There has already been some speculation about the introduction of a Black Sun faction the Wave 5 speculation thread.

I'm not sure if anyone else noticed (or mentioned that they noticed) what the Z-95 card (for the Bandit Squadron Pilot) reads:

"The AF4 series was the latest in a long line of Headhunter designs. Cheap and durable, it became a favorite among independent outfits like the Rebellion and Black Sun ."

Is this an indication that they are actually planning to release Black Sun as a faction?

To those who say that Star Wars is about Empire vs. Rebels, I would offer that the 'Fringe' has always been a part of the story, though it was represented by the smugglers (Han), the bounty hunters, and Jabba's criminal organization.

I'm not sure how I feel about Black Sun necessarily being the faction name of choice. I'd prefer a more loose phrase such as the Fringe, which refers to the criminal element including pirate gangs.

Is this an indication that they are actually planning to release Black Sun as a faction?

No.

Is this an indication that they are actually planning to release Black Sun as a faction?

No.

Correct. Logistically, it just doesn't work. 2 factions is fine, live with it.

Yup, I can't see that it's necessary - what would it add? There's already enough differences between the ships to create enough variation.

It all depends, I guess - there's certainly plenty of scope for a third faction within the EU. Imperials vs Rebels is amazing and all, but a third faction might satisfy those who want something a little bit different.

Admittedly, you have to ask if ships like the Preybird, Cloakshape, Razor and Planetary Defense Fighter, plus larger vessels like the Muurian Transport and IG-2000 - while looking cool and different - would be able to add anything significantly different to the rules in gameplay terms from what we already have.

Then of course, we hit the EU question again.

So, to sum up - might look nice, but would they sell and what would they offer that's different to what we already have?

If you're going to put in Black Sun, you might as well create factions for CorSec, the Hapans, Corporate Sector Authority, Bothan Security Force, and any of the other majorly minor powers in the galaxy.

Personally, I see no reason why you can't simply say, "Look, I know it says Rebel Alliance, but today we're playing the Ripoblus, who are fighting a civil war with the Dimok in the Sepan Sector, and you are the Imperial forces sent in to stop the conflict." The ships are balanced to each other, which means that you can play them outside their faction with a mixed group and still have a balanced force.

That's what we have done in the past, just borrowed the ships from their respective faction. There are a few scenarios floating around that require Pirates in Y-wings, Hutts running a YT-1300 and Firespray together, etc...

I would rather see the Zahn Consortium myself. More factions can only be good for the game. Diversity is the spice of life.

Yup, I can't see that it's necessary - what would it add? There's already enough differences between the ships to create enough variation.

It might offer FFG the opportunity to sell more expansions.

I think not making at least a third faction is a missed opportunity.

I'm sure that if the license gets renewed we'll see some kind of other factions... But with the introduction of Epic Play it likely won't be Pirates. It's far more likely to be something from episode 7-9. Pirates aren't likely to have a diverse array of huge ships, leaving us with things like Jabba's spaceship, and the same ships the Rebellion and Empire use.

I wouldn't mind the Hapes cluster as a faction but unless they appear in the new movies that seems Unlikely.

I look at Attack Wing, and how their smorgasbjord of factions are starting to dilute representation in releases. And given how this game enforces faction purity, the longer we wait to see a new faction, the harder it will be to add in a new faction and be comparative to the existing factions. With as diverse as each faction is getting, who would want to go back to essentially wave 1 only builds. There is also the problem of representation in releases, that is a much larger problem in this game, since we have far fewer releases than Attack Wing. And a new faction shouldn't share ships. The ships are what give each faction it's uniqueness.

I do think there should be some ship sharing. The Firespray should have some rebel pilots. The YT at least one Imperial. Etc... But I don't think the game allows for that. We'd have seen titles with faction only stuff added if they planned on it.

But I honestly think Pirate Play holds the most potential. Give me an A-wing swarm with Howlrunner. I dare you.

The Star Viper, Skipray Blastboat, and Rihkxyrk Assault Fighter were all employed by the Zann Consortium on the fighter craft front. They also used stolen and modified A-Wings, Ties, Tie Bs, and Tie Ds, if necessary these could be used a repaints with different pilots, stats, and maneuver dials to represent modifications and lack of proper maintenance.

On the larger side, they employed TZ-86, RZ-52, TZ-15, Lambda, IG-2000, and Hounds Tooth.

Lastly on the corvettes we have Crusader, IPV-1, and stolen Tartan, Muruaders, C90s, and Broadsides.

Even with the non-stolen and refit ships there is plenty to get a faction started.

And yes, the HWK, Firespray, and YT should have been merc ships hire-able by anyone. Heck, Kyle Katarn (the most notable figure when it comes to the HWK) worked for the Empire first.

I like the idea of a Fringe faction, it's generic enough to describe pirates, bounty hunters, smugglers and crime families. The fringe element is probably my favorite aspect of Star Wars, and I think a faction for it would add some much needed diversity to the game's setting, especially in regards to scenarios and campaigns.

They could handle it the same way as with the aces, repaints of existing ships with new pilots and ship specific upgrades, as well as adding a few Fringe only ships to future waves. Fringe varients of the Z-95, Y-Wing, HWK, YT-1300, Firespray, and Shuttle, plus two unique ships would would give them the same numbers of ships as the wave 4 Rebel/Empire factions.

I don't think it will happen, so we might as well start homebrewing some new pilots for those ships ourselves.

I look at Attack Wing, and how their smorgasbjord of factions are starting to dilute representation in releases. And given how this game enforces faction purity, the longer we wait to see a new faction, the harder it will be to add in a new faction and be comparative to the existing factions. With as diverse as each faction is getting, who would want to go back to essentially wave 1 only builds. There is also the problem of representation in releases, that is a much larger problem in this game, since we have far fewer releases than Attack Wing. And a new faction shouldn't share ships. The ships are what give each faction it's uniqueness.

How many factions, waves, and ships are there in Attack Wing so far?

I've spent a good deal of money on X-Wing already, and now that Epic play is a thing I'm sure I'll be spending even more. I can't imagine how detrimental a third faction would be to my wallet, let alone game balance. Sometimes more options is a bad thing.

How many factions, waves, and ships are there in Attack Wing so far?

A lot. http://wizkidsgames.com/startrek/star-trek-attack-wing/ Click on the "GALLERY" tab to see them.

Yeah, Wave 5 is about to release, which starts the monthly release of 3 ship waves for a while. I think there is 10+ factions.

Yup, I can't see that it's necessary - what would it add? There's already enough differences between the ships to create enough variation.

It might offer FFG the opportunity to sell more expansions.

With how FFG only makes so many in a first run, the idea of other factions probably isn't on the table. The uncertainties of mass production and loss of sales is too great... this insight is gleaned from their record of producing too few ships when released, in fear of over production. They've done it with other games as well.

Edit:

Also, for the attack wing question... obviously this isn't that game... and I think if they were going to have other factions, I think we would have heard about this already. Like attack wing it would have been implemented from the start and be a core value of the game.

whilst I agree with the general consensus that a seperate faction is unlikely..... a deck of expansion pilot cards would be an easy way to create a "freelancers" faction and would be a relatively small risk on the part of FFG, just a pack of alternate pilot cards for some of the more generic ships, would add a huge variety to the game, for minimal effort..... possibly twinnned with the release of some more "modification cards" to allow your smuggler/bounty hunter/ freelance cargo hauler to customise his pride and joy.... obvious ones would be "auxillary torpedo/missile launcher" allowing you to add a missile/torp to any ship.... "jury rigged mine" a cobbled together bomb dropped from the waste evacuation hatch.... the options are nearly endless.... heck some of the pilots for the bigger ships, could have their special abillity be "customiser" allowing you to fit multiple mods.....

what do you guys think??? any legs in my ideas?

TWTs

Whoa, look at this card, it says bounty hunter!

This must mean there will be a faction for bounty hunters too!

I'm just kidding man, I think more factions would be cool. It would just make everything a little more complicated. For example, wouldn't the firespray have to be moved to a faction like hat, it makes more sense than being the empire.

if you really think about it, FFG would have an extremely easy time releasing a pirate faction. Especially one that uses existing ships like z-95's, y wings or even stolen ties. They don't even have to release new ships, the only thing that ties a ship to the faction is the pilot card. I doubt it but FFG could release a faction pilot card pack with new pilots for existing ships in a new faction.

I actually just kinda wish FFG (don't get me wrong they are doing a awesome job here) would just release a news update outlining their plans for the future. You know they already have it all mapped out at least to some extent. That would end the endless speculation threads and start a new breed of threads that might expose some new great ideas that FFG could act upon.

But, if you have factions sharing ships, you begin to blur the differences between the factions. Which is a big problem with Attack Wing, with the open sharing. It's also why I've really started to dislike the idea of sharing ships between the existing factions, even if it makes since like the Tyderium.

FFG has no desire to release card sets.. why would they. When we are all so happy to buy ships just for the cards.. I'm sure we've all done it, I know I have. And ill admit, I got those first 2 shuttles for cards, the third I wanted to repaint into a school bus.. lol and yes I have bought ships purely for a repaint..

So again.. why would they release card packs... there is more money in expansion packs...

FFG has no desire to release card sets.. why would they. When we are all so happy to buy ships just for the cards.. I'm sure we've all done it, I know I have. And ill admit, I got those first 2 shuttles for cards, the third I wanted to repaint into a school bus.. lol and yes I have bought ships purely for a repaint..

So again.. why would they release card packs... there is more money in expansion packs...

true. you make a good point. I've bought lots of extra expansions just for the cards. Its like pokemon but worse, instead of "gotta have catch em all"... its "gotta have at least 4 of each" and now that epic is out it's more like 8 of each.