FFG already gave explanation in the packs. So it sounds like people are asking for justification or FFG to defend themselves instead.

Could you elaborate on what you mean by this? Is there anything written on the rule sheets of the expansions?

In order to allow a more open-ended play experience,

In order to allow a more open-ended play experience,

Yeah, but that doesnt explain WHY they made that choice. Theres been an open-ended play experience since the game started. Its called Skirmish and House Rules for Campaign.

~D

Again, what is the point of naming this character Obi-Wan if you're just going to completely **** on his story. I'll tell you the point, it's so FFG can make a paycheck. Without respecting Obi-Wan's story in anyway (they didn't even try) this might as well be some random 'old jedi hermit'.

who's doing what to who's story now? All of the missions with characters from the OT are making everything up from scratch. That doesn't diminish those characters either, as this is all NOT CANON! Anyone can do anything, and be on a team with someone they never even met.

In fact, I'd argue that releasing Obi-Wan increases his story to players who would like to explore more of his presence in their games. As he dies before the game even starts, in CANON at least, this now provides them with the opportunity.

You're grasping at air now, Majushi!

True or False: Luke was alive and a member of the Rebellion between Episodes IV and V. True

True of False: We don't know much of what happened between these two events. True

Therefore he could have helped some rebel commandos take down a general named Weiss!

True or False: Kenobi was alive and a member of the rebellion between Episodes IV and V. False

Therefore he could not have helped some rebel commandos take down a general named Weiss!

This is why I (not we, because unlike you, Queen Majushi, I am not able to speak for others) loved IA. Now that is gone!

I'm not saying that the game can't be played as close to "canon" as the players themselves want.

I'm saying that the game itself will never actually be canon. So it doesn't matter if the characters are members of the rebellion at the right time or not.

Your true or false statements are merely cleverly chosen misdirection to avoid the fact that the Obi-Wan & Greedo expansions are still exactly what they were previously;

Stand alone expansions that can be used by the purchaser however they see fit. If you want to play as close to canon as possible, don't buy them.

But don't make out like options and variety ruined the game, because it's still exactly the same game.

I love IA because it lets me play a story in the Star Wars universe, but I'm under no illusion that this is happening in the canon universe.

Also, I find your name-calling offensive, and would appreciate it if you would stop.

Again, what is the point of naming this character Obi-Wan if you're just going to completely **** on his story. I'll tell you the point, it's so FFG can make a paycheck. Without respecting Obi-Wan's story in anyway (they didn't even try) this might as well be some random 'old jedi hermit'.

who's doing what to who's story now? All of the missions with characters from the OT are making everything up from scratch. That doesn't diminish those characters either, as this is all NOT CANON! Anyone can do anything, and be on a team with someone they never even met.

In fact, I'd argue that releasing Obi-Wan increases his story to players who would like to explore more of his presence in their games. As he dies before the game even starts, in CANON at least, this now provides them with the opportunity.

You're grasping at air now, Majushi!

True or False: Luke was alive and a member of the Rebellion between Episodes IV and V. True

True of False: We don't know much of what happened between these two events. True

Therefore he could have helped some rebel commandos take down a general named Weiss!

True or False: Kenobi was alive and a member of the rebellion between Episodes IV and V. False

Therefore he could not have helped some rebel commandos take down a general named Weiss!

This is why I (not we, because unlike you, Queen Majushi, I am not able to speak for others) loved IA. Now that is gone!

I'm not saying that the game can't be played as close to "canon" as the players themselves want.

I'm saying that the game itself will never actually be canon. So it doesn't matter if the characters are members of the rebellion at the right time or not.

Your true or false statements are merely cleverly chosen misdirection to avoid the fact that the Obi-Wan & Greedo expansions are still exactly what they were previously;

Stand alone expansions that can be used by the purchaser however they see fit. If you want to play as close to canon as possible, don't buy them.

But don't make out like options and variety ruined the game, because it's still exactly the same game.

I love IA because it lets me play a story in the Star Wars universe, but I'm under no illusion that this is happening in the canon universe.

Also, I find your name-calling offensive, and would appreciate it if you would stop.

The thing is that the game can be played however people want;

House Rules or No House Rules.

Tokens or Figures.

Home Brewed Characters or FFG Characters.

Time period free for all or strict Time Period.

These units are no different.

They give people options, and they're still the same characters.

It's still that crotchety old hermit who turned out to be a space wizard.

It's still that uppity bounty hunter who was too slow on the draw.

But it's an opportunity to make your own stories.

An opportunity we wouldn't have if they said that these were skirmish only.

Or gave them a time period for a campaign that doesn't even exist (yet???)

(Not sure what you mean about the direction of figure packs being the same as the dice packs. That seems like a nonsense statement to me, but I'll happily hear a response if I've misunderstood that part)

But as Patrick pointed out, in a game that is not a time period free for all (like SWM) by removing their time periods, it removes who they are. And your direction of the figure packs is more accurate of the dice pack than these!

The thing is that the game can be played however people want;

House Rules or No House Rules.

Tokens or Figures.

Home Brewed Characters or FFG Characters.

Time period free for all or strict Time Period.

These units are no different.

They give people options, and they're still the same characters.

It's still that crotchety old hermit who turned out to be a space wizard.

It's still that uppity bounty hunter who was too slow on the draw.

But it's an opportunity to make your own stories.

An opportunity we wouldn't have if they said that these were skirmish only.

Or gave them a time period for a campaign that doesn't even exist (yet???)

(Not sure what you mean about the direction of figure packs being the same as the dice packs. That seems like a nonsense statement to me, but I'll happily hear a response if I've misunderstood that part)

Autocorrect. Meant to say description! At this point though, I think we'll just have to agree to disagree.

I think that appears to be the case.

While I agree that the figures appear to be cashing in on an IP, the fact still remains that these can be used however the purchaser sees fit.

Also, it still remains to be seen if the Time Periods have been scrapped altogether, or if the next Big Box will make use of them again.

I'm fine with the way these figures came out.

I'm also fine with the lack of time period.

I don't see it as a cash grab more than any other expansion is. Expansions will sell to expand the game it seems once per quarter they release some packs. Because the figures are popular characters this is seen as a Cash Grab? That's where I disagree. It'd be a cash grab if these were basically reskins, or didn't bring anything new to the game. All three characters have interesting new abilities to expand the game. Yes FFG is making money off them, they are a business what do you expect?

I don't see the time period problem. Time periods only matter in the campaign. When running a campaign YOU AS THE PLAYERS determine what to put in as side missions and agendas. If you don't want your precious timeline ruined then don't put these packs in. It's that simple. I also disagree with the notion that these figures can't be used in future long campaigns or mini campaigns. We haven't seen this yet in IA but a lot of other games do this. It's not great as a business model for FFG, people want to be able to play with whats in the box (hence the token characters everyone hates on). But if they were to release a Rebels expansion or something it'd be pretty easy to print on the back of the box. "This expansion requires the Core Set and the Inquisitor Villain pack to play". Heck they could just include a Inquisitor card and token, then if people wanted they could go pick up the old pack.

The LCG's play on themes from years past all the time. It encourages new players to pick up old packs and old players to look back at older cards. The same thing can be done here.

I don't see the time period problem. Time periods only matter in the campaign.

You don't see it because people think and feel differently. For some players this change is meaningless, for some it is a HUGE disappointment. I belong to the latter group. If you do not care, it is hard to grasp, but for me for instance, this change just killed the game (however idiotic this may sound) because it kind of destroyed the setting. I know it is not canon (I do not think anyone ever claimed this), but our games were set in a world that was canon. But, it is no longer, and therefore, the game lost something very meaningful to a lot us, more conservative players.

When running a campaign YOU AS THE PLAYERS determine what to put in as side missions and agendas.

In a sense, but I like to stick to the rules. At the moment I just don't buy anything without a time period. If it proves permanent that is the end of my IA "career" (which is, in a sense, is a relief as I have wasted too much money on it already ). However, I cannot get rid of the thought that this could have been handled a lot better.

If it was me, I would have just erratad the rule book and said that time periods are now optional. They could still appear on the cards but you didn't have to use it. Everyone would have been happy; no problem! Sadly, FFG had chosen to take a much more radical route that was bound to upset a lot of people. Very unfortunate in my opinion...

If it was me, I would have just errata the rule book and said that time periods are now optional. They could still appear on the cards but you didn't have to use it. Everyone would have been happy; no problem! Sadly, FFG had chosen to take a much more radical route that was bound to upset a lot of people. Very unfortunate in my opinion...

Yeah, the thing that doesn't make sense to those that don't care or opposed time periods is, it is a rule. It would have been just as easy and just as important to give us a Time Period on the card. So what if its printed on the card. It's not affecting people who use the figures only for Skirmish and as stated, if someone wants to use a figure in their house rules of campaign, they're going to do it anyways. At least this way we know WHEN the cards "would" have existed with the campaign storyline. For all we know, these three new figures may only exist in Time Period 2. Not 1. Or maybe Time Period 1-2. Simply putting them down on the card gives us players (whether you even use TPs or not) what sense when the side missions SHOULD be used.

Again, FFG could have easily just come out and said, "We don't want to restrict people from being able to use figures they purchased, so Time Periods are an optional rule in Campaign Mode. Those that want to follow a more strict time line can still use the Time Periods provided, but if someone so chooses to create a universe where previous characters can be used at any time, please feel free to do so."

~D

It is also a slippery slope, now that they have started introducing these characters where does it end? Is Ahsoka going to show up? Don't get me wrong, I would love to have her in this game, but it would feel very, very anti climatic to have her show up for a Hoth or Bespin campaign instead of a Rebels era campaign.

I don't see the time period problem. Time periods only matter in the campaign.

You don't see it because people think and feel differently. For some players this change is meaningless, for some it is a HUGE disappointment. I belong to the latter group. If you do not care, it is hard to grasp, but for me for instance, this change just killed the game (however idiotic this may sound) because it kind of destroyed the setting. I know it is not canon (I do not think anyone ever claimed this), but our games were set in a world that was canon. But, it is no longer, and therefore, the game lost something very meaningful to a lot us, more conservative players.

When running a campaign YOU AS THE PLAYERS determine what to put in as side missions and agendas.

In a sense, but I like to stick to the rules. At the moment I just don't buy anything without a time period. If it proves permanent that is the end of my IA "career" (which is, in a sense, is a relief as I have wasted too much money on it already ). However, I cannot get rid of the thought that this could have been handled a lot better.

If it was me, I would have just erratad the rule book and said that time periods are now optional. They could still appear on the cards but you didn't have to use it. Everyone would have been happy; no problem! Sadly, FFG had chosen to take a much more radical route that was bound to upset a lot of people. Very unfortunate in my opinion...

But everyone wouldn't be happy. You claim to be a rule follower so am I. I want to be able to use Obi-wan and Greedo in all my campaigns, not be limited to those that are Pre Ep4. With your suggestion I would have to break a rule.

You seem to think I don't grasp your concepts but I do. You liked the time periods because they let you know where characters or missions fit into the story. To let anyone use these characters anytime they removed time periods. Rather than being logical and "enjoying the game as you see fit" you're just going to not purchase anything without a time period number on it.

Mind you, within the rules you could choose to only use these characters when cannon appropriate. I see why you are upset. It just astounds me as to how upset and enraged people are over the tiniest of *****. It's like when something doesn't go a three year olds way, they kick and scream for days on end.

It is also a slippery slope, now that they have started introducing these characters where does it end? Is Ahsoka going to show up? Don't get me wrong, I would love to have her in this game, but it would feel very, very anti climatic to have her show up for a Hoth or Bespin campaign instead of a Rebels era campaign.

But this is what you are missing. If Ahsoka does show up (without a time period). You could just choose to not use her in the Hoth campaign. It would not be against the rules at all. Slapping a time period on her means those who want her to show up could not without house ruling. Not having a time period does not mean you have to use them in every campaign, it's still a choice,

With your suggestion I would have to break a rule.

Why is electing not to use an optional rule breaking them?

It is also a slippery slope, now that they have started introducing these characters where does it end? Is Ahsoka going to show up? Don't get me wrong, I would love to have her in this game, but it would feel very, very anti climatic to have her show up for a Hoth or Bespin campaign instead of a Rebels era campaign.

But this is what you are missing. If Ahsoka does show up (without a time period). You could just choose to not use her in the Hoth campaign. It would not be against the rules at all. Slapping a time period on her means those who want her to show up could not without house ruling. Not having a time period does not mean you have to use them in every campaign, it's still a choice,

But what I am saying is that how do I use her thematically? How do I use any of these figures thematically? Some of us play this game to get as close to accurate as we can with the experience. Some don't, that is fair enough and they are free to do what they want. But for me I can't introduce these characters into the game without stepping out of the canon completely.

Hi,

did i miss a rule that states: you have to ignore your knowledge of sw universe and mix the heroes and villains

Then i have to burn all of my RPG books (from WoW to Cthulhu) because there are often playstats for famous characters that unfortunately died at some point and there are no rules how i can use them in time periods after their death...

Greetings H

It is also a slippery slope, now that they have started introducing these characters where does it end? Is Ahsoka going to show up? Don't get me wrong, I would love to have her in this game, but it would feel very, very anti climatic to have her show up for a Hoth or Bespin campaign instead of a Rebels era campaign.

But this is what you are missing. If Ahsoka does show up (without a time period). You could just choose to not use her in the Hoth campaign. It would not be against the rules at all. Slapping a time period on her means those who want her to show up could not without house ruling. Not having a time period does not mean you have to use them in every campaign, it's still a choice,

But the same can be said for you to just ignore the Time Period anyways.

Why are you against them printing it on the card so I have a guideline?

~D

So according to FFG, it is more reasonable to believe that Greedo, Obi-Wan, and the Inquisitor either survived their deaths or came back to life, than it is to believe that;

Chewbacca helped the Rebel Alliance in Time Period 1

Han Solo went back to his Smuggler days after Time Period 4 (despite what TFA says.)

Boba Fett did anything after Time Period 5

In fact, come to think of it. We haven't had a Time Period limit since the Boba Fett figure pack. So I guess this is the new thing...

I'm enjoying the discourse in this thread. Notably better than where these things usually end up.

As for myself, I'm in the camp of not enjoying these characters without time periods. However, I don't think FFG caused the fall of the Republic with this one. People are free to not use these characters, free to limit their usage, and free to take characters with time periods and ignore those in their campaigns. There are currently no sanctioned campaign tournaments (and I doubt there ever will be) so nobody needs to adjust their likes/wants/play-styles around that. They can play however they want, and in the end it doesn't matter what the people say, it matters what their wallets say.

As for me, I haven't bought any of these packs (I have at least 2 of every other non-unique and all expansions). If I see them on sale in a few months or a year, I'll consider the purchase. But for now I'll let my money influence FFG on how they wish to proceed with their game called Imperial Assault.

Aren't a majority of these side missions green anyway? In other words, you are not breaking any rule by not including them in your side mission deck. In fact, it is a rule that your group has to chose which to include or not.

Hi,

did i miss a rule that states: you have to ignore your knowledge of sw universe and mix the heroes and villains

Then i have to burn all of my RPG books (from WoW to Cthulhu) because there are often playstats for famous characters that unfortunately died at some point and there are no rules how i can use them in time periods after their death...

Greetings H

I love many things about the Star Wars universe, but there are things I don't love. I hated Boba Fett's death, especially the b***h a** way that Lucas chose to depict it, but that was it. He was dead. So then there is the unofficial EU that Boba Fett lived, and everyone played along with that. We saw the Emperor destroyed in the same movie, but Zahn brings him back as a clone. So these are unofficial, but still licensed by LucasArts. But then... then, you have Lucas authorizing Filoni to bring back Darth Maul to sell more toys. So we have now a third example of the dead coming back to life in the Star Wars universe. Oh, I believe it will not be too long before we see Darth Maul in IA, though it could be that sock-head is acting as an ersatz Darth Maul. We will darn sure see Ahsoka before it is all said and done. Luke-Schmuke. Disney will probably release Magic Kingdom editions where Ahsoka is CGI'd in to replace Luke in the OT.

Anyway, rant aside, the time periods either way are not important. As has been said, there is no official campaign meetings, so you can do what you want. For skirmish purposes, people will always want more characters. That's how Star Wars minis got so over bloated with really bad characters. As one poster at this site has shown, he is creating a whole campaign for imperial heroes.

It is also a slippery slope, now that they have started introducing these characters where does it end? Is Ahsoka going to show up? Don't get me wrong, I would love to have her in this game, but it would feel very, very anti climatic to have her show up for a Hoth or Bespin campaign instead of a Rebels era campaign.

But this is what you are missing. If Ahsoka does show up (without a time period). You could just choose to not use her in the Hoth campaign. It would not be against the rules at all. Slapping a time period on her means those who want her to show up could not without house ruling. Not having a time period does not mean you have to use them in every campaign, it's still a choice,

But what I am saying is that how do I use her thematically? How do I use any of these figures thematically? Some of us play this game to get as close to accurate as we can with the experience. Some don't, that is fair enough and they are free to do what they want. But for me I can't introduce these characters into the game without stepping out of the canon completely.

It is also a slippery slope, now that they have started introducing these characters where does it end? Is Ahsoka going to show up? Don't get me wrong, I would love to have her in this game, but it would feel very, very anti climatic to have her show up for a Hoth or Bespin campaign instead of a Rebels era campaign.

But this is what you are missing. If Ahsoka does show up (without a time period). You could just choose to not use her in the Hoth campaign. It would not be against the rules at all. Slapping a time period on her means those who want her to show up could not without house ruling. Not having a time period does not mean you have to use them in every campaign, it's still a choice,

But the same can be said for you to just ignore the Time Period anyways.

Why are you against them printing it on the card so I have a guideline?

~D

No the same can't be said. That's what you aren't getting. By slapping a time period on a figure I am breaking a rule by including it in the wrong campaign. By not having a time period the players are free to decide whether they want to include the mission (no matter how not thematic) or leave it out of the campaign. The way things are set up right now people including or choosing to ignore are not breaking the rules.

FFG is doing exactly what the rules insert said. The make this figure more adaptable and usable to those who choose there are no time periods. This isn't damning those who decide to make a thematic game experience by not including the figure. When they release a time period 1-2 campaign those thematic players will be able to introduce these scoundrels.

I think that again people are missing the point here, the point is that they released these figures, these major named figures from the Star Wars Universe, without any link to a campaign. So if we want to play with them we have no way to do so without breaking timelines and throwing all the hard work of establishing an accurate Star Wars universe IN GAME out the window.

It just seems lazy. And I am more worried that this is the new trend than just a one off. At that point it starts becoming ridiculous. And what am I supposed to do? Just start ignoring big chunks of content for the game? Ok I can do that, but then that means that I am only getting 80% of 70% or whatever it ends up being. So I am waiting even longer for new figures that I can use in my campaign as they release these timeless canon killers.

I didn't mean to drag this out into a big wah wah cry fest, I am simply trying to elaborate further to drive the point home. The 'don't like it don't use it' approach doesn't fit here as what they are doing completely changes the game if we choose to use the figures, and if we don't then we are stuck waiting for useful content.

Yeah FFG, stop screwing with your own game!! :-)

~D