As far as I'm aware, the old damage deck was going to be illegal on Jan 1st, then FFG decided to allow you to play with either damage deck. What I don't know though is why this happened. Can someone enlighten me please?

Thanks.

Because they still sell the original starter

Because some people are poor.

No, FFG stated before Worlds 2015 that while Worlds would be required to use the new damage deck, the old one was valid "for the forseeable future" (or words to that effect). The reason was that they wanted variety in the Meta. And, it goes hand in hand with listbuilding. For example, some lists (4BZ) really like the old deck as several crits don't affect them. Where as some lists (Aces) do want the new deck because while harsh, they aren't as bad as the old deck.

No, FFG stated before Worlds 2015 that while Worlds would be required to use the new damage deck, the old one was valid "for the forseeable future" (or words to that effect). The reason was that they wanted variety in the Meta. And, it goes hand in hand with listbuilding. For example, some lists (4BZ) really like the old deck as several crits don't affect them. Where as some lists (Aces) do want the new deck because while harsh, they aren't as bad as the old deck.

Er, no. They clearly published information about the old damage deck no longer being legal on a specified date, then overturned this decision due to player complaints right before the date came to pass.

You are repeating the rhetoric they gave us as the "official" reasoning, which is just something that sounds better, and has enough logic behind it to be functional.

The actual reason is that it's a major problem for them to be selling old Starter Sets w/ old damage decks that would be invalidated out of the box, and THEN having new damage decks only available through another Starter Set.

All they needed to do was offer some way to purchase the decks separately, but they decided to not bother with that headache.

No, FFG stated before Worlds 2015 that while Worlds would be required to use the new damage deck, the old one was valid "for the forseeable future" (or words to that effect). The reason was that they wanted variety in the Meta. And, it goes hand in hand with listbuilding. For example, some lists (4BZ) really like the old deck as several crits don't affect them. Where as some lists (Aces) do want the new deck because while harsh, they aren't as bad as the old deck.

Er, no. They clearly published information about the old damage deck no longer being legal on a specified date, then overturned this decision due to player complaints right before the date came to pass.

You are repeating the rhetoric they gave us as the "official" reasoning, which is just something that sounds better, and has enough logic behind it to be functional.

The actual reason is that it's a major problem for them to be selling old Starter Sets w/ old damage decks that would be invalidated out of the box, and THEN having new damage decks only available through another Starter Set.

All they needed to do was offer some way to purchase the decks separately, but they decided to not bother with that headache.

They...overturned this decision due to player complaints

They...overturned this decision due to player complaints

How do you know this?

They...overturned this decision due to player complaints

How do you know this?

They made a statement about it. I'm not going to dig it up, but they made it. Can't recall where it was. News item? FAQ? I don't recall.

Basically, a few people loudly complained that they would be forced to buy a new starter set when they didn't want to just to play in tournaments. That was....12 people in the world who planned on going to tournaments, but didn't want to sped $20 to order a new starter set? So, FFG caved.

Played two different players with old decks this past week. Both took the crit that caused a pilot to lose its pilot ability and EPT. The first one happened to Omega Leader, the second happened to Redline.

Flying the old deck is a liability.

They...overturned this decision due to player complaints

How do you know this?

They made a statement about it. I'm not going to dig it up, but they made it. Can't recall where it was. News item? FAQ? I don't recall.

I never saw such a statement, but then again, maybe I wasn't paying attention. Still I'd be interested why in this case, angry fan reactions were suddenly important.

Basically, a few people loudly complained that they would be forced to buy a new starter set when they didn't want to just to play in tournaments. That was....12 people in the world who planned on going to tournaments, but didn't want to sped $20 to order a new starter set? So, FFG caved.

Do we know that these two things happened after one another or do we really know that the first caused the second thing to happen? And how is this weighed against the official reason - that it was done to promote choice? And why were the reactions against the group that did not want to buy the new core set ignored? I do not recall that there was a clear majority, or that either group presented its case so convincingly that FFG could do nothing but bow to this eloquent fraction's wishes.

If everything that was complained about would lead to immediate action, we'd have a very different game now. What was so special here, and again: how do we know?

Played two different players with old decks this past week. Both took the crit that caused a pilot to lose its pilot ability and EPT. The first one happened to Omega Leader, the second happened to Redline.

Flying the old deck is a liability.

It depends on the list.

Because I willed it to be so.

As someone who flies a lot of Maarek, nothing makes me happier than an opponent using the old deck.

Lawyers.

They span it as "increasing options" but it's pretty much because they still sell the old starter and having one work for tournament play and the other not was a PR disaster.

Why should I have to buy a new starter set to play competitively? When you make me do things, I get angry.

It's not cause Im poor! I'm cheap and I value choice.

Lawyers.

They span it as "increasing options" but it's pretty much because they still sell the old starter and having one work for tournament play and the other not was a PR disaster.

What does that have to do with Lawyers?

I don't understand why the didn't include the new deck in the most recent reprint of the old starter. If I recall it came out around the same time as the new starter. You'd still have a few complain that they bought the old starter in the past and didn't want the new one, but at least it would avoid the PR mess of actively selling an "obsolete" damage deck.

Why should I have to buy a new starter set to play competitively? When you make me do things, I get angry.

It's not cause Im poor! I'm cheap and I value choice.

If only the new damage deck also came with 3 spaceships for less than the price of 3 spaceships, then it would be a great deal.

Why should I have to buy a new starter set to play competitively? When you make me do things, I get angry.

It's not cause Im poor! I'm cheap and I value choice.

This is exactly why, making the tfa starter a mandatory buy was a bad idea when most of already had two original starters.

And if you didn't like the movie being forced to pay £25/$40 on ships you want nothing to do with is a kick in the nethers.

Because whiney individuals that think anytime FFG changes something, they are being wronged. Just ask them.

Cloaking nerf? Ruined the game

Turrets? Ruined the game

TLT? Ruined the game

Requiring an updated damage deck in a game as opposed to a 2.0 version? Ruined the game

U-boats? Ruining the game

Limiting the stranglehold online retailers have on aggressive pricing? Ruining the game

The current tournament structure? (While I'm not the biggest fan myself) Ruining the game

That being said while it is legal I would not hold it against anybody for using it as it is 100% legal and if they believe it gives them a tactical advantage they are more than entitled to do so.

The game is in a great place and if you don't think so look at not only where it is at but where it is going. They are already working on Wave 10! The game isn't going anywhere and they are going to hose us with an X-wing 20 anytime soon. They listen to the players and adjust, even if it takes a bit of time they have really stood behind this product. Whining isn't going to go away because this is the internet but quite a few of you with high post counts maybe need to take a breather so you don't have an aneurysm.

Oh, and fly casual... or whatever.

EDIT: Added spacing to break up a paragraph

Lawyers.

They span it as "increasing options" but it's pretty much because they still sell the old starter and having one work for tournament play and the other not was a PR disaster.

I enjoy that you blame "lawyers," then turn around and say how the whole thing is a PR issue. #thatsnothowthelawworks

Played two different players with old decks this past week. Both took the crit that caused a pilot to lose its pilot ability and EPT. The first one happened to Omega Leader, the second happened to Redline.

Flying the old deck is a liability.

Basically this, if you want to fly with a handicap to save some money... by all means proceed.

Played two different players with old decks this past week. Both took the crit that caused a pilot to lose its pilot ability and EPT. The first one happened to Omega Leader, the second happened to Redline.

Flying the old deck is a liability.

It depends on the list.

Also depends on luck to an extent. Injured Pilot is certainly bad, but Munitions Failure on Omega Leader is basically a normal hit.

Redline should never have been within a county mile of that deck, though.

Played two different players with old decks this past week. Both took the crit that caused a pilot to lose its pilot ability and EPT. The first one happened to Omega Leader, the second happened to Redline.

Flying the old deck is a liability.

Basically this, if you want to fly with a handicap to save some money... by all means proceed.

It's actually superior if you use generics.