With FFG starting to release fixes to characters, I have a hard time coming up with a good reason that the fixes would be faction dependent and not just figure dependent. For instance, with the upcoming fix to Vader, I was initially excited about a fixed Vader, fixed IG-88 combo, only to then realize that the IG-88 fix is Merc dependent and therefore can't be pulled into an Imperial deck. If the upgrades were made to be neutral but figure dependent still, said combo would be legal.

Perhaps this has been covered, but i haven't seen it anywhere. Why limit the fixes to a faction? I'd assume only speculation comes of this, but perhaps someone with some inside knowledge can explain haha.

The designers have many times explained that they want a certain "feel" or experience when playing the game and when they design a figure, especially a unique figure they want to capture attributes of that character in the play experience. For whatever reason, they felt IG should be leading an army of droids in his fix card as an independent character, and when he's hired as a mercenary through temporary alliance, he can still use the other card. There's an interview with the designers somewhere here on the board that you can listen to and they explain some of that.

If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say it has to do with what the the Imperial faction offers IG-88. Regular & elite Imperial Officers will scoot him all over the board & trigger multiple attacks. Being able to self-Focus for each attack (even out of his own activation), IG-88 immediately becomes the Imperials' best figure. (Incredibly better than AT-STs, which *should be* the Imperials most iconic hit-hard machine.) Also, with Zillo Technique, 15 health w/ a black defense die is going to be tough to whittle down.

Talking about this makes me want to try an Imperial List w/ IG-88, 2 eImpOfficers, CUTE MURDER DROID BT-1 and some eJetTroopers. I bet IG-88 works really good without Focused On The Kill for the Imperials with BT-1 adding to the damage output.

Edit: What @buckero0 said probably is closer to the truth.

I have heard some of that as well. I guess why I don't like that explanation is that it fits more in with campaign where there is a story line. The "fixes" don't even work in the campaign so I can't say I like them trying to force a group on a figure. I like the idea of IG-88 leading a bunch of droids as well and have already tried maximizing that, but the great part of the game is that a figure is usually not dependent on the group they "need" to have around them.

I appreciate your point though.

@cnemmick that is a solid point. And that is partially why I like the cross faction play haha.

my answer is probably the more politically correct answer, cnemmick is probably closer to the truth. There's a lot of balance issues that come from cross faction play. For a long time I've wanted Saska to work in skirmish because thematically, it makes more sense for a ragtag bunch of rebels to hire mercenaries (think New Hope hiring/paying Han, also think American Revolution and nearly ever war, if there's money some merc is going to try to get paid) but she is so self defeating that even her bloated point to health cost ratio probably keeps this from being a reality. However if she cost 4pts like Hera and didn't blow herself up when she threw her grenade, I bet you'd see her all over the place just to add Shara to a Rebel Brawler list or Bossk or eWeequay to a smuggler themed list, etc.

Take a look at the thread about Temporary Alliance.

2 hours ago, buckero0 said:

my answer is probably the more politically correct answer, cnemmick is probably closer to the truth. There's a lot of balance issues that come from cross faction play. For a long time I've wanted Saska to work in skirmish because thematically, it makes more sense for a ragtag bunch of rebels to hire mercenaries (think New Hope hiring/paying Han, also think American Revolution and nearly ever war, if there's money some merc is going to try to get paid) but she is so self defeating that even her bloated point to health cost ratio probably keeps this from being a reality. However if she cost 4pts like Hera and didn't blow herself up when she threw her grenade, I bet you'd see her all over the place just to add Shara to a Rebel Brawler list or Bossk or eWeequay to a smuggler themed list, etc.

Did you see my suggested Saska skirmish attachment fix in my latest document? I just now tweaked her because I didn't realize I left her a bit overpowered in my private playtesting notes.

Quote

Saska Teft (Cost: 6)

Shady Contacts is the real reason why Saska was made. But on the board, Saska really doesn't have a good role. She would benefit with a cost reduction to 5 or 4. If she stays at cost 6, she should be given abilities to let her fit into being a better skirmisher.

Unique Skirmish Attachment Card: Adaptive Smuggler (Saska Teft only)

Cost: 0

Increase Health +1.

Energy Shield: For the first attack declared on you in each round, add +2 BLOCK to your defensive results.

Improved Device: When you use Unstable Device, if you roll at least one SURGE, figures other than you additionally suffer 1 STRAIN.

I had her also adding a +1 DMG on top of what was rolled. That's way too much.

4 minutes ago, a1bert said:

Take a look at the thread about Temporary Alliance.

LOL, it looks like this:

I have not, but I am intrigued now haha.

The only bad thing about it, is that when fixes come for Han and Chewie, you can't use them with a Jabba list for some pre-ANH theme.

my preference would have been new deployment cards. or maybe just a new skirmish deployment (to keep the original for campaign balancing), but they don't pay me for my ideas.

I can get on board for attachments. If iconic characters fall below the power curve again, they can be updated fairly easily and be playable and fun.

However, I don't buy the argument that it's thematically better for IG-88 to be stronger as a merc. if he's worth 12 to the mercs with focused on the kill, then he's worth the same 12 on the power curve to the empire. I don't care that IG-88 would be the strongest imperial character at the moment (only 'til Vader's fix comes out). Bossk doesn't slack off when fighting for the imperials. IG-88 was one of the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy, but he's not focused (on the kill) when he takes a contract from the empire? Nope. it doesn't make sense. I haven't heard a satisfying reason yet why the fix should be tied to a faction.

8 hours ago, Fightwookies said:

IG-88 was one of the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy, but he's not focused (on the kill) when he takes a contract from the empire? Nope. it doesn't make sense.

Well, Vader did say no disintegrations. He wants them alive, apparently.

I don't like the detachment ideas because then it limits actual skirmish attachments like Motivation, On a Diplomatic Mission or Smuggler's Run on some of these figures, for some of these figures ie. Han, Chewie and Boba, a point decrease would really solve the problem and is not lazy (some figures just need rules fixed, but Han and Chewie especially, just need reduction to be useable in skirmish) Han at 7-8pts is really good

11 hours ago, General Zodd said:

Well, Vader did say no disintegrations. He wants them alive, apparently.

Well played sir.

4 hours ago, buckero0 said:

I don't like the detachment ideas because then it limits actual skirmish attachments like Motivation, On a Diplomatic Mission or Smuggler's Run on some of these figures, for some of these figures ie. Han, Chewie and Boba, a point decrease would really solve the problem and is not lazy (some figures just need rules fixed, but Han and Chewie especially, just need reduction to be useable in skirmish) Han at 7-8pts is really good

this. i wanted to use Prey on the Weak on the new version of IG-88. doing the fix as an attachment makes the character more powerful, but it also puts limitations on the figures.

Skirmish Upgrade Card - Not an attachment - Cost 0 - Daring Duo (or some other better name) - When deployed together, Han Solo and Chewbacca are now considered to be part of the same deployment group. Reduce each of their deployment costs by 3. Han Solo and Chewbacca may each have attachments.

2 fixes with 1 card and attachments are still allowed.

EDIT - If only FFG were able to incorporate equipment upgrades into the game. "You may spend 1 deployment point for 750 credits" or something to that effect. Force Pike on Wookiees baby!!!

Vader is half droid. So, cut his model in half, and included that half with your eJawa.

6 minutes ago, Mep said:

Vader is half droid. So, cut his model in half, and included that half with your eJawa.

"More Machine now than Man."

Better than half!

Maul's a Half.

@Drasnighta pffft. Only from a certain point of view. We all know the Jedi are evil, they always steal the high ground.

Isn't Maul scum from the get go?

6 minutes ago, Mep said:

@Drasnighta pffft. Only from a certain point of view. We all know the Jedi are evil, they always steal the high ground.

Isn't Maul scum from the get go?

Probably, but I was including him only as a comparison to "Half" since, he is basically halvsies.