Huh, this is a good one. I would say the two should be combined - the people need a leader, a rebellion needs a face, but in the same time, you need someone who remains in a position to forge an alliance within the elite, which is just as important.

^Very true. Bail and Mothma were able to make the best out of both strategies before ANH at least. That being said I would personally go with Mon Mothma’s strategy. Imo it’s a little bit easier to combat the empire when they aren’t breathing down your neck and visiting the homes of your family to arrest them for treason against the empire. Living under the empire’s rule is one thing but pretending to live under their rule while risking the lives of everyone close to you is something else entirely. I just don’t think I would have the stones to take that risk lol.

Both were crucial to defeat the empire. Bail seemed to really know how to organize the Alliance’s military more so than Mothma, who, from my understanding, appealed to everyone in the galaxy to stand up for themselves. I guess I like Bail’s approach slightly more, because I am unfamiliar with Mothma’s presence in the alliance and I like that Bail acted rather than make speeches, however, as I said, someone had to do it and it’s arguably as important as rallying a the forces. 

Great post, Swat!

Thank you so much @Infantry31st ! I always appreciate your thoughts and I agree with you that Bail has been known to be a more hands on member of the early alliance, in canon at least. Now in legends, Mon Mothma is a much more hands on member of the alliance and she's critical when it comes to the strategies and the logistics of the rebel alliance/new republic. She also participates on the front lines more often in legends so for me personally I can see myself aligning with legends Mon Mothma a little bit more than Bail Organa (my health insurance doesn't cover planetary explosions lol).

I get the appeal of openly opposing the empire however I think faking loyalty would be beneficial. If you hate the empire faking loyalty and gaining favor will aid in rotting the imperial institutions thus leading to a slow but eventual collapse

I think in regards to a rebellion, especially if your engaging with limited resources, infiltration, and faking loyalty to gain access to information that would help your conflict.