I saw the reasoning Billiv gave and it is worth quoting as it attempts to set what I think is a dangerous precedent of rulings in the game:

"You see, actually, transfer essence was most often used on a tomb, an inanimate object, where the spirit would wait until it could find another being to transfer into. Whatever a force ghost really is, it's not the same as what we typically think of as a ghost in culture anyways, as the Force spirits have the ability to affect the real world in tangible ways far beyond what usual ghost lore has been. Force spirits are pure energy according to wookie. They absolutely have a tangible essence, in fact it seems they are 100% essence. So you could totally transfer into one IMO.

If we were to use full realism for transfer, it actually should work on droids and mounted weapons as well."

He is half right here, I'll cite my source for those that want to see it.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Transfer_essence

Transfer Essence is not a means of reappearing in original form, but is the transfer of consciousness into another vessel. So yes they have transferred into computers, talismens, etc, but never have they possessed a droid or taken control of ship. Essentially these objects act as an anchor into the real world, but they do not allow them to take control of the inanimate object.. So no, a person could not transfer essence on a spirit in canon SW Universe, because you cannot impose your will on an ephemeral entity.

But nice try.

None of which is based on the rules.

If you're going to use the "canon" power, then why don't we change the wording completely? It makes no sense, universe-wise, that Krayt could transfer essence into someone and keep his original body, with the Vonduun Armor and all. If the insistence is on it being "realistic," why don't we change it to Transfer Essence [Force 3, replaces turn: Choose 1 living character. The target character gains this character's Force points and Force powers and joins your squad until the end of the skirmish, save 16. Remove this character from play.]? That fits much more with the in-universe equivalent.

But then we should change all of the Sith Alchemys, too, and all of the Force Spirits, as well, and the Force Corruptions, and Aing-Tii Flow-Walking, if our goal is accuracy to the canon. And lots of other things, too.

You realize that this is merely a game, right? Games are inherently going to be inaccurate compared to in-universe mythos, because games have to follow specific, consistent rules and have some form of balance. That's just how games work. There's not much we can do about that, and I'm not sure that there is much we should try to do about that.



Also, for the stuff about the balance team... I seriously don't see why the balance team should be concerned with this. It doesn't really affect the balance of the game at all?

The point of this thread is that you had one of the balance team participants using lore to justify being able to transfer essence into Force Spirits. This thread is pointing out that there is more to the lore than what the balance team member was suggesting.

When Balance Team uses lore to justify their decision, it's okay.
When anyone else uses lore, then they get jumped.

And yes, this is a balance issue for sure.

The only thing even remotely akin to "being jumped", after 5 posts, is:

If you truly believe this is "being jumped" you might be a tad sensitive.

P.S. Force Spirit being living is silly.

Her example is given in the link I had provided. But if you read it, it's debatable as to what she did was really a transfer of essence as it acted in a way that had never been done before, and that it was a light side user who used the skill, a skill practiced by the dark side of the force. So it's debatable if that is transfer essence or not, and one case does not make a case for all of transfer essence.

But nice try.

I don't see it as much of a balance issue. It is only usable in exactly one squad, which is purely a gimmick and tier 2 at best. It does well in a heavy shooter (no melee defense) meta which is what we have. The squad actually does poorly if there is much melee defense at all. It seems like it is a great control squad to keep all the heavy shooter squads in check.

I agree that it is an issue in exactly one squad (maybe two, but I think we all know which one is being discussed right now.) So on that, it's fine. However, we're not only talking about the case in the past and present, but in the future as well. What happens when more Force Spirits and more units w/ transfer essence come along?

If we tackle the problem now, it won't happen. I think the squad in mind should retain all bragging right for winning that particular tournament, but I don't think it's something that anyone wants to see in the future. Most people think Force Spirit should just be reclassified as non-living. If it is how you say it is, and it only affects one (maybe two) teams, then it's not like it will trip up any new/returning players.

I understand that it doesn't make much sense that the spirits are considered to be living, but that is how it has always been, and I don't know why you feel so strongly about this needing to be changed. Yes the squad that probably makes the best use of these tactics won a regional , or maybe two, this last season, but I certainly don't feel that it is a mechanic that unbalanced the rest of the meta in the competitive game, and as far as casual gameplay goes, the few times I have played against transfer squads it wasn't all that terrible. I guess I just fail to see what your major concern is gameplay wise? Yes it is silly a ghost is living, but ghost lives matter, and if their classification as living is the big complaint and not the way it plays in the game, then does it really need to be changed?

for what its worth,
I look at Transfer Essence as a quicktime event -
much as in Southpark, Stick of Truth or Japanimes,
the game can be slowed to allow two characters to 'tag team' - thats how I figure 'transfer essence' functions.

To date,
only 4 pieces I am aware of, possess that ability.
Sure, it could be used on medium allies etc... but,
I think it is an ambivalent ability which can harm a squad if used improperly.
It is probably a slightly undercosted ability for what it can do - but that negative side to it, is why it is priced as it is.

Do I care that they can transfer their identity/"transporter pattern" into a demonic non-corporeal force ghost,
or aliens with exobiology which is incompatible with the transferee? not so much -
|spoiler, if you read Kurzweil's How to Create a Mind, Kaku's Future of Physics, deGaris Artilect etc... all known forms of life so far require: i)chemical reaction ii) electrical transfer of some kind |
because I like seeing the swap backfiring more often than not...
and if they swap-flee, they've bought maybe 1 turn, while I keep gambit positioned

Transfer Essence isn't as annoying to me as having Gha Nackt auto include,
Mouse Droid/Ugnaught Auto Include,
Lobot Auto Include... etc
folks that were minor characters becoming so powerful and ubiquitous grinds the gears somewhat more than
a character using 'the force' to 'force' into a 'force ghost' -
though I can empathise with some consternation about trepidation when it comes to raising concrit candid feedback -
if someone is being as objective as possible and using logos or freethinking to share something that is important to them,
good on them for the intestinal fortitude and where-with-all to post in such a public fora for all time, for all to see