It is things like this that makes me wonder if the designers could sometimes learn something from the custom makers on this site. I don't think that any person who regularly makes custom stats has ever thought that this is a good way to design pieces, probably because playtesting for custom stats is even rarer than for the Vsets.

wow... insulting to learn form custom makers? that's a little harsh, as the designers themselves have said they have used abilities and ideas from the custom makers.

That's pretty much what they tried with the Triumvirate.

Just pointing out that what you suggested has been attempted.

The Triumvirate pieces are actually pretty good pieces on their own, and priced about right. It's just that they have Rival with Thrawn/Pellaeon, which are both Power 11 pieces, so they aren't playable. I don't know where TheHutts put them in the mini of the day ratings, but most of the Triumvirate belongs in the 7-9/10 range.

With Daala's arrival, there was a real debate about whether it was better to go with the Triumvirate or Pellaeon (couldn't take both). That was because Flim paired so well with the Zygerrian and because the only anti-Lancer defense available was to bring in the Covert Ops Clone Trooper through Disra. After the arrival of Buzz Droids and LINs, and after the Zygerrian errata, the debate was settled pretty quickly and the Triumvirate started collecting dust again.

But since they aren't bad, here's a crazy thought. What if a second version of each Triumvirate piece were created? And each one was a Power 11 piece but expensive? Expensive enough that of course Daala loses Prideful so she probably isn't in the squad (but might be just for Charging Fire). But also, you would run one expensive power 11 piece alongside the other two, cheaper Triumvirate pieces because you waste too much space if you bring more than one expensive one. I don't think the Triumvirate are popular enough characters to warrant 2nd versions right now, so that's more a thought experiment than anything else. Mechanically, it might work, though.

But probably better to just go with another Tarkin version with Rival: Thrawn/Pellaeon. If Thrawn/Pellaeon can't be there anyway, might be worth bringing along the Triumvirate.

For Disra, just the Bribery and raw stats is probably worth 15 points or so. He would require a Bodyguard if you need his CE, but his CE could be key (and worth his cost points) in some matchups. I would say he's the weakest of the three, but if you absolutely have to have your CEs active for you squad to work, he's. Bringing in a clone can help in some circumstances, but hard to factor it into the cost.

Flim was awesome when Slave Driver was an ability. If another killer "Replaces Attacks" ability comes along he could be very powerful again, or if there's a commander you want to cannon. As is, +2 init is worth a point if you have it to spare, so you'd take him over an Imperial Officer.

Tierce's problem is that he's a fighter/commander. You don't want to lose the CE, but you have to take out to fight or he isn't worth it. He's like a 17 point attacker and a 9 point commander. Have to accept the risk if you want to bring him.

But, ultimately, none of them are playable because you don't drop two 11/10 pieces to make room for any 7/10 pieces.

When Daala came out and Thrawn wasn't an option, I seriously considered using them since Thrawn was excluded anyway. Turns out it's not worth giving up Pellaeon for any of them either, but without Rival, they might have been able to find a niche. Which is pretty much the definition of a 7/10 piece. Possibly in some Tier 1 build, but only if it fits exactly with the rest of the squad. I think the ratings largely reflect their utter unplayability due to Rival.

We'll just have to disagree, but it's an irrelevant conversation anyway.


(I just checked out of curiosity. Disra is the only one I had rated and I gave him a 5. I'm going to leave it there.)