After reading the new Bomber preview, I was wondering why FFG didn't simply do a full preview that uncluded the only unspoiled card in the pack, the new Defender pilot Countess? Any thoughts on why they wouldn't just tell us what she does?

After reading the new Bomber preview, I was wondering why FFG didn't simply do a full preview that uncluded the only unspoiled card in the pack, the new Defender pilot Countess? Any thoughts on why they wouldn't just tell us what she does?

Because they're going to milk it for all it's worth and keep us waiting for another article in a week or so...

So they have something else to show that isn't Wave 9 or a Scum huge announcement.

Any thoughts on why they wouldn't just tell us what she does?

They could tell us, but then they'd have to kill us.

Glaive Squadron Pilot also hasn't been spoiled yet--we know the name, but not the price. So there's undoubtedly a defender-centered preview to follow the bomber-centered one.

We have a while before the boat arrives, honestly it's just nice to have an article to talk about after so long.

We don't know Maarek's cost either.

When was the last time they've spoilt *everything*?

Usually there is at least one thing left, no?

When was the last time they've spoilt *everything*?

Usually there is at least one thing left, no?

Yeah, and it's annoying.

Especially since that one unspoiled card always ends up not having a good quality image on the wiki...

We don't know Maarek's cost either.

We don't technically know his ability either IIRC, we've just assumed it will be the same.

We don't know Maarek's cost either.

We don't technically know his ability either IIRC, we've just assumed it will be the same.

We also have Hera as precedent for same pilot/different ship having the same pilot ability. Not exactly written in stone but I feel pretty confident that Maarek will get the same crit-fishing power.

We don't know Maarek's cost either.

We don't technically know his ability either IIRC, we've just assumed it will be the same.

We also have Hera as precedent for same pilot/different ship having the same pilot ability. Not exactly written in stone but I feel pretty confident that Maarek will get the same crit-fishing power.

I agree, but it's something else which will be in the next preview - which I'm hoping will be a release date article. I'd guess we'll see Maarek and one o fthe other two cards, and the last will wait and not be spoiled before release.

We don't know Maarek's cost either.

We don't technically know his ability either IIRC, we've just assumed it will be the same.

But if you look at the wording that is already spoiled for Maarek, you can see it matches up with his X1 pilot ability.

We don't know Maarek's cost either.

My bet is on 37, although I could see it as 36 given how antisynergic he is with the TIE defender titles.

37 would shock me, as PS 8 Rexler is 37. 36 is likely, although I could see 35 to make him competitive with Vessery (+1 ps, worse ability).

37 would shock me, as PS 8 Rexler is 37. 36 is likely, although I could see 35 to make him competitive with Vessery (+1 ps, worse ability).

Reaaaalllyy hoping Maarek is 36. Maarek with VI and two Deltas all with x7 and Stealth Device comes out to 100 points.

I'm going to make triple Defenders a thing if it's the last thing I do, dang it.

After reading the new Bomber preview, I was wondering why FFG didn't simply do a full preview that uncluded the only unspoiled card in the pack, the new Defender pilot Countess? Any thoughts on why they wouldn't just tell us what she does?

Pretty much marketing and hype building. People are desperate to know so they are keeping interest at a peak as long as possible.

Maarek is gonna probably be best with the D title and Marksmanship as it will let him mod both shots while giving him the crits his ability needs.

Maarek is gonna probably be best with the D title and Marksmanship as it will let him mod both shots while giving him the crits his ability needs.

Not really, none of the cannons /d supports can deal criticals. Better to go calculation if you really really want to push the crit agenda.

37 would shock me, as PS 8 Rexler is 37. 36 is likely, although I could see 35 to make him competitive with Vessery (+1 ps, worse ability).

Reaaaalllyy hoping Maarek is 36. Maarek with VI and two Deltas all with x7 and Stealth Device comes out to 100 points.

I'm going to make triple Defenders a thing if it's the last thing I do, dang it.

I've got a couple of ideas in that direction, too.

37 would shock me, as PS 8 Rexler is 37. 36 is likely, although I could see 35 to make him competitive with Vessery (+1 ps, worse ability).

Havent they said the original TIE D's are over costed? Would they give a bit more of a discount to someone like Marek ie +1 PS, worse ability?

The overcosting is then into account with the ridiculously good titles.

business practice. you dont release everything, you release it in spurts (usually the best first) to hype it up. Which really makes me worried the defender pilots in there are total ass. Already made some good lists with those cards and old pilots so not that terribly worried but would like some new skills that actually get used. Vassery almost never gets a targetlock for me due to how he flies compared to the ships that can targetlock and i dont think ive ever see Rexler's pilot skill go off....period lol. Always hits shields, killed the ship anyway, or only damage was already a crit.

Maarek is gonna probably be best with the D title and Marksmanship as it will let him mod both shots while giving him the crits his ability needs.

Not really, none of the cannons /d supports can deal criticals. Better to go calculation if you really really want to push the crit agenda.

That is completely irrelevant because the ability to change all eyes for both the cannon and the primary attack is worth Marksmanship even without the crits benefiting from his ability.

The idea of having uniques with lower PS than generics is also kind of interesting to me, as I don't think we've seen that sort of thing happen too often (TIE fighters aside). Having Glaive Squadron and Gamma Squadron Vet at a higher PS than the uniques in the pack seem to me to show that FFG is thinking of using high PS generics as a new balancing mechanic. Higher PS, EPT slot, but no unique ability- brings some generics back in the mix for those that aren't super impressed with the uniques' abilities/want a lower cost but don't want to lose out on the options an EPT gives.

Not being able to deal crit damage isnt the point of marksmen, its solidifying the attack. Remember the title means nothing if you have a card more than 3pts, and afaik there ISNT any cannons that deal more than 1 damage regardless of the die result that is 3pts or less.

However, it still anchors the attack to begin with. So what if that Ion Cannon cant do crits? Its still another "hit" that the opponent needs to evade to dodge the Ion effect. Same for Tractor Beams for that matter. Tie/D doesnt deal insane damage because he can fire 2 guns now, he deals 1 extra reliable damage and an effect. Coupled with his white 4k he can really easily pin a small ship down one turn and finish him the next.

Im honestly not sure which i would want more on him. Tractorbeam drops a green die so i can hit harder and has the potential of rocking someone to nullify their shooting, but it doesnt hamper their movement so they can still get away. Ion Cannon coupled with Marksman almost guarantees you get two turns of firing on that ship, which can deal a ton of damage. Also depending on the positioning it can botch their movement too by hitting rocks or off the board.