to be honest not banning pieces is one of the reasons i have loved this game. Yes there were the occasional pieces that got banned or temporarily banned, or are even banned in specific formats, but to me the lack of banning was a great selling point for me. I mean i played magic before and got tired of the amount of upkeep involved i mean i had specific decks i wanted to play that after a little over a year were no longer legal; so you have to completely change your strategy in some cases, and to me that is an issue. Now with our game, yes there are some squads that get phased out over the years but many of the previously competitive squads can still be competitive and functional. Sometimes without even any tweaks.

One thing that needs to kept in mind is that the designers (including WotC designers) created pieces with existing ones in mind. So, factions have evolved to the point that if you take certain pieces out, it nerfs that faction. (See Weeks' list) What the current designers are also trying to do now is create alternatives. I know the attempt at that a few sets ago for Imperials didn't pan out, but I see it starting to take form with Republic, New Republic, and maybe even Rebels.

The French and Germans have been banning pieces for some time now, as they seem to generally be against the Vsets. That leaves a static environment with no new pieces. I was against their bans initially because it actually restricts the meta, but if they are going to outlaw the Vsets then a revolving ban (different pieces for each season) would keep the meta fresh even if it is restricted. I think just as much care has to be taken in the bans as it does in designing pieces, so why not keep creating new stuff?

One other thing has been on my mind. The designers not only have to design usable pieces for our game, but they also have to meld that with canon. I don't think the game is fun if there are broken pieces, and I don't think the game is fun if the pieces become watered down and the factions (and pieces) lose their unique flavor. I don't envy them in their task and thats why I will never be a designer...I know I could never do it.

Thanks to everyone here for keeping this thread civil. I'd be happy to talk about this on the show if we can all keep it to a discussion and avoid heated exchanges.

Does anyone else notice that there seems to be at least one thread about banning or fixing over powered or v-set people every going every week or so?

Also, I'm not sure we even need to get the SHNN to talk about it. They pretty much talk about it all the time and don't agree with it. (That's just what I've picked up after listening to 175 episodes...)

Clearly you need to listen to more.

If she's also telling you what you wear dosen't matter you may be imagining things.

Actually, it happens every regional up until the finals. It doesn't just relate to V-sets. It's been this way for years. Boba Fett, BH was my first memory about it. But, I am sure there were others just not as concentrated.

BAN 'EM ALL! I SAY!
except jawas & tuskens

I think banning any piece is a bad idea. No piece is too powerful to deserve that. Also another question..i have been playing since A&E and i wonder why everyone says imperials are no good without Thrawn. I know...off topic but @ the time of LOTF i didn't own Thrawn and played heavy on imp's and won quite often in agroup of 15 to 25 players. Sorry for the side track...No banning. What if it was your favorite piece?

If you think there are broken pieces then you obviously need to learn to play imo. I mean if GMA, Triple, Flurry, Vaapad Mastery is broken, then I don't even want to play anymore.