So, on the Zion's Finest slack channel, we got into a discussion about whether the meta is too restrictive. That got people to talking about how many figures were played at Worlds. We came up with:

In Top 16:
Rebels: ERangers, Han w/RS, Chewbacca w/WA, Drokatta, Jedi Luke, Ahsoka, Hera, Gideon, 3P0, R2-D2, MHD, rSmuggler, Jyn, Mak, Rebel High Command, Balance of the Force, On a Diplomatic Mission
Mercs: IG-88 w/FoK, EQuays, Greedo, Jabba, Vinto, EJawa, rJawa, Clawdite, Onar, Devious Scheme, Black Market
Imperials: Vader w/DBH, Terro, AT-DP, EJets, rJets, rRiots, rOff, Zillo, Rule By Fear, Cross-Training
Neutral: Unshakeable

At Worlds:

Rebels: Ko-Tun, Leia, (Chopper?)
Mercs: Bantha Rider, Shyla, Hired Guns
Imperials: Palpatine, eRiots, BT-1, eSentries

Notably Absent:

Mercs: Ugnaughts

We need to buff the Junk Droid!

I played a Bantha Rider! I think I was the only one, though.

It seems Imperials are suffering the most diversity wise here. 3 of the units in the top 16 lists were featured in only a single list(DP, Terro, rJets)

Out is the other 5 lists that gives us a pretty small amount of variety. Though I’ll concede that there isn’t much room to be original when at least 28 of your points is taken up by eJets(14) Vader(13) and Zillo(1). Add an officer that will almost always be included and you’re really only looking at 10 points of design space.

As as much as I love eJets I’d really like to see other options that can realistically compete with them for spot in Imperials lists. Stormtroopers getting some minor buff could definitely help and I think Death Troopers will be nice as well.

@GottaBadFeelingAboutThis I think I see Rebel High Command on there twice. Also, I'm pretty sure somebody was using Vinto (read it in one of the battle reports) but that person may not have gotten to top 16.

16 minutes ago, cnemmick said:

Also, I'm pretty sure somebody was using Vinto  (read it in one of the battle reports) but that person may not have gotten to top 16.

I played Arvydas in the top 8 and he was running Vinto in his list.

2 hours ago, GottaBadFeelingAboutThis said:

At  Worlds:

Rebels  : Ko-Tun, Leia
Mercs: Hired Guns *
Imperials: Palpatine, rRiots, eSentries  

Nobody was playing Shyla?

14 minutes ago, ThatJakeGuy said:

Nobody was playing Shyla?

Somebody played Shyla a zions finest report mentioned it

No Boba?! Come on, people!

Someone ran BT 1

Weren't the Vader lists in Top 16 running rRiots over eRiots?

8 minutes ago, defkhan1 said:

Weren't the Vader lists in Top 16 running rRiots over eRiots?

I know Kyle Bossom was running the rRiots with init bid.

Where are the tusken raiders gammorean guard troopers etc?

Thanks guys -- updated OP with the data and corrections!

That's a lot of viable plastic.

If they hadn't switched in uscru, i would have brought some wookie warriors.

I think most people would agree that they seem to have gotten the hang of skirmish costing with Jabba's realm. Since that time, by my count, they've released 31 figures (I'm including Iggy, Han, Chewie and Vader in this). Of those 31, the only ones that weren't played at worlds based on your list are:

- Gammorean Guards, Rancor, Maul

- Dewback Rider, 0-0-0

- Jarrod, Chopper

So that's 7 out of 31 figures that weren't played (assuming you count the dewback and Terro separately), or 23%. Better still, I'd personally consider some of those (ePigs, Chopper) to be absolutely viable in competitive play, while things like Jarrod and 0-0-0 probably aren't far off. None of them are out and out terrible.

So yeah it kind of sucks when you can look at the whole line and say that there are dozens of models that won't ever get played, but we've got to remember that a) they've been working their way through the backlog and giving bumps to the important characters, and b) they've been on a really good streak for the last 2 years. There are always things that could be improved, but we really are in a good place right now.

there had to have been a 0-0-0 at worlds, right? that's a usable figure. I know i saw him on the table during some warmup games at least

I definitely want to run a WARPIGS list again.

10 hours ago, cnemmick said:

I definitely want to run a WARPIGS list again.

I think with LothTyrants expansion, they are going to start to shine. I think there will be 1-2 more brawler cards and definately some melee cards to push them up to be closer to the ranged figures. The strongest ranged figures actually tend to use a "in your face" proximity anyway (Onar, IG, even Han and eJets like to be closer but can make some long range shots.)

Black Market was definitely in a bunch of lists. I'm sure someone was running chopper.

11 hours ago, ManateeX said:

I think most people would agree that they seem to have gotten the hang of skirmish costing with Jabba's realm. Since that time, by my count, they've released 31 figures (I'm including Iggy, Han, Chewie and Vader in this). Of those 31, the only ones that weren't played at worlds based on your list are:

- Gammorean Guards, Rancor, Maul

- Dewback Rider, 0-0-0

- Jarrod, Chopper

So that's 7 out of 31 figures that weren't played (assuming you count the dewback and Terro separately), or 23%. Better still, I'd personally consider some of those (ePigs, Chopper) to be absolutely viable in competitive play, while things like Jarrod and 0-0-0 probably aren't far off. None of them are out and out terrible.

So yeah it kind of sucks when you can look at the whole line and say that there are dozens of models that won't ever get played, but we've got to remember that a) they've been working their way through the backlog and giving bumps to the important characters, and b) they've been on a really good streak for the last 2 years. There are always things that could be improved, but we really are in a good place right now.

I agree with the majority of your points and love the optimism, I would t say two years tho as 15/16 lists in the top 16 were scum last year with little to no variance in the lists, not more than a few deployment cards. This was in contrast to what was a fairly healthy meta the year before that.

So this year was muuuuch better and we should definitely just focus on the positives and move forward. The meta is the best it's ever been. But I don't want to make the mistake of forgetting how fast a meta can actually turn on its head.

On 5/11/2018 at 10:37 AM, Fightwookies said:

If they hadn't switched in uscru, i would have brought some wookie warriors.

On 5/11/2018 at 11:06 AM, ManateeX said:

- Gammorean Guards, Rancor, Maul 

- Dewback Rider, 0-0-0

I think @Fightwookies comment rings true for both Gammorean Guards and Dewbacks.

I think Uscru scared people off brawlers with having little pre-time on the mape. With both Nal Hutta and Uscru in rotation it makes it really hard to roll with melees reliably.

On 5/11/2018 at 9:53 PM, brettpkelly said:

Black Market was definitely in a bunch of lists. I'm sure someone was running chopper.

I’d be really surprised if none played Chopper. He’s so fun and versatile with his little friendly pushes. But did Uscru make everyone look in R2s direction for extra card draw?

On ‎5‎/‎15‎/‎2018 at 4:03 PM, wannabepudge said:

I think @Fightwookies comment rings true for both Gammorean Guards and Dewbacks.

I think Uscru scared people off brawlers with having little pre-time on the mape. With both Nal Hutta and Uscru in rotation it makes it really hard to roll with melees reliably.

Actually, I like brawlers on Uscru. E.g. Riot Troopers and Vader are great there. But Nal Hutta is very bad for Brawlers, especially when you don't have Officers' support (something Wookies and Gammorreans usually lack).

12 hours ago, DerBaer said:

Actually, I like brawlers on Uscru. E.g. Riot Troopers and Vader are great there. But Nal Hutta is very bad for Brawlers, especially when you don't have Officers' support (something Wookies and Gammorreans usually lack).

I'd agree -- round one is dead ... but it's dead for 95% of figures. Having the chance to "re-deploy" closer to the action actually helps melee figures a lot. Most of them can get fairly close to a terminal door, at least, and with a movement card or brawler trick after that, they can probably start swinging as early as the rest of figures, which can help them a fair amount.