Rogue Squadron- Watch for Enemy Fighters

Following the X-Wing Worlds Championships, we finally have our first bit of news about upcoming products. It has been awhile since anything officially was announced about X-Wing so it’s nice to see things moving forward. So what did we learn?

Return of the Dash

Dash Rendar is back! The YT-2400 is seeing a X-Wing 2.5 release bringing everyone’s favorite non-Han Solo scoundrel to the table. Except, this time he’s very, very different. First, the YT-2400 is losing its 4 attack dice. Additionally, the ship ability, which originally balanced out the four die attack, has become more of a liability. Now, you’re still effectively losing the range 1 bonus die but are also losing a defense die at range one. This makes the YT-2400 a big chew toy for enemy ships, as its relatively easy to close to range 1 on a large base.

In the new release, there will be two versions of Dash Rendar, one regular old upgradable pilot card and one Standard Loadout. Both have different abilities and neither match the version released in the conversion kit. On the Standard version, we see a new version of the Outrider title which gifts Dash back his 4th attack die at range 3 while also giving you Juke if you shoot through rocks (instead of needing to be evading). What’s even more, there will also be a Scum version of Dash you can fly.

All of this adds up to effectively make the YT-2400 a new release. Sure, if you have the original and the conversion kit, you’ll have a second model if you ever want to run two, but that is unlikely. Now, there is a chance they will also be adding in new pilots, such as Mart from Rebels and his YT-2400. If they don’t add new pilots, if you take standard Dash, you can only take a generic as your second because you have Leebo as a crew.

Also making a return to X-Wing is the TIE Bomber. A major omission in the Empire’s arsenal it will be nice to see this ship back on the tables. You’ll find it in a two pack version. First impressions do not look like there will be any major changes made to this ship, aside from the inclusion of Standard Loadouts. While those tend to be good to have, as I already have five Bomber models, I personally don’t need two more just for those loadout cards. I personally hope there is another way to acquire them.

Battle Over Endor Scenario and Organized Play

Our next scenario back is the Battle Over Endor. They didn’t reveal much about this scenario. We know the objective is to take down the Executor‘s bridge while avoiding getting shot down by turbolasers. The inclusion of turbolasers could be a very cool addition to the game, especially if they make their way to regular play as some kind of obstacle or as part of a regular objective. We only get to see yet another version of Wedge Antilles. This is a far more defensive Wedge, as he does nothing to enemy defense dice and instead gains a Focus if his attack hits, which it is less likely to do. It’s still a decent ability, though I hope this allows him to be 5 points instead of 6, as for 6 I’d rather have his offense.

The only other thing we learn about the Battle Over Endor is that, much like Yavin had TIE Interceptors fighting that we never saw on screen, Endor had TIE Defenders fighting that we never saw on screen. Beyond that, we can only speculate what ships will be included. A-Wings are a given for the rebels, and Arvel in particular as a pilot. A YT-1300 with Lando piloting. Maybe B-Wings? Maybe Ghost as it was present but that seems unlikely. It would be a great way to finally put a legal version of Hera back into the game flying her ship. TIE Interceptors, TIE Bombers. and TIE Fighters for the Empire but not sure what else would fit.

In addition to this scenario pack, we are also getting two Organized Play events. The first is a Store Championship kit which will include an invite to Worlds. That sounds great so I hope there is a resurgence of Store Championships in Houston. There use to be one every weekend during that time of the year.

The second kit is more pure fun than competitive. Children of Mandalore will face off in a competition trying to secure some Beskar. Should be fun.

New Starter Kits

This wasn’t covered much at the Worlds panel because these were revealed a few days before. New Rebel and Imperial Starter packs are coming as soon as May. These packs will include four ships, dice, faction specific damage deck, tokens and maneuver templates. Everything you need to get started. I like that these at only $75 and include four ships. That is a better deal than buying each ship priced at $23.99 retail. That is a savings of over $20 and you get everything you need to start the game. This is a great deal for new players.

The Rebel players will get two A-Wings, an X-Wing, and a Y-Wing while the Empire will get two TIE Fighters, a TIE Advanced, and a TIE Bomber. That is a good spread of ships for each faction. The price works so that you can then get one more ship for each and be under $100 opening price tag.

They have not announced packs for the other factions but I would expect them to come in pairs every few months throughout the year. I would guess the following. Resistance/First Order seem obvious given the Empire/Rebel. The Republic/Separatist are harder because they need to not compete with the non-starter three ship packs for those factions.

Resistance- T-70 X-Wing, Resistance Y-Wing, and two RZ-2 A-Wings
First Order- Two FO TIE’s, Whisper/Silencer, and a FO Bomber
Republic- Aethersprite, Eta-2, and two V-Wings/V-19’s
Separatist- A Vulture, Hyena, and two Tri-Fighters. Or could be two Vultures, Hyena and a Tri-Fighter
Scum- I really have no idea. Two Scyks, reintroduce the Kihraxz and a Fang? Maybe some Z-95’s.