According to Rebels that role is now filled by ISB Agents and Inquisitors in TAPs though

Really? ISB Agents and Inquisitors in TAPs perform routine multi-system, deep space patrols, escort small convoys and protecting Inperial shipping lanes?

Wow, here was me thinking Inquisitors were important Imperial agents tasked with tracking down insurgents, and you're telling me they're actually just as expendable and widespread as your common-or-garden Imperial pilot...

According to Rebels that role is now filled by ISB Agents and Inquisitors in TAPs though

Really? ISB Agents and Inquisitors in TAPs perform routine multi-system, deep space patrols, escort small convoys and protecting Inperial shipping lanes?

Wow, here was me thinking Inquisitors were important Imperial agents tasked with tracking down insurgents, and you're telling me they're actually just as expendable and widespread as your common-or-garden Imperial pilot...

The Inquisitor gets called once the light-saber was pulled, but indeed the Gozanti is used as escort and patrol craft. Having gunboats makes still sense, especially when you consider who easy those Gozanti freighter-carriers get destroyed. The rebels slip constantly away because ISDs are just not fast enough in deployment, while the interdictor prototype is shown for better control of space-lanes.

According to Rebels that role is now filled by ISB Agents and Inquisitors in TAPs though

Really? ISB Agents and Inquisitors in TAPs perform routine multi-system, deep space patrols, escort small convoys and protecting Inperial shipping lanes?

Wow, here was me thinking Inquisitors were important Imperial agents tasked with tracking down insurgents, and you're telling me they're actually just as expendable and widespread as your common-or-garden Imperial pilot...

They are important Imperial Agents.

I have no idea where any of this came from.

According to Rebels that role is now filled by ISB Agents and Inquisitors in TAPs though

Really? ISB Agents and Inquisitors in TAPs perform routine multi-system, deep space patrols, escort small convoys and protecting Inperial shipping lanes?

Wow, here was me thinking Inquisitors were important Imperial agents tasked with tracking down insurgents, and you're telling me they're actually just as expendable and widespread as your common-or-garden Imperial pilot...

They are important Imperial Agents.

I have no idea where any of this came from.

They are fairly expendable as we see in the show, they generally operate as elite scouts and rapid response agents for paroling ships, either an ISD or a Gozanti depending on the size and importance of the area they are paroling.

You guys are very quick to assume that Disney's only ever gonna use TIEs.

So far, just getting them to use anything that's not a TIE Fighter is like pulling teeth. I can't imagine how resistant they are to using a non-TIE.

So far, just getting them to use anything that's not a TIE Fighter is like pulling teeth. I can't imagine how resistant they are to using a non-TIE.

Well, to be fair so far they've only released one film in the Force Awakens and one series in Rebels. Rebels has also dipped into the EU for ship designs (see Interdictor). It's still very early to be making blanket statements like that; maybe if after we've seen another couple of films, games and TV series Disney are still doggedly sticking to TIEs and nothing but TIEs it might be a valid concern.

Ahem....

GUNBOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At this point I wouldn't be surprised if the IG-1000 gets released before our beloved Starwing. Go ahead, look it up on Wookieepedia.

GUNBOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At this point I wouldn't be surprised if the IG-1000 gets released before our beloved Starwing. Go ahead, look it up on Wookieepedia.

*looks at Wookieepedia*

*looks at signature*

*glowers*

I can't post pictures but someone once told me that searching on Google for Star Wars Wave 7 to 9 and then clicking images brings up a photo of a bunch of CGI images of ships that have either come out already or likely to be released.

The Star Wing is not on there.

I can't post pictures but someone once told me that searching on Google for Star Wars Wave 7 to 9 and then clicking images brings up a photo of a bunch of CGI images of ships that have either come out already or likely to be released.

The Star Wing is not on there.

Well, considering Wave 7 and Wave 8 are already out, that's not really surprising, is it?

Not exactly sure what you're referring to though - maybe JBR7's prediction game images?

Needless to say these images are entirely fan made, nothing to do with FFG in any way, shape or form and 100%, totally unofficial. (unless your Joe Boss Red 7, of course. He crazy).

Of course, even JBR7's Prediction Game wasn't entirely Gunboat free...

that's not Joe Boss.

that's me.

Basically Cygnus and Seinar were working on the same problem, filling the role of long range assault fighters. The TIE Advanced program was Seinar's route, with the Avenger and Defende as the final products and answers to the Gunboat. Cygnus technically had more success since their fighter was put into production at a time when the V1 and X1 were just prototypes or very limited production models, as well as having Gunboats as part of the standard complement on ISDs (5 on some models). The Avenger and Defender suffered from limited production when their respective factories were destroyed in the treachery of Zaarin.

...I don't think that is the case any longer. While it doesn't rule out future old EU releases Disney hasn't had any non TIE Imperial Star fighters in the new Canon and the role that the Gunboats were made for in the old lore is now specifically being filled by other ships.

Part of the idea of the gunboat is that it's the equivalent of the m4 Sherman: unloved, run of the mill but effective for anything and adaptable for the situation. People get all giggety over German tanks but the Sherman was one of the winners of the war.

Take away the starships and imperials have no power projection at all which is completely at odds with the whole idea of an authoritarian state. Gunboats go some length to plug this gap in power projection (past big fleets that obviously aren't numerous enough to cover the same stretch as the equivalent number of gunboats.

Basically Cygnus and Seinar were working on the same problem, filling the role of long range assault fighters. The TIE Advanced program was Seinar's route, with the Avenger and Defende as the final products and answers to the Gunboat. Cygnus technically had more success since their fighter was put into production at a time when the V1 and X1 were just prototypes or very limited production models, as well as having Gunboats as part of the standard complement on ISDs (5 on some models). The Avenger and Defender suffered from limited production when their respective factories were destroyed in the treachery of Zaarin.

...I don't think that is the case any longer. While it doesn't rule out future old EU releases Disney hasn't had any non TIE Imperial Star fighters in the new Canon and the role that the Gunboats were made for in the old lore is now specifically being filled by other ships.

Which ship in particular?

Part of the idea of the gunboat is that it's the equivalent of the m4 Sherman: unloved, run of the mill but effective for anything and adaptable for the situation. People get all giggety over German tanks but the Sherman was one of the winners of the war.

Take away the starships and imperials have no power projection at all which is completely at odds with the whole idea of an authoritarian state. Gunboats go some length to plug this gap in power projection (past big fleets that obviously aren't numerous enough to cover the same stretch as the equivalent number of gunboats.

IIRC the EU gave the empire more than 30,000 ISDs, and about 20,000,000 species in the galaxy. With the firepower of an ISD and the speed of hyperspace lanes, it is possible to roughly destroy one homeworld per day with orbital bombardment. Yes, those worlds can be rebuild from scratch, but they would need some terra-forming or a lot of time to heal. This means that half the species in the galaxy can lose their homeworld within a year. The power projection is there even with just sector fleets, the empire can rule by fear. What they can not do is prevent insurgents to attack imperial bases all over the galaxy, because the galaxy is simply to big for this and hyperspace allows for very evasive and elusive tactics.

What the empire did lack was better control over the hyper-lanes, civil Commerce and travel. What they even more lacked was the ability to strike fast enough to prevent the rebel scum from running.

I think FFGs Rebellion is using this asymmetric power distribution very well as part of its game design.

Of course, even JBR7's Prediction Game wasn't entirely Gunboat free...

To paraphrase Meatloaf... "Cause two out of 4 ain't bad."

Of course, even JBR7's Prediction Game wasn't entirely Gunboat free...

To paraphrase Meatloaf... "Cause two out of 4 ain't bad."

Well his scum were spot on he just switched waves 7 and 8

So far, just getting them to use anything that's not a TIE Fighter is like pulling teeth. I can't imagine how resistant they are to using a non-TIE.

Well, to be fair so far they've only released one film in the Force Awakens and one series in Rebels. Rebels has also dipped into the EU for ship designs (see Interdictor). It's still very early to be making blanket statements like that; maybe if after we've seen another couple of films, games and TV series Disney are still doggedly sticking to TIEs and nothing but TIEs it might be a valid concern.

Still, 'Force Awakens' did have two distinct TIE Fighter types in it, and it's telling to see how the 'Special Forces' tie appeared in concept art...

...before they finally opted for "no, just make it look like a regular TIE Fighter with more greebles" for production use.

Disney is a pretty big fan of making things market-identifiable

I really hope that concept makes an appearance somewhere, because that's got to be my favorite TIE variant since either the TIE Interceptor (when I saw Return of the Jedi for the first time) or the TIE Defender (when I got the Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels).

So far, just getting them to use anything that's not a TIE Fighter is like pulling teeth. I can't imagine how resistant they are to using a non-TIE.

Well, to be fair so far they've only released one film in the Force Awakens and one series in Rebels. Rebels has also dipped into the EU for ship designs (see Interdictor). It's still very early to be making blanket statements like that; maybe if after we've seen another couple of films, games and TV series Disney are still doggedly sticking to TIEs and nothing but TIEs it might be a valid concern.

Still, 'Force Awakens' did have two distinct TIE Fighter types in it, and it's telling to see how the 'Special Forces' tie appeared in concept art...

...before they finally opted for "no, just make it look like a regular TIE Fighter with more greebles" for production use.

Disney is a pretty big fan of making things market-identifiable

****, that ones beautiful.

So far, just getting them to use anything that's not a TIE Fighter is like pulling teeth. I can't imagine how resistant they are to using a non-TIE.

Well, to be fair so far they've only released one film in the Force Awakens and one series in Rebels. Rebels has also dipped into the EU for ship designs (see Interdictor). It's still very early to be making blanket statements like that; maybe if after we've seen another couple of films, games and TV series Disney are still doggedly sticking to TIEs and nothing but TIEs it might be a valid concern.

Still, 'Force Awakens' did have two distinct TIE Fighter types in it, and it's telling to see how the 'Special Forces' tie appeared in concept art...

...before they finally opted for "no, just make it look like a regular TIE Fighter with more greebles" for production use.

Disney is a pretty big fan of making things market-identifiable

****, that ones beautiful.

And Disney specifically passed on that one in favor of making something that just looks like a regular TIE Fighter.

Which really tells you all you need to know on this topic. We might get a gunboat in X-Wing (I sure hope we do), but if we do so, it will be because FFG wants to be inclusive of the video games and other EU references to it. It sure as hell won't ever be seen on the screen as long as Disney has anything to do with it.

So far, just getting them to use anything that's not a TIE Fighter is like pulling teeth. I can't imagine how resistant they are to using a non-TIE.

Well, to be fair so far they've only released one film in the Force Awakens and one series in Rebels. Rebels has also dipped into the EU for ship designs (see Interdictor). It's still very early to be making blanket statements like that; maybe if after we've seen another couple of films, games and TV series Disney are still doggedly sticking to TIEs and nothing but TIEs it might be a valid concern.

Still, 'Force Awakens' did have two distinct TIE Fighter types in it, and it's telling to see how the 'Special Forces' tie appeared in concept art...

...before they finally opted for "no, just make it look like a regular TIE Fighter with more greebles" for production use.

Disney is a pretty big fan of making things market-identifiable

****, that ones beautiful.

And Disney specifically passed on that one in favor of making something that just looks like a regular TIE Fighter.

Which really tells you all you need to know on this topic. We might get a gunboat in X-Wing (I sure hope we do), but if we do so, it will be because FFG wants to be inclusive of the video games and other EU references to it. It sure as hell won't ever be seen on the screen as long as Disney has anything to do with it.

Hopefully they'll include that version in VIII, they've gotten a decent bit of flak over the lack of new designs

Still, 'Force Awakens' did have two distinct TIE Fighter types in it

Right..."distinct"...

Basically Cygnus and Seinar were working on the same problem, filling the role of long range assault fighters. The TIE Advanced program was Seinar's route, with the Avenger and Defende as the final products and answers to the Gunboat. Cygnus technically had more success since their fighter was put into production at a time when the V1 and X1 were just prototypes or very limited production models, as well as having Gunboats as part of the standard complement on ISDs (5 on some models). The Avenger and Defender suffered from limited production when their respective factories were destroyed in the treachery of Zaarin.

...I don't think that is the case any longer. While it doesn't rule out future old EU releases Disney hasn't had any non TIE Imperial Star fighters in the new Canon and the role that the Gunboats were made for in the old lore is now specifically being filled by other ships.

Which ship in particular?

Part of the idea of the gunboat is that it's the equivalent of the m4 Sherman: unloved, run of the mill but effective for anything and adaptable for the situation. People get all giggety over German tanks but the Sherman was one of the winners of the war.

Take away the starships and imperials have no power projection at all which is completely at odds with the whole idea of an authoritarian state. Gunboats go some length to plug this gap in power projection (past big fleets that obviously aren't numerous enough to cover the same stretch as the equivalent number of gunboats.

IIRC the EU gave the empire more than 30,000 ISDs, and about 20,000,000 species in the galaxy. With the firepower of an ISD and the speed of hyperspace lanes, it is possible to roughly destroy one homeworld per day with orbital bombardment. Yes, those worlds can be rebuild from scratch, but they would need some terra-forming or a lot of time to heal. This means that half the species in the galaxy can lose their homeworld within a year. The power projection is there even with just sector fleets, the empire can rule by fear. What they can not do is prevent insurgents to attack imperial bases all over the galaxy, because the galaxy is simply to big for this and hyperspace allows for very evasive and elusive tactics.

What the empire did lack was better control over the hyper-lanes, civil Commerce and travel. What they even more lacked was the ability to strike fast enough to prevent the rebel scum from running.

I think FFGs Rebellion is using this asymmetric power distribution very well as part of its game design.

1: going by named systems or sectors only and the wotc reb guide, there over 300k SD not counting SSD and possibly the battleship sized SD.

2: Even though its called a starfighter its really a multipurpose craft thats mainly a gunboat, gunship. It should have taken the job of the old r3p gunships from ep 1-3.

That assumes 1 species per world though. If we're dealing with a galaxy sized structure, it's much more likely to be larger than that.

300k sd seems a bit high even if they're doing the standard stats fiddle by lumping decrepit and obsolete models into one category. I'm also inclined to view the lesser number as valid owing to the logistical strains of building the Death Star (and indeed it's raison d'etre).

So far, just getting them to use anything that's not a TIE Fighter is like pulling teeth. I can't imagine how resistant they are to using a non-TIE.

Well, to be fair so far they've only released one film in the Force Awakens and one series in Rebels. Rebels has also dipped into the EU for ship designs (see Interdictor). It's still very early to be making blanket statements like that; maybe if after we've seen another couple of films, games and TV series Disney are still doggedly sticking to TIEs and nothing but TIEs it might be a valid concern.

Still, 'Force Awakens' did have two distinct TIE Fighter types in it, and it's telling to see how the 'Special Forces' tie appeared in concept art...

...before they finally opted for "no, just make it look like a regular TIE Fighter with more greebles" for production use.

Disney is a pretty big fan of making things market-identifiable

But in the hypothetical world we see it (I know nothing about it whatsoever) I imagine it would be an interceptor with a shield or two (in the way fo is an upgraded tie). It would be little used in its generic form and its aces would be great...but have daft names.

Aluminium Ace would be great.

Aluminium leader would be OK, but overpriced for his (her?) ability.

Podcasts would spend hours discussing the sexes of the pilots, this forum would erupt with the rebel fanboys whining that the t-65 STILL isn't fixed, even though by now it only costs 5 pts and FFG sends a butler to each and game and serves you lunch so you can apply all your mighty intellect to getting the best out of the poor X wing.