Wave III was two flotillas which may, or may not (odds are not in my estimation), even be useful and we are hoping for a scum faction...that is a prime example of reaching. Hope is a powerful thing.

I was browsing the LGS the other day looking at X-wing and the amount of scum they had just had me thinking "so...when will scum come to Armada."

With all this talk of Wave IV I put up...I really really think an infusion of another faction could be a good thing. I was playing forces of corruption last night and the idea of Tyber Zahn's consortium really appealed to me...star vipers and skiprays with the assorted corvettes, frigates...that lovely little ship with the mass drivers...the Kedelbi Battleship and that massive Aggressor Class destroyer (with the huge cannons).

Maybe we're due for some scum guys? Could even have a pack that could include Z-95's, and Ugly fighters DYE-wing for example

Regardless of how it's introduced, there needs to be a bit more variety. I will enjoy working the flotillas into fleets when they hit da streets (I'm the real Slim Shady haha).

If there is a third faction, my vote is for the mercenary concept. It would provide an opportunity to incorporate the capital ships from the Clone Wars into the Galactc Civil War from both the Republic and Separatists w/o too much of a stretch of the imagination (beyond what it's already stretched to haha). In a galaxy where shipyards ring an entire planet, there is room for a "contractor" to amass a fleet of old warships and droid fighters . . . as long as they have the proper permits from the local governor of course. To make it interesting, in order to incorporate any "contractors" into your fleet (ships or squadrons) you must have a merc officer onboard your flagship. Pay more points and instead of a generic merc officer, you get a merc commander with abilities that enhance the mercenaries in your fleet. A further control might be a point cap similar to the squadrons. I just hope they keep each release to 2-4 "units" per release. That way my budget can keep up.

Has anyone mentioned the Hutt Cartel?

Has anyone mentioned the Hutt Cartel?

Yeah, they were mentioned by someone.

The problem I see with adding scum squadrons as mercenaries available to both factions is that a goodly portion of the Imperial-aligned aces are, in fact, mercenary scum. Boba Fett, Bossk, Dengar, and IG-88 aren't in the fight out of loyalty to the Empire. They're in it for the credits, and the Empire just happens to pay best.

That leads to some questions:

-Why would the Empire have faction specific "scum" where the rebels do not? (inb4 "they're all scum!" from Drasnighta)

-Why would any mercenaries worth their spice fly with the Alliance when the Empire could pay much better?

-Why would the Empire need to hire mercenaries en masse? They only hired the group of bounty hunters in ESB to hunt down a specific target, not to fight in large-scale battles.

-Why no love for Zuckuss?

I mean look at this guy. He's adorable.

Well, whats the line between rogues and villains anyway, other than an arbitrary distinction made by the (movie) victor? Han shots poor Greedo as he saw fit, not a heroic move per se.

Regarding your questions, I dont think they have craigslist in SW, so most mercenaries will rely on contacts in some rundown cantina to learn about job opportunities. Depending on their political allignment and level of information they might also favor offers from radical leftist rebels or just fall for their propaganda.

And while a lot of people have trouble to explain any more than token scum in an empire fleet, I do not. These are desperate times with a thinned out imperial navy to repell pseudo-religious fanatists who do believe that you may keep a galactic empire together by dancing with bears and good morals. If some isolated admiral in a remote system sees no other way to bolster his forces but to rally some kind of milita, so be it. History is full of examples were irregular militias stood up to defend their homes, their empire, so I for myself welcome anybody who finds his love for credits the emperor, be it in his Hutt belly, his cold-blooded lizardbody or his robotic torso.

Perhaps something they could do to make scum a totally different faction would be to make them more squadron oriented, like max 1/3 of points can be spent on ships in stead of squadrons. Or specific scenarios where you have to smuggle cargo ships from one point to another and you can earn victory points by keeping your ships alive more than destroying your opponent's.

Adding a "Scum" faction to Armada would be like adding an Al Capone Faction to Axis and Allies. IMO.

The Rebels do have faction specific scum. Han Solo was a drug runner working for a powerful crime cartel. Lando was well known for shady dealings. Dash Rendar wasn't exactly squeaky clean either, as I recall.

As for why each side would hire folks just in it for the cash, that's easy. On the Imperial side, hiring "powerful" mercenary units and using them as front line buffer troops keeps loyal forces alive while weakening the enemy as well as the potential enemy of the mercs.

The Rebels would have an easy time hiring mercs because while they are in it for the money, the Empire has created no shortage of out of work alien soldiers who are not welcome in the Imperial military machine. Payback with a Payday; win win situation.

There is also the simple angle of "this is war, and there is no fence to straddle." An "independent" military force in the situation painted in the movies has no choice but to make a choice; pick a side. Throw in with the Empire, who will abuse you and use you as disposable troops in front line positions (but who pay **** well), or throw in with the Rebels and keep your freedom while fighting for the future. Remember, the Empire put a (temporary) stop to countless brushfire wars and local disputes by enforcing absolute order. They really did bring peace to a lot of areas of the galaxy. With the fall of that order, those brushfire wars will start back up. Most if not all; which is very lucrative to mercs and cartels alike.

Adding a "Scum" faction to Armada would be like adding an Al Capone Faction to Axis and Allies. IMO.

These are the moments when forums need to have a "Super-duper like!" button.