We already got Chagrians in an AoR book; they're in Lead by Example, so I seriously doubt that we'll get a repeat exactly one book later. And I'm near positive that we'll never see a repeat in the same line, anyway.

And since every time a spec has had the same name as a spec from a different line is been exactly the same...yeah, the SOLDIER: Heavy will be exactly the same as the HIRED GUN: Heavy.

Ah, I'd missed the Chagrian (I haven't had a chance to pick up Lead by Example yet) so I'll withdraw my last.

[...] I seriously doubt that we'll get a repeat exactly one book later.

Didn't Lannik and Quarren appear in consecutive books (but different lines)?

Or maybe they're all starting to blur together for me.

Lannik did (KtP and LbE), but that's across lines. There were three books released between Fly Casual and Strongholds, the two books with the Quarren. Both of those were cross-line, though.

So yes, some blurring appears to be happening !

Perhaps we'll see Wookies cross from EotE to AoR. If they even try to theme the races to Soldier that is, after Special Modifications I am wary.

Attempting to summon Marcy again, I see .

Wookies would be a good fit, but for some reason I doubt we'll be seeing them anywhere but the Edge Core book.

I'm curious: somehow our little community knew what the species would be for Special Modifications well before the book was released, but we were never given an official reveal before the fact. Has anyone checked that avenue (whatever it was) to see if another tidbit might be available for this book?

Attempting to summon Marcy again, I see .

Wookies would be a good fit, but for some reason I doubt we'll be seeing them anywhere but the Edge Core book.

I'm curious: somehow our little community knew what the species would be for Special Modifications well before the book was released, but we were never given an official reveal before the fact. Has anyone checked that avenue (whatever it was) to see if another tidbit might be available for this book?

Said avenue was Amazon. As far as I've been able to find, Amazon has yet to list the book.

Hmm hmm hmm...is that odd or not? I've never used Amazon for FFG stuff, but I could have sworn they typically listed stud a couple of months before release, right?

Do you think FFG is preventing them from losing it to prevent further leaks?

Maybe. Amazon leaked the Sathari from Chronicles of the Gatekeeper before that.

Amazon has been a stellar source on the species before the books releases.

Then I'm thinking FFG said, "Enough of that!" And asked them pretty please to not post their products until after their release.

Or else I'd think we'd already see it put up as an upcoming product by now.

They don't have a listing for the Force Awakens beginner game either. Sounds like a valid reason.

They've grown wise to our sneaky shenanigans. I'd best watch my back, so they don't come after me for my predictions...

All they have to do is announce a release early once or twice. Ruinous.

You don't think I would see it coming? Are...are you doubting my skills, Blackbird? I'm shocked! Hurt! Offended, even!

Okay, folks, I've got some potentially bad news: the TFA Beginner Game will have been On the Boat for two weeks longer than expected of it goes to shipping next week (July 19). This may point to current shipping issues that would delay Forged in Battle past my current August 11 release prediction.

Now, there are possible reasons for this that are unique to the Beginner Game that would not affect the Soldier Book: the Beginner Game is bigger, so it may take more shipments to get all their stock in, causing delays. Maybe they ordered more copies of the Box too, delaying things.

But I wanted to let people know about the pattern developing. I'm still predicting an August 11 release at the moment (we should go to Shipping Now on July 26 and see the change on July 27), but, as Scar would say, be prepared!

EDIT: Also, if we don't get a new Edge book announced today, we'll have a new (depressing) record - so far, the record for longest time between announcements on a single line is a tie for 236 days (from Fly Casual to Mask of the Pirate Queen and from Strongholds of Resistance to Lead by Example). Right now Edge is at 225 days, and they don't announce books after the first two weeks in a month. So by the time August 1 rolls around, we'll be at 242 days and climbing. *Sigh*

^ That is at once strangely wonderful and disheartening

Or, it's more likely those two products are being held for a GenCon release, and will see public release either during that time frame or shortly after GenCon has wrapped.

Or, it's more likely those two products are being held for a GenCon release, and will see public release either during that time frame or shortly after GenCon has wrapped.

Yeah I would see how Gen Con ends up shaping the release schedule. After all it wouldn't be uncharacteristic for FFG to hold onto stuff specifically for a Gen Con release. It's one of the benefits to going to Gen Con ..... getting all the goodies early and/or first.

Or, it's more likely those two products are being held for a GenCon release, and will see public release either during that time frame or shortly after GenCon has wrapped.

Yeah I would see how Gen Con ends up shaping the release schedule. After all it wouldn't be uncharacteristic for FFG to hold onto stuff specifically for a Gen Con release. It's one of the benefits to going to Gen Con ..... getting all the goodies early and/or first.

Very true.

And while those customers who live oversees or aren't going may not care about GenCon, the fact remains it's the largest trade show for the RPG industry and every RPG company factors the show into their release schedules, doing the best they can to have their hottest and/or newest product available to purchase in the dealer hall.

So GenCon is when, exactly?

So GenCon is when, exactly?

August 4th thru the 7th.

So only a couple more weeks, and then possibly up to a week or two after that this book and the TFA Beginner Box to make their way to retailer's shelves.

I remember the days of yore when I used to go to Gen Con and nab all the games before their official street date. Now I just send friends with money and a wish list for them.

So the Soldier Career Book now says "Shipping Now", so it is off the boat. Anyone know if it is being sold at GenCon today? Either way, most of us still probably have to wait a few more weeks.

From the article about GenCon it doesn't appear to be, although it does say that there are "many more!" products being sold there, so maybe?

I doubt it, but I'm not in Indy so I can't verify . The official release date will be August 18, though, so yeah, two weeks.