So a lot has happened lately and i had a couple ideas rattling around that I wanted to talk about. The first is the new core set damage deck. While it kinda sucks the old one won't be tourney legal next year the new one is impressive in that it is seriously more deadly. You have two that are arguably worse than receiving a direct hit. This is going to push up the pay off of both inflicting and mitigating criticals. Mangler and determination just became significantly more valuable.

Regarding the "tourney tax": eh. It was bound to happen sooner or later. At least you get 3 new ships, a bunch of new pilots and a few new upgrades. Considering The t-70 and fo blisters will probably have different pilots than the new core you would have probably bought one anyway. So unless you plan on flying the same list forever you really aren't being all that screwed.

Twin Laser Turrets. The one thing I think FFG screwed up lately is this. But only a little. I honestly think they under priced it by one point. The TLT y mini swarm is going to quickly dominate the meta. Particularly the scum version. It's the ability to run unhinged am's on all of the y's that unbalance the list. If the y's were forced it a less maneuverable stance, it would be ok. But the ability to take 3 hards all day long while focusing and tossing out two damage like a metronome is gonna eventually break the game. Possible solutions to this issue are errataing the price up one point, or a somewhat unorthodox solution: TLT targets get an extra defense die at range 3.

Tie punisher: not too scary. But maybe will be when someone figures out how to fly it right.

K wing: mini MF. Kinda annoying. Especially when some clown sticks c3p0 in there!

Insufficent play data on the hounds tooth and kiharz to make a call yet.

What is this "tourney tax"?

Don't you think that it's a little too early to say that the tlt is going to break the meta?

TLTs are ruinous to fat PWTs, which is nothing if not a good thing, so it'll **** the meta over in that way

they're countered in a bad way by IGs, and by the newly released Poe

Conner nets (Esp A-slam nets) will murder the 2-ship meta if it hasn't already

To participate in tourneys starting next year you will need the new damage deck. Ergo "Tourney tax". Regarding TLT. No. They seriously kicked ass and arguably the guy flying them wasn't even using them to their full potential. Once people figure just how flexible they are you are gonna see them absolutely dominate the meta. 4 TLT Y will make BBBBZ look like biggs wedge luke in current meta.

Do you have anything to confirm the new damage deck is going to be the only one allowed for tournaments? It is possible that FFG is going to allow either one, since they did say both core's were fully compatible with each other, wouldn't that extend to the damage decks as well?

TLT is only broken because it is new. everyone is still adjusting with it, eventually someone will figure out how to break it. I could see arc dodger's getting more play, run in on a Y's rear end into range 1 and no TLT shot's for them! Also Arvel Crynyd just became more useful as well.

Punisher can be scary. I got obilterated by one in my first game against it (I took 2 X's and the Falcon)

I think the TLT spam lists are going to be a driving force increasing the popularity of ordnance.

3 concussion missiles fired with focus will have a really high chance of destroying a Y-Wing. Shoot first and you will really only have to contend with 3.

Do you have anything to confirm the new damage deck is going to be the only one allowed for tournaments? It is possible that FFG is going to allow either one, since they did say both core's were fully compatible with each other, wouldn't that extend to the damage decks as well?

I have confirmation of it from FFG. The deck is the only thing being obsolesced in the old core set by the new set. Current plan is sometime next year the old deck will be phased out of tourney play. Probably prior to store championship season. Old rocks will still be tourney legal.

The new core set is obnoxious. and doesnt even try to nerf 2ship meta. I don't think FFG even cares. I think they secretly love 2 ship meta. Maybe not even secretly.

Also, I hate the new core set. Hate it. The moves are just crazy. The rocks again buff 2 ship meta.

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As for the damage deck. I think its a more nuanced opinion:

I'm glad that things like munitions failure came out.

However, the roll-away crits were more devastating I think. Too many are basically just flipped over for very little impact. Shaken Pilot is stupid. Even things like Major Hull breach, I believe you simply action it away. YUCK!

going with moderately negative impression on this deck.

And no anti-big ship.

TLT will break 2 ship meta. Trust me. TLT Y swarm is like BBBBZ on steroids.

Do you have anything to confirm the new damage deck is going to be the only one allowed for tournaments? It is possible that FFG is going to allow either one, since they did say both core's were fully compatible with each other, wouldn't that extend to the damage decks as well?

TLT is only broken because it is new. everyone is still adjusting with it, eventually someone will figure out how to break it. I could see arc dodger's getting more play, run in on a Y's rear end into range 1 and no TLT shot's for them! Also Arvel Crynyd just became more useful as well.

Punisher can be scary. I got obilterated by one in my first game against it (I took 2 X's and the Falcon)

It say in the new rule book the damage deck found in the episode 7 is to replace the old damage deck found in the core set you can be assured that it will replace them in competitive and premier events as well. Now is it "official" yet, well we didn't have any official word on a new core set but at this point I would say it takes in idiot to think that the old core set will remain legal in the years to come. The changes probably won't take place in this upcoming worlds and it is unlikely any Episode 7 ships and upgrades would be allowed. However next year there is no guarantee that it will ban the old deck but I'll be surprised in two years from now the old damage deck would be found in a regional list.

Well the cluster mines, advanced homing missiles, and plasma torpedoes are also new and they are from from being OP. TLT are big boon to turrets because they bring their maximum range from 2 to three out of arc. And that is a big deal because of the relationship of radius with circumference is that range 2-3 out of arc is much more surface area than range 1-2 out of arc. Turrets and cannons have always had advantages over torpedo and missiles as they for one do not require or spend any action tokens (with the exception of the blaster turret) which greatly reduces the efficiency of secondary weapons and two they do not self discard, and with the new damage deck you will never worry about your HWK-290 or Outrider losing their more powerful secondary weapon and having to resort to weaker primary weapon.

Punisher is more of a Bomber that is slightly more durable but cost the same points as the TIE advanced and the Shuttle. The biggest problem is that it is not as durable as the shuttle nor as maneuverable as the TIE advanced. With 1 agility it can be focused down but the real killer is the 2 firepower where the shuttle has 3. Sure you can put AC on it but you can get an AC for free on the TIE Advanced making the TIE Punisher cost more in squadron points. It falls into the same conundrum as the TIE Bomber, weak firepower makes you have to rely on secondary weapons, and since those secondary weapons are the substandard torpedoes and missiles instead of the more powerful turrets and cannons the Punisher is DOA. The Imperials received the least benefits from Wave 7. You could almost say they got screwed.

Do you have anything to confirm the new damage deck is going to be the only one allowed for tournaments? It is possible that FFG is going to allow either one, since they did say both core's were fully compatible with each other, wouldn't that extend to the damage decks as well?

TLT is only broken because it is new. everyone is still adjusting with it, eventually someone will figure out how to break it. I could see arc dodger's getting more play, run in on a Y's rear end into range 1 and no TLT shot's for them! Also Arvel Crynyd just became more useful as well.

Punisher can be scary. I got obilterated by one in my first game against it (I took 2 X's and the Falcon)

It say in the new rule book the damage deck found in the episode 7 is to replace the old damage deck found in the core set you can be assured that it will replace them in competitive and premier events as well. Now is it "official" yet, well we didn't have any official word on a new core set but at this point I would say it takes in idiot to think that the old core set will remain legal in the years to come. The changes probably won't take place in this upcoming worlds and it is unlikely any Episode 7 ships and upgrades would be allowed. However next year there is no guarantee that it will ban the old deck but I'll be surprised in two years from now the old damage deck would be found in a regional list.

Well the cluster mines, advanced homing missiles, and plasma torpedoes are also new and they are from from being OP. TLT are big boon to turrets because they bring their maximum range from 2 to three out of arc. And that is a big deal because of the relationship of radius with circumference is that range 2-3 out of arc is much more surface area than range 1-2 out of arc. Turrets and cannons have always had advantages over torpedo and missiles as they for one do not require or spend any action tokens (with the exception of the blaster turret) which greatly reduces the efficiency of secondary weapons and two they do not self discard, and with the new damage deck you will never worry about your HWK-290 or Outrider losing their more powerful secondary weapon and having to resort to weaker primary weapon.

Punisher is more of a Bomber that is slightly more durable but cost the same points as the TIE advanced and the Shuttle. The biggest problem is that it is not as durable as the shuttle nor as maneuverable as the TIE advanced. With 1 agility it can be focused down but the real killer is the 2 firepower where the shuttle has 3. Sure you can put AC on it but you can get an AC for free on the TIE Advanced making the TIE Punisher cost more in squadron points. It falls into the same conundrum as the TIE Bomber, weak firepower makes you have to rely on secondary weapons, and since those secondary weapons are the substandard torpedoes and missiles instead of the more powerful turrets and cannons the Punisher is DOA. The Imperials received the least benefits from Wave 7. You could almost say they got screwed.

TLT you can actually push your turrets to close range and scred the TLTs one by one. They're good. But not unbeatable. I fear 2 ship a little more.

Imps, got the emperor WOW. That's insane. Sure raider is technically 6.5 but most of us got it around the same time as wave7.

The Bomber stuff has been fun though. Not good. But fun.

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TLT you can actually push your turrets to close range and scred the TLTs one by one. They're good. But not unbeatable. I fear 2 ship a little more.

Imps, got the emperor WOW. That's insane. Sure raider is technically 6.5 but most of us got it around the same time as wave7.

The Bomber stuff has been fun though. Not good. But fun.

True, I don't think the meta has changed much by Wave 7. I did think that some of the goals of Wave 7 were missed (for example make missile and torpedo upgrade viable in the competitive scene). The TLT is the card with the most impact.

As for the emperor he is better than C-3PO but cost twice as much so makes him about as efficient as C-3PO. I didn't include him with the Wave 7 even though it was a close release. I don't think he will enjoy the same amount of success as C-3PO did because of wave 7 and the TLT which really cuts into his defensive power where as C-3PO enjoyed a large amount of success because only 1 ship could have countered him for most of that upgrades existence.

As for bombs well yeah fun but not good so they will only make an occasional appearance in competitive scene. Dare I say though that a lot of improvement made by Wave 7 may have been counteracted by Episode 7. The new damage deck had taken a bit of power from generic swarms as well as reduced the possible effect of proton bombs and the new AHMs. Even if players do not fly the new ships players that use top meta builds especially ones like Dash will get the new core set just so that they can protect their build from critical damage effects even more.

I think the TLT spam lists are going to be a driving force increasing the popularity of ordnance.

3 concussion missiles fired with focus will have a really high chance of destroying a Y-Wing. Shoot first and you will really only have to contend with 3.

The counters to quad TLT are fun to play, traditional arc based lists, like 5x autoceptor or a Bounty Hunter thrown in with some TIE Fighters. BTL-A4 Y-Wings and swarms and perhaps ordnance boats and interesting cards like Sensor Jammer and Flight Instructor.

Even ACD on a PS 3 Phantom.

The TLT meta is a much more tame Turretwing. One where well flown, conventional lists have - at the very least - a chance and don't get shut down by hyper mobile fat HLC turrets. One where low-mid PS bidding is a thing again and where games aren't won or lost simply by not choosing VI.

Me and FGD hate Turretwing too, it's just that TLTurretwing is by far the lesser of two evils.

TLT isn't even an evil to begin with

it has a minimum range and is available only on slow ass ships

unlike PWTs, it can be dodged and outmaneuvered; actually outplayed

also, it keeps extra green dice from being an extra nuisance at range 3

TLT isn't even an evil to begin with

it has a minimum range and is available only on slow ass ships

unlike PWTs, it can be dodged and outmaneuvered; actually outplayed

also, it keeps extra green dice from being an extra nuisance at range 3

The problem is because of it's cost on a scum y you can also mount unhinged sam which takes the y from being a slow ass ship to being a fairly quick ship. My point was I'd be fine with TLT if you couldn't also mount an unhinged or r2 on the y as well. that combo is going to be VERY hard to beat. Because they can slam on the brakes or burst into a spread pattern with no warning. Pair that with good soak reliable damage output and you've got a very scary list.

After playing against falcons and decis, an unhinged y looks like its moving in slow motion

TLT will break 2 ship meta. Trust me. TLT Y swarm is like BBBBZ on steroids.

Y-wings are one of the easiest ship to focus fire down in the game.

Yes they will thin out the two ship lists and more arc dodgers will replace them.

TLT is not that big of a deal unless your a fat turret and I have little sympathy for them

TLT will break 2 ship meta. Trust me. TLT Y swarm is like BBBBZ on steroids.

Y-wings are one of the easiest ship to focus fire down in the game.

Yes they will thin out the two ship lists and more arc dodgers will replace them.

TLT is not that big of a deal unless your a fat turret and I have little sympathy for them

I don't think ARC dodgers would replace them as much as autothrusters+cannon/HLC. Brobots will eat Y-wing TLTs alive and theri 3 agility + autothrusters will stop allot of TLT attacks even if they come in pairs.