Gunna ask it because no one else has:
Why the TIE Interdictor?
I was sort of expecting something a little more 'iconic' like the Advanced X1 and a heavy-fighter like the Oppressor or even the Aggressor for taking on a multi role/anti-shipping role.
Got my Writer's Copy of Stay on Target - Any Questions?
Bizarrely the Oppressor is even included in the artwork of the TIE swarm- just like the Providence-class Separatist carrier is included in the carrier art, but not in the book.
I thought FFG didn't have rights to prequel material, so that'd explain the Providence not being included (presumably this came up late in development and is why the ARC-170 was downgraded to a chump airspeeder) but why on earth would the Oppressor not make it in?
(Actually this doesn't explain why there's prequel ships in F&D- presumably they have rights to prequel material in F&D but not AoR? But then the V-Wing made it into SoT, so...)
I thought FFG didn't have rights to prequel material
They do, you can see more than a few bits of droids, items, ships, and general fluff that involve the prequels. It's more just that FFG (and likely Disney if their say matters) wants to focus on the Original Trilogy-era more first, which is why the RPG is also set after A New Hope.
I suspect that as the new movies come out we will see new stuff as well. Focusing on the era that the majority of people prefer and beyond makes perfect sense.
Do the mounts function based on personal movement or vehicle movement.Also the damage a mount can do is bonkers, I mean the Varactyl can do upwards of 20 damage with a rider.
Bob,
I believe this was covered in general by Sam or Andy on Order 66, so I don't think I'm giving away any state secrets here.
The species were actually selected well in advance of bringing any freelancers on for the entire three lines of books. So when I got hired, yes, I was contracted specifically to write up three species. That said, I was particularly unhappy with one of the species as they pertained to the theme of an Aces book, and was able to work with Andy to find a substitute, which ended up being the Xexto.
So they are pre-selected according to a long-term plan. They do this so that the first five books don't take every major species, leaving later core books to reprint or deal with less popular ones (which can impact sales). They wanted to make sure the popular species were spread out across the line. However, they aren't entirely inflexible on the plan.
Keith, can you comment on how the species were selected? Were the three species chosen in house, at which point FFG contacted you to write them up? Or did they give you some leeway to make suggestions based on the specializations to be included in the book? Or was it something else entirely?
Talkie,
The Star Wars license is a single thing that allows us to plumb the entire depths of the Star Wars mythos. FFG has been focused on the classic trilogy era as a strategy, not as a restriction in the legalese of their license. I'm sure if FFG gets a few license renewals, you'll see the prequels eventually get some love in some way, shape, or form.
Bizarrely the Oppressor is even included in the artwork of the TIE swarm- just like the Providence-class Separatist carrier is included in the carrier art, but not in the book.
I thought FFG didn't have rights to prequel material, so that'd explain the Providence not being included (presumably this came up late in development and is why the ARC-170 was downgraded to a chump airspeeder) but why on earth would the Oppressor not make it in?
(Actually this doesn't explain why there's prequel ships in F&D- presumably they have rights to prequel material in F&D but not AoR? But then the V-Wing made it into SoT, so...)
Bob,
I believe this was covered in general by Sam or Andy on Order 66, so I don't think I'm giving away any state secrets here.
The species were actually selected well in advance of bringing any freelancers on for the entire three lines of books. So when I got hired, yes, I was contracted specifically to write up three species. That said, I was particularly unhappy with one of the species as they pertained to the theme of an Aces book, and was able to work with Andy to find a substitute, which ended up being the Xexto.
So they are pre-selected according to a long-term plan. They do this so that the first five books don't take every major species, leaving later core books to reprint or deal with less popular ones (which can impact sales). They wanted to make sure the popular species were spread out across the line. However, they aren't entirely inflexible on the plan.
Cool, thanks for the reply. I remember that question on Order 66, but I couldn't remember if it pertained to just the three core books or the whole line. Nice to get the clarification. As for spreading popular species out over the whole line, it's a sound strategy. I'm a species nut, so it works on me at least! I'm sure you can't comment on which species got moved out to make way for Xexto, but I'm sure we'll see the Mon Cals Wookiees* in the EOTE AOR line eventually. 
*Just wild speculation on my part!
EDITED: Forgot which forum I was on.
Edited by SavageBobDarnit Keith. Now I want to know what was there before Xexto. 
I guess I'll never know.
Darnit Keith. Now I want to know what was there before Xexto.
I guess I'll never know.
It likely was Lt Kettch.
Yub Yub!
Haha! Yeah, sorry, but I'm certainly not at liberty to discuss those kind of specifics.