Training Mode is Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes’ new practice mode, a place to fight any squad you can build from your own roster with no rankings, rewards or quests on the line. It replaces Squad Arena’s unofficial role as the game’s testing ground, since Squad Arena is retiring with the arrival of Era Arena. Capital Games first announced Training Mode in April 2026 and detailed its rules on October 27, 2026. A release date hasn’t been announced yet.
Where to find Training Mode
According to the April 2026 community update, Training Mode lives in the Squad Management section of your inventory, not on the Arena table.
Training Mode rules
- Any units you own: build both squads from your own roster.
- One Galactic Legend per side: each squad can include up to one GL.
- Mirror matches allowed: the same unit can appear on both sides.
- Datacrons: you can test Datacrons.
- Nothing on the line: battles don’t count toward quests or rankings.
What to use Training Mode for
Testing mods and speed tunes
Squad Arena was where players checked whether a speed tune actually got a leader moving first. Training Mode does that job without costing you an arena attempt. Set up the matchup, see who moves when, and adjust before your next Grand Arena round. Our Advanced Mod Strategy and When NOT to Use Speed guides are good places to start.
Learning Datacrons
Datacron effects are easy to misread on paper. Training Mode is the safe place to see what a new Datacron does in a real fight before you rely on it in Territory Wars or Grand Arena.
Practicing counters
If you can build a team that’s been beating you, you can practice against it. Mirror matches mean you can also test a squad against itself to understand turn order and kit interactions.
Learning new characters
New kits stack effects in ways that are hard to follow from the ability text alone. Run a new unit through a few practice fights before you build a team around it. Our New Characters page tracks every recent release.
What Training Mode can’t do
Both sides come from your roster, so you can only practice against teams you can build yourself. If your opponent’s counter uses a character you don’t own, or one geared far beyond yours, Training Mode won’t recreate that fight. Battles also earn nothing, so it won’t help with daily quests or Era progress.
It isn’t the place for Era stat testing either. Era Units and Loaned Units get their stats from Overcharge, and those builds are tested in Era modes like Era Arena and Coliseum.
Training Mode FAQ
When is Training Mode coming?
Capital Games hasn’t announced a date. It’s tied to Squad Arena’s retirement and the launch of Era Arena, and this page will be updated when a date is set.
Does Training Mode replace Squad Arena?
It replaces Squad Arena as the place to test teams. Era Arena replaces it as the daily PvP mode.
Do Training Mode battles count for quests?
No. Training Mode battles don’t count toward quests or rankings.
Can I use more than one Galactic Legend?
Each side can include up to one Galactic Legend.
Can I test Datacrons?
Yes. Datacron testing is one of the main reasons Training Mode exists.