People frustrated about timing realize that it may not have been anything to do with X-Wing, right? They release these things in one swoop for all games, so it could have been any number of reasons that have nothing to do with some sinister plot about selling more ships or whatever or even Xwing at all. In fact, since Xwing is their flagship game for now, I'd guess it was the one with their stuff together first and they were waiting on something else.

The timing sucks, for sure... but Worlds is their premier event. It's nice to be able to boast about how 'diverse the meta' is... even if it did it by hitting the old one with a sledgehammer.

I really feel sorry for the competitors, though. Had a list you were carefully tweaking to face off against both Palp Aces and Uboats? Welp, better hope it didn't have a weakness to some kind of Rebel spam!

I guess it comes down to: Do you want a fresh meta for worlds, or do you want the best preparation possible? It's a tricky one, for sure.

I look forward to seeing what Paul Heaver shows up with.

I'm pretty sure that most "competitive" people already know about the JM15k update beforehand ... you can't play in the competitive scene and not know a few backstage people.

idk, none of this sounds as bad as FFG indefinitely sticking to their guns no matter how good/bad a decision was

idk, none of this sounds as bad as FFG indefinitely sticking to their guns no matter how good/bad a decision was

The ole "coulda been worse" logic...

You're right. They could waited until 12 days before Worlds.

idk, none of this sounds as bad as FFG indefinitely sticking to their guns no matter how good/bad a decision was

The ole "coulda been worse" logic...

You're right. They could waited until 12 days before Worlds.

**** man, where would we be without "coulda been worse"?

regretting every decision we ever made is where!

...just like real life

Now I'll admit I've never played against a list with 2-3 uboats in it. I think I've only played against a single one once or twice.

But I think in general I rather face a super offensive list over a super defensive list. So I really wish stuff like regen, palp, or other crazy damage mitgation techniques were nerfed instead.

I think they went a bit overboard with this nerf. They should have just made deadeye unique, then you'd still have a use for a single uboat, just not multiple. Also that prevents other small ships lists from popping up with multiple deadeye to be a new alpha strike menace.

Now I'll admit I've never played against a list with 2-3 uboats in it. I think I've only played against a single one once or twice.

But I think in general I rather face a super offensive list over a super defensive list. So I really wish stuff like regen, palp, or other crazy damage mitgation techniques were nerfed instead.

I think they went a bit overboard with this nerf. They should have just made deadeye unique, then you'd still have a use for a single uboat, just not multiple. Also that prevents other small ships lists from popping up with multiple deadeye to be a new alpha strike menace.

But I highly doubt the next ones will also be able to take Salvaged Astromechs. Remember, it isn't just Deadeye that made the U-boats what they are.

You are wrong.

^^ This

Here here!

2) If you accept that this was a patch and not a rules clarification FAQ, this is a poor way to roll out patches. Weeks before the premier event in x-wing, with regionals following closely behind, many players have been practicing in earnest for weeks if not months. Many of you cheer the death of the contracted scout, but what if you had played 50 games with your scout list, in anticipation of attending worlds in a few weeks? How would you feel? What would your opinion be of x-wing and the game in general?

3) If FFG is going to roll out patches such as this, it should be on a regular schedule, perhaps yearly, and it should be announced in advance. Perhaps even the major decisions such as this should be made public before they are permanent? The triple scout or double scout + 1 list is not unbeatable, it would do little harm to let this exist a little longer in the meta.

4) The timing of this release is perhaps suspect. Going out on a limb a bit here, but why was this not announced in the summer FAQ? Clearly it has been in plans since then, as Alex Davy was on the record saying a "wave 9 hard counter to contract scouts was on the way". My guess is that FFG was not about to nerf the hottest selling SKU in their hottest game, without replacement product to be purchased. The implication being, many people bought 3 punishing one expansions, while FFG knew that the list would be nerfed once there was something else for us to buy. I think this is bad business and is shortsighted, if it is true.

Your post is well written.

So in professional Starcraft II, they only release major balance patches in the off season, not right before Blizzcon! FFG strengthens their reputation as perpetual amateurs in handling a competitive game.

We should all empathize with the Jumpmaster players. How will you feel when they utterly nerf X7 defenders and they are again unplayable in a tournament setting? Let's say this happens two weeks before worlds next year and you have been anticipating worlds for months. If trends continue, the next nerf will actually be the generic ghost. Perhaps they will make the generic unique so it is difficult to run double ghost.

FFG is a business, so it's just a fact that with every step they take, one of the first questions they ask is, How will this affect revenue? This is fine, it is the world we live in. In no way do you or I have to trust FFG in any way though.

Happily the Scyk fix will not be bundled with an unwanted epic ship

Today's nerf of the contracted scout torpedo build...

...many players have been practicing in earnest for weeks if not months.

Hardly required much practicing...

(...scurries back to troll-cave)

Today's nerf of the contracted scout torpedo build...

...many players have been practicing in earnest for weeks if not months.

Hardly required much practicing...

(...scurries back to troll-cave)

Yeah that confused me too... Don't you just point the U-Boats at the opponent?

Today's nerf of the contracted scout torpedo build...

...many players have been practicing in earnest for weeks if not months.

Hardly required much practicing...

(...scurries back to troll-cave)

Hel-Nah... you can walk at a leisurely pace... in fact don't even look back.

You can even put a little limp in one of your knees if you wanna, and jiggle some change in your pocket.

They should have just made deadeye unique, then you'd still have a use for a single uboat, just not multiple.

That's what I used to think (as a potential option), but then I tallied up the number of Deadeye cards I've accumulated - so I think I like this nerf better...

...however(!) I think they could have done a hybrid - not sure how the wording would need to go, but essentially unrestricted to Small ships, but can only be equipped on a single Large.

(perhaps "No other Large ship in your list/squad may equip this upgrade" or "Only 1 Large ship in your list/squad may equip this upgrade")

Also that prevents other small ships lists from popping up with multiple deadeye to be a new alpha strike menace.

I don't think small ships could offer the same threat level without the endurance or combos the Scout had.

Multiple varieties of Ion weapons and splash damage counter small ships more readily.

Nothing in the FAQ prevents someone from still playing U-Boats, or Jumpmasters in general. It's not like they have removed upgrade slots, made their dial less awesome, removed the turret, or increase their cost.

Even after this change to Deadeye, the Jumpmaster 5000 remains one of the best and cheapest ships in the game.

You cannot release your torpedoes without targeting someone anymore. So what? That doesn't kill the ship. It only makes it more challenging to play with ordnance.

I believe we will still see this build, perhaps altered in some wat to retain some of the insane action economy of the original.

Both Biggs and Deadeyed Jumpmasters were a problem. Biggs was the main reason Rebels have not got any significative X-Wing buff or any good astromech in the past years.

And the U-Boats were keeping most rebel ships on the shelves. And also most scum ships, because why bringing a Starviper, Kirhaxz, G1-A, etc... when you could instead bring a U-Boat?

Balancing perfectly is impossible. However, the mistake with making the Jumpmaster's upgrade bar being too diverse was so devastating to the health of the game that a FAQ patch had to be made, just like they did with the TIE Phantom.

It's not the first time they have reverted a FAQ entry. We might still see FFG fixing this problem in another way in the future.

In any case, this being a competitive game that soon will have half of its cards corrected or errata'ed, FFG or LFL should give in and release a pack with all errata'ed cards.

Or at least offer a high resolution version of them online that people can print and place in a sleeve on top of the original card.

Your post is well written.

So in professional Starcraft II, they only release major balance patches in the off season, not right before Blizzcon! FFG strengthens their reputation as perpetual amateurs in handling a competitive game.

We should all empathize with the Jumpmaster players. How will you feel when they utterly nerf X7 defenders and they are again unplayable in a tournament setting? Let's say this happens two weeks before worlds next year and you have been anticipating worlds for months. If trends continue, the next nerf will actually be the generic ghost. Perhaps they will make the generic unique so it is difficult to run double ghost.

FFG is a business, so it's just a fact that with every step they take, one of the first questions they ask is, How will this affect revenue? This is fine, it is the world we live in. In no way do you or I have to trust FFG in any way though.

Happily the Scyk fix will not be bundled with an unwanted epic ship

Hogwash. FFG is never going to be Blizzard. Nor will they be Wizards fo the Coast. The fact that there will never be hard cash in play changes things a LOT.

In any case, this being a competitive game that soon will have half of its cards corrected or errata'ed, FFG or LFL should give in and release a pack with all errata'ed cards.

Or at least offer a high resolution version of them online that people can print and place in a sleeve on top of the original card.

You know, I'm starting to agree with you on this too.

So, 18 upgrade cards is nearly half the cards now? Impressive.

And 6 rules as well, I guess.

Worlds is a bit more important than the regionals. Nerf should have been coming 4 weeks ago or after worlds.

Already are Jumpmasters and Deadeyes popping up at second hand sale sites.

Nice that they fix the Scyk, also it is the boring varaint of a fix.

So, 18 upgrade cards is nearly half the cards now? Impressive.

And 6 rules as well, I guess.

And I would argue that the vast majority of those aren't even Erratas just cleaning up of wording when they did a reprint.

The only real erratas are Tactician, Deadeye and Heavy Scyk Interceptor

So, 18 upgrade cards is nearly half the cards now? Impressive.

And 6 rules as well, I guess.

I said "corrected or errata'ed".

There are only 18 errata'ed cards, as in cards have had their text changed because the designers had no other choice.

However, the corrections don't end there. The "frequently asked questions" part of the FAQ lists many more cards that, due to their wording, require several paragraphs of explanations and re-interpretations. The designers didn't consider these cards as much in need of errata as others, but just read "Boba Fett" (Crew) FAQ entry and don't tell me a change of wording wouldn't remove the need of such a novella. Or how many gotchas there are on Biggs' ability.

It is a FAQ. Are the not supposed to answer questions that they have gotten a lot. Even very silly ones. The FAQ isn't just for competitive players.