My premise here is that canonized ships are priority in terms of being produced. Above that, ships that both fit the timeline of the galactic civil war, and also appear on screen, are the highest priority right now. This gives Rebels an insane advantage in terms of ships.

Imperials however, are down to one final ship. The Quasar. And even THAT is used mostly be the rebels since they captured it.

So where can we go from here?

A lot of us expect the Imperials to get the "MC-80" treatment by having a 2nd Imperial Star Destroyer expansion, with the ISD-1 physical model and a white paint job, to reflect the ISD's seen in Rogue One. There were even a few new Imperial leader names thrown around in that movie too, to fill in several characters and new commanders.

Thrawn might have more ships in the 7th fleet... and if so we can expect them to show up when Rebels kicks back in to the 2nd half of season 3... but I'd expect any new Imperial Ships not to show up until the season is nearly over. I expect the season finale to be a crushing defeat for the rebellion, and this would be a perfect time for Thrawn to show up with some new Star Destroyer.

So this gives us 3 possible top-tier options. The Quasar, an ISD1 repackage, and a possible new ship from Thrawn's 7th Fleet. (Big assumption here, since we have zero evidence that he is indeed hiding a new ship).

So what else is beyond this? Well the Finalizer of course, from The Force Awakens, but that is likely going to need to wait until Episode 8 comes out, because the Resistance will need some sort of counter to it. We also have a few new classes of Star Destroyer mentioned in the book "Catalyst", such as a Kaz class, and even a vague reference to a Dreadnaught that was finished in just one year.

Could the Dreadnaught be code for the Executor? I'd doubt that they built a Super Star Destroyer in just a single year. Dreadnought can be such a generic term, describing the classic dreadnaughts from the Katana fleet, or just an extremely large ship in general.

Maybe even Tarkin's Carrion Spike, it could be a ship with just one title, and have the title give some type of cloaking technology - perhaps all attacks are obstructed... or maybe a special type of obstruction, like remove TWO dice.

However my prediction is that the next ship to come out for Imperials AFTER the quasar, (or in addition to the Quasar, if we get a 4-ship wave) will be the Venator. Reason being, is that you see it on screen in Rebels, behind Tarkin during the 1st episode of season 3. According to the books there are still some Venators in service during the timeline of Rebels, plus it would be a huge fan service.

What do you think we are likely to see for the Imperial Ships?

If they make an ISD-1 pack with an alt paint scheme and new upgrades and stuff I would probably purchase one.

The Nebulon B2 will probably happen at some point, because FFG has art for it and they love to recycle their art across Star Wars product lines.

They could do a CR92a Assassin class corvette also, which FFG also has art of in one of the RPG books.

I wouldn't exclude a Venator completely, as the Empire needs another large base ship, but I'm nor sure what it would bring that an ISD doesn't have. Maybe same squadron value for cheaper with less killy? Dunno.

A Tector could be a large ship also, but I think that's a bit of a reach.

Does the Empire really need any new ships though? There's a reason that the ISD is so omnipresent.

I would buy multiple ISD-1s in the Rogue One white paint scheme.

My guess, though, is that they wouldn't update the bridge module and would just repaint the ISD-2 already released.

The Quasar Fire is a shoo-in for the next wave. I expect a 4-ship wave, but I'm not 100% sure on that. So I'm expecting the quasar and the Venator.

Problem is, the quasar is mostly used by the rebels. From a theme standpoint, it's a little odd that way. On the other hand, so the rebels even need another small-base carrier after the Pelta?

Maybe they could make it an imperial ship with a title that lets the rebels use one.

Does the Empire really need any new ships though? There's a reason that the ISD is so omnipresent.

Yes... Yes they do.

And I totally get that the Empire uses ISD's everywhere. Totally get it.

However for gameplay balance, you can't just say "Ok the Empire is done. Rebels get new stuff every 6 months for the next 6 years but the Empire is done. That just doesn't work. Empire is gonna need new ships just as often as the Rebels. That DOES make it hard from a fluff perspective, but I'm fine with it. There are enough triangular ships that will still look thematic.

And for the ISD-1 reprint - I actually expect it to be a whole new ship. Slightly smaller than the ISd2 model. Bridge, slightly different hull configuration as well. These can be "Defensive" Star Destroyers, or "Prototype" Star Destroyers. I'd expect their cards, and titles to be unique to this particular ship expansion, so no swapping over titles with the original ISD. This gives a real opportunity for the Empire as well......

Make them weaker Star Destroyers. It could be thematic to give them high squadron values, but give them less offense and much less speed than the ISD2. Also make them cheaper. If they are somewhere around 80-90 points, you would be WAY more likely to see more thematic looking lists showing up on the table, with 2 or 3 ISDs showing up more often. heck, if they are 80 points you could possibly see 4. Just make them weaker to compensate. The challenge is to find a way to do that without making the Victory obsolete. I think it is doable, and would be awesome if they could pull it off.

I would be absolutely shocked if they did a whole new ISD model.

Frankly, I'd be surprised (and thrilled) to even get the white repaint of the existing ISD.

I will take your optimism to heart though and look forward to my Rogue One ISD later this year.

Do the imperials even have another ship that would work for a large base? Interdictor not being a large base threw me off because i totally expected that to be one.

The only other large ships i know of for the Imps are simply too big for the game.

i imagine the ISD-1 would happen purely because of that notion.

Does the Empire really need any new ships though? There's a reason that the ISD is so omnipresent.

Yes... Yes they do.

And I totally get that the Empire uses ISD's everywhere. Totally get it.

However for gameplay balance, you can't just say "Ok the Empire is done. Rebels get new stuff every 6 months for the next 6 years but the Empire is done. That just doesn't work. Empire is gonna need new ships just as often as the Rebels. That DOES make it hard from a fluff perspective, but I'm fine with it. There are enough triangular ships that will still look thematic.

And for the ISD-1 reprint - I actually expect it to be a whole new ship. Slightly smaller than the ISd2 model. Bridge, slightly different hull configuration as well. These can be "Defensive" Star Destroyers, or "Prototype" Star Destroyers. I'd expect their cards, and titles to be unique to this particular ship expansion, so no swapping over titles with the original ISD. This gives a real opportunity for the Empire as well......

Make them weaker Star Destroyers. It could be thematic to give them high squadron values, but give them less offense and much less speed than the ISD2. Also make them cheaper. If they are somewhere around 80-90 points, you would be WAY more likely to see more thematic looking lists showing up on the table, with 2 or 3 ISDs showing up more often. heck, if they are 80 points you could possibly see 4. Just make them weaker to compensate. The challenge is to find a way to do that without making the Victory obsolete. I think it is doable, and would be awesome if they could pull it off.

I think your 80-90 point weaker slower star destroyer is called the VSD.

I'm just hoping for the Imperial Nebulon B2. ^{and SSD of course}

Do the imperials even have another ship that would work for a large base? Interdictor not being a large base threw me off because i totally expected that to be one.

The only other large ships i know of for the Imps are simply too big for the game.

i imagine the ISD-1 would happen purely because of that notion.

http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars/images/0/0a/Pretor_mkII.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/2000?cb=20120425001005

There's no question that the Imperials will get new ships alongside the Rebels. Yes, it's more thematic for them to use ISDs all over the place. But, quite apart from the fact that Imperial players wouldn't be thrilled to see their opposition get new ships whilst they get nothing, it wouldn't make business sense for FFG.

I think we'll almost definitely see the Quasar as a dedicated Carrier ship. It could possibly even get a fleet support icon (although I think it unlikely). The main role we see it in in the TV series is supporting the Rebels, but it was stolen from the Imperials, and is therefore primarily an Imperial ship. I doubt we'll see an option for the Rebels to take it, nor do I think they need one - the Rebel fleet isn't exactly short of quality carriers.

Apart from that it's anybody's guess - I don't think the Tector or the Venator are bad shouts, but I struggle to see what either would bring that the Imperials don't already have. This I think is a key problem for the Imperials - thematically, the Rebels had to use a lot of different types of ships (since they'd fly anything they can get their hands on). On the board, this gives them a lot of options, and a lot of different gameplay styles. By comparison, the Imperials are somewhat hampered by the uniformity of the ship designs we see in the films and TV series.

Vindicators would be nice to see.

Do the imperials even have another ship that would work for a large base? Interdictor not being a large base threw me off because i totally expected that to be one.

The only other large ships i know of for the Imps are simply too big for the game.

i imagine the ISD-1 would happen purely because of that notion.

They could use the Preator II, though it's not cannon it would be very badass to field.

http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars/images/0/0a/Pretor_mkII.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/2000?cb=20120425001005

It looks **** cool if nothing else.

Vindicators would be nice to see.

This I can see happening. Longer and thinner than the Gladiator, I can see it being a similar size, but with more emphasis on the broadside.

....

I think your 80-90 point weaker slower star destroyer is called the VSD.

I'm just hoping for the Imperial Nebulon B2. ^{and SSD of course}

Right the VSD is both thematic and cheaper.... BUT - It doesn't solve the problem that we need a steady stream of new ships coming into the game. Again, they can't just simply say "Ok the Empire is done".

And yes, of course a rise of Super Star Destroyers would be absolutely amazing. I especially want the Eclipse.

I think the Imps need something along the lines of the Liberty, another large base ship that is used almost EXCLUSIVELY for its forward guns, and not its squadron value. Tector would fit this role, but FFG is then in a tough spot because it looks almost exactly like the ISD 2. The only other options would be the romodled ISD 1, or the venator (which would go against fluff as they are carriers).. but the empire definitely doesn't need another carrier with the Vic, ISD, gozanti, and most likely quasar fire all operating as quality carriers. I think neither faction should focus on squadron-centered ships for a while, and put the focus back on capital ship firepower

Does the current Star Destroyer expansion represent that ship as adequately as any other expansion represents its own ship? Absolutely.

But this isn't any ship, it's the Imperial-class Star Destroyer. The icon of Imperial firepower. All these more obscure SDs mentioned--Tectors, Venators-- are roles I'd rather see filled by new ISDs. The ISD3, the ISD4, new titles, that sort of thing. It's out of line with what FFG does for other ships, but again, this isn't any other ship.

Virtually every Imperial fleet of significance that we see in canon uses ISDs as the backbone, so it feels wrong for the ISD to eventually get displaced on the table by a weird menagerie of newer expansions. Let's keep it a versatile and effective all purpose ship of the line, so it earns a place in all kinds of fleets. Put a new model or paintjob in the box if that justifies it.

They should just include new ISD titles in every new Imperial box.

Obvious choices are:

• Quasar Fire, as noted in the OP. I'd assume small-base, considerably less firepower than a Gladiator-class, with a much higher squadron command value.
• Venator-class. These were seen in Imperial colors at the end of 'Episode III', so it works from an 'on-screen canon' perspective. What would these be like? Well, again, sort of like the Quasar Fire...take an existing ship (Victory, in this case) and neuter its direct attack value while boosting its squadron command. If the Imperials would ever get a 'rapid launch bays' upgrade - either this or the Quasar Fire would be the ship for it.
• Star Destroyer variants (IMHO, these are all a bit unlikely, but I wouldn't complain about any of them. Mostly they would all just be more copies of the ISD with new commanders and upgrades, so...kind of a stretch, given those could just as easily come in a campaign pack.)
  • ISD-I slight model change (bridge and engines) and repaint in 'Rogue One' colors... please, please, please, please, please.
  • Although you can BARELY see it in the episodes it has appeared to date, Thrawn's ISD in 'Rebels' actually has its own paintscheme - detailing on the bottom of it...
    
  • The Tector-class. POSSIBLY the most likely candidate for a new model, as it would have obvious characteristic differences between the ISD-I and ISD-II (lower squadron rating, for one...possibly more crew or other upgrade slots?)

Venator makes a lot of sense, given that it's a recognizable ship from the movies. I'd love to see it.

I agree with the breakdown of the Quasar. We're bound to see it, but given it's origins in Legends as a rebel ship and the fact that it's stolen by the rebels... it makes sense in the context of the game as Imperial but could cause confusion.

I'm all for the Carrion Spike, especially given that it shows up again in the Poe Dameron comic. It's one of the few ships that crosses over into every era of Star Wars canon. Trick will be coming up with a stealth mechanic.

One of the problems the Imperials have always had is that their vessel design is very monolithic. How many different variations of space wedges can there be and still be interesting? The most likely choices I think are the Venator and Acclimator before we star seeing episode 7 ships. I could see the Venator being a carrier large base and an Acclamator would probably just be the midpoint between the Victory and the Gladiator. Honestly, between points costs and upgrade availability I don't doubt FFG could make everything interesting to use so I'm not too worried about ships overlapping certain roles.

Alternatively we could see an entire Dreadnought wave which would be awesome. Assault Frigate MkI for the rebels and the Dreadnought for the Imperials (considering that that the AFII exists, that means some iteration of the MKI has to exist in canon).

I really don't see why the quasar model can't be multi faction & use card to differ, if indeed the 2 factions do differ.

The commando carrier from the x wing game is a cool looking ship. I'd also favour the vindicator and the now non-canon smaller interdictor. And of course Executor & Eclipse.

I would like:

Imps

Executor-class

Tector-class

Carrack-class

Qaz-class (a deliberately wide-open design space)

Quasar Fire-class (should hold more squadrons than the 10! that Home One brings for the Rebels. Of course, we should also get full blown carrier rules; launching/recovering, hangar space, etc. The Squadron value for ships is more like "flight control" capability than "storage space".

Rebels:

Hammerhead corvette

MC75 cruiser

Marauder-class corvette

Braha'tok-class gunship

They should just include new ISD titles in every new Imperial box.

FWIW, something like that could be the easiest path forward.

IE., have a 'Rogue One' box, for instance, which maybe includes some few new minis for the U-Wing and TIE Striker, but then new base tiles and ship cards for ISDs, CR90s, and Nebulon-Bs, with some new titles, Commanders and other upgrades.

Ditto a 'Lothal Rebellion' box - titles for the Chimera and Thrawn as a Commander, more CR90 titles and a Rebel Commander. etc

Not sure FFG would be willing to do that, but otherwise...geez, no idea how they'd plan to get all the major Imperial characters we've seen along the way into the game, as they all seem to be onboard Star Destroyers and nothing else...

I don't have high hopes for Episode VIII to add much in Imperial Ships, but I do have high hopes for the Han Solo movies to add in additional ships for imperials.

I think Venator's are the next step we will see.

I don't have high hopes for Episode VIII to add much in Imperial Ships, but I do have high hopes for the Han Solo movies to add in additional ships for imperials.

I think Venator's are the next step we will see.

Still waiting for the Victory-class to become 'on-screen canon', myself, which if the Han Solo movie even passingly involves the Corporate Sector... HAD BETTER HAPPEN!