I've played a few games now, and have encountered the evilness that is Vader backed up by multiple officers. Yes, the officers are squishy, but they are also able to get out of the way after delivering their payload, plus get support up after Vader if they aren't there already.

I also understand that the Order special action is a unique one and gives the Imperials some great options. I wouldn't want to deny them that. But I think the problem comes in with too much of a good thing.

So here is my thought:

- Squad building rule for Skirmish: Your squad may contain no more than two deployment cards with the Leader characteristic.

It's simple, doesn't change any cards, and prevents most of the abusive stuff with Officers I've seen and heard. It is thematic (why on earth would there be tons of officers around with just a few followers?) and particularly limits the 4x4 O/RG list and the Vader+lots of officers list (Vader could only have a single officer in support).

Another possibility, which I am not as sold on, is this:

- A figure may only benefit from Order or Executive Order once per turn.

This way you don't see Vader being moved 8 spaces then having his own activation, or Royal Guard Champions running 12(?!?) spaces before their own.

Any thoughts?

Well, we do have an official rules change from FFG now that will probably help a great deal.

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/183187-big-rule-change/

I do like that, but it doesn't address the problem of turning Vader into a speed demon, or having four RGs in your face turn one.

Another possibility, which I am not as sold on, is this:

- A figure may only benefit from Order or Executive Order once per turn.

This way you don't see Vader being moved 8 spaces then having his own activation, or Royal Guard Champions running 12(?!?) spaces before their own.

Any thoughts?

How about this: a figure may only take one action outside its own activation per round, whether it comes from their own abilities or those of another figure or command card, unless an effect specifically states otherwise. That way the issue is fixed in a way that doesn't require card errata and prevents similar problems in the future.

I find it hilarious that FFG put out a "fix" (or rather, a fundamental change to the game) and yet here we are still talking about the officer...

Truthfully though, I think it is WAY too early to tell. The faq hasn't even been available for a whole week yet. I don't know about you all, but I've had like 1 game so far...

Superficially I think Vader-based lists will face a LOT more trouble from Rebels and Scum in particular now though. Sure you can slingshot him in. But if you think my Elite Sabs, Elite Trandos, Luke, Chewy, RGC, AT-ST, Elite E-Web, Elite Probes, ETC. (or in other words, all the most popular beaters) are just going to let him kill me, you have another guess coming.

Most decent lists were already capable of putting out 1/3-1/2 of his HP or more in damage after defense as it was... Throwing him to the wolves seems like a bad idea to me.

the limitation on "Leader" figures makes sense to me, both fluff wise and gameplay wise.

Should just limit deployment cards to 2 across the board (and 1 for uniques). So you could have 2 standard Imperial Officers and 2 Elites, but not 4 standards.

Another possibility, which I am not as sold on, is this:

- A figure may only benefit from Order or Executive Order once per turn.

This way you don't see Vader being moved 8 spaces then having his own activation, or Royal Guard Champions running 12(?!?) spaces before their own.

Any thoughts?

How about this: a figure may only take one action outside its own activation per round, whether it comes from their own abilities or those of another figure or command card, unless an effect specifically states otherwise. That way the issue is fixed in a way that doesn't require card errata and prevents similar problems in the future.

Problem with that is tracking which figures has taken outside actions and which have not. Could get messy, even with some kind of token.

Personally I'd just try cutting down the four of one non-elite limit down to 2, and either leave elites @ 2 or knock them down to 1 first and see how that works.

How about a figure can only "Order" another figure if the target figure's value is less than or equal to n? 'n' could be the ordering figure's value, or the ordering figure's value +/* a certain amount.

Should just limit deployment cards to 2 across the board (and 1 for uniques). So you could have 2 standard Imperial Officers and 2 Elites, but not 4 standards.

Elegant and easy fix! Over the weekend we were thinking of house ruling to this for local events (And even just 2 deployment cards of a type no matter if they're elite or not). However it doesn't sell twice the number of core sets as the previous list needs so doubtful it will be implemented by FFG =/