Territory Battles are one of the most strategic and collaborative gameplay modes in Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes (SWGoH), a mobile RPG developed by Capital Games and published by Electronic Arts. Designed as a guild-based PvE (player vs. environment) activity, Territory Battles challenge players to work together with their guild members to conquer a series of battles across iconic Star Wars locales. These large-scale events occur over several days and are essential for earning valuable resources, character shards, and gear used to advance player rosters.
In Territory Battles, the map is divided into multiple sectors or “phases,” each with several combat missions, special missions, and platoons. Combat missions require players to use specific character squads to defeat waves of enemies, while platoons involve sacrificing characters to provide strategic bonuses across the map. Special missions, often the most difficult, reward high-value currency such as Mk II Guild Event Tokens, which are crucial for unlocking exclusive characters like General Skywalker, Wat Tambor, and Ki-Adi-Mundi.
There are three main Territory Battles currently active in SWGoH: Hoth, which includes the Rebel Assault (light side) and Imperial Retaliation (dark side), Geonosis (both light and dark side) and Rise of the Empire, a mixed-faction Territory Battle representing the peak of current endgame guild content. Each new Territory Battle brings a significant jump in difficulty and complexity.
Light Side Geonosis: Republic Offensive
Launched in 2019, the Light Side Geonosis Territory Battle, titled Republic Offensive, is set during the Clone Wars and centers around the Galactic Republic’s campaign on Geonosis. This battle is notorious for its steep difficulty curve and high roster requirements. It requires powerful light-side characters, particularly those aligned with the Galactic Republic, Jedi, and 501st clone troopers.
Key characters such as General Skywalker, Shaak Ti, and Jedi Knight Revan play pivotal roles in successfully completing missions. The event spans four phases, each introducing new and tougher enemy formations including waves of Geonosians, droids, and Separatist commanders. A standout mission is the Ki-Adi-Mundi shard mission, which necessitates a powerful Jedi team and is widely considered one of the hardest battles in the mode.
Rewards from Light Side Geonosis include Mk II Guild Event Tokens, GET II currency, and exclusive Ki-Adi-Mundi shards. These rewards, though valuable, are difficult to earn unless a guild is highly coordinated and consists of well-developed player rosters.
Dark Side Geonosis: Separatist Might
Before the Republic Offensive, the Dark Side Geonosis Territory Battle, known as Separatist Might, debuted as the first new TB after the Hoth maps. Focused on the Separatist forces’ dominance during the Clone Wars, it requires top-tier dark-side characters like Geonosians, Separatist droids, Sith, and bounty hunters.
Like its light-side counterpart, this battle is brutally difficult. Characters like General Grievous, Asajj Ventress, Count Dooku, and Wat Tambor are key for success. A major highlight is the Wat Tambor shard mission, where Geonosian teams are vital. Many players regard this mission as one of the more accessible shard missions, especially once a strong Geonosian team is developed.
Dark Side Geonosis is often a guild’s first step into the advanced tier of Territory Battles. It rewards GET II currency and Wat Tambor shards, both of which are crucial for progressing through other game modes and unlocking powerful characters.
Introducing Rise of the Empire: A New Era of Conflict
The most recent and arguably most ambitious Territory Battle is Rise of the Empire, introduced in late 2022. Unlike the Geonosis maps which are faction-specific, Rise of the Empire is a mixed-faction Territory Battle that spans the critical period following the Clone Wars through the rise of the Galactic Empire. It is tailored for top-tier guilds and demands an extremely broad and diverse character roster.
This battle is structured across six phases (as opposed to the traditional four) and covers a broader narrative scope, starting with the fall of the Jedi and ending with the early reign of the Empire. The map includes locations like Coruscant, Bracca and the Death Star, providing a cinematic journey through a pivotal era of Star Wars lore. Included in Phase 3 is a combat mission with Wookies on Kashyyyk, as well as a Special Mission with Saw Gerrera, a Special Mission on Tatooine to unlock Mandalore, a Special Mission on Kessel with Qi’ra & L3-37 from Solo: A Star Wars Story and more.
Complex Mechanics and Strategic Depth
What sets Rise of the Empire apart is its emphasis on synergy, relic requirements, and Galactic Legend utilization. Missions often require squads with characters at Relic 7 or higher, and there are numerous combat encounters tailored specifically for Galactic Legends such as Lord Vader, Jedi Master Kenobi, and Supreme Leader Kylo Ren. Some missions even demand newer characters like Admiral Raddus, Grand Inquisitor, and Jabba the Hutt, making it a mode designed to challenge even the most well-equipped players.
Additionally, the mode introduces new platoon mechanics that incorporate Relic levels and feature faction-specific buffs depending on what characters are assigned. These mechanics increase the complexity and coordination required within the guild, as assigning high-level characters to platoons can significantly alter the outcome of a phase.
Unique Rewards: Reva Shards and GET III
One of the primary motivations for guilds to tackle Rise of the Empire is the Reva Shard mission, which requires an extremely strong Inquisitorius team and coordination from all members. Reva is a powerful character exclusive to this Territory Battle and is considered one of the most impactful dark side attackers in the game. Her utility in Grand Arena and Conquest makes her a valuable addition to any player’s roster.
Moreover, Rise of the Empire is the only Territory Battle that awards Guild Event Tokens III (GET III), a new currency used to acquire top-tier gear, signal data, and unique character shards. This makes the battle mode essential for endgame progression and gear optimization.
Difficulty Curve and Guild Requirements
Rise of the Empire is designed for highly advanced guilds. While Geonosis TBs are achievable by guilds with around 250 million Galactic Power (GP), Rise of the Empire generally requires 300 million GP or more for meaningful progression. To maximize rewards, a guild needs a strong collective roster, effective communication, and pre-planned combat strategies. Even a single missed platoon or poorly executed mission can cost the guild valuable stars and rewards.
Many guilds now alternate between Geonosis and Rise of the Empire Territory Battles based on roster readiness and shard farming priorities. For example, guilds seeking Ki-Adi-Mundi or Wat Tambor shards may still revisit Geonosis, but most top-end guilds now prioritize Rise of the Empire due to its superior rewards and long-term relevance.
The Future of Territory Battles
Territory Battles remain a cornerstone of guild collaboration in Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes. While their complexity and time investment can be daunting, they offer unparalleled rewards and progression opportunities. The recent addition of Rise of the Empire signals a shift toward more narrative-driven, highly customized PvE content, possibly hinting at future expansions or rotating campaigns based on other Star Wars timelines like the High Republic or the sequel trilogy era.
As we look at the future and what we have now, Territory Battles are more than just a guild activity—they’re a long-term investment in team-building, strategy, and coordination. Whether you’re fighting droids on Geonosis or purging Jedi on Coruscant, every successful mission in Territory Battles brings your guild one step closer to dominance—and to unlocking the most powerful characters in the Star Wars galaxy.