Over the last few months, there has been a lot of discussion in various corners of the SWM community regarding ways the game we all love can be more open, more fun, and better balanced. Lots of different ideas have emerged, but one thing almost everyone agreed on was that there were a few pieces and mechanics in the competitive format that were causing balance problems, either due to designs proving to be too strong, giving too much cheap support to factions that didn’t really need it, or hurting squad types that were already struggling by making it more difficult for them to engage and compete. Although we had issued errata in the past, due to the impassioned discussions and the wide variety of concerns expressed by many respected members of the community, the V-set team as a whole concluded that more decisive action was necessary before Gen Con, and we issued short-term bans on the pieces that seemed the most problematic (Klatooinian Assassin, Poggle the Lesser, and the Commando Droid Officer), with the intent that the pieces could be brought back, if at all, after ample time had been given to consider the proper fixes. We also agreed on a change to Ysalamiri to make it less punishing to force users outside the bubble.

However, as a team, we also felt it was important going forward to rest decision-making authority in a smaller group, one where various viewpoints could be represented and considered, but without the need to resort to a “full committee” when making calls related to game balance. Thus, the “balance team” was born. As announced on SHNN, the current team has seven members: Bill R. (billiv); Deri M. (fingersandteeth); Jim M. (Darth Jim); Trevor P. (thereisnotry); David M. (Dr. Daman); Graham F. (TheHutts); and Matt S. (spryguy). These members were selected from the existing pool of active designers, as well as the community at large, for their demonstrated skill and knowledge of the competitive game, as well as their varied experiences and philosophies, and with an eye at representing different regions, playgroups, and interests. It is likely that some members will rotate on and off the team depending on life circumstances and who is designing at any given time.

The purpose of the balance team is to analyze problems or issues in (primarily) the competitive game, as well as to proactively consider areas where issues might not yet be apparent, but which can appropriately be addressed by the various tools at their disposal. In general, the team will be considering bans, cost increases, possible floor rules changes, and possible errata to bring pieces more in line with design intent, to the extent that can be gleaned from design threads and conversations with the designers involved. It is not the goal or the responsibility of the team to “fix” everything that someone might not like about the game, nor will they have direct authority over sitting designers, but they will attempt to find solutions to the most pressing balance problems while retaining the spirit and flavor of the involved factions and pieces. They will likely attempt to time any changes to set releases or floor rules updates; however, as in the past, certain “emergency” situations might require immediate action.

You will be hearing more about some of the things the team has been discussing in the next few months. Speaking for the V-set team as a whole, I’m excited about this decision and this team. With this group, we have a real opportunity to address some of the problems that seemed unsolvable in the past. I believe the future of our game is in very capable hands.

Bump

We all know you want the mouse errata.

Actually this is on the agenda for consideration.

He will of course be different.

Banned Commando Droid Officer because he was good, but only gave a free attack. Imperial Governor gives an entire turn to the faction that is already arguably the best. Talk about missing the obvious.

Let me just summize up the logic from the designers so far in satire

"We banned Klat Assassin"
-looks at card- Yeah he is okay, but what did he do
"He made other shooters at his cost useless so we short term banned him to free up playing"
But isn't that exactly like Boba Fett
"Boba Fett is a non-issue, if your playgroup was less casual you would understand"

I've had constructive ideas for two weeks now and they have all been ignored. You have all said, "Let the balance team take care of this." Guess what -- the people who were saying that are the balance team. Do you understand how rigged this feels to people who aren't in the inner circle of the V-Set/aren't in the tournament scene loops? We've offered all sorts of ideas:

- Give mouse droids "tiny'
- Ban mouse droids.
- point BAFH higher
- change Imperial Governor
- make Darth Bane cost more

I could go on, but the point I am making is that you act like we're just here to poo-poo on the situation, when in that I am a 10 year veteran of the game who feels like he's being completely ignored and ridiculed because I don't play the game exactly the way these 10-15 people play it. You all discard my opinions because I am not a tournament player. You don't need to be a tournament player to see that some of this is broken.

So now myself and other are being told to wait for the balance team -- ironically, the people who are saying that are the balance team.

I'm sick and tired of the, "it's our way or the highway," mentality from these people. What part of, this is a community-driven effort are you forgetting? Where is the community in, "Okay so these X number of people designed the pieces, exploit the pieces, and then refuse to change the rules of these pieces?"

And then I'm supposed to just be happy-dorry about this? Let me get this straight:

"Let's try A, B, C."
>> "No, that won't do."
"Let's try, 1, 2, 3."
>> "No, you're casual. Hey, but we made a balance team to fix this."
"Okay, I guess I'll wait. Hold on, who's the balance team. Oh, okay, it's the same people who exploited the pieces and talked down on me for not being a tournament player. Yeah this seems really fair.

So to answer your question, FlyingArrow, I've given you constructive discussion ever since the end of GenCon. Whether or not you want to take the time to read it is on you. But if you choose not to read it, don't act like I didn't try and give it.

This is constructive, by the way. Somebody needs to call out the flagrant cronyism here.

Lack of immediate action does not mean things are being ignored.

+1

Well said Sithborg!

Someone playing casually is, by definition, playing more to have fun than to win. Not that they aren't trying to win the game as they are playing, but they've built a squad with theme and fun interactions as a higher priority than winning. Casual squads run into all kinds of issues against competitive squads. Some of those issues really are issues with the competitive game. Some are issues just because it's a casual squad versus a competitive squad. And, ultimately, in a casual game players can just agree to house rules - ban things, make changes, etc.

In most cases, the solution to a problem in a casual game is for opponents to reach an agreement on what to play. I have never seen more than 4 or 5 Mouse Droids in a squad outside of a tournament. Why? Because my opponent and I don't play that way - basically an unspoken house rule. (Oh - and we don't have that many Mouse Droids... hah!)

The "stigma against casuals" you mention is perceived because complaints that come from casual games are often not present in the competitive game. Complaints stemming casual games are often better expressed as a request: "I want a competitive option for my favorite type of squad X." (The Mouse Droid spam issue is a problem in the competitive game, however.)

Good post.

You aren't berated for not wanting to tolerate those things. However, before this post (which is entirely reasonable in both tone and content) you haven't always been so calm and reasonable. That's what causes problems.

Unfortunately, the balance committee and design committee can't do anything about players disagreeing on what is fun. One wants to play competitively, one wants to play their favorite themed squad without getting mercilessly stomped. If both are stubborn about it then neither will have fun and will probably stop playing. You can't make every theme competitive. You can't force a player to play with someone's house rules. But the design/balance teams do try to have a large variety of competitive squads available and to make the un-fun parts of the game less competitive... so that the competitive game is also fun.