Hard to believe, but it’s been seven years since Star Wars Battlefront II dropped one of its most beloved and underrated updates: Hero Starfighters. Released on July 3, 2018, this free content update didn’t just toss in a game mode—it gave players a reason to master the skies, go full throttle with iconic ships, and, yes, fly as Lando’s Sullustan co-pilot with style.
The update was a turning point. Not in the “we’ve redefined multiplayer” way, but in that subtle, satisfying “hey, this game’s finally getting polished” kind of way. Let’s take a hyperspace jump back and unpack what made this update soar.
Hero Starfighters: When the Skies Got Personal
Before this patch, Battlefront II had solid starfighter mechanics—but no real way to make them feel personal. Enter Hero Starfighters, a new game mode that made space battles more than just background noise.
The setup was clean and brutal:
- You start as a hero ship like Boba Fett’s Slave I, Poe Dameron’s X-Wing, or Darth Maul’s Scimitar.
- Once you’re blasted out of orbit, you respawn as a standard fighter to support your team.
- The last team with a hero ship standing wins.
It was Star Wars dogfighting with stakes. You had to work together, protect your aces, and get real sneaky if you were the last one left. Kind of like poker in space—one bluff, one wrong move, and you’re toast.
Sullustan Skins: The Glow-Up We Didn’t Know We Needed
While the game mode stole the spotlight, Sullustan skins snuck in and became the low-key MVPs of the patch. For those keeping score: yes, Nien Nunb finally got some proper representation, and yes, you could finally look like someone who’s been through Return of the Jedi and lived to tell the tale.
These skins weren’t just cosmetic; they were a nod to the depth of the galaxy. More than that, they proved DICE was listening. The update offered options, variety, and more immersion—without going full overboard on monetization or grind.
Quality of Life Upgrades: Polishing the Blaster Scars
The Hero Starfighters update also delivered a slew of quality of life improvements—the kind that didn’t get flashy trailers but made day-to-day play way smoother.
Some of the highlights included:
- Better starfighter balancing
- Improved hit registration
- UI tweaks that finally made sense
- Faster match load-ins (a.k.a. the end of snack breaks between respawns)
While minor on paper, these fixes made the overall gameplay feel tighter, more responsive, and just a bit more modern. In a game that had spent its early months putting out PR fires, this update was like a clean shave and a fresh set of armor.
Why It Still Matters 7 Years Later
Sure, a lot has happened in the galaxy since 2018—some of it good, some of it filled with microtransaction drama—but the Hero Starfighters update still stands as one of Battlefront II’s best moments.
It was a showcase of what the game could be when not weighed down by corporate missteps. It balanced iconic characters with skill-based space combat. It rewarded teamwork, made heroes vulnerable, and let players live out their “I’m a damn good pilot” fantasy without overcomplicating things.
And let’s be honest: flying a TIE Interceptor as Darth Vader’s wingman in a mode that actually made dogfighting strategic? That’s the kind of Star Wars experience that sticks.
The Legacy of the Update
While Battlefront II is no longer receiving major updates, the Hero Starfighters mode lives on in private lobbies and modded servers. It’s the kind of mode that still draws the “just one more match” crowd—perfect for casual nights, esports warm-ups, or anyone needing a breather from casino games and competitive shooters.
And thanks to the modding community, those Sullustan skins and space duels aren’t going anywhere. They’re being reborn in even more ambitious custom content, including total conversions and side projects that keep the Battlefront spirit alive.
Conclusion: Still a Stellar Move, Seven Years On
The Hero Starfighters update might not have saved Battlefront II outright, but it helped steady the ship. It gave the game a strong mid-life identity, showed that DICE could pivot, and reminded players why they showed up in the first place: to live out epic Star Wars fantasies in style.
Seven years later, it’s worth revisiting—not just to relive the dogfights, but to appreciate the moment Battlefront II finally found its flight path.
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