The difference between the royal guard TIE and the Special Forces TIE is that one is Canon, the other is not - what i mean is this: one you will see in the movie, the other does not show up in the movies. The fact that we got a new model for the TIE/FO is pretty telling, to me, that we very well may get the TIE/FOSP (cog) as a separate model. FFG could have just painted the original TIE in the new colours.

I compared mine to the old LN; there's quite a bit of physical difference; the cockpit is bigger, the rear engine layout is different, the wing braces a beefier, and the left (looking head on) has a mall hump where antenna would go.

I th ink the COG would warrant a different model; the rear layout is different, the ground buzzer on the left brace, and the turret on the bottom.

They could go a couple of different ways with it; either a 2 attackPWT, or three attack rear aux, or two attack standard with a turret upgrade. Any iteration is bound to have crew slot for the rear facing gunner.

Dial would be like the FO, sans the green hard turns, the s loops moved up to three speed.

Maybe it will be able to equip turrets, but only fire them in a reverse aux arc--maybe a little wider arc than what's on the firespray.

That would be something really unique.

Seeing as how the "new" core is working like the old core, and the first two boosters will likely work the same as the original boosters, then it seems likely the tie/fo special forces version will be the "tie advanced' of this new faction. The real question is what will be used for the y-wing. Some new resistance fighter that hasn't been seen yet? Or maybe the falcon will come out a wave early.

I would think it warrents a separate model to differentiate it in play too. The royal guard tie just has an extra mod upgrade, this SpecOps tie will/may have a turret slot or 360 arc. Not counting whatever else they change on it. Thats an imprtant difference to show on the board.

the core set tie has no aux arcs or turret icons on the cards nor on the base

Well, a turret icon can be added with a title, but I guess you're right about the aux arc. Can't really add those with a title. Unless they just make a "may fire it's primary weapon outside of it's firing arc" type thing.