When astromechs become available

EA says custom astromech Operators unlock early in the campaign. They can join ordinary non-story deployments, and the game even permits an all-astromech squad when a mission does not require a named character. Story missions can impose their own roster requirements, so a droid-only plan will not fit every deployment.

Droid variants and the preorder pack

The Crystalline Astromech Cosmetic Pack includes R3, translucent heads for R4 and R5, and BR-1. Eligible preorder owners reach the pack through campaign progression rather than receiving a combat advantage at the title screen. The variants and heads change appearance, not the listed Specialization or Weapon Class statistics.

Building an astromech Operator

Start with the job the squad lacks. A support build can protect or set up organic teammates, while a control or damage build can exploit the droid's chosen abilities. Compare the actual Specialization, Action Point costs, weapon range, and Bonds instead of treating "astromech" as a class name.

Keep story requirements in mind when investing in a themed squad. A flexible roster still needs Operators who can cover mandatory characters, injuries, and mission-specific objectives.

The character-creation guide covers custom Operator choices. The preorder-bonus page explains the Crystalline pack unlock and troubleshooting steps.