A discussion within the V4 Spoilers thread about new abilities has broched the subject of additional abilities may lead to complications, especially when existing and similar abilities exist.

Do you believe that new abilities add complexity or character?

Should existing abilities get priority over new abilities?

Discuss.

Both, and that's a good thing in my book. If I wanted to play a game that required no thought, I'd play Paper-Rock-Scissors. I choose to play a strategy based game because I want to engage in strategy. Keep in mind, I'm a former SWCCG player and in comparison of complexity, this game is fairly simple. The CCG often flirted with excessive complexity.

Both, and I agree with saber1 - it's a good thing, IMO.

I like SAs to have flavor for the character/faction they are on, but outside of that consideration, I do think it would be good to keep the rate of new additions per set on the lower end in general. A bit less to play-test, proofread, and look for unintended rules interactions.

I also like the tiered abilities, but too many levels does become hard to keep track of.

I think if there is a character that is defined by a certain characteristic, then it should have an ability or two that reflect that. Lets take the controversial Embo and Hat Toss for example. It reflects the only thing I even remember about him. Yes, it is a mish-mash of existing abilities put into one, but I am okay with that. It wouldn't make sense for him to have grenades, or jolt. He throws his hat. That is about as simple as it gets.

Foul Modamma is also a good example of this. His defining characteristic is that he carries Palpatine around Coruscant running away from the droids. So apart from him needing Melee, force points,and force powers, he also needed an ability to reflect this. Could they have given him Tow? There is that annoying part about gaining flight. Maybe just Lift, or Heavy Lift? That doesn't really reflect that he has Palpatine in his arms running through the streets.

So to conclude: If a new mini has some sort of characteristic that we all know him for, and there is no existing ability that comes close, lets make one. No matter how similar it might be to the other ones.

Also, lets get this one out of the way. Yuuzhan Vong abilities that are similar to force powers, or other abilities can be ignored. I don't think anyone wants a Yuuzhan Vong with Override or Lightsaber Fighting Styles. To protect the flavour of the faction, it is essential that they have new abilities, no matter how similar they seem to existing ones. No matter if they are identical to existing ones.

As for the creation of brand new abilities, I am all for it.

Some of them are opposite abilities for existing ones. Backlash for Ambush is an example. Bring it on! Good idea! Some are variations of other ones (Tactician, Bravado +20). This is also a good idea, and follows what WOTC has done before.

I'm always excited for some new ability when I look through the set for the first time, hoping for my mind to be blown. I am never disappoint.

I think, that as long as the design team are sensible, and the playtesters are thorough and unbiased, then new abilities will be okay. Playtesters can still say "this new ability is crap, change it" and the design team will look into it. I remember playing with a few different versions of Force Pull in the tests for Galen Marek. So, keep going with new abilities.

I enjoy the new abilities, especially when they are a great fit. That said, I also think old abilities can be used to reduce unnecessary redundancies of complications. For instance, giving Potty Palps evade makes sense to me, even if it doesn't make sense. He needs a defensive capability, and the way evade works in the game suits his need for a defensive ability. So, while it maybe silly to think about him bobbing and weaving on his throne, it makes sense in terms of the game mechanics.

That is what I always figured it was meant to replicate.

This is fine to a certain extent but on pieces like Grievous I want to see something that is unique to him. I want Unique characters to have Unique abilities. I play this game because I love Star Wars, I want it to feel like Star Wars. I think Spinning Blade assault is an excellent representation of how Grievous fought at the end of Episode 3. I love that kind of flavor on my pieces.

Aing-Tii Flow-Walking is an ability that most pieces aren't going to be able to use (if any) outside of Jacen Solo. But it is perfect. They could have given him Surprise move instead, but a new ability more accurately captured what the power is. Simpler isn't always better.

I like new abilites, it keeps the game fresh and interesting. Of course there is an extent to which they are not always necessary, but for the most part I think a lot of the new abilites have been fair.

Exactly.

Honestly, I am somewhat curious about whether it did or not. Decipher had a LOT of money embezzeled. I'm sure it wasn't a huge hit, but with what has been revealed, I'm somewhat have a different view of how things went towards the end of decipher.

see i agree that if there is an ability already in place that would fit well, than it should be used, but at the same time i think flavor should be accounted for. Beskar'gam is a great example. Yes they could have used something like DR 10 or Force attuned armor but it doesn't fit in the faction, and it was already a precedent put in place when the community took over the game.

Now there have been a few abilities that i could see doing without, but i do not think the designers should be discouraged from making new abilities. If one exists that fits both flavor and what they want use that, but if not make one that fits. Case and Point Celeste Mourne. There were abilities already in place fro what they wanted her to do. THe new Grievous however they wanted him to be able to attack a larger amount of pieces when he gets to half hit points. There isn't an ability for that, and since they dont want to make grievous a heavy force character it wouldn't make sense to add something like Whirlwind attack , sweep or lightsaber assault. And actually if they made a non force version of one of those abilities it would be make a new ability anyways so your own point was to make a new ability for him.