Part 3

Dive into the essential prequel novel, Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon. Learn about ND-5 and Jaylen Vrax's journey into the underworld before the game.

Hey there! So, you're diving into the world of Star Wars Outlaws and want to know more about the story leading up to it? Awesome! This guide is all about the novel *Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon*. Think of it as the ultimate backstory before you even boot up the game. This novel, written by Mike Chen and published by Random House Worlds on February 3, 2026, is a crucial prequel to the 2024 video game *Star Wars Outlaws*. It really fleshes out the characters ND-5 and Jaylen Vrax, giving you a deeper understanding of their past. Publisher's Summary: The story kicks off with Jaylen Barsha, who had his life all planned out. But then, bam! The Empire comes crashing down on his family with conspiracy charges. Before he can even reach his half-brother Sliro for help, a battle droid shows up at his family compound with one mission: wipe out the entire Barsha clan. Jaylen survives, but he has to reprogram the droid to stay alive. From then on, he's not Jaylen Barsha anymore; he's Jaylen Vrax. Meanwhile, ND-5, a former Separatist battle droid, is basically looking for purpose after the war. Loyalty is hardwired into him, and Jaylen, who treats him like more than just a weapon, has earned it. ND-5 thinks maybe, just maybe, he can be more than just a soldier with a partner like Jaylen. With the mystery of who targeted the Barsha clan still hanging over them, Jaylen and ND-5 disappear into the underworld. They start building a name for themselves among scoundrels and crime syndicates. But when a score gives them their first real clue about who sent ND-5 after Jaylen's family, they face a tough choice: go for the wealth and power Jaylen was denied, or chase down the answers that could change everything. It's a real test of their unlikely partnership. Development: This novel was first announced on July 25, 2025, at the San Diego Comic-Con. Mike Chen got the idea for *Low Red Moon* while writing a Marvel Comics novel. His editor suggested he write from the perspective of a droid, which led to ND-5 becoming a protagonist. Chen believes *Low Red Moon* is the first novel to feature a droid as a main character, and he and his editors put a lot of effort into establishing lore around droid consciousness. So, if you're looking to get the full *Star Wars Outlaws* experience, definitely check out *Low Red Moon*. It'll give you a much richer understanding of the characters and the galaxy you're about to explore!