So as we all saw last night, it would appear that the M3-A Scyk was spoiled.

You will notice that the ship is using "Intimidation" on the poor TIE/F. This leads me to two predictions:

1) M3-A Scyk will not be available to the Empire

2) The Scyk will not be a Rebel ship

Point one: Not an Empire ship. FFG have not, as of yet, released EPT art which depicts same faction combat. (I realize this is not the strongest argument, as just because something hasnt happened is not a reason why it will never happen.)

Additionally, when searching on Wookipedia, one can come across the origins of the Scyk, a Mandalorean designed ship, built by Mandalmotors, who produced it in secret for the Hutts and Zann Consortium.

Point two: Not a Rebel ship. Mandalmotors produced this ship for the Hutts and Zann Consortium. THe Zann Consortium sabotaged both the Rebels and the Imperials.

So I think this is a herald to a new faction. The Scum and Villainy faction. I cannot wait for Gencon spoilers.

*sigh*

Really?

Why not? It would be wicked cool. I for one would welcome my new life as a pirate and smuggler.

*sigh*

Really?

...So did the thread title not tip you off, or what?

Because there have already been several 'third faction' threads, along with at least one 'FFG is secretly hinting at upcoming ships through the artwork' thread. A mashup doesn't really add anything new.

I'm totally down for a third faction!

(runs to bunker)

(from bunker PA system)

I'm also totally down with specualtion threads!

I really hope there is no third faction

If there is then I'm afraid I feel ffg has exhausted all ideas and are now just trying to milk the cash cow dry

There is nothing innately wrong with a third faction. It would need to feel unique, and it would need to add something to the game in a way that the other factions aren't doing. Otherwise I don't see the point. I could go either way on this. It could be great. It could be a terrible idea. We still know nothing to prove that this is even a possibility yet. It's fun to speculate, but only time will tell.

I really hope there is no third faction

If there is then I'm afraid I feel ffg has exhausted all ideas and are now just trying to milk the cash cow dry

I can see where you are coming from with this statement. I would like to look at a possibility of a third faction as more of a great thing that could possibly lead to an even more diverse game with a lot of play potential rather than a cash grab while the going is good.

Mind you. FFG loves money, every company loves money and if they find a way to make more of it while also continuing to bring out great products and new rules then who am I to shake a stick at it in frustration that they are following the rules of business.

I really hope there is no third faction

If there is then I'm afraid I feel ffg has exhausted all ideas and are now just trying to milk the cash cow dry

I'm fairly agnostic about whether the game needs a third faction, but being exhausted of ideas is different from beginning to exhaust the reasonable supply of ships for the Rebellion, in particular (there are enough TIE variants to FFG going for years).

So--granting for the sake of argument that FFG is planning a third faction, for which there is little to no actual evidence--it's possible they're looking at it as a way to keep the game healthy over a longer term, rather than watching new releases slowly peter out due to a lack of good Rebel options.

I really hope there is no third faction

If there is then I'm afraid I feel ffg has exhausted all ideas and are now just trying to milk the cash cow dry

I think they'll have plenty of content coming up real soon with Rebels and Episode 7

Fwiw, anti-pursuit lasers shows a Lambda shuttle blasting a TIE Fighter. It's just ties' lot in life.

I was waiting to see if when someone was going to check the art to prove me wrong! 4 hours and 30 odd minutes, internetz I am disappoint!

Idk about it being a Lambda, could be a T-13.

Anti-Pursuit Lasers Art

T-16 Skyhopper 3d

Lambda Shuttle

Maybe the T-16 Skyhopper is part of the next wave too!

Good analysis Zoccola! I'm also on the fence about the "need" for a 3rd faction, but based on the good job FFG has done so far with the 5 Waves of Rebel/Imperial, it's definitely something that would be a fun addition to the game, if even just to add more variety we see in tournaments.

Your analysis is quite good though, I look forward to seeing what happens!