So here is an interesting "what if" ... that is, if you were to reengineer the core box and what it included, what would you change up?

On the imperial side, I think I would switch out the VSD and instead advocate a Glad.

On the Rebel side I'm not sure I would remove either the CR or the Neb. Both seem like still in this upcoming Wave 3 world as good starter box choices.

More dice, more copies of some of the things you only get in the core set: Damage Decks and Mission cards. A second Maneuver tool with just enough parts to make a speed 2, more variety in obstacles, with rules to allow players to play with more than 6.

Venator and Consular gunship vs Munificent and Recusant Destroyer.

Definitely more dice. I think 4 of each for the core and the dice pack would be great. And the Defiance MC80 with enhanced armament throwing an Opening Salvo, CF-ed, Ackbar assault on a ship could throw 11 red dice total. Though the more likely combo would be 7 reds and 4 black, the possibility is still there. I think I'm going to go make a list now.

I think a single damage deck is fine, but something that would truly invigorate the game is new mission/objective cards. As far as more obstacles, a navigation or defense objective that includes a special deployable obstacle would be cool. Even Assault could use one of those. The current objectives already have stuff like this (using the station as an objective, objective tokens for mines or point collection), but a fresh set would be invigorating. Also missions with flotillas in mind would be nice, though I don't know how exactly those would look.

As far as ships to include, new Hammerhead Corvette and new Neb (Neb with fleet support slot), acclamator class Star Destroyer and Gozanti flotilla. New aces for both sides, but same basic squadron loadout. It'll have the same feel, but it will be inherently different and include some of the newer game mechanics while introducing new ships for a new wave of expansions.

I think the problem with the Core Set is the VSD, and the main problem for the VSD is the maneuver chart. The problem is that there is no real alternate option for it. Especially if you want the sides to be evenly matched.

The number one fix that is needed is simply another click of yaw at the first joint of speed 2 on the VSD. This would solve nearly ever problem with the set, as the CR90 and Nebulon would both remain faster and more maneuverable.

Yeah having the victory in is important because it looks like a movie star destroyer and it plays like a star destroyer.

Having the glad in would be a bit silly.

But the core set is just the entry point to bigger things.

I would want an extra damage deck because you need a friend to play with and like a few people did that is what they did. A person can buy extra dice and maneuver tool.

Flight Controllers cause the only expansion at this time with them is the victory and who wants to buy an extra victory or two for flight controllers, especially rebels.

Acrylic range ruler(s) ... that'll pretty much guarantee I buy at least one. New asteroid tokens as well.

Just make it cheaper.

I think a glad is a bad choice. I remember how hard it was to use the Corvette B when I was brand new. Managing a black dice ship as a total newbie sounds like an exercise in frustration.

Venator and Consular gunship vs Munificent and Recusant Destroyer.

For some bizzare reason I adore the Lucrehulks, and if someday I could fly one with a droid fighter swarm I would be very happy.

I'd love to see the core box get a re-release before Episode VIII and get the new trilogy treatment like the Force Awakens Core and Millenium Falcon for X-Wing. Give us a Resurgent Class and some FO Ties vs a few Resistance variants of capitol ships that will hopefully be spoiled for the new movie and some T-70's. Maybe a Rey variant of the Millenium Falcon as the squad, or a Poe Ace card.