Generics - looks like folks are underwhelmed by non-menacing Phantoms?

Aces/Uniques?

I know the cards have been spoiled but I can't make a determination until I have cards in hand (I have no idea. Must be some kind of Sith ritual for me.)

Will Rieekan be the new OP?

I think Imps won this in both CC and wave 5 squads, and the selling point are the Aces. Some really great, solid abilities. And Lambda with Relay 2 and Strategic. Stellar value for 15 points on 6 hull.

Imps get rebel style aces, more along the lines of super solos. Rebels seems to get some much needed squadron synergies previously found in imperial squadrons.

Are Imp Aces as good as rebel aces, i do not think so. Is the rebel synergy build as good as Imp dengar howlrunner tie INT combos... no. But they are close and thats what matters.

Going down the list:

CC:

Rebels get Biggs, Ten, Wexley, who all do AOE stuff and will be significant. Shara becomes a fantastic Bomber hunter.

Imps get Jonus, Rudor as game changers. Cienna becomes a top bomber hunter. Unsure of the Advanced ace usefulness.

Gold squad is the one rebel veteran highlight. The other three are still good.

Imperial veterans are all solid but unexceptional. Black squad gets a bonus for being hilariously suicidal. Tempest is Imperials getting a unique Xwing.

Wave 5:

Lambdas and VCX are a wash. Imperis get better relay, but the Rebels get a better fighter. Both uniques are amazing.

Decimator looks impressive but I feel will be less epic than people expect. Same for the Shadowcaster. Both uniques are hard for me to judge.

Ewings and Defenders are both upgraded (gameplay wise) Xwings. I think Defenders get the esge but Sbipe May surprise me. I.p ave is better here.

Comparing Z95s to Phantom is comparing apples and oranges. I don't actually see either being more than a few squads snuck i to a bigger screen and neither being game changers.

Overall, I see the squads as a wash. Both sides get a lot of options. I think the CC aces are the bigger meta changers than the squad packs.

Norra Wexley.

Norra Wexley won wave 5.

Norra Wexley.

Norra Wexley won wave 5.

Norra Wexley will bring something really good for the Rebel squadron but we have to keep in mind that Major Rhymer and some of is stooge with some Tie-Defenders will certainly be something powerfull too (in distance 1-5 of a flotilla with BCC).

Generics - looks like folks are underwhelmed by non-menacing Phantoms?

Aces/Uniques?

I know the cards have been spoiled but I can't make a determination until I have cards in hand (I have no idea. Must be some kind of Sith ritual for me.)

Will Rieekan be the new OP?

Rieekan has always been good lol, just like the 20-pointer Dodonna.

I'm not going to go super long because I have an article coming out for this, but the big standout for me right now on Rebels is Ketsu Onyo. She's a meta-changer because he's a direct counter to Dengar's intel and Imperial maneuverability. Pinning down Rebel squadrons when they already move like molasses is another huge one. 4 Hull with Scatter and Brace and a crap ton of Escorts is Dengar level suitability as well. She's also 22 points which is why I think

For Imperials, Jendon looks quite good on paper, but you're essentially paying 20 points to have someone double-tap in the squadron phase and he has to take up one of the squadrons. I don't think from a squadron perspective, anyone comes screaming out at me. Marrek Steele at 21 points feels like a good deal to me, same with Valen Rudor for 13 (3 blacks and cannot be attack what).

As for ships, I see value in both. In the Phoenix Home, you now have a fleet-providing carrier that's not the MKII or MC80, but I'm dubious on missing out on the titles or durability. I do like the Imp light cruiser though. Needa + TRC makes it a more interesting MC30c that can prow the flanks and still do good damage, but the best things about that package comes in the cards. Blast doors is great for giving the MC80 AC more life and Tua gives the ISD and VSD some new legs. Not to mention the commander is pretty sharp, LOLGETIT?!

As for Sato, I'm not entirely too sold. He wants fast squadrons so he can get his ability into play ASAP, but when they get intercepted, or the squadrons die, or your opponent is playing a longer-ranged game, this just might not happen. At that point he becomes a 32 point blank card and I'm not sure I'm OK with that.

I am just loving my new Magnificent 7 Rieekan Aces...

Ketsu Onyo - 22pts

Corran Horn - 22pts

Luke Skywalker - 20pts

Wedge Antilles - 19pts

Biggs Darklighter - 19pts

Jan Ors - 19pts

YT-1300 - 13pts

Total - 134pts

The YT sits next to Jan and soaks up all the Biggs damage, Ketsu keeps them from running away, Corran snipes from the back, and the Trench boys DO WORK!!!

...and after they get done farming squads, they get to go on bombing runs!!!

@itzSteve... haha... I need to come up with Hateful Eight now...

@itzSteve... haha... I need to come up with Hateful Eight now...

LOL...wouldn't they all just kill themselves? Also, you would need to keep the 9th one hidden...

Yeah, I think Rieekan was the winner. Not that he needed the boost, but we'll see how it shakes out.

I feel rebels have a winning formula in the Mass Fighter bombers/Jan

Rebel stuff released is incremental to assisting with that.

Imperial stuff wasn't cutting it but they picked up some new answers to try.

Based off that, I think Imperials Won.

Kallus is the real winner here

I think the highlight is ketsu. She is a direct counter to Intel, she can stop targets from running away or she can jump in slowing down an attack or separating squadrons from their carriers. With scatter she has a lot of survivability even before rieekan comes into play.

Norra Wexley.

Norra Wexley won wave 5.

This accurately depicts my analysis of all Wave 5 materials as well. Gives all rebel bombers a +1 dmg in early attacks. I'll take that all day versus Rhymer.

Norra Wexley.

Norra Wexley won wave 5.

This accurately depicts my analysis of all Wave 5 materials as well. Gives all rebel bombers a +1 dmg in early attacks. I'll take that all day versus Rhymer.

Bold claims

Especially considering that one is significantly easier to intercept and lockdown vs. bombing at long range.

Norra Wexley.

Norra Wexley won wave 5.

This accurately depicts my analysis of all Wave 5 materials as well. Gives all rebel bombers a +1 dmg in early attacks. I'll take that all day versus Rhymer.

Bold claims

Especially considering that one is significantly easier to intercept and lockdown vs. bombing at long range.

Unless dropped off by a ship using Rapid Launchers!

Bount and the Z95 won wave 5.

Bount and the Z95 won wave 5.

If you're taking Z95s as anything other than a token fighter screen or points filler, you might as well take squadrons that don't suck

All squadrons lost because I now have Flechette Torpedoes.

Bount and the Z95 won wave 5.

If you're taking Z95s as anything other than a token fighter screen or points filler, you might as well take squadrons that don't suck

Not true at all. 3 red with 2 rerolls is actually much more reliable than one thinks for a very cheap point total. Killing 4-5 HP squads with one attack is no joke.

Bount and the Z95 won wave 5.

If you're taking Z95s as anything other than a token fighter screen or points filler, you might as well take squadrons that don't suck

Not true at all. 3 red with 2 rerolls is actually much more reliable than one thinks for a very cheap point total. Killing 4-5 HP squads with one attack is no joke.

Yes agree they are very well priced, rolling five red dice is a pretty reliable way of putting through damage.

Bount and the Z95 won wave 5.

If you're taking Z95s as anything other than a token fighter screen or points filler, you might as well take squadrons that don't suck

Not true at all. 3 red with 2 rerolls is actually much more reliable than one thinks for a very cheap point total. Killing 4-5 HP squads with one attack is no joke.

Bount and the Z95 won wave 5.

If you're taking Z95s as anything other than a token fighter screen or points filler, you might as well take squadrons that don't suck

Not true at all. 3 red with 2 rerolls is actually much more reliable than one thinks for a very cheap point total. Killing 4-5 HP squads with one attack is no joke.

Yeah, they're the one squadron in those packs I'm curious to try in numbers. 5 and Blount are an absurd 49 points. That's ridiculously cheap for something that can pump out up to 36 points of anti-squadron damage. Now whether I can tolerate the drastic ups and downs in their use is another story...

Bount and the Z95 won wave 5.

If you're taking Z95s as anything other than a token fighter screen or points filler, you might as well take squadrons that don't suck

Not true at all. 3 red with 2 rerolls is actually much more reliable than one thinks for a very cheap point total. Killing 4-5 HP squads with one attack is no joke.

Yeah, they're the one squadron in those packs I'm curious to try in numbers. 5 and Blount are an absurd 49 points. That's ridiculously cheap for something that can pump out up to 36 points of anti-squadron damage. Now whether I can tolerate the drastic ups and downs in their use is another story...

Exactly!! More crazy red dice for rebels!! I'm also excited to try them more than I have so far.