The more I think about it the more I think a core style or combo pack with TIE/X plus expansions of each could be the initial release.

This isn't Wave 8, it's going to be a separate special release between 7 and 8 and will be ready for purchase sometime this fall prior to the release of Episode 7. Wave 8 is looking like a spring release.

If all of that is fairly accurate they will be making the next announcement of Wave 9 in the spring when the Force Awakens is still in some theaters and most of us will have probably seen it multiple times. There will be plenty of new stuff they can roll out for a full wave or really close to it, not to mention aces style packs if something else needs some tweaking.

I'm still not entirely sold that it would be a full fledged core style set though. I think there are better odds of a most wanted style or aces style pack. My rationale? Luke Skywalker is a significant character in the new film and in X-Wing he is available only in the existing core set.

The more I think about it the more I think a core style or combo pack with TIE/X plus expansions of each could be the initial release.

This isn't Wave 8, it's going to be a separate special release between 7 and 8 and will be ready for purchase sometime this fall prior to the release of Episode 7. Wave 8 is looking like a spring release.

If all of that is fairly accurate they will be making the next announcement of Wave 9 in the spring when the Force Awakens is still in some theaters and most of us will have probably seen it multiple times. There will be plenty of new stuff they can roll out for a full wave or really close to it, not to mention aces style packs if something else needs some tweaking.

I'm still not entirely sold that it would be a full fledged core style set though. I think there are better odds of a most wanted style or aces style pack. My rationale? Luke Skywalker is a significant character in the new film and in X-Wing he is available only in the existing core set.

Assuming he's flying a new-style X-wing... why would he not be a pilot for it? I don't really see the issue there. We've already got the 'same pilot on two ships' as a thing coming in Wave 8.

I also expect it to happen in eventual Aces packs; actually putting Luke on an E-wing and Maarek in a Defender would be great fun. They can even keep their abilities in each! Just price accordingly.

I think Luke dies and becomes a blue ghost in Ep VII.

No T-70 for him!

The more I think about it the more I think a core style or combo pack with TIE/X plus expansions of each could be the initial release.

This isn't Wave 8, it's going to be a separate special release between 7 and 8 and will be ready for purchase sometime this fall prior to the release of Episode 7. Wave 8 is looking like a spring release.

If all of that is fairly accurate they will be making the next announcement of Wave 9 in the spring when the Force Awakens is still in some theaters and most of us will have probably seen it multiple times. There will be plenty of new stuff they can roll out for a full wave or really close to it, not to mention aces style packs if something else needs some tweaking.

I'm still not entirely sold that it would be a full fledged core style set though. I think there are better odds of a most wanted style or aces style pack. My rationale? Luke Skywalker is a significant character in the new film and in X-Wing he is available only in the existing core set.

Assuming he's flying a new-style X-wing... why would he not be a pilot for it? I don't really see the issue there. We've already got the 'same pilot on two ships' as a thing coming in Wave 8.

Luke very well could fly an X-Wing in the Force Awakens but if he was I would be more inclined to believe he would still be kicking around in his old T-65.

And yes, if Luke flies anything in Episode 7 I believe FFG will make a pilot card for him for whatever he flies if it is something other than a T-65.

Current thought after some thinking:

I think a new Ep 7 core set is too obvious to not be true, so...

1. Core set with Ep 7 X's and white ties. (Possibly with a Vaksai, wouldn't it be weird to have a new core that ignored an entire faction?)

2. Buddy-tie expansion pack for that two-seater in the trailer/leaks/concept art.

3. Kylo's Shuttle

I don't think it will be any 'new' ships, just new versions.

A new core would be neat, but from a financial point, it doesn't make sense. You would essentially be poaching the sales on the original for a smaller margin (new packaging, tooling, etc). The core set is priced relatively low to encourage new players. For $40, you get 3 ships, dice, a ton of cards, and a lot of card board things. Most Wanted was also priced at $40, and you got 3 ships and a lot of cardboard. For $30, they can sell a 2 ship pack which honestly has very little.

On that same note, selling solo packs of a new x-wing or new tie would be poaching their own sales too. From a vendor's standpoint, that would be twice the space for the same sale.

In my eyes, the most likely 3 are:

1) Ep7 Resistance pack - 2 alt color ships with new pilots/crew for other ships too: $30

2) Ep7 First Order pack - 2 alt color ships with new pilots/crew for other ships too: $30

3) ??? A scum pack doesn't quite sound right, but maybe.

A campaign pack? Something that would appeal to groups rather than constant deathmatch? Dunno

Could also be new x-wing, new tie fighter, new shuttle.

But I imagine some "most wanted" type sets with new ships and cards for not included ships like the falcon and maybe the shuttle?

A new core would be neat, but from a financial point, it doesn't make sense. You would essentially be poaching the sales on the original for a smaller margin (new packaging, tooling, etc).

Nobody outside FFG knows how well core sets are selling, but it might be worth cannibalizing sales of the original core set in order to leverage Disney's marketing push for Episode VII.

Very true

A new core would be neat, but from a financial point, it doesn't make sense. You would essentially be poaching the sales on the original for a smaller margin (new packaging, tooling, etc). The core set is priced relatively low to encourage new players. For $40, you get 3 ships, dice, a ton of cards, and a lot of card board things.

For awhile I was starting to be convinced that it would be a new core. Then this point about profit margin came up and I think that fact obliterates the idea that they would produce a new core set.

This game is wildly successful. There is zero reason for Fantasy Flight to make LESS money on products when they can maximize profits with expansion packs or Ace's packs.

I have a feeling that what might be viewed as 'wildly successful' now will pale into insignificance once Star Wars fever takes hold in the next six months or so. Once the mass market goes wild for all things Star Wars I think potential buyers for a new Core Set will dwarf FFG's core audience massively at least in the short term.

New audiences and a fresh entry point to the game will trump profit margin on the New Core Set itself.

I'm of the mind we'll get a most wanted style pack, with 2 ties and a t-70, then individual expansions for each, or the new falcon and ren's shuttle; or a t-70 stand alone and spec force tie, or t-70 and first order tie stand alone.

It wouldn't cut into starter sales, appeal to existing gamers,and sell a core starter into the bargain since you need that to play.

Any of those would be feasible to me.

I'm of the mind we'll get a most wanted style pack, with 2 ties and a t-70, then individual expansions for each

I hadnt thought of this, but it sounds feasible too!

I'm of the mind we'll get a most wanted style pack, with 2 ties and a t-70, then individual expansions for each

I hadnt thought of this, but it sounds feasible too!

I think it's much more likely than a core. Can anyone honestly say that prospective X-Wing players are going to be turned off by needing to purchase a core set that is a great value, and comes with a ton of pilots to get started with? There is nothing wrong with the core set and FFG's target audience already knows TIE fighters and X-Wings. You get a small handful of kids below high school age that are really into this game as is. Of that small handful it's more than likely their dad is also into it. That's the way it is with my son, and several of my friends sons. The kids don't do much of the purchasing anyway, we do.

Their target market is almost exclusively adults. This new film could draw in a slightly younger demographic but not by much because with a game like this you still need the funds to afford it and not too many late teens and early twenty somethings have that kind of cash laying around to buy much of this game.

The demographics they are targeting have been Star wars fans for many years. That's why when they introduce the remainder of the Empire Strikes Back Bounty Hunter ships that nearly everyone freaks the flip out!

I admit, there is the potential that they could roll out a second core set complete with goodies from the Force Awakens but I don't think they need to. The existing core with Luke and Biggs and a whole mess of TIE pilots already resonates with the demographics they are targeting.

I'm of the mind we'll get a most wanted style pack, with 2 ties and a t-70, then individual expansions for each

I hadnt thought of this, but it sounds feasible too!

I think it's much more likely than a core. Can anyone honestly say that prospective X-Wing players are going to be turned off by needing to purchase a core set that is a great value, and comes with a ton of pilots to get started with? There is nothing wrong with the core set and FFG's target audience already knows TIE fighters and X-Wings. You get a small handful of kids below high school age that are really into this game as is. Of that small handful it's more than likely their dad is also into it. That's the way it is with my son, and several of my friends sons. The kids don't do much of the purchasing anyway, we do.

Their target market is almost exclusively adults. This new film could draw in a slightly younger demographic but not by much because with a game like this you still need the funds to afford it and not too many late teens and early twenty somethings have that kind of cash laying around to buy much of this game.

The demographics they are targeting have been Star wars fans for many years. That's why when they introduce the remainder of the Empire Strikes Back Bounty Hunter ships that nearly everyone freaks the flip out!

I admit, there is the potential that they could roll out a second core set complete with goodies from the Force Awakens but I don't think they need to. The existing core with Luke and Biggs and a whole mess of TIE pilots already resonates with the demographics they are targeting.

Well put! It always ends with the bottom line and I think you describe their thinking well!

i still think a new "core" set or advanced rules are likely. But what if they increased the cost of it, included 5 ships? Put in the Poe's black/orange T-70, the Falcon, two TIEs, and a First Order SpecIal Forces TIE?

This would give you everything you needed to recreate some of the movie battles in one pack. It would be pricey, but then give you a whole lot as well.