I'll admit, the Rebels seem to be getting the greater attention and that, as is, it would seem unfair.
HOWEVER, remember that FFG is just now getting their distribution system in order. Likewise, as somebody pointed out early on, the SKU numbers are such that:
"It's been added to the upcoming product page as "in development," too. It's SWX29! The Tantive IV is SWX22. So we don't know what 23 through 28 are, but they've been planned out already... Since that's six products, maybe it's two Imperial huge ships and another four ships for Wave 5?" - Danthrax post #32 - "Rebel Acess!!" thread
SKU23-28 could very well be Imperial improvements and the current all Rebel line up is the result of distribution frak ups. Henceforth FFG has shown a remarkable talent for keeping things balanced and there is more to be seen as Danthrax observed.
Furthermore, while we do have current Rebel bias of sorts, we ought to recognize that FFG has been good before about balance so the current situation is far more likely to be an unfortunate coincidence than a departure from overall game design.
Also, remember that "in development" is pretty much a hedge your bets version of "not yet at the printers." Every item we have ever seen "in development" has been printed exactly as we first saw it. I'm not saying changes don't happen or won't. But let's face it. Good business says you don't announce it until you're reasonably sure it's what will be the final product. They already get torn apart on items they haven't even released all the information for, why would they risk suddenly changing information to be ripped a second time? And it stands to reason that, if this is their reasonable guess as to what will go to print, surely they've been playtesting it in-house. Do you really think they just slapped an ability on Farlander and ran with it? Please. If we're seeing it AT ALL and in OFFICIAL PACKAGING/LAYOUTS no less, then they've already gone through all this substantially. I agree worrying about powercreep is an issue. But FFG has thus far produced a balanced product. So if distribution got bungled, schedules got pushed back, and now there's a flood of announcements/products... no wonder it's coming out looking a little skewed. Maybe if they'd been unbalanced all this time before we'd have cause to freak out. But they haven't.
As for the capital ships, remember they will only be in epic play. For straight up tournaments, it's still starfighter vs. starfighter. And the Imperials have the better dial to shed stress. Rebel ships may not hurt as much but, when they are, it'll affect them more. If the Rebel ship is able to use it's perfect stress shedding ability every turn, you're doing something wrong.
Beyond that, we don't even know what the TIE/Phantom's ability truly is, what the inevitable Imperial 'huge' ships will be, and, oh yes, everything they share with us that comes more than two weeks before it hits stores is a COURTESY.
Don't forget that the love given to the A-wing --specifically the -2 pt cost reduction-- shows that FFG is paying attention to the fan's experience of the game. So it's inevitable they've heard all the comments on the TIE/Advanced. Factor in that the next gross lot of things to come out are likely Imperial because it makes no business sense to do otherwise, and, really, are we that worried about balance?
Finally, judge the game on what is available right now. Otherwise you'll always be upset because whomevers faction seems made stronger by the new announcement will give you whiplash. Blatantly destroying their own game doesn't make a lot of sense and being ticked your faction isn't getting a new toy first is exactly that. Right now Imperials have something in hand in Imp Aces. Rebel Aces isn't even here yet. Play the game you've got. Always in motion the future is.
So let's take a breath. Not a Darth Vader breath. An "I'm Luke escaping the trench run and expelling a gasp of relief" that all is going to be okay kind of breath. Okay?
