Hi All,

I'm new around here, but I wanted to share my thoughts on wave 5.

First off, a lot of people are guessing the Assault Gunboat or the Missile Boat as a possible imperial ships in the next wave, which, while having some merit, don't make a ton of sense due to their lack of appearances outside the X-Wing series of games. (Though, I acknowledge that the TIE Phantom only appeared in Rebel Assault 2 and EaW: FoC)

I think the main reason for not including X-Wing (PC Game that is) specific craft is the lack of good art for the craft. Most of what we have is the in-game models, which were not included in FMV cutscenes (such as the Moldy Crow or the Phantom) and overall, there isn't much detail regarding these ships. They aren't iconic.

So, for the Imperials:

The Sentinel Class Landing Craft would be an interesting addition, though it does not have the firepower or maneuverability to be a good unit. It may be very repetitive with the existing Lambda Class Shuttle. The Sentinel even made an appearance in the 1997 updates to the original series.

The I-7 Howlrunner would provide a Z-95-like craft to the empire. Faster than an X-wing, but slower than an E-Wing, it would sit in a spot similar the the TIE Advanced, because the ship has shields. Still, it would be an interesting addition to the game.

Also from Dark Empire, the A-9 Vigilance Interceptor would bring quite a mix with a Turret and speed. No shields or hyperdrive, like other ties, means this would be a swarm ship, but again, with a turret.

The Skipray Blastboat would be an excellent choice, with heavy firepower and a bomber like profile, it would be fun to fly, and it would be a tank. There is plenty of established art, including schematics in the Essential Guide to Vehicles. I see this one as very likely. And at a length of 25 meters, it might qualify as a medium craft. Technically it is an imperial ship, though it would more likely be in pirate hands.

For the Rebels:

I don't think anyone can deny that we need the YT-2400 Freighter , the Outrider. For goodness sakes, it was even in the special edition of Episode IV. Though it would fill a similar role to the YT-1300, it would be easy to make this a fun piece for the game.

The K-Wing would be an interesting choice, being a Missile Boat, possibly an analog of the Tie Bomber for the rebels. It required a bombadier, so maybe a crew card would be an option, plus a turret, this ship seems to be made for this game. I don't care for the looks, but again, it would make a great playing piece.

I know this is probably out of the question, but a third faction would open up a lot of possibility, a "pirate" faction, similar to what was done in Empire at War Forces of Corruption. With that, I obviously chose the fighter and bomber from that series as some of my choices.

Another good one, the Star Viper would make a lot of sense for a third "pirate" faction, similar to the blastboat. Fast and maneuverable, its odd design could probably take on some interesting tactics, and it would be a pretty cool model to see on the table at that.

The Conqueror-class assault ship would make a good pirate support vessel, and it has its roots in the Shadows of the Empire series, which is always a good thing. It is a cool looking ship...

For a large ship, which we probably won't see for quite a while given we are waiting on the first two, the Action VI Transport would be cool to see. The same model as the Famed Wild Karrde from the Thrawn Trilogy, with several appearances in other bits of the EU, it would make a great large ship, the same length as the Corellian Corvette.

So, what do people think?

I've been wondering how something like the Delta class DX-9 or Gamma class ATR-6 would play out. Obviously it would be more of a support or missile platform but the option for boarding ships, maybe even huge ships.

I would actually quite like to see the I-7, as its design has always appealed to me

So, for the Imperials:

The Sentinel Class Landing Craft would be an interesting addition, though it does not have the firepower or maneuverability to be a good unit. It may be very repetitive with the existing Lambda Class Shuttle. The Sentinel even made an appearance in the 1997 updates to the original series.

Are you kidding? The Sentinel has twice the firepower of a normal shuttle. It was designed to pretty much soften up whatever target the troops is was transporting were going to attack. It is more of a combat vessel then the Lambda.

The Assault Gunboat is iconic to me =(

As for the K-Wing, I'm starting to wonder if it's too far along on the timeline, too removed from the Civil War period. It came out 16 years after the Battle of Yavin if I recall correctly, and that might not jive with the time period FFG is going for.

I doubt they will dip too far into the timeline past the OT since the new movies are coming out and they will have tons of new film level canon ship designs to make.

Shadows of the Empire is the next frontier I think. StarViper and IG-2000 for the imperials, YT-2400 and ?? for the rebels.

IG-2000 could be pretty cool, different IG models could be different pilots

As for the K-Wing, I'm starting to wonder if it's too far along on the timeline, too removed from the Civil War period. It came out 19 years after the Battle of Yavin if I recall correctly, and that might not jive with the time period FFG is going for.

Well the picture for Eating A'Boat shows an E-wing shooting down Yevethan D-types, thus indicating the Black Fleet Crisis, when K-wing made their debut.

And yes, I too am a fan of the Assault Gunboat.

My hope is that Wave V is introducing a new faction, Pirates/Black Sun!

Skipray Blastboat

YT-2400

Cloakshape Fighter

Star Viper

I totally think there should be a third faction, as I've been saying for a long time. I digress...

The Imperials need an Epic Ship that can compete alongside with the transports and corvettes. The Sentinel Class is something I wholeheartedly support since it has tons of forward cannons, a -lot- of shields, and turrets which is something the Imperial players seem to have been sorely wanting for some time. I also suggest the Imperial Storm Commando Escort Carrier, since it can easily be outfitted with at least four hardpoint upgrades, is a fast, light ship, and has tons of firepower, especially in the forward guns.

As for more fighters and the like, there are still many TIE variants that are available. I personally won't be happy until I see a TIE Hunter, but some people are somewhat tired of TIE units. That in mind, more bounty hunter style ships would be extremely welcome.

I totally think there should be a third faction, as I've been saying for a long time. I digress...

The Imperials need an Epic Ship that can compete alongside with the transports and corvettes. The Sentinel Class is something I wholeheartedly support since it has tons of forward cannons, a -lot- of shields, and turrets which is something the Imperial players seem to have been sorely wanting for some time. I also suggest the Imperial Storm Commando Escort Carrier, since it can easily be outfitted with at least four hardpoint upgrades, is a fast, light ship, and has tons of firepower, especially in the forward guns.

As for more fighters and the like, there are still many TIE variants that are available. I personally won't be happy until I see a TIE Hunter, but some people are somewhat tired of TIE units. That in mind, more bounty hunter style ships would be extremely welcome.

It seems plausible to me that they are waiting till the new movie release to add a third faction(that faction being whoever the new enemy is...)

Is the Gunboat any more or less Iconic then the Defender? I'm not a guru on the EU, but was the Defender much represented beyond TIE Fighter?

Personally, I expect to see the Gunboat. While it may not be that well known, its a perfect ship to break the mold and provide more diversity to the TIE swarm.

Things definitely seem to be build towards eventually melding with the new films and their ships. I expect that will also make things easier. I hadn't actually thought of a third faction, as I just assumed the films would tie in to the remnants of the empire and the new Sith (whoever they may be), but that is an interesting idea, as well.

I am surprised I havent seen the YV-666 Light Freighter suggested yet.

So, for the Imperials:

The Sentinel Class Landing Craft would be an interesting addition, though it does not have the firepower or maneuverability to be a good unit. It may be very repetitive with the existing Lambda Class Shuttle. The Sentinel even made an appearance in the 1997 updates to the original series.

Are you kidding? The Sentinel has twice the firepower of a normal shuttle. It was designed to pretty much soften up whatever target the troops is was transporting were going to attack. It is more of a combat vessel then the Lambda.

My bad, I misread the article. I thought it had only 4 forward firing laser cannons and a single concussion missile launcher. Man was I wrong.

8 Laser Cannons, 2 Concussion Missile Launchers, 1 Ion Cannon, and 2 retractable turrets. I think this will make a great piece.

The Assault Gunboat is iconic to me =(

As for the K-Wing, I'm starting to wonder if it's too far along on the timeline, too removed from the Civil War period. It came out 19 years after the Battle of Yavin if I recall correctly, and that might not jive with the time period FFG is going for.

You make a good point about the K-wing. But I am having a hard time finding more Rebel Ships. Maybe we would have to go back to the clone wars and bring up some of that old equipment as Rebel Craft.

Is the Gunboat any more or less Iconic then the Defender? I'm not a guru on the EU, but was the Defender much represented beyond TIE Fighter?

Personally, I expect to see the Gunboat. While it may not be that well known, its a perfect ship to break the mold and provide more diversity to the TIE swarm.

Things definitely seem to be build towards eventually melding with the new films and their ships. I expect that will also make things easier. I hadn't actually thought of a third faction, as I just assumed the films would tie in to the remnants of the empire and the new Sith (whoever they may be), but that is an interesting idea, as well.

The Defender has appeared in many, many sources. It has been in the essential Guide to vehicles, 5 video games outside the X-wing Series, and 5 or so books, along with a lego kit. Probably the most popular, non-movie TIE fighter.

I am surprised I havent seen the YV-666 Light Freighter suggested yet.

It is a good idea, but the issue is that the ship is huge. It is listed as 63 meters long, roughly twice the size of the Falcon or about 2/3 the size of the GR-75 transport. The IG-2000 would be a much better choice, at 20m.

From the sounds of the people here, maybe the Assault Gunboat is more likely, I just didn't think it would be popular enough to make it.

Well, They've already used the Z-95 and TIE Defender, and both ships came from TIE Fighter (and I'm sure other places), so I don't think something like the Escort Shuttle or T-Wing is too farfetched for them. Not sure what role they'd occupy exactly, but a Small ship with a rear firing arc might be cool. Also, with the advent of Huge ships we could see the Assault Transports (those big Orca-lookin' things) as new Large ships. They would have enormous potential with their turrets and Ion Cannons, and hefty hull and shields. I could see them as one of those "so-so against fighters, awesome against capital ships" type craft.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Jedi Starfighter, or (admittedly less likely) the Naboo Starfighter. While they were Clone War era ships, their sleek design actually still kinda fits the mold of B-Wings and A-Wings (though they do look more flashy than the industrial looking X-Wings, Headhunters and Y-Wings) and they've made numerous appearances in the Civil War period through games like Rogue Leader, so there is at least some precedent for their later use. Personally, of all the CW garbage, these are ships I actually wouldn't mind seeing because they were pretty cool.

Sentinel Class Landing Craft - i don't think so

I-7 Howlrunner - please don't.

A-9 Vigilance Interceptor - please don't

Skipray Blastboat - maybe later

YT-2400 Freighter , the Outrider - yes

K-Wing - yes, maybe - though its a bit ugly

Star Viper - only for a 3rd faction

Conqueror-class assault ship - only for a 3rd faction

Action VI Transport ... hm ... hate it.

Sentinel Class Landing Craft - i don't think so

I-7 Howlrunner - please don't.

A-9 Vigilance Interceptor - please don't

Skipray Blastboat - maybe later

YT-2400 Freighter , the Outrider - yes

K-Wing - yes, maybe - though its a bit ugly

Star Viper - only for a 3rd faction

Conqueror-class assault ship - only for a 3rd faction

Action VI Transport ... hm ... hate it.

Okay, so you have eliminated most of the options, what do you think will make it into Wave V?

These are my own hopes:

REBELS

K-Wing

YT-2400

EMPIRE

Skipray Blastboat

? something big ?

EMPIRE HUGE SHIPS

Imperial Customs Corvette

Action IV Freighter

Sentinel Class Landing Craft - i don't think so

I-7 Howlrunner - please don't.

A-9 Vigilance Interceptor - please don't

Skipray Blastboat - maybe later

YT-2400 Freighter , the Outrider - yes

K-Wing - yes, maybe - though its a bit ugly

Star Viper - only for a 3rd faction

Conqueror-class assault ship - only for a 3rd faction

Action VI Transport ... hm ... hate it.

Okay, so you have eliminated most of the options, what do you think will make it into Wave V?

Empire:

Tie Avenger, Tie Aggressor, Tie Sentinel, Tie Scout, Tie Oppressor, Gunboat, Missile Boat, or one of the 3 remaining Bounty Hunters with small or large ship base.

Rebels: Whatever-Wing left, Outrider, Space Turtle, Ace Azzameen & Family along with their ships - or some other ships we don't thought of (see the HWK)

I think it would be cool to see a gamma class ship.

• ATR 6 assault transport
  
  
  
  
• As zero g Assault trooper Carrier
  
  
  
  
• or a mine drop version

And a third "pirate" faction wouldnt be bad at all. There a tons of cool pirate fighters.

Just look at all the X-Wing Alliance Fighters.

I am outside of my knowledge at this point of Star Wars, but I hope they find a way for two empire epic ships, and to have the same if not better quality on the ships.

I think a couple clone war ships could be super cool and we need an Emperor upgrade card.

There's the R-41 Starchaser for the Rebels, although it seems like the Z-95 Headhunter occupies a similar design space: A cheap, flimsy, somewhat disposable swarm fighter with concussion missiles. The R-41 has ion cannons, though, so there's that.

I think FFG would fold pirate ships like the Star Viper into the Imperial faction just like it's folded bounty hunters into the Empire similarly.

Here is an interesting choice for a large craft:

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Gozanti_Cruiser

It seems to be appearing in the propaganda posters for the new Star Wars: Rebels show.