I thought I'd do the math (not claiming 100% accuracy either as this is just for fun) on possible builds for just the XWing!

Not all builds are "usable" on the tabletop, but they could be built and fielded.

I also figured not taking an upgrade as a choice!

There are six non-EPT pilot choices and four EPT pilot choices.

There are 14 Astromechs giving 15 choices.

There are 6 Torpedoes giving 7 choices.

There are 27 EPTs!!! Giving 28 choices.

There are 9 Modifications giving 10 choices!

So a non-EPT XWing can be built 6 x 15 x 7 x10 = 6,300 different ways!!!

An EPT XWing can be built 4 x 15 x 7 x 28 x 10 = 117,600 different ways!

This gives us a total of 123,900 unique ways to field an XWing on the table!

Now imagine doing this for all the different ships in the game!

Is this too many options!?!

I don't think so! It adds flavor and diversity!

It means we should never see the same build as we can change things so much!

Is this too many options!?!

No.

Did you account for the fact that there's an Astromech which can give the non-Elite Talent pilots Elite Talents?

Now, go figure out many different 100point squads are possible...all factions. And....GO!

Compare this to chess, which has around 9,000 possible positions after each player has made just two moves. Is that "too many options?" No way. (http://www.chess.com/chessopedia/view/mathematics-and-chess)

The interesting thing is that humans have an incredible capacity to ignore bad options. For a master chess player, the truly bad moves aren't even considered and then rejected; they never enter the player's mind at all. Then, the remaining (much much smaller) list of possible moves is analyzed. Mediocre moves are discarded quickly as well, until the master is left with only a few moves, perhaps two to five, that are actually worth analyzing in depth.

The same basic process applies to X-Wing, in both squad building and flying. It takes time, of course, to build up that kind of system mastery, but once you do, the sheer variety of options available is merely exciting, not overwhelming at all.

The sheer variety of builds is what makes x wing such a great game!

Did you account for the fact that there's an Astromech which can give the non-Elite Talent pilots Elite Talents?

That would mean everything would change...

5 x 1 x 27 x 7 x 10 = 9,450 way to take a non EPT pilot with R2-D6

6 x 14 x 7 x 10 = 5,880 ways for a nonEPT pilot w/o R2-D6

And 4 x 13 x 7 x 27 x 10 = 98,280 ways for EPT pilots to be built!

113,610 total possible XWing builds!

So we lost about 10,000 due to R2-D6!

Still, who has time to try 100,000 XWings!?!

We need an actual number!

Did you account for the fact that there's an Astromech which can give the non-Elite Talent pilots Elite Talents?

No! As I didn't even realize it existed!

That would mean everything would change...

5 x 1 x 27 x 7 x 10 = 9,450 way to take a non EPT pilot with R2-D6

6 x 14 x 7 x 10 = 5,880 ways for a nonEPT pilot w/o R2-D6

And 4 x 13 x 7 x 27 x 10 = 98,280 ways for EPT pilots to be built!

113,610 total possible XWing builds!

So we lost about 10,000 due to R2-D6!

Still, who has time to try 100,000 XWings!?!

Surely the total number should have increased with the additional option given by R2-D6?

Why are there so many less Elite Pilot builds in the second version? (98,280 as opposed to 117,600?)

Apt quote of the day:

There's... too many of them!

It isn't that much. Most of it obviously is crappy and those are quite easy to see. For example most EPTs are not good (on an X-Wing). Daredevil? Thats 7 points for one neat trick that stresses you. Or 3 for one neat trick that stresses and kills you! PTL? Sure, you don't need those red and white manouvers anyways... Same goes for EH, Elusiveness and lots of other things. For Astromechs there really only are 4-6 choices, R2, R3-A2, R5-P9, R2-D2, maybe Targeting, R4-D6 if you are Biggs. Torps are never worth it without action economy and EM.

yeah, way too many. I'll enter a petition to nerf the xwing in 3,2,1..

Did you account for the fact that there's an Astromech which can give the non-Elite Talent pilots Elite Talents?

No! As I didn't even realize it existed!

That would mean everything would change...

5 x 1 x 27 x 7 x 10 = 9,450 way to take a non EPT pilot with R2-D6

6 x 14 x 7 x 10 = 5,880 ways for a nonEPT pilot w/o R2-D6

And 4 x 13 x 7 x 27 x 10 = 98,280 ways for EPT pilots to be built!

113,610 total possible XWing builds!

So we lost about 10,000 due to R2-D6!

Still, who has time to try 100,000 XWings!?!

Surely the total number should have increased with the additional option given by R2-D6?

Why are there so many less Elite Pilot builds in the second version? (98,280 as opposed to 117,600?)

Because R2-D6 can't be equipped on EPT pilots and Rookies. It's not just that he doesn't do anything, he really CAN'T be equipped.

Well RGI can't be put on anyone under PS5? can it? lose some there, but add the ones that can for combinations.... and then reduce them because all that's ever used are PTL and AT...(with a hull, shield or TC afterwards).

At any rate: No, the more options the merrier, always.

I want someone to blow me away with a combination I've not even thought of or considered before.

I'm really tempted to work the calculation for all the ships, but I also really ought to do some work today....

Ok, just for a taste, I'll work on some easy ones.

Rebel Z-95 = 4,640:
2 non-EPT pilots x 8 missiles x 10 modifications (including legal-but-unusable ones Advanced SLAM, Targeting Computer, and Stygium Particle Accelerator) = 160

2 EPT pilots x 8 missiles x 10 modifications x 28 EPTs (including "no EPT" as an option) = 4480

TIE Phantom = 79,344:
2 non-EPT pilots x 6 systems x 12 mods x 19 crew = 2736
2 EPT pilots x 6 systems x 12 mods x 19 crew x 28 EPTs = 76,608

Aggressor = 30,481,920 (!!):
4 EPT pilots x 28 EPTs x 6 systems x 6 cannons x 6 cannons x 7 bombs x 2 titles x 6 illicit x 15 mods = 30,481,920 (!!)

EDIT: the order cannons are placed shouldn't matter.
Aggressor corrected = 25,401,600 (!!)
4 EPT pilots x 28 EPTs x 6 systems x 6 cannons x 5 cannons x 7 bombs x 2 titles x 6 illicit x 15 mods

Man, this is fun.

I hope ffg realizes the irony that people will complain if the the releases are too close together. They'll complain if they're too far apart. They'll complain if there's only a few options, and they'll complain when they have countless balanced options.

Personally, I love all the variety.

I'm really tempted to work the calculation for all the ships, but I also really ought to do some work today....

Ok, just for a taste, I'll work on some easy ones.

Rebel Z-95 = 4,640:

2 non-EPT pilots x 8 missiles x 10 modifications (including legal-but-unusable ones Advanced SLAM, Targeting Computer, and Stygium Particle Accelerator) = 160

2 EPT pilots x 8 missiles x 10 modifications x 28 EPTs (including "no EPT" as an option) = 4480

TIE Phantom = 79,344:

2 non-EPT pilots x 6 systems x 12 mods x 19 crew = 2736

2 EPT pilots x 6 systems x 12 mods x 19 crew x 28 EPTs = 76,608

Aggressor = :

4 EPT pilots x 28 EPTs x 6 systems x 6 cannons x 6 cannons x 7 bombs x 2 titles x 6 illicit x 15 mods = 30,481,920 (!!)

Man, this is fun.

You forgot to substract some cases - the way you did it Mangler in the first, Ion in the second slot is different from Ion in the first, Mangler in the second slot.

Inclusion - exclusion I think (learned it in German) if you want to do some reading on it. I think I will try the calculation for a Decimator, going to edit that in. This is a fun math exercise!

Edit:

7 torps x (19^3 crew - OH CRAP + 19 crew (because Palpatine)) x 6 bombs x 2 titles x 14 mods

Multiple slots where there are unique cards create headaches and make the calculation explode - I should do generic crew first, then multiply them with all unique cards and then the uniques with each others and the generics and more. Wow. This could have been part of my last math examination.

Screw it, I'll do a Bomber - no, a Punisher (remembers TIE Shuttle title):

4 pilots x 6 systems x (6 torps (EM in the second slot) + 6^2 - 6 (same torps in different slots)) x (9^2 - 9) missiles x (7^2 - 7) bombs x 13 mods = 33.965.568

Thats quite a bit. Doing a K-Wing next, should be even more!

Edit:

4 pilots * 6 turrets x (6 + 6^2 - 6) torps x 9 missiles x 30 (!) crew x (7^2 - 7) bombs x 12 mods = 117.573.120

That is quite a bit more. Crazy number there!

I suspect the Ghost is going to be the winner, although it will be a headache to calculate with all those unique crew members. When you start adding the Phantom thats inevitably docked via title into the mix that thing is going to be mental!

If anyone wants to use the things I calculated correctly (at least I hope so), Punisher and K-Wing should be right, in some kind of compendium feel free. I will do the X-Wing in earlier waves next so we can have some perspective.

You forgot to subtract some cases - the way you did it Mangler in the first, Ion in the second slot is different from Ion in the first, Mangler in the second slot.

Inclusion - exclusion I think (learned it in German) if you want to do some reading on it. I think I will try the calculation for a Decimator, going to edit that in. This is a fun math exercise!

Ah, yes- they shouldn't be considered separate builds. So... 6 x 5 instead of 6 x 6 for the cannons = only 25,401,600 options for IG-88.

Oh, frak- now I'm building a spreadsheet.

Don't forget also to consider that not having something in a slot is just as valid an option as having something, and it applies to every slot. SO for instance there are actually 7 options for cannons, not 6, because 'no cannon' is also an option, and quite a common one at that.

I'm not considering unreleased material, so I'm only using 6 options for cannons (Mangler, Autoblaster, Ion, HLC, Flechette, none).

However, if order doesn't matter, then the calculation for cannons shouldn't be 6*5 but rather sum(1..6) since (Ion, HLC) is the same in-game as (HLC, Ion). /Unique/ combinations! This makes it even worse (and the B-Wing/E2 and A-Wing Test Pilot and R2-D6 builds are rough too).

EDIT:
Adding a K-Wing:
4 pilots * 10 mods * 28 bomb options (sum(0-7)) * 24 crew * 8 missiles * 28 2-torpedo options * 6 turrets
= 36,126,720

Oh snap, I used the stuff that is not released, yet. Just opened Yet Another... and took my numbers from there.

Now a really boring one, the X-Wing on release:

3 pilots x 3 astromechs x 2 torps + 3 EPTs x 3 astromechs x 2 torps = 36

Did anyone play 36 matches just with their core sets to try out all of the combinations? Thought so

Then wave 1 hit:

4 pilots x 7 astromechs x 2 torps + 2 pilots x 6 EPTs x 7 Astromechs x 2 torps = 224

Quite some growth. Would make for an interesting graph with all the other waves: "The X-Wing through the ages".

Ha! That would be a cool graph.

Yet how many X-Wings do we see in the field....

... and then, we all roll dice... mwah-ha-ha! Just joking, I love the replayability and many options/variations of the game.

Compendium Post, current to Wave 7 + Gozanti

B-Wing = 3,907,008:
4 EPT pilots * 28 EPTs * 6 system * 6 cannon * 28 2-torp options * 10 mods = 1,128,960

2 non-EPT pilots * 6 system * 6 cannon * 28 2-torp options * 10 mods = 20,160

4 EPT pilots * 28 EPTs * 6 system * 6 cannon * 28 2-torp options * 1 B-Wing/E2 mod * 24 crew = 2,709,504

2 non-EPT pilots * 6 system * 6 cannon * 28 2-torp options * 1 B-Wing/E2 mod * 24 crew = 48,384

E-Wing = 377,160:

2 non-EPT pilots * 7 torpedo * 6 system * 10 mods * 15 astromech = 12,600

1 non-EPT pilot with R2-D6 * 7 torpedo * 6 system * 10 mods * 28 EPT = 11,760

2 EPT pilots * 28 EPT * 7 torpedo * 6 system * 10 mods * 15 astromech = 352,800

K-Wing = 36,126,720:
4 pilots * 10 mods * 28 bomb options (sum(0-7)) * 24 crew * 8 missiles * 28 2-torpedo options * 6 turrets

X-Wing = 113,610
5 x 1 x 27 x 7 x 10 = 9,450 way to take a non EPT pilot with R2-D6
6 x 14 x 7 x 10 = 5,880 ways for a nonEPT pilot w/o R2-D6
4 x 13 x 7 x 27 x 10 = 98,280 ways for EPT pilots to be built

YT-1300 = 4,889,472:

3 EPT pilots * 26 EPTs * 8 missile * 14 mod * 276 2-crew options (removing named crew matching pilot) * 2 title = 4,822,272

1 non-EPT pilot * 8 missile * 14 mod * 2 title * 300 2-crew options = 67,200

YT-2400 = 5,345,280
2 EPT pilots * 26 EPT * 14 mods * 6 cannon * 24 crew * 2 title * 8 missile
NOTE: this is incorrect due to overlap of Leebo and Dash Rendar named crew/ship cards

Rebel Z-95 = 4,640:
2 non-EPT pilots x 8 missiles x 10 modifications (including legal-but-unusable ones Advanced SLAM, Targeting Computer, and Stygium Particle Accelerator) = 160

2 EPT pilots x 8 missiles x 10 modifications x 28 EPTs (including "no EPT" as an option) = 4480

Lambda Shuttle = 737,856:

4 non-EPT pilots * 6 system * 183 crew * 6 cannon * 2 title * 14 mods = 737,856

TIE Advanced Prototype = 21,996

3 EPT pilots x 31 EPT x 13 mods x 2 title x 9 missile = 21,762

1 non-EPT pilot x 13 mods x 2 title x 9 missile = 234

TIE Fighter = 1,375
4 EPT pilots x 29 EPT x 11 mods = 1,276
9 non-EPT x 11 mods = 99

TIE /fo = 4,917
5 EPT pilots * 29 EPT * 3 Tech * 11 mods = 4785

4 non-EPT pilots * 3 Tech * 11 mods = 132

TIE Phantom = 82,080:
2 non-EPT pilots x 6 systems x 12 mods x 19 crew = 2736
2 EPT pilots x 6 systems x 12 mods x 19 crew x 29 EPTs = 79,344

TIE Punisher = 8,128,512:
4 pilots * 12 mods * 28 bombs * 6 systems * 28 torpedoes * 36 missiles

VT-49 Decimator = 134,779,792:

1 non-EPT pilot * 7 torpedo * 7 bomb * 2 title * 14 mod * 1198 crew = 1,643,656

3 EPT pilots * 27 EPT * 7 torpedo * 7 bomb * 2 title * 14 mod * 1198 crew = 133,136,136

Aggressor = 17,146,080
4 EPT pilots x 27 EPTs x 6 systems x 21 cannon options x 7 bombs x 2 titles x 6 illicit x 15 mods

HWK-290 (Scum) = 691,200
2 non-EPT pilots x 10 mods x 6 illicit x 2 title x 16 crew x 6 turret = 23,040

2 EPT pilots x 29 EPT x 10 mods x 6 illicit x 2 title x 16 crew x 6 turret = 668,160

Kihraxz = 28,800
2 non-EPT pilots * 10 mods * 6 illicit * 8 missile = 960

2 EPT pilots * 29 EPT * 10 mods * 6 illicit * 8 missile = 27,840

Starviper = 192,192

2 non-EPT pilots * 11 mods * 7 torpedo = 154

2 EPT pilots * 29 EPT * 11 mods * 7 torpedo = 4466 (no title)

2 EPT pilots * 29 EPT * 11 mods * 7 torpedo * 6 system * 7 illicit = 187572 (with title)

Z-95 (Scum) = 28,800
2 non-EPT pilots x 10 mods x 6 illicit x 8 missile = 960

2 EPT pilots x 29 EPT x 10 mods x 6 illicit x 8 missile = 27,840