Angry Birds Star Wars 2: The Lowdown on Telepods

Without question, Angry Birds Star Wars II is full of new and unique gameplay that makes it one of the best games of the year. It doesn’t stop there though, as you can now zap new characters right into the game using something called TELEPODs. This mean that if you don’t like your character lineup you’ve been given for a particular level, don’t worry, swap them out! With the TELEPODs technology and “Character Swaps”, you can now set your own attack lineup! This feature has actually been requested for years in the Angry Birds community, and it’s interesting to see how Rovio has included it.

What Are TELEPODs? How Do They Work?

In the most basic of terms, TELEPODs are small figurines or action figures. They are sold with a small clear stand that has a magnifying glass built in. On the bottom of the figurine is a unique QR-code.

When you want to use a TELEPOD, click the “T” button in the upper-left corner of the level screen. A pop-up will instruct you to place the figurine on the stand, and position the stand over the front-facing camera of your device. Then… BOOM! Like magic, that figurine will take the place of the existing character in the slingshot!

Also, a small “T” will appear in the corner of that character’s button in the Character Swap Bar. We will talk more about in-app character swaps below.

Angry Birds Star Wars 2 Telepods Icon in Player Selection

Rules and Restrictions

No good feature comes without rules.

Foremost, you cannot change your allegiance. That is, bird-side TELEPODs can only be used in bird-side levels, and likewise for the pork-side. Even though **spoiler alert** Anakin becomes evil, you can’t trade out his Pod Racer character with a much more powerful Sith Apprentice TELEPOD.

Next, you cannot use the same TELEPOD twice in a single attempt. So if you start with a level with three Qui-Gon Jinn in the lineup, you cannot use TELEPODs to use three Obi-Wan Kenobi. You may use multiple different TELEPODs to change the lineup, however. So instead of three Qui-Gon Jinn, you can use one Obi-Wan Kenobi, one Podracer, and one C-3PO for example.

Note: If using in-app character swaps (more below), this restriction is lifted: You can use the same character swap multiple times in a single level.

The final significant restriction is that TELEPOD data require an Internet connection. This makes sense to help prevent fraudulent use of this technology. If you are not connected to the Internet, you cannot “zap in” your TELEPOD. If you lose Internet after importing your TELEPOD character, you may use it (with the above restrictions) without needing to re-import until you close and re-open the game.

Angry Birds Star Wars 2 Telepods Network Not Available

How Do I Get TELEPODs?

TELEPODs are made by Hasbro and available at most major retail stores, such as Walmart and Amazon. They come in packs of two or more, sometimes random and sometimes as part of specific sets. If you want to collect all 32, it takes quite a bit of time. But if you are hunting for specific characters, this list may help you. An asterisk (*) denotes that the specified character can only be found in that specific set. (Special thanks to @SnTrooper.)

  • Star Destroyer Set: Darth Vader(*), Droideka(*), Padme Amidala(*), Jedi Youngling(*), Captain Panaka(*), Zam Wesell(*), Darth Sidious, Stormtrooper, Anakin Skywalker Podracer, Luke Skywalker Jedi
  • Death Star Trench Run Set: TIE Fighter Pilot(*), Luke Skywalker Pilot
  • Endor Chase Set: Biker Scout(*), Luke Skywalker Endor
  • Battle of Geonosis Set: Battle Droid(*), Mace Windu
  • Bounty Hunters Set: Jango Fett(*), Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • Duel with Count Dooku Set: Count Dooku(*), Anakin Skywalker Padawan
  • Darth Vader Pig Carrying Case: Chewbacca(*)
  • Jedi vs. Sith Multi-Pack: Darth Maul(*), Qui-Gon Jinn(*), Darth Sidious, General Grievous, Yoda, Anakin Skywalker Padawan
  • Miscellaneous 2-Packs: Anakin Skywalker Sith Apprentice, Boba Fett, Jar Jar Binks, R2-D2, Princess Leia, Han Solo, C-3PO are only available in these randomly paired 2-packs.

What About In-App Character Swaps?

Angry Birds Star Wars 2 Wattos Shop All Characters Qui-Gon JinnCharacter Swaps are the only “Power Ups” in Angry Birds Star Wars II. In addition to physical TELEPODs, Character Swaps can be earned and/or purchased in-game.

By completing certain achievements in-game, you will earn Bird Credits or some number of Character Swaps. As we said above, in-game Character Swaps can be used without some of the restrictions of TELEPODs.

Bird Credits are your in-app currency. Credits are earned through normal gameplay, but can also be purchased from Watto’s Shop. Prices are 150 credits for $1.99, 400 for $4.99, 1000 for $9.99, 2250 for $19.99, 6000 for $49.99, and 15000 for $99.99. (Worried? Be sure to see our post about restricting In-App Purchases.)

If you want to purchase in-app Character Swaps, you have a few choices. There are always some characters “on sale” for heavily reduces prices. There are also a few cleverly named packs, created and compiled by Rovio. But most likely, you’ll be interested in purchasing an individual character.

Even here, you have options. Once you find the character you want, you may purchase 10, 30, 100, or unlimited usages. Note that the credit cost varies by character. Some are quite cheap, such as 10 Obi-Wan Kenobi for 300 credits. Some are costly, such as Darth Vader for 3500 credits (the Force is strong with him).

Interested? Here’s Some Jedi Training

So, we got your attention now, did we? Well, we’re going to give you some tricks and tips about using this technology.

First and foremost, every normal level can 3-starred without the use of Swaps. Our walkthroughs are living proof of that.

Next, not all levels will benefit from Swap technology. Indeed, some levels are set up with such a specific strategy in mind that the starting lineup is as good as any.

Now, let’s assume you have a level with a couple lowly Qui-Gon Jinn. Nothing against him, but he’s not particularly strong. At the least, you can swap out Qui-Gon for Jedi Luke, whose lightsaber is much stronger and lasts longer. If you are only attacking for brute force, Chewbacca has a lot of force! If you need to attack a high structure, Leia’s pulling and Padme’s pushing tractor beams will bring it tumbling down. And if the attack needs to go a long way through a lot of debris, Mace Windu’s boomerang lightsaber will slice through blocks like butter.

On the Pork Side, most characters are already quite strong. However, a few stand alone in terms of their powers. Darth Vader and Anakin Sith Apprentice are remarkably strong with the Force, able to throw nearby blocks great distances. If a lightsaber attack is needed, Darth Maul has two and General Grievous has four! And Darth Sidious’ lightning hands are extremely useful against metallic blocks and chains.

Have more tips? Let us know below!

Comments (128)

By Amanda Garland

Yes, but according to the Hasbro Web site, the telepods work with Kindle Fire HD???

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Isn’t there a front-facing camera on it? Looks like its top-center when held in landscape orientation.

By Amy B.

Okay, just spent $40 after checking to make sure our new telepod kit was compatible with our Kindle Fire HD. Website said yes, now I think not? Can’t believe this hasn’t come up on a MAJOR level. Please advise. My son picked this out for his birthday today and is extremely disappointed as am I.

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Is there a “T” button on your device?

By Henry

My characters disappear after a hour or two off my phone. Is this supposed to happen and is there A way where I don’t have to re put all of them on the game everyday

By Jennifer Leisf

I don’t have a T on my appt son use to be able to play on his iPad and then used played on my iPhone which is linked to the iPad and now his iPad app does not have the T can I get some help on how to fix this please thank you

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Sorry, I don’t quite understand what you mean by “linked to the iPad”. Were you somehow transferring data between the two devices?

By Goca

I have two devices with front cameras (Samsung and Prestigio), and there is no T button in either of them when I run AB star wars II… I have tried to reinstall, but nothing happened. I would note that on Angry birds Go, I have T button and telepods works just fine. Any suggestions on how to fix this? Tnx.

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

I included a list below Of compatible devices.

By carl winter

I have a Next book and a Kindle and I don’t have a T icon either.I bought a lot of Telepod characters for my son for Christmas and they weren’t cheap! Now my son and I are very upset and confused because we can’t use them in the game.What’s the deal?

By Brian

Can you load the telepods on multiple iPads or iPhones?
I loaded them on my iPhone and now I want them on my iPad
Is this possible?

Rank: Sling God with 26055 points
By sal9 (@sal9)

Yes you can, give it a try … nothing bad will happen ;)

By Dusty Dragicevic

I have a Samsung Tab 3 and thevtelepod icon is nowhere to be found. Is this telepod thingva scam or just not avail able in Australia??? There is no help whatsoever on the Hasbro site and the instructions make it out to be soooo easy. 2hy is there no telepos app? Do we need to buy the full version of the game?

By ελενη

ναι εγω κατεβασα την εφαρμοφη στο ταμπλετ μου αλλα το σημα του “Τ” δεν τον βγαζει καθολου το ταμπλετ ειναι ανδροιδ 4.1.1

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Σύμφωνα με την ιστοσελίδα της Hasbro, TELEPODs είναι συμβατά με τις παρακάτω συσκευές:

ANDROID
Google Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7 and 10
HTC One X
Vu, Xoom 2, Droid Razr and Razr Maxx HD
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, Note, Note II, S2, S3, S4, TAb 7.7, and Tab 2 10.1in

By ελενη

δηλαδη το δικο μου ταμπλετ δεν ειναι συβματο με αυτο το παιχνιδι?
???

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Ότι ταμπλέτα είναι συμβατή με το παιχνίδι, αλλά όχι με την τεχνολογία TELEPOD.

Rank: DaBomb with 380 points
By DarkjesterXX (@darkcloudx79)

Another compatible device is Windows Phone 8.0 & 8.1

By donato

Tengo una samsung tab 3 lite sin camara frontal y me regalaron los telepods. Trate de usarlos y no pude. Como hago? No se si es compatible. Gracias

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

A list of compatible Android devices appears a couple lines above.

By Heather G.

Does the Telepods work with the ClickN Kids tablet?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/ClickN-KIDS-7-Tablet-with-8GB-Memory-featuring-Looney-Tunes-Phonics/26076101

It’s operating system is Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and it has a forward facing camera. When I click the T button in game, I put the telepod with the toy on top of the camera, but it doesn’t do anything. The tablet is connected via wifi as well.

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Sorry Heather, doesn’t look like it according to Hasbro: http://www.hasbro.com/starwars/en_US/angry-birds-telepods.cfm

By abi

Tengo un moto g y tengo camara frontal, antes de gastar una fortuna en esto, quiero estar segura que funcionara. El juego tiene la T

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

In the comment above you, there is a link that lists out all compatible devices.

By Dana

My son has the Nabi jr. 16 GB. He downloaded the Angry Birds Star Wars 2 but at the T button for the telepod’s doesn’t show up.Do you know why?

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

The list of compatible devices is two comments above yours.

By Bryan Schrock

Never had the telpods, got a few to try on the iPad but when the app prompted me to use the camera I hit do not allow now I can’t get the camera to work. How do I reset this?

By Jane T

My son has telepods on his iPad, he has been playing with quite happily for a few months now, but suddenly they will not connect to the network… However the iPad is connected to wifi. I cannot fathom this out, any ideas

By Julia

We are getting the same message

By Jane

Have you managed to sort it Julie, any luck? We still cannot use the telepods… Have one very confused and a tad miffed boy now!

By Julia Worley

Will have to try.

By /projects

An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been conducting a little homework on this.
And he actually bought me dinner because I discovered it for him…
lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!

But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this topic here on your internet site.

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