With Rogue One's release this winter we will be introduced to new X-wing and Tie Fighter Pilots that fall well into the existing time line that Fantasy Flight's chosen for this game. I am looking forward to the possibility of some new pilots, but between the starter box, blister, and epic ships I have more than enough X-wing and Tie Fighter models. I know this idea has been mentioned in the past, but this may be a good time for Fantasy Flight to consider pilot only booster packs that only contain a pilot card and the card board insert for the flight stand.

Starter Boxes, blisters and veterans' box sets will still be vital since these will include the core pilots, model, and upgrade cards for a ship. Pilot card only booster packs would be a great way to occasionally add a new pilot, or two, to an existing ship without FFG having to develop a full set (pilots and upgrades);this would give players new pilots that would expand the play of their ships without the players having to buy more models they already have plenty of.

I think they've mentioned no card only packs because it falls under a different licensing agreement or something. But I could see them releasing an xwing blister (same T65) with new cards maybe? Kinda like core 2.0

While I like the idea of a card only expansion, FFG has said repeatedly that they will not happen. I think a good idea for each of the forthcoming movies, starting with Rogue One, would be for FFG to release a "Insert Movie Name Here Expansion" that gave us a few ships from the movie and any "fixes" that are currently needed. This would also allow the inclusion of new pilots for existing ships.

What we may see is something similar to Most Wanted, where we have one or two ships that are repainted with more pilots for other ships within that faction.

They won't do card packs.

The model adds perceived value: they can sell it for more. The card only expansions they sell for Netrunner have 20 cards a release and they release every month. The spike in design work to produce enough cards to do card only expansions simply isn't financially appealing.

Also, think of the people who may be getting into X-Wing for the first time through watching Rogue One. I know I'd look at a pack of cards way differently than I would look at a pack that included the ships I just saw in the movie.

Also, think of the people who may be getting into X-Wing for the first time through watching Rogue One. I know I'd look at a pack of cards way differently than I would look at a pack that included the ships I just saw in the movie.

Exactly.

Maybe there will be rogue one themed singles packs, alternate art X-wing and... idk what to do with the TIE fighter at this point. Imperial light grey and Imperial Royal Navy blue have already been done, so....

I think they've mentioned no card only packs because it falls under a different licensing agreement or something. But I could see them releasing an xwing blister (same T65) with new cards maybe? Kinda like core 2.0

Oh hell I hadn't actually considered that, but a third core set is possible for this very reason.

Forget the core set, they need to do a Rogue One campaign box! With a booklet that lays out some campaign ideas like the old GW campaign books or Heroes of the Aturi cluster, an X Wing and a TIE fighter in the box, and then a whole bunch of pilots and crew featured in the movie, even for ships not included in the box. Like new Y Wing pilots and stuff.

Awesome.