I threw this out in the announcement thread. If we're going to keep both damage decks legal for tournament play, then a better way to implement it would be to have you switch decks with your opponent before each match.

Instead of simply choosing the deck that does the least amount of harm to your build, you're instead able to select decks based on what you expect to see. Expecting a lot of TLTs and Palp + 2 Aces? Bring the old deck, where Munitions Failures and Injured Pilots can do a lot of damage. Expecting to see a more of BBBBZ, TIE swarms, or Bug Zappers, or fat pancakes? The new deck will do a lot more for you.

In tactical terms, it's like giving targeting priorities to your pilots. Compared to FFGs other games, it's akin to setting your agendas in Imperial Assault or your scenario in Armada.

Dear FFG,

Pick a deck and stick to your guns. The only thing worse than change is waffling. Rules should be clear, concise, and immutable (at least until an official change is made).

Thank you

I know I supported this idea in one of the other threads, but on second thought...

Out of all scenarios (new deck allowed only, players choose their own decks, players choose opponent decks), your idea would likely have the highest rate of Munitions Failure on Dash or Injured Pilot on Vader/Soontir.

And because the new damage deck was designed to avoid catastrophic, game-ending crits, I'm not sure this is a proper solution.

It's an interesting idea, but I don't think I'm down with it. In addition to zerotc's points, I don't know how I feel about my opponent handling my damage deck with their grubby paws.

Some people have terrible hygiene. I use to play with a friend like that, he used my collection and always played rebels, now all those cards & dials are grimy.

No, I want to be responsible for my own cards. I don't want my opponent to be able to mess with my cards, or lose them, or have us both forget and take each others' decks. I don't want my opponent to have a drink on his side of the table spill on MY cards. Likewise, sometimes I have a runny nose and my hands have snot all over them, I shouldn't have to handle my opponent's cards.

It already happens on occasion with asteroids, them getting taken on accident.

Just pick your own **** deck. This is a hyper non-issue.

Well you would just need new ID tokens so that you can be the one to deal the damage but yoh deal a damage to the corresponding ID token. ... On secon thought, too fiddly.

Both decks are not legal. We are supposed to be using the classic one until the new year, even if we are running a T-70 or an I-Fighter. The only exception is the Worlds which will provide a new damage deck for all players.

The only thing is that some people start playing with the new damage deck to get used to dealing with the critical effects such as thruster misalignment in prep for the worlds and the change over.

Come to think of it if you want to be by the letter you should all have the same damage deck so if your opponent hasn't picked up the new core set then you would have to play with your old damage deck too. However in the spirit of flying casual you could let your opponent run the classic damage deck and you use the new one even if they were different. Could you swap, maybe but to be honest I would rather run the new deck to prepare me for the change over in the next year instead of giving my opponent my damage deck so that he could have "possibly" a worse critical effect. If I were going to worlds, which I am not, I would be playing with the new damage deck regardless of what my opponent plays for practice.

Never-mind, **** the FFQs like change overnight it is starting to get to videogame levels of patching.

As a Maarek player, I would love to be able to force my opponent to use the old deck.

Horrible idea.

The new damage deck is balanced, well written and punish everyone on a near identical level. Everyone fears a crit now, that is the way it should be with crits.

Not to mention that Blinded Pilot works in 2 different ways according to the wording of old vs new damage deck.

FFG made a new damage deck for a sound reason, now they just have to got the balls to stick to their ruling for tournament play.
What people arrange in their own casual games is entirely up to them, so if they want to they can play with the old one in the FLGS or at home with likeminded people

Another problem is for a brand new player on a fixed budget, they'd now have to buy both starters, (or otherwise somehow come up with both damage decks) if it's going to be required to bring two. I think that was one of the things leading the charge, tat some people didn't want to feel "forced" to buy an extra starter. The choice to switch to the TFA damage deck meant people had to buy a TFA starter - but by this time there are new players just starting the game, who don't have a classic starter, and only have a TFA starter (a buddy of mine for example). If you require both damage decks you now force all those new players to buy a classic starter also.

Another problem is for a brand new player on a fixed budget, they'd now have to buy both starters, (or otherwise somehow come up with both damage decks) if it's going to be required to bring two. I think that was one of the things leading the charge, tat some people didn't want to feel "forced" to buy an extra starter. The choice to switch to the TFA damage deck meant people had to buy a TFA starter - but by this time there are new players just starting the game, who don't have a classic starter, and only have a TFA starter (a buddy of mine for example). If you require both damage decks you now force all those new players to buy a classic starter also.

Exactly. People shouldn't be forced to buy a new starter just to get the damage deck, just like new players shouldn't be forced to pick up the original starter just to get the old one. Therefore both damage decks should be legal (and should have been from the start).

I have both myself, and I really don't think this is a big deal. Igniting petition thread(s) is one of the silliest things I've seen in quite some time though.

This idea is fine. Now you are not forced to buy any deck you just need one.

This is no different then someone bringing their own deck for themselves.

This is no different then your opponent handling your asteroids.

And it brings even more tactical decision to the game then the current ruling.

Another problem is for a brand new player on a fixed budget, they'd now have to buy both starters, (or otherwise somehow come up with both damage decks) if it's going to be required to bring two. I think that was one of the things leading the charge, tat some people didn't want to feel "forced" to buy an extra starter. The choice to switch to the TFA damage deck meant people had to buy a TFA starter - but by this time there are new players just starting the game, who don't have a classic starter, and only have a TFA starter (a buddy of mine for example). If you require both damage decks you now force all those new players to buy a classic starter also.

Exactly. People shouldn't be forced to buy a new starter just to get the damage deck, just like new players shouldn't be forced to pick up the original starter just to get the old one. Therefore both damage decks should be legal (and should have been from the start).

I have both myself, and I really don't think this is a big deal. Igniting petition thread(s) is one of the silliest things I've seen in quite some time though.

I don't believe anyone is forced to play in tournaments. If you are a casual player, anything goes. However, if you want to play in tournaments you have to abide by their rules. Just like how FFG forces you to actually have the ships to fly them. Ditto for upgrade and pilot cards. I see nothing draconian here.

I think that premier events such as regionals will require the new damage deck. Next year FFG would probably be handing them out at Regionals just like they are passing them out at Worlds.