With the Rogues and Villains we see the first foray into non-pure fleets, even if mechanically they are. I had an idea about a 'Mercenary' rule wherein you would use off-team ships and squads for an attached cost - as an example, +10/+15/+20 for S/M/L ships. This would allow a much larger variety, and then maybe the Neb-B's can do what they were meant to and blow up some rebels for a change. Obviously it would need balancing, but what do you think of the concept?

There is no reason why you couldn't use the ships in opposite fleets. As long as everyone playing against you is cool with it, why should it matter?

http://armadashipyards.com/2015/08/29/nebulon-b-frigate/

Casually, yeah - I don't see an issue with mixing and matching. However, from a balance perspective, each faction has dedicated vessels and this could disrupt that, severely.

Here's a thought experiment to prove it - Rhymer tending an X-Wing Swarm.

Casually, yeah - I don't see an issue with mixing and matching. However, from a balance perspective, each faction has dedicated vessels and this could disrupt that, severely.

Here's a thought experiment to prove it - Rhymer tending an X-Wing Swarm.

I think you mean B Wing.

My campaign group toyed with the idea at adding 15% or 20% to the base cost for non-faction ships (and, naturally, no faction specific upgrades, titles, or unique characters. That would limit Rhymer or the other things which seem to need more fine balancing). It worked fine, but I can't speak too much about exacting balances. All I know is that 15% put a CR-90B at 45 points in an Imperial fleet, which feels like an opportunity cost against a 44 points Raider-I. There weren't any complaints, but there were also no ISD's.

I'm fine with the levels of points there, +10/15/20,

Much like DerErikoenig, I was wondering about the Independence slingshot Speed-4 positional B-wing swarm with Rhymer. X-wing slow Rhymer down a touch and don't overtly scare me... Luke or Keyan might. But that's why 'no unique' sounds better.

Casually, yeah - I don't see an issue with mixing and matching. However, from a balance perspective, each faction has dedicated vessels and this could disrupt that, severely.

Here's a thought experiment to prove it - Rhymer tending an X-Wing Swarm.

I think you mean B Wing.

I would probably pay 40 points to have Rhymer in my B-Wing swarm.

I'm all for letting imperials use Nebulon B's in order to redress the balance of ships in the game.

The armada shipyards titles for Neb-Bs are also fantastic, particularly Enforcer.

Also, with Nebs on such cheap sale nowadays, and the fantastic cards that come with it, it would be rude not to.

Casually, yeah - I don't see an issue with mixing and matching. However, from a balance perspective, each faction has dedicated vessels and this could disrupt that, severely.

Here's a thought experiment to prove it - Rhymer tending an X-Wing Swarm.

Its selective. SOme things could be without worry, other things not so much.