So my "feel" of the game at present is the big trends of Wave 2 are

- At least 4 ships, now trending into five

- Xi7s

- ISD2, gunnery team, Xi7 + Demolisher Glad

- Trend toward needing 4+ activations is putting pressure on large ships and significant squadrons...

- Xi7s and Intel

Rhymer ball and rogues in general, at one stage greatly feared, now seem to be something that people are used to and can manage.

Sure, there are variations and complete departures from this, but these seem to be the big things of Wave 2.

Thoughts? Any expectations on the next disruption of Wave 2?

Moving into Wave 3 (assuming for a minute that Wave 3 is just flotillas - I reckon its not...)

- Flotillas will be a way of allowing large ships to compete on activations.

- Bomber command will make lack of squadron cover a bigger gamble again.

- Flotillas will also introduce a chance to further disrupt defined tactics - their scatter and ability to get in the way will be great. And that's before you consider the shenanigans possible by putting lando or ECM (if possible!)

Are you all really only playing acording to the meta and not what you feel like and to tell a story?

I.... don't think that's what he said.

I'm already seeing everyone using huge huge amounts of squadrons. Which makes for less ships and maneuvering and upgrades. Meh. I'm so over squadrons.

I like that XI7s are in there three times? Are they really that frequent? I see them, but it's not 3 copies on every ship, so to speak.

So here is what I am seeing, all joking aside:

1. "Middle" lists tend to underperform. 2-3 ship lists with heavy squadron components (especially double ISD plus ball) or 5+ ship lists tend to be the two archetypes that win most of the tournaments I go to.
2. Squadrons are something you have to plan to deal with. That's not to say you have to take a bunch yourself, but you need a plan to deal with someone who took a bunch. Taking zero squadrons is not an option because you will hit someone with multiple firesprays or B-wings.
3. Demolisher rush lists are a thing that you need a plan to deal with if you want to win. Demolisher is the single most impactful upgrade in the entire game, and you will always see it. Always. It's that good. You need to know how you plan to stop it, in either a high activation go first list, or in a 2 ISD + Demo list.

That, for me, is what is defining the Wave 2 meta so far.

The only Fleet Makeup I have not seen so far is a Single-Ship Fleet.

I've seen them all win in my Meta.

So, y'know what. Define what is big for you all you want...

Won't make it true for me

The only Fleet Makeup I have not seen so far is a Single-Ship Fleet.

I've seen them all win in my Meta.

So, y'know what. Define what is big for you all you want...

Won't make it true for me

There's a thought...... single imp two with all the trimmings, 134 points of fighters and a 47 point initiative bid...... Playing that would be a challenge.

I like that XI7s are in there three times? Are they really that frequent? I see them, but it's not 3 copies on every ship, so to speak.

So here is what I am seeing, all joking aside:

1. "Middle" lists tend to underperform. 2-3 ship lists with heavy squadron components (especially double ISD plus ball) or 5+ ship lists tend to be the two archetypes that win most of the tournaments I go to.
2. Squadrons are something you have to plan to deal with. That's not to say you have to take a bunch yourself, but you need a plan to deal with someone who took a bunch. Taking zero squadrons is not an option because you will hit someone with multiple firesprays or B-wings.
3. Demolisher rush lists are a thing that you need a plan to deal with if you want to win. Demolisher is the single most impactful upgrade in the entire game, and you will always see it. Always. It's that good. You need to know how you plan to stop it, in either a high activation go first list, or in a 2 ISD + Demo list.

That, for me, is what is defining the Wave 2 meta so far.

I think I posted this straight after having three ships shot out from under me by Defiance with Xi7s.... so they made an impression. When your VSD is dying in basically one volley its a wake up call!

Yeah Demo is still a defining feature. But more and more locally I am seeing the three ship lists are almost phased out, with 4 ships being the standard and an increasing number of 5 ships. Demo needs to keep ahead on activation count to go from great to deadly.

The dice givith and the dice taketh.

I think 4 ships is a smarter move as activations matter, but running 3 ships isn't a death sentence. The biggest part of that trade is should you lose one ship, it's going to be a bigger hit to your output. So do you have more robust ships or are you playing a little more conservative?

I can say that I see everything under the sun in the groups I play in.

My own group has settled into a pretty common 3-4 ship range with 6-8 squadrons on average. X-17s are on every large base ship/AFII I come accross.

Honestly, with flotillas having scatter, I would be surprised if H9 turbolasers don't get revisited. I guess that depends on how scary they are with their upgrades. And probably just on one ship as a flotilla-hunter.