Who are the most popular pilots in 2.0? What pilots do you expect to see the most of across the table?

Are we going to see a small pool of pilots played by each faction? Scum is spoiled for choice. Imperials as well I think. Rebels? not so much.

Pick a faction. Fill in the blanks.

Most popular Aces ??

Honorable Mention ??

Most popular generics ??

SCUM

Most popular Aces- Palob, Boba Fett, Fenn, Kavil, Drea, Guri, 4-LOM, Han and Nym.

Honorable Mention - Old Teroch

Most popular generics - Jakku Gunrunner, Escape Craft and Z-95.

Who you got for most popular Imperial Aces and generics? Who you like for Rebel Aces and generics?

Rebels:

Aces- Wedge, Luke, Thane, Ten Numb

Honorable Mentions: Cassian Andor, Edrio Two-Tubes, Benthic Two-Tubes

Do you not think all these "who is best" topics just reinforce initial impressions?

Yes, initial impressions often later show up as strong combos. But there are other unexplored options as well.

But with a lot early "this is best/this is crap" declararions, with these forums and most pods being the echo chambers they are, and many people copying things perceived as strong, or they read about being strong, there is the risk that this leads to a(n unneccessarily) very stale meta in the end. People not testing other routes. And as consequence then FFG maybe exxageraring point adjustments, resp might outright ban certain pilots, because everyone just follows the flock.

6 minutes ago, Managarmr said:

Do you not think all these "who is best" topics just reinforce initial impressions?

Yes, initial impressions often later show up as strong combos. But there are other unexplored options as well.

But with a lot early "this is best/this is crap" declararions, with these forums and most pods being the echo chambers they are, and many people copying things perceived as strong, or they read about being strong, there is the risk that this leads to a(n unneccessarily) very stale meta in the end. People not testing other routes. And as consequence then FFG maybe exxageraring point adjustments, resp might outright ban certain pilots, because everyone just follows the flock.

expansions will keep the meta from becoming stale. the jury is out on whether FFG will shy away from power creep as they add new ships and upgrades. with 1.0 in my experience at least ppl played what they liked until the power creep forced them to counter specific lists or join the flock to be competitive. right now there are plenty of choices for every faction so thats great. 1.0 degenerated into 360 turrets and OP combo's. on these forums im seeing quite a lot 3 ship aces, 6-7 ship swarms and Jank (4 different ships with one being the Hwk-290), bomber barrage style squads. Whisper/Echo and Redline with Vader and choke and cloak (phantom + vader crew). For rebels Luke and Wedge appear popular but there are so many possibilities I don't think we are in immediate danger of things being stale.

Most popular Aces ?? Darth Vader, Whisper, Redline, Rexler Brath

Honorable Mention ?? Captain Jonus, Howlrunner, Colonel Jendon, Duchess

Most popular generics ?? Delta Squadron Pilot, Scimitar Squadron Pilot

For Imperials I think crew is just important as anything mentioned above: Admiral Sloane, Darth Vader

11 hours ago, Da_Brown_Bomber said:

Who are the most popular pilots in 2.0? What pilots do you expect to see the most of across the table?

Are we going to see a small pool of pilots played by each faction? Scum is spoiled for choice. Imperials as well I think. Rebels? not so much.

I really don’t think this tread is a real representation of what is going to be popular in terms of Pilots and such in use. Some people are going to work with ships and Pilots they like and make them work. Others are going to figure out a solid pilot combo with upgrades and such and keep it under wraps.

Additionally, what might be popular at your local Meta is completely different at mine or anyone else’s. Here locally Generic E wings and B-wings are taking off with popularity. Intercepters, primarily the Sabers are popular here. Not seeing Phantoms, punishers, Scum is an afterthought locally. So it’s really subjective as to what’s popular.

19 minutes ago, Ronu said:

Not seeing Phantoms, punishers, Scum is an afterthought locally. So it’s really subjective as to what’s popular.

Your not seeing Whisper (w/Vader + Juke) at all, or Redline with (Proton Torps/Advanced Sensors) really.....

7 minutes ago, Cgriffith said:

Your not seeing Whisper (w/Vader + Juke) at all, or Redline with (Proton Torps/Advanced Sensors) really.....

Not regularly. No. Might have once or twice see them hit a table. Otherwise we’re not seeing that stuff here at my local Meta.

Escape craft = generic? ?

1 hour ago, Hiemfire said:

Escape craft = generic? ?

you can play multiples if you want to

16 minutes ago, Da_Brown_Bomber said:

you can play multiples if you want to

Not of the same pilot. All of them are limited. Escape Craft and HWK = Support.

Poe, they'll soon be a metric butt-ton of Poe.

Boba, there is and will be a slew of Boba.

Then there is the fun stuff, the fun lists; lots and lots of fun stuff.....

If we're talking long term, then Luke is the only standout Rebel name to me (which I love, by the way. Luke friggin Skywalker from the core set being popular. Hooray)

He's already very strong, with one of the best abilities in the game. The ability to add more Force powers down the line mean he will always be relevant too. As soon as he falls out of favour, just give him a Force power to beat the current meta.

Wedge is obviously popular at the moment too, but (though it pains me to say it) he think ultimately, just like 1e, his chassis and ability will eventually hold him back. His ability is strong, obviously, but ultimately it's still held back by dice - it just doesn't help his own dice enough. And the X-Wing is vastly improved over 1e, but still in that jack of all trades, master of none role and still just a hair too fragile for its cost. Wedge is just solid.

I think Esege Tuketu might be a bit of a sleeper hit, actually. When I first saw his ability, I thought he was trash. The K-Wing also seemed to be massively held back from 1e. But I think both the K-Wing and Tuke's ability are on upgrade or new friendly pilot ability or two away from being fantastic. He can already pack decent if not spectacular 360 coverage with Barrage Rockets, the turret arcs and bombs and it's only a matter of time before a better version of Garven comes out that lets Tuke chain focuses, or a Rebel gunner who is actually any good, or a way of generating focus on him without needing the action.

Airen Cracken, AP-5 and maybe Kyle Katarn are going to keep finding uses too.

19 hours ago, clanofwolves said:

Poe, they'll soon be a metric butt-ton of Poe.

Boba, there is and will be a slew of Boba.

Then there is the fun stuff, the fun lists; lots and lots of fun stuff.....

axing imperial firespray was an interesting call. Scum Boba is brutal and along with palob is one of my fav scum pilots. These two guys are just hard to ignore when im starting a scum list. Kavil or Fenn are my next choices. Without autothrusters Fenn just seems like a scary choice but i can see that a skilled player will be rewarded for flying Fenn well.