepower is used, and you’ve got a squad that’s all but begging for a rematch.

Intimidation Tactics and Callous Conviction – Turning Fear into Power

Tarkin’s Intimidation Tactics now grants Empire allies Tactical Supremacy and inflicts Daze on all enemies whenever it’s activated. The days of pesky rebels dodging out of the way are over. This update makes Tarkin a powerhouse in control, disrupting enemy synergy and punishing evasion.

His Unique ability – Callous Conviction has also been reworked to be a self-sustaining engine of potency and protection. Tarkin now gains 50% Potency (stacking) for each Empire ally at the start of battle, and he recovers health and protection whenever debuffs are applied by Empire teammates. Think of it as a passive aggressive maintenance plan—one that keeps him alive and his enemies trembling.

Conclusion: Fear Will Keep Them in Line

Grand Moff Tarkin’s latest rework is more than just a facelift—it’s a full-on renovation. With massive synergy boosts for Dark Side Clone Troopers, enhanced damage potential, and a shiny new Omicron for 3v3 GAC, Tarkin is now a juggernaut of fear and firepower. If you’ve been sleeping on this guy, it’s time to wake up and smell the devastation.

Prepare your squads and set your strategies—because the Empire just got a lot scarier.