With all these new pilots coming out, I had a lightbulb appear above my head..

Why won't FFG put the pilots into card packs? 15 pilots per pack (each fighter has its own pack), with 5-10 upgrade cards inside. There would also be the pilot thingies that go on the base, etc etc. Completely randomized, but each fighter has its own pilots. (For example, an X-wing pack would have Wedge, Janson and Porkins in one pack, Luke, Biggs and Garven in another, but would NOT have Howlrunner, Tycho or Soontir Fel.)

1) It'd save money on miniatures.

2) There wouldn't be a need to buy the GR-75 just for the X-wing pilots (HINT HINT)

3) You could get Tycho for an X-wing or something like that.

I think you answered your own question right there with #2...

1) FFG is a company that wants to make money (saving u money is not on their list of priorities)

2) FFG wants there to be a need to buy the rebel transport and tantive - thats why they have put hard to get upgrades and pilots in there.

3) Yes mixing up diff pilots into diff ships would be cool. This could be achieved with a promo card is suppose but it would be nice if we had a run of 'alternate pilots' even if they were not legal in tournaments id still buy them.

here is an example of their 'clever' marketing.

The A-Wing. Its one of the weaker rebel ships out there. How do they get people to buy it? Put one of the best upgrades in the same pack. Push the Limit. Now you have to buy that ship if u want that upgrade. I own two A-Wings and hardly play them but PTL is used quite a bit.

I would say that such a tactic would be a boon only to those who wish for a secondary market. Let me briefly explain why.

Random packs mean that you no longer have everyone on a level playing field. Right now, I can go and buy an expansion and know exactly what I'm getting. if i want to run someone, I pick that up. If it's random, suddenly I have to buy multiple of them to try and get the one I want. Further, this would undoubtable introduce rarity.

This means the best pilots are going to be less common. Which means you need to buy more product to get them. Which means they will command a higher price on the secondary market. Making the game Pay To Win. Look at Magic for examples.

Further, it makes the game less accessible for casual players. Now, I can't just tell you "buy these four things and you can do this", I have to say "but a few of these and we'll see if you can field anything." Further, I should point out that costs to make the miniatures are not going to go down, especially with the additional complexities of retooling manufacturing. Now you are looking at paying $12-$15 for JUST THE MODEL, then an additional $5-$10 for the card packs to USE the model. This isn't them gouging you extra, this is just the cost of manufacturing to keep their profits the same.

In the end, this means you have to buy more stuff to get less.

With all these new pilots coming out, I had a lightbulb appear above my head.. Why won't FFG put the pilots into card packs? 15 pilots per pack (each fighter has its own pack), with 5-10 upgrade cards inside. There would also be the pilot thingies that go on the base, etc etc. Completely randomized, but each fighter has its own pilots. (For example, an X-wing pack would have Wedge, Janson and Porkins in one pack, Luke, Biggs and Garven in another, but would NOT have Howlrunner, Tycho or Soontir Fel.) 1) It'd save money on miniatures. 2) There wouldn't be a need to buy the GR-75 just for the X-wing pilots (HINT HINT) 3) You could get Tycho for an X-wing or something like that.

Why in all that is holy wouldn't you want a GR-75?

I don't think we're going to see pilots and upgrades from the expansion packs finding their ways into a stand-alone card pack. It partially defeats the purpose of the expansion packs.

But I can totally see FFG releasing a pack of pilot and upgrade cards that are not available anywhere else, since it would be a "must have" product.

And to hell with randomized card packs for miniatures games. No.

Also, I do believe, someone mentioned a while back that in an interview FFG stated they would not make such a product.. so.. don't expect it

I believe we will so more expansions like Aces that will be repaints plus new equipment and pilots. But then at the same time you will have the crowd of" i already have that ship I don't need more". You can never have enough xwing minis!

Before FFG would even consider doing pack they would need to introduce more mechanics to the game. A 75 card expansion would surely drain the supply of viable pilot design options and or abilities . Personally I hope they don't go down this route.

Alternatve pilot cards of existing ships, but with different abilities represetning the different eras would be acceptable if done correctly.

1. FFG is not going to make random packs. Especially for this game.

2. Why make a product that will sold cheaply, when you can add some plastic to get more money for the same product.

3. While FFG will not make the new ships must own, they will definitely tempt you to buy the new ships with new upgrades, etc. Why not make it really difficult to resist a new product a consumer might otherwise ignore?

They can do both, Sithborg. Diversify products and cover all angles.

I think static card packs for certain concepts can work. They may be "cheaper" regarding retail, but they are also cheaper iin regards to production.

With all these new pilots coming out, I had a lightbulb appear above my head..

Why won't FFG put the pilots into card packs? 15 pilots per pack (each fighter has its own pack), with 5-10 upgrade cards inside. There would also be the pilot thingies that go on the base, etc etc. Completely randomized, but each fighter has its own pilots. (For example, an X-wing pack would have Wedge, Janson and Porkins in one pack, Luke, Biggs and Garven in another, but would NOT have Howlrunner, Tycho or Soontir Fel.)

1) It'd save money on miniatures.

2) There wouldn't be a need to buy the GR-75 just for the X-wing pilots (HINT HINT)

3) You could get Tycho for an X-wing or something like that.

No.

1. Remember that your "money saved on miniatures" means less for FFG.

2. This is DIRECTLY tied to point #1.

3. The word everyone HATES in that statement is the word COULD when combined with the words RANDOM PACK.

While there certainly are plenty of people who would like to see "Card Packs" which include pilots and various upgrade and would be willing to pay for that NO ONE wants to see "completely randomized" packs. Maybe I should just say no one who enjoys playing this game for fun and with an eye toward building reliable squads. SableGryphon already mentions why this is a bad idea.

1. FFG is not going to make random packs. Especially for this game.

I though there were random (or quasi-random) draft packs for Netrunner.

With all these new pilots coming out, I had a lightbulb appear above my head..

Why won't FFG put the pilots into card packs? 15 pilots per pack (each fighter has its own pack), with 5-10 upgrade cards inside. There would also be the pilot thingies that go on the base, etc etc. Completely randomized, but each fighter has its own pilots. (For example, an X-wing pack would have Wedge, Janson and Porkins in one pack, Luke, Biggs and Garven in another, but would NOT have Howlrunner, Tycho or Soontir Fel.)

1) It'd save money on miniatures.

2) There wouldn't be a need to buy the GR-75 just for the X-wing pilots (HINT HINT)

3) You could get Tycho for an X-wing or something like that.

Random packs? Terrible idea. Never please.

Special promos? Even worse idea. Never please. Ever.

Pilot packs with a new pilot or 2 and some scenarios for $7-10. People would buy that. People would even like it 1-2 times a year. Random? Never! Exclusive chase rarity based? N. E. V. E. R!

I'm so glad none of this would ever happen!!

Random cards (in a game that only has 50-60 pilots and about as much upgrades) is absurd. Adding many more (to justify getting them at random) would mean lots of imbalanced stuff (the mechanics of X-Wing are far more complex than say MTG) and a lot of unusable cards (e.g. from the last bunch of MTG boosters that I opened out of 100+ cards I only got like 3 constructed-playable cards).

Combining pilots and ships is a HUGE balance issue. Imagine Howlrunner behind the shields of shuttle?

I wouldn't appreciate random packs, but I still think there needs to be another way for there to get pilot cards/upgrades.

Why would they want to give an alternative to buying expensive ships? Because expensive ships being the only option may look like a lot of profit, but it also limits their market. Also, I've already seen plenty of people scared away from the game because so many key ships were rare or completely sold out due to the current need to buy extra ships for the cards and not the models.

Adding an alternative to buy cards would also open up more ships for more players starting out (the same number of ships will be sold plus more), and it would open an opportunity for people like me. I want Porkins, but I don't need that ship. I'm not spending that much money for a single card, so instead of getting a lot of money from me, they're getting none (for that card).

I wouldn't appreciate random packs, but I still think there needs to be another way for there to get pilot cards/upgrades.

Why would they want to give an alternative to buying expensive ships? Because expensive ships being the only option may look like a lot of profit, but it also limits their market. Also, I've already seen plenty of people scared away from the game because so many key ships were rare or completely sold out due to the current need to buy extra ships for the cards and not the models.

Adding an alternative to buy cards would also open up more ships for more players starting out (the same number of ships will be sold plus more), and it would open an opportunity for people like me. I want Porkins, but I don't need that ship. I'm not spending that much money for a single card, so instead of getting a lot of money from me, they're getting none (for that card).

This really wouldnt change what youre talking about.. if they cant get the ships, what good would cards do them..

Sure for someone like me or others who have 4 or more of everything, it might diversify our games a little, but honestly, card packs arent necessary. There are a few online shops that already sell the ships at a discount .. Miniatures Market for one... so anyone should be able to afford a few ships to jump in and catch the bug.. I dont think FFG will let the product slide too often, but they cant know what the demand will be until they put it out there. Hopefully in the future they will add a few extras to the line so there isn't a big shortage as we had recently, some of the prices on ebay are still ridiculously high..

It all comes down to the first word of the title of this post "Marketing". FFG has nothing to gain by undercutting their own product. If more pilots are offered without the ships then you will just buy the cards and the cost of making the ships will go up. Then people will buy less ships because of the cost and just buy cards. I think you see the way this post is trending. The only thing that would happen is the closing of another product line.

Yeah, it is a bad idea to compare the Draft Packs to this idea. The drafting is a format many of the LCGers felt was missing from the LCG format, due to the nature of no rarity.

And just listen to FFG's stance on rarity (which is what random would lead to). They are dead set against it.

I have to say I'm pretty good with FFG's marketing strategy. They do see to try and put the most relevant cards for a ship in its expansion pack. And they have shown a willingness to repeat popular cards in other ship types to help people acquire them. Say what you want about their schemes to make you buy more, I say all that is trumped by them trying to make a fun game available to everyone without having to purchase one of everything.

I have to say I'm pretty good with FFG's marketing strategy. They do see to try and put the most relevant cards for a ship in its expansion pack. And they have shown a willingness to repeat popular cards in other ship types to help people acquire them. Say what you want about their schemes to make you buy more, I say all that is trumped by them trying to make a fun game available to everyone without having to purchase one of everything.

I would say that such a tactic would be a boon only to those who wish for a secondary market. Let me briefly explain why.

Random packs mean that you no longer have everyone on a level playing field. Right now, I can go and buy an expansion and know exactly what I'm getting. if i want to run someone, I pick that up. If it's random, suddenly I have to buy multiple of them to try and get the one I want. Further, this would undoubtable introduce rarity.

This means the best pilots are going to be less common. Which means you need to buy more product to get them. Which means they will command a higher price on the secondary market. Making the game Pay To Win. Look at Magic for examples.

Further, it makes the game less accessible for casual players. Now, I can't just tell you "buy these four things and you can do this", I have to say "but a few of these and we'll see if you can field anything." Further, I should point out that costs to make the miniatures are not going to go down, especially with the additional complexities of retooling manufacturing. Now you are looking at paying $12-$15 for JUST THE MODEL, then an additional $5-$10 for the card packs to USE the model. This isn't them gouging you extra, this is just the cost of manufacturing to keep their profits the same.

In the end, this means you have to buy more stuff to get less.

Why do people assume the pilot packs would be random? How bout I buy a pack of x-wing pilots and they come with all the same say 10 x-wing pilot cards?

Then I buy a pack of 10 a-wing cards and so on. there is no need for them to be random. maybe some pilots in other ships like Tycho in an x-wing or wedge in a y wing.

Like what others have said, I'm sure they'll release current ships with a repaint. There are still upgrade cards I want to see.

I want a Lambda for example, for rebels

Chewbacca as Lambda Pilot

Luke as a Lambda Pilot - ala the end of ROTJ

Han as copilot

Probably Bothan Spy as lower PS pilot

C3PO as something.

random packs = A BSIG NO !!!

more waves= BIG YESS

More Factions to play with like kUS/Republic/ Pirates or even Planetary defense forces ? = OH GOD PLS MAKE THAT HAPPEN !!!