Anybody who thinks that the Punisher sucks has not used the following:

Redline with Fire Control System, Extra Munitions, Cluster Missiles

You can add either Plasma Torps or more Cluster Missiles depending on points availability. When the Chimps finally arrive, it will be even better.

I've flown Redline a few times and his damage is... punishing. But the problem with him is the cost. For 40 points, you could replace him with a fully kitted out Vader with Proton Rockets.

Once Guidance Chips are released, I'm interested in using dual Cutlass Squadrons with FCS, Cluster, and Chips.

Wave 7 is the TLT. That's a fact. Without the TLT K wing would be complete junk.

Is it wave 7 a complete miss? Not really because the meta is changing wave after wave. New cards will be introduced that may make ships more competitive in both casual and competitive play.

I would also have to ask if your framing the question strictly in regards to tournament play or casual play?

Casual play really is 99% of the game play that x wing is played in. People like to beat their chests about tournament play but casual play is the meat and potatoes of this game.

Does Paul Heaver only take Rebels because he thinks they are the most powerful? Or because he likes their play style better? Or maybe he just likes them? Do we look at Paul taking only Rebels as a sign that Rebels are obviously superior? Or maybe he just likes their play style?

If you just look at straight forward details like this, then you can make all sorts of conjecture like Rebels are the Most Powerful faction in the game. We don't really know why he takes only Rebels, but if you want, you can claim that they are the only viable faction. Look at all the numbers of Rebel lists in the top events. That backs you up. Therefore, you can say that Rebels are the most powerful faction.

I don't believe that, but you can always look at things straight forward and come away with a wrong conclusion.

On the other hand, he changes lists radically from one year to another. Does that mean his preferences do a 180 in the span of 12 months? Or that he plays to win and fields what he feels is the most effective list at a given moment?

So, you are saying that Rebels are always the best choice and more powerful than Imperial?

In my opinion for tournament play yes. Rebels rely a lot on stuff like regeneration and raw HP, which always deliver. Imperials rely on dice, which can fail. Soontir is an excellent ship for example, but sooner or later you will roll a full set of 5/6 blanks if you play him enough. If that happens in an elimination round of a regional/national/worlds, then BOOM goes your hard work for the year. Do note that this is from the perspective of a single guy. When dice don't fail, Imperials are as powerful as rebels. IMO, if you bring 10 rebel lists and 10 imperial lists to a tournament, they will be spread evenly through the ranks, but for a single player I feel Rebels are more consistent than Imperials.

Regardless, it is possible Paul Heaver likes Rebels. However, he certainly seems to have no qualms always choosing the most efficient list within Rebels without appearing partcularly attached to a ship and/or playstyle.

Wave 7 is the TLT. That's a fact. Without the TLT K wing would be complete junk.

Ahahahahaha

Is it wave 7 a complete miss? Not really because the meta is changing wave after wave. New cards will be introduced that may make ships more competitive in both casual and competitive play.

I would also have to ask if your framing the question strictly in regards to tournament play or casual play?

Casual play really is 99% of the game play that x wing is played in. People like to beat their chests about tournament play but casual play is the meat and potatoes of this game.

This at least I completely agree with. I feel Wave VII was the best so far in terms of contributing to overall metagame balance, but at the same time the casual player isn't terribly interested in that. And I left casual play behind long ago.