So we got a bit more info trickling in today. This time: Fighters.

Most of this we already knew, though there seem to be have been a few changes since Gencon. Counter is new (and we still don't quite know how that works) and from what I recall bombers weren't able to do crits before either (I believe a bomber's crit counted as a hit previously). That certainly gives the rebel fighters one hell of an edge, given that most of their fighters have the bomber rule.

It also means that a fighter screen seems to be even more essential for Imperial players as well, as letting a bunch of rebel bombers wreck crits in your unprotected flanks does not sound like a winning strategy.

Which counter do you mean? Everything seemed explained that appeared in the article.

I totally agree that TIE screens look to be essential to the Imperials. Those Rebel fighters quite rightly hurt bad!

I don't like the sound of not being able to engage a capital ship with my starfighters just because another enemy squad is close.

It doesn't make sense thematically. What if I just want my Bombers to go on a run shoot their ordnance and book it away? Now I can't do that just because there's a screen of fighters? You can't run the gauntlet with starfighters and try to hit the capital ship. Just sounds dumb.

Now if I got two squadrons next to an enemy, is one of them not engaged? How to you determine that? Or are both engaged?

Which counter do you mean? Everything seemed explained that appeared in the article.

On the x-wing card the word "counter" is bolded. The card fans for the fighters in a previous article showed the a-wing and the interceptor both had an ability called "Counter 2" that presumably relates to the bolded word.

Jo Jo - I'm hoping for an upgrade or something to allow fighters to do what you're describing.

I also think that everything in range 1 of an enemy is considered engaged. I don't think its a 1:1 sort of thing. I suspect you will want to overwhelm the enemy fighters locally to take them out quickly, perhaps even aided by a salvo or 2 from a nearby capital ship to weaken a bunch of fighters.

This preview......I am liking this game more and more.

Hey, compared to the cards that we've seen out there, there is some change in the language. Check it out:

Anyway, there's a lot of material to plumb through here. I've done a quick few updates to the Wiki , but I imagine there's more to be done. Please feel invited to do so.

Which counter do you mean? Everything seemed explained that appeared in the article.

On the x-wing card the word "counter" is bolded. The card fans for the fighters in a previous article showed the a-wing and the interceptor both had an ability called "Counter 2" that presumably relates to the bolded word.

Ah yes, missed that!

While thematically I agree the engagement rule is a bit strange, from a gameplay perspective I like that you can't just throw your bombers straight at the enemy caps- it forces you to consider your approach and also encourages escorts, since Imperials can't attack Ys if they also have an X as a target. Similarly, I like how it gives the Advanced a role simply by giving it the Escort ability.

Also, poor Luke! I didn't realize he'd lost the Scatter ability. That'll put a bit of a damper on his life expectancy.

Curse you FF. This preview was the first one that seemed to sneak past my defenses. Must resist...

While thematically I agree the engagement rule is a bit strange, from a gameplay perspective I like that you can't just throw your bombers straight at the enemy caps- it forces you to consider your approach and also encourages escorts, since Imperials can't attack Ys if they also have an X as a target. Similarly, I like how it gives the Advanced a role simply by giving it the Escort ability.

Also, poor Luke! I didn't realize he'd lost the Scatter ability. That'll put a bit of a damper on his life expectancy.

Agreed, this way it means you have to use proper combined arms. Escorts, Interceptors and Bombers will all have their place.

Just imagne....A-Wings shooting ahead to engage the Imperial fighter screen to clear the path, while the X-Wings behind escort the Y's on their bombing run, before firing off their own torps.

Yesssssss........I MUST HAVE THIS.

I don't like the sound of not being able to engage a capital ship with my starfighters just because another enemy squad is close.

It doesn't make sense thematically. What if I just want my Bombers to go on a run shoot their ordnance and book it away? Now I can't do that just because there's a screen of fighters? You can't run the gauntlet with starfighters and try to hit the capital ship. Just sounds dumb.

Now if I got two squadrons next to an enemy, is one of them not engaged? How to you determine that? Or are both engaged?

It maker perfect sense when you remember episode IV. The fighters doing the attack run all got shot to pieces by Vader long before they got to take a good shot. Even Luke was about to be shot until Han ducked in to save the day.

That's what the escort rule is supposed to symbolize: pilots who shield their bomber allies long enough for them to take the shot.

As for two squadrons near an enemy, if both squadrons are in range 1 of the enemy both of them are engaged.

Pilot cards are illustrated with the character instead of an anonymous ship. I would enjoy to see that in xwing ! (Ie howlrunner)