I'd been pretty sure that wave 7 was going to be the MC75 (which we got) and the TFA/TLJ Resurgent-class (which we didn't), as while it was clear Thrawn was an important fan favorite, it seemed inconceivable that FFG would do a repaint release for Armada capital ships, given "retail realities" - IE., shelf space concerns, concerns on cannibalizing sales of an existing model, etc. It seems FFG did try to blunt at least a bit of that by this not being only a 'repaint release' - the inclusion of the Mandalorian fighters makes sense from a marketing perspective as a way to distinguish the kit. But it was still unexpected. However...it does show an open door.

What could this mean for the future? Notably, wave 8?

Well, I still think the Resurgent-class is coming soon, but a common criticism in the threads where I suggested that was 'FFG wouldn't release new trilogy ships for one faction without the other'. That didn't seem certain to me at the time, but maybe it is their deciding factor after all. It seemed a problematic position to take, though, given the destruction of the (unseen) New Republic fleet in Episode 7...left us with no possible ships. After all, the only ship we know the Resistance still has is Ackbar's Home One...and FFG would never re-release the same model twice, so...or, well, things changed, didn't they?

So here's one possibility from this new 'repaints are okay' world we are living in:

Wave 8

• Resurgent-class Star Destroyer ('Finalizer' title, General Hux commander)
• MC80 ?Hosnian Refit? or ?Resistance Refit? or something like that ('Home One' title, Admiral Holdo commander) Edit to be clear: I'm assuming this to be more than the ISD refits, which were just slight variants on the existing types. Here I'm thinking something more like...major overhaul. Upgrade engines to speed 3, add a point of shields all around, add attack dice somewhere, and give at least one version the Fleet Command slot. But still the same MC80 'Home One' model...just a new paintjob for it.

Other possibilities about, though - I'd love to see a CR90 in Phoenix Squadron blue. Or the Quasar Fire in Rebel colors, with a pair of U-Wing squadrons? Hmmm...possibilities!

I don't necessarily see it as a precedent of things to come... I think its a wonderful exception that has been fantstically executed given what it is... I don't like the core concept of it, but I can at least admit that, of all the ones that could have been done, I'm glad it was this one.

Nothing else so far just seems "worthy" enough to get the treatment than the flagship of the 7th fleet, though... It has the exception of both the desire to be made with its commander, and a variant canon-on paint scheme.

I know that things don't have to be canon. But I do feel that, essentially, there's very little out that there that otherwise makes it worthyof getting the refit treatment like that - no matter how much we may desire Engine Techs on a Victory SD.

Rather not have sequel trilogy stuff at all. Gladiators with blue instead of black dice? Yes please. Or even black flak oriented glads.

I don't think there are necessarily other 'repaint' possibilities - but there are such things existing in the canon as:

- 'Wingless' Liberty Type Mon Cal Cruisers (Exactly what it sounds like)

- VSD Refits, including one with grav well generators

These might be other ways to bring in different 'refit' cards with newish models

Well.... Considering the timing of wave 7s supposed release... I think it's definitely a plausible possibility that wave 8 will be TFA era ships.... it all depends on what's in TLJ. If there's a capital ship for the resistance, I'd bet on it. If not. It seems unlikely.

I think it's too early to tell.

I tend to question FFGs intentions as much if not more than most. They've burnt me out of X-Wing with all the repaints and special cards packaged behind huge paywalls. So I get suspicious and worried.

This may be a one time thing for Armada, and if so, it's great. I like everything about it.

However, there are a couple disturbing potential trends from it. Repainting ships to release new versions of it at the same price point is pretty lame. One, there is far less development cost for FFG, yet they still charge the full price. Beyond that, if people already have the max amount of that model they want or could ever field, then the new model puts them past that and some plastic you paid for never sees a table again.

The other potential game changer is packaging fighters with capital ships. Buying multiple fighter packs to get the squads you need is one thing since they are $20/piece retail. Buying multiple $50 sets to get the same amount of fighters that you want...well, that's a bit different.

I'm hoping both of these are a one time, limited event.

14 minutes ago, Darth Sanguis said:

Well.... Considering the timing of wave 7s supposed release... I think it's definitely a plausible possibility that wave 8 will be TFA era ships.... it all depends on what's in TLJ. If there's a capital ship for the resistance, I'd bet on it. If not. It seems unlikely.

Well this shot from the trailer is supposedly Home One's hangar, so....

I really like the idea of releasing new classes for existing ships, how they do that is another matter. Still hoping for a raider with a redirect.

Maybe they recycle the rebel medium ship. So all rebel mediums are that, all imp large are isds. Forever. Also: Luke skywalker boarding party: "remove a darth vader card from the ship"

The Nebulon was prominent in Rogue One. I'd love to get some love for that ship.

6 minutes ago, Kristjan said:

I really like the idea of releasing new classes for existing ships, how they do that is another matter. Still hoping for a raider with a redirect.

And red dice to match the trc alt art card.

2 minutes ago, TallGiraffe said:

And red dice to match the trc alt art card.

::subsquently Wins words, grants a title card to the raider that changes one blue in each facing to a Red... Deliberately omits the addition of a turbolaser slot as a troll... ::

1 minute ago, Drasnighta said:

::subsquently Wins words, grants a title card to the raider that changes one blue in each facing to a Red... Deliberately omits the addition of a turbolaser slot as a troll... ::

Would still use it. Mini Glads.

Agreeing with the idea that this is a unique case.

Firstly, because it's a unique on-screen alternate paint scheme.

Secondly, because it was a way to give the Empire another large ship, without weakening the prevalence of the ISD. It makes sense for Rebels to have 3 different large ships, but not for the Empire - so, have your cake and eat it too, alternate stats for the existing ship.

34 minutes ago, svelok said:

Agreeing with the idea that this is a unique case.

Firstly, because it's a unique on-screen alternate paint scheme.

Secondly, because it was a way to give the Empire another large ship, without weakening the prevalence of the ISD. It makes sense for Rebels to have 3 different large ships, but not for the Empire - so, have your cake and eat it too, alternate stats for the existing ship.

Good points. Especially the prevalence of the ISD.

I always thought repaints were a good idea and I'm really happy with the way its been done. chimera looks like a really good expansion.

There is a lot of scope for such things.

Honestly, I'm disappointed by the release so far. Don't care for the rebel design and while I wasn't totally against a repaint for Thrawn, by putting it on the dorsal hull they not only issued a repainted model, but made it wrong. (so it could be seen, I know...but it's still wrong)
I am half expecting two more ships to still be revealed for this wave, similar to a wave or two in the past, so we'll see. However, having read some of the comments here, I would propose the answer of "something big" is staring us in the face...

A new "core" set is coming for Armada.

Now now, here me out. I think they're going to do an Armada version of exactly what they did with X-Wing. A new "core" set with ships and upgrade cards set in the New Order era. As has been pointed out, the "working on" would drop it in line with the new film, and this would provide a score of new ship designs (and refits/upgrades on older ships) to add to the game.
Any thoughts?

--edit--
This could also see the issue/reissue of models with totally new paint schemes. With the bulk of the New Republic fleet destroyed, they may very well have to press old Imperial ships into service, or call up system fleets of tremendously varied designs. We could end up seeing quite a few repaints coming. Though I hope not.

38 minutes ago, Arowmund said:

Honestly, I'm disappointed by the release so far. Don't care for the rebel design and while I wasn't totally against a repaint for Thrawn, by putting it on the dorsal hull they not only issued a repainted model, but made it wrong. (so it could be seen, I know...but it's still wrong)

Well, of course it was done "wrong" - as it is canonically painted on the belly, it'd be largely invisible on the miniature. So FFG made the decision to tweak canon slightly as they are wont to do for the good of their game, which I feel was the correct choice. There would be little point in giving us the Chimera if we couldn't visually tell it apart, after all, and can you imagine the outcry that would have occurred if we were given Thrawn with a ship that just plain doesn't make sense for him?

I'm pretty supportive of the choice to release a repainted ISD with a ton of support for the quintessential Imperial capital ship, as part of the reason I enjoy Armada so much is how thematic the space battles look at feel - and there's nothing more thematic than an Imperial player using Star Destroyers. Anything that gives incentives for that to happen is a win in my book!

Victory reprint

2 hours ago, Diabloelmo said:

Well, of course it was done "wrong" - as it is canonically painted on the belly, it'd be largely invisible on the miniature. So FFG made the decision to tweak canon slightly as they are wont to do for the good of their game, which I feel was the correct choice. There would be little point in giving us the Chimera if we couldn't visually tell it apart, after all, and can you imagine the outcry that would have occurred if we were given Thrawn with a ship that just plain doesn't make sense for him?

Well, FWIW, based on the box art - the Chimaera does appear to have its bottom painted, too.

Which is an interesting question - as I recall from the times we've seen the Chimaera on Rebels, it's always been the bottom view. Have we ever seen it from the top to know it's not painted there, as FFG's model is? (Although, to be fair, perhaps we shouldn't read too much into 'what the top looks like' on the giraffe-class Star Destroyer)

16 minutes ago, xanderf said:

Well, FWIW, based on the box art - the Chimaera does appear to have its bottom painted, too.

Which is an interesting question - as I recall from the times we've seen the Chimaera on Rebels, it's always been the bottom view. Have we ever seen it from the top to know it's not painted there, as FFG's model is? (Although, to be fair, perhaps we shouldn't read too much into 'what the top looks like' on the giraffe-class Star Destroyer)

You see it side on a few times - 90% of the time, the Top is Washed out, because that is where the light source is, so you can't really make out many details.

5 hours ago, xero989 said:

Victory reprint

If we ever do get a third faction of 'Independent Systems', I imagine we'll get a new base tile and cards for the Victory-class (it was popular with third parties - notably the Corporate Sector Authority)...but I can't imagine a repaint for it.

That'd be a real good spot for a repaint CR90 and Nebulon-B, though. A la X-Wing's "Most Wanted" pack (repaint Y-Wing and repaint Z-95, new base plates and cards for the Firespray, HWK-290, and an extra Y-Wing besides) - include a few base tokens for the ships in common use across factions, and repaints of a handful of models that were HEAVILY used by third parties...

Painted squadrons: for us too lazy/clumsy to paint small bits

I always thought they would do pretty much exactly what the chimaera expansion is, but as an 'emperors guard' ISD with a big red Isd and red plastic tie interceptors, and include palpatine, emperors guards and all his flunkies. Probly a long way off if ever now, but i can see emps guard being a good basis for an expansion.

Alderaan cruiser! a.k.a the blue striped CR90 from star wars rebels.

Errant Venture!!!! \o/