Do you think the next wave will be available and legal for Worlds?

I am cautiously optimistic that the answer to both of these is yes, but the timelines seem tight for FFG to make that happen.

Also, in an ideal world, should the new models be available for Worlds or would you prefer an older more established meta going into the tournament?

I think I would to see how players (including myself) react to change on short notice. The big downside is that it produces less polished play.

Thanks all!

In the past, the GenCon announced sets (Core Set and Return to Hoth) released the week before Christmas, about a month after worlds. The new trend, this year, however is release about 2 months after the announcement, which puts it in early October. Could go either way.

Personal preference is just that it doesn't release close to X-wing Wave 9 and/or Heroes of the Resistance. Latest rumors put one or both of those in mid-late September, so an early October release isn't preferable for me personally, but we will see.

Personally, I haven't been able to make worlds or nationals yet. Though I plan to go to worlds next year. So this is jut my opinion.

I don't think I mind GenCon/nationals having a new set be legal relatively close to or immediately before the event. But I would really like worlds to be an environment where everyone coming in has the opportunity to have really practiced and put in a lot of effort knowing what's available and current and not having that shaken up right before the tournament. I guess I see worlds as being a tournament that should be won because everyone had the time to really tweak their stuff and bring their a-game and you did the best in that environment - not some new stuff came out and most people didn't have any idea how it all would be affected and you won in that environment.

Personally, I haven't been able to make worlds or nationals yet. Though I plan to go to worlds next year. So this is jut my opinion.

I don't think I mind GenCon/nationals having a new set be legal relatively close to or immediately before the event. But I would really like worlds to be an environment where everyone coming in has the opportunity to have really practiced and put in a lot of effort knowing what's available and current and not having that shaken up right before the tournament. I guess I see worlds as being a tournament that should be won because everyone had the time to really tweak their stuff and bring their a-game and you did the best in that environment - not some new stuff came out and most people didn't have any idea how it all would be affected and you won in that environment.

I hear you and I agree that a rushed meta is not ideal.

However, you could also argue from the other perspective, namely that the true test of skill is how well a player can perform in an unfamiliar setting (or with an unfamiliar meta).

Regardless, I think that it's a fair guess to expect that, if the product is being released in time for Worlds, there will be plenty of spoilers and previews so that players will have some time to test out new ideas before the product arrives in stores.