So will we see any expansions launch On or Around the time of the base game? I'm guessing we'll get 4 options, though they may not come in "4" boxes.

Additional Squadrons-

I could see extra squadron packs being sold with 2-3 squadrons inside each, or perhaps less, but it all depends on the price point.

Imperial Ships - Depending on whatever they announce for X-Wing at Gencon, we could expect some smaller Imperial Ships, IE Lancer, Gozanti, etc.

Rebel Ships - Wave one seems too soon for a Mon Calamari, but unless they release a GR-75 transport... what else IS there?

I think we will see the iconic battleships. The Mon Calamari cruiser and the Imperial Star Destroyer. Why? Because I noticed that one of the missions requires a flagship and these two would be perfect for that

Lancer is very probable, emprie starts with a rather big ship so some kind of smaller one is very likely.

I would like to see the Imperial class firgate despite its small size (400m) can carry as many fighters as an ISD. Vindicator as cruiser (becouse of it distinct imperial look) ahead of drednaught which is very common and bland.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Imperial_II-class_frigate

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Vindicator-class_heavy_cruiser

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Dreadnaught-class_heavy_cruiser

I mean, we WILL get a Mon Cal and ISD at some point - and it makes sense for it to come sooner rather than later, since more recognizable ships are more likely to draw in new players. That being said, the VSD is instantly recognizable to anyone who has seen the movies as a "Star Destroyer," and you're right - the Imperials will need some smaller ships to have flexibility in building their lists.

It's possible, then, that the first expansion gives the Rebels a bigger ship (the Mon Cal) and the Imperials a couple of smaller ships (Lancer, Dreadnaught, Carrack, Strike Cruiser, Vindicator/Interdictor, maybe some kind of carrier?).

I think it's likely that we eventually get more than one Mon Cal - maybe a "light" version (MC40, using the video game designations) to compete with the VSD, then an MC80 (i.e., Home One) to accompany the Imperial-class in Wave 2?

All I know is, 2015 can't get here fast enough. And neither can GenCon. We must have more information!

Imperial class frigate is pretty much a carrier considering its hangar to size ratio.

Rebel Ships - Wave one seems too soon for a Mon Calamari, but unless they release a GR-75 transport... what else IS there?

I think for the Rebs we'll see a light Mon Cal first, to compete directly with the VSD, but beyond that, an Assault Frigate might be a good option. In addition to being staples of the EU novels (I distinctly recall appearances in the well-loved Zahn trilogy), they also appeared in Empire at War.

There were a lot of Rebel capital ships invented for the Star Wars: Rebellion game (Liberator, Bulwark, Dauntless, etc.), but they were all pretty ugly and didn't have much of an existence outside of that game so far as I'm aware.

You could actually see the Dreadnaught cruiser for both sides. The Rebels used them as well.

For the Rebels I think you'll see the GR-75, a Correlian Gunship, an assault frigate, some carrier of sorts, maybe two different versions of the Mon Cal, the winged variant and the long skinnier one like Home One in ROTJ. No two Mon Cal class cruisers are exactly alike.

Just for sheer scale problems, I don't think you'll see anything bigger than a Mon Cal or ISD though.

Wave 1... Assuming they limit it to 4 ships.

The CR-90, Neb and VSD from the starter set. Plus a Vette sized ship for the Empire.

Wave 2 having ISD's and MonCals. Sure I'd love to see a ISD and MonCal sooner then that. But I think you'd have issues with balanced games, if the Imperial options were a VSD and ISD. Unless the point values are a good bit lower then expected and a single ISD is enough to fill out most of a list.

You could actually see the Dreadnaught cruiser for both sides. The Rebels used them as well.

For the Rebels I think you'll see the GR-75, a Correlian Gunship, an assault frigate, some carrier of sorts, maybe two different versions of the Mon Cal, the winged variant and the long skinnier one like Home One in ROTJ. No two Mon Cal class cruisers are exactly alike.

Just for sheer scale problems, I don't think you'll see anything bigger than a Mon Cal or ISD though.

This sounds about right.

I'm not crazy about the GR-75, even though it does seem to be a likely addition. For one thing it's quite a small ship, and for another it just doesn't really fit into a space combat game - it's a transport.

But they were at Endor, so I guess we'll probably see them.

I'm fairly sure that we will get 4-6 releases with wave 1. The only question is if squadrons are included with ships or if they are separate. So if they aren't included then it would be the rebels ships from the core set and the destroyer with some sort of support ship. While we get a x wing and tie fighter squadron or squadrons blister to help fill the forces out. This would allow for the next release to have capital ships, unless they want to push the weak rebel idea for longer, and bombers introduced via Y-wings and Tie bombers alongside their massive mother ships being the Mon Calamari cruiser and an Imperial Star Destroyer.

I'm fairly sure that we will get 4-6 releases with wave 1.

Considering FFG's issues with keeping X-Wing in stock, I don't think 6 ships in wave 1 is likely.

The only question is if squadrons are included with ships or if they are separate.

I'd guess they're included, because that fits with FFG's standard "Everything you need to play in the package" method of doing things. So if Fighters are a standard part of the ship, they'll likely be in the package.

That doesn't mean however they won't sell them separately. But depending on how they work, like if you can only use as many as your cap ships allow, there may not be much reason to sell them that way, since you get all you need with cap ships.

It really depends on what the packages will be like. The only thing I'm willing to bet on is that the models that are available in the starter will be in Wave 1.

I know it may be dumb but I really hope the rebels get the dreadnought! Easily one of my favorite ships from the EU.

My guess is you will have boxes or blisters with a single ship and each box will inclue a number of fighters one or more stands. If they release 4 boxes I just cant see the fighters taking up 2 box slots. Given that the fighters are not painted and have most of their information for play on the base I don't see this being too unlikely.

My conundrum is how many ships will be released, here I am going to go with what is in the base box +1 for each side. That means the Rebels get the Nebulon and CR90 and one more, the Imperials get the Star Destroyer and one more. As such being a guess and nothing more I am going with 5 boxes for the expansion of ships.

Alternatively, the ships in the starter are only available in the starter and there will be four additional two for each side.

I expect the starter ships to only be available in the starter. (Ala Dust Tactics). Freeing up two boxes for each side.

One more idea to throw out in the mix: Make it a LMG and release a ship each month alternating between the Empire and the Rebels.

MC80 and ISD complete with squadrons, and two smaller ships.

I bet it won't happen, but I'd like to see the Escort Carrier.

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

I bet it won't happen, but I'd like to see the Escort Carrier.

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

How do you know that it won't?

Give FFG some time. They will eventually get to it within a few wave releases.

Like X-wing, I believe that FFG will release the Stater box ships as separate packs, with different pilot and upgrade cards. Possibly 2 to a pack for the smaller ones, and with corresponding fighter squadrons. The Neb-B may even have imperial stats as it was common on both sides

Then probably ISD (With options to be an Imperial I or II) and a MC-80a Mon Cal

Interdictor cruiser would be cool. Also, Correllian gunship.