Imagine, if you will, a game where the developers introduced a few questionable products in earlier releases, due to a long development cycle and playtesting problems. These products have warped the gamestate into an escalation of arms. The problems then multiplied when future releases with their delayed reaction time and the game has reached a state of growing frustration from many players, especially players of one faction, which was seemingly dealt the worst hand in recent FAQ-s.

Then new releases come and the problem parts of the game same to be expanded upon, with new directions and capabilities, while the weakest faction gets lackluster releases. Nothing powerful or meta warping, just the usual stuff. Decent. None of them becomes the automatic best choice in the game as soon as they hit the shelves.

Now imagine that the developers of this game actually know about the problems, but due to many reasons, their hands are tied about the time of release for many of these solutions.

Now imagine the reason behind one faction getting healthy mechanics that work well with the faction without warping the meta, is the same reason the other factions are getting products with a similar role and function as the problematic ones.

Imagine that there is a plan to this all, and that the developers are not in complete control of their release schedule...

Why are the rebels getting access to two new bombers? Maybe because the problems are about to be dialed down. Maybe there are things in the way that will change the gamestate into a healthier one, and that's why imperials aren't broken.

I don't think there is any doubt that FFG is not always in control of the release schedule. The Silencer and Resistance Bomber are perfect examples for a TiE-in product.

That should never be a source of major concern, though. They are sometimes slow to react, but they have shown repeatedly that they do listen and a lot of developers do care. Granted, they do not hit the mark 100% of the time, but they also don't overreact or rush, which, as Warmachine can show us, can be just as destructive.

37 minutes ago, RufusDaMan said:

Imagine, if you will, a game where the developers introduced a few questionable products in earlier releases, due to a long development cycle and playtesting problems. These products have warped the gamestate into an escalation of arms. The problems then multiplied when future releases with their delayed reaction time and the game has reached a state of growing frustration from many players, especially players of one faction, which was seemingly dealt the worst hand in recent FAQ-s.

Imagine if you will, a game where players acknowledge that some questionable products had be released in earlier waves, and simply avoided using those products as the basis for everything they played so that they could WAAC in a tournament.

The game would unwarp immediately, and everyone could go back to enjoying one of the best games to come along in quite awhile, where x-wings and TIE fighters rule the space lanes.

5 hours ago, Darth Meanie said:

Imagine if you will, a game where players acknowledge that some questionable products had be released in earlier waves, and simply avoided using those products as the basis for everything they played so that they could WAAC in a tournament.

The game would unwarp immediately, and everyone could go back to enjoying one of the best games to come along in quite awhile, where x-wings and TIE fighters rule the space lanes.

That I can't imagine.

1 minute ago, Stoneface said:

That I can't imagine.

Even if you could convince everyone that some things are too broken to use, it would be impossible to get everybody to agree where to draw the line.

9 minutes ago, LordBlades said:

Even if you could convince everyone that some things are too broken to use, it would be impossible to get everybody to agree where to draw the line.

In truth, you actually don't get people to agree on anything. A social contact evolves over time, and the rules are unwritten. Offenders are kindly reminded of transgressions and repeat offenders are ostracized.

Unfortunately, it just never works when swag and/or money are on the line.

Unless you meant where to draw the Blue Line. That goes right down the middle of the C-ROC, of course. EVERYBODY agrees on that.

From a casual point of view, the game isn't broken at all, at least in my area. On any open night you'll find all factions, many strange builds and guys having fun. Yeah, you'll see bombs on occasion along with 3 Upsilons, 1300 and 2400 paired up with the odd crew combo but little if anything that can be identified as meta.

It's only when competition rears its hooded head does the meta reveal itself. That's why I get a little ticked when I read all these "fix" ideas. Whether they will fix the meta is open to debate but it surely will hurt casual play.

18 minutes ago, Stoneface said:

From a casual point of view, the game isn't broken at all, at least in my area. On any open night you'll find all factions, many strange builds and guys having fun. Yeah, you'll see bombs on occasion along with 3 Upsilons, 1300 and 2400 paired up with the odd crew combo but little if anything that can be identified as meta.

It's only when competition rears its hooded head does the meta reveal itself. That's why I get a little ticked when I read all these "fix" ideas. Whether they will fix the meta is open to debate but it surely will hurt casual play.

With my group even then, the only time you'll see a proper meta list on the tourney table is when they are practicing for knowledge in regionals or from the imperial guys, because limited options. You'll see elements, but there's always a twist.

(And i've got to admit i'm probably the worst offender with double VCX)