https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2015/12/14/rule-the-skies/

Well, sorta. Honestly, most of us called it. The new Imperial Veterans pack is awesome! Solid fixes for both the Defender and the Bomber! This is definitive proof that FFG has been listening to our suggestions!

A while back, many of us were throwing out suggestions for various fixes for the Bombers and Defenders, myself included. Two of my favorite ideas were the TIE shuttle, allowing the Bomber to take crew members, and the TIE/x7 for the Defender, which would let the Defender cancel its dice after hitting with a Cannon attack, then perform a primary weapon attack. These ideas were all included in title cards for the Bomber and Defender, with the Defender getting a TIE/x7 title which gives it negative squad points and better action economy (Which several other players were throwing out there), and a TIE/D title which gave it the ability to double-tap with cannons that cost less than 3 points, very similar to the idea myself and a few others have thrown out. And of course, the Bomber did finally get its shuttle status!

I'm immensely satisfied with these changes, and of course, the addition of new pilots. A high PS Bomber that never has to get rid of its one-shot EPTs, mid-PS generic Bombers with EPTs, and a PS3 Bomber with a name starting with what seems to be "Dea-. I'm hoping for "Deathfire", as in "Deathfire McDibs" to appear as some total badass. Of course, FFG was rather coy in hiding the squad point costs and whether or not the new generic Defenders have EPTs. Buuuut, I'm extremely happy to see my favorite pilot finally in a fitting ship! Maarek Stele in a Defender!! Throw the Mangler Cannon on him and put him in a TIE/D, and he'll most likely surpass his usefulness in a TIE Advanced!!

(Edit: Woops, forgot the price of Mangler Cannon. Probably 'cause I don't actually own one yet.)

And yes, I realise I'm probably late to the party here. Just had to celebrate a little is all.

Maarek Stele in a Defender!! Throw the Mangler Cannon on him and put him in a TIE/D, and he'll most likely surpass his usefulness in a TIE Advanced!!

Mangler Cannon is 4 points so can't be used with TIE/D.

I wish I could prove my own "called it" moment, but unfortunately I was in the midst of reading thru a thread to make sure my idea hadn't already been posted when the article released. Bam!

What I was going to suggest was a Bomber only mod/title that gave it the ability to gain TLs out to Range 5. Well, I got my wish more or less in very interesting (and free!) fashion!

Conformation Bias (AKA Hindsight Bias) can be a dangerous thing.

Maarek Stele in a Defender!! Throw the Mangler Cannon on him and put him in a TIE/D, and he'll most likely surpass his usefulness in a TIE Advanced!!

Mangler Cannon is 4 points so can't be used with TIE/D.

I realized that almost immediately after posting this. But you can't deny that he still has some insane levels of synergy with Mangler Cannon and Calculation in a Defender