Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption

Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption (2006) is the massive expansion to the base game that introduces a third, chaotic faction: the Zann Consortium. Developed by Petroglyph Games, it shifts the focus from the traditional Rebel vs. Empire conflict to the seedy galactic underworld, following the rise of crime lord Tyber Zann between the events of A New Hope and Return of the Jedi.

The Zann Consortium: “Don’t Just Control, Corrupt”

The defining feature of this expansion is the “Corruption” mechanic, which replaces traditional planetary conquest with a more insidious form of influence.

• Corruption Missions: Tyber Zann’s “Defilers” can infiltrate enemy-held planets to perform various illegal acts:
  • Racketeering: Siphons credits directly from the planet’s owner.
  • Bribery: Allows Consortium fleets to pass through enemy blockades without initiating a battle.
  • Sabotage: Destroys specific buildings (like Shield Generators or Barracks) on the tactical map before a ground assault even begins.
  • Black Market: Grants the Consortium access to technology from both the Empire and the Rebellion, such as X-Wing engines or Imperial armor plating.

New Units and Galactic Underworld Tech

The expansion radically expands the unit roster for all factions, but the Zann Consortium features the most eclectic and “illegal” weaponry:

• The Monstrous and Exotic: Players can field Nightsister Force-witches (capable of mind-controlling enemy units), Rancor Riders for devastating ground charges, and repurposed Droidekas salvaged from the Clone Wars.
• Underworld Fleet: The Consortium’s space navy is designed for raw power and disruption, featuring the Keldabe-class battleship (which can leech shields from enemies) and the StarViper-class fighter.
• Imperial and Rebel Reinforcements: The Empire gains the Executor-class Super Star Destroyer (Darth Vader’s flagship) and TIE Defenders, while the Rebels receive the B-wing and Luke Skywalker as a powerful Jedi land hero.

Expanded Tactical Warfare

Forces of Corruption introduced several quality-of-life and strategic improvements that have since become standard for the game:

• Orbital Bombardment: Capital ships in orbit can now fire directly onto the ground map during land battles, providing massive (but timed) fire support.
• Mobile Build Pads: Instead of fixed construction sites, players can capture pads on the ground to deploy turrets, repair stations, or sensor arrays on the fly.
• New Environments: The expansion adds 13 new planets, including iconic locations like Mustafar, Kamino, Felucia, and Dathomir, each with unique hazards like lava or toxic flora.

Summary

Forces of Corruption is a rare expansion that fundamentally changes how the core game is played. By adding a “Gray” faction that thrives on economic sabotage rather than just military might, it creates a three-way tug-of-war that is significantly more complex than the original game. It remains the foundation for nearly every major modern mod, as it provides the technical framework for the massive fleet battles and hero units that the Empire at War community still celebrates today.

Release Platforms

• Microsoft Windows (PC): October 24, 2006
• Star Wars: Empire at War – Gold Pack: 2007 (Includes the base game and expansion; currently available on Steam and GOG)