I think a lot of us would be stoked if AMG launched a 15mm scale star wars game. Maybe start with clone wars era this time (since its better suited to huge armies and vehicles).

I don't nessiarily think that every faction needs subfactions. That could be one of the Empires faction identities.  I guess if they really needed to give the Empire subfactions they could use the different branches of the military. The Imperial Navy and Imperial Army could be subfactions where the current Empire represents the Stormtroopers Corps. 

I don't nessiarily think that every faction needs subfactions. That could be one of the Empires faction identities.  I guess if they really needed to give the Empire subfactions they could use the different branches of the military. The Imperial Navy and Imperial Army could be subfactions where the current Empire represents the Stormtroopers Corps. 

That's true to an extent, I don't see them dropping the rebels and imperials completely out thought.  But my main point is you get caught up quicker because all of the releases go toward one faction instead of split across two.  So in your example above FO and the Resistance would get 3 each where as a scum would get 6, or it could be split Reb/Imp 2 GAR/CIS 2 Scum 4.  That would still get Scum caught up faster as scum would be getting more per wave than either of the other two factions.  That doesn't mean that FFG would do it that way, and I have been wrong before about Legion so who knows really.

Ultimately I am glad that we are getting Darth Maul.  I just would have vastly preferred to get him either much later for CIS, or even more preferably as the commander in a scum/Crimson Dawn starter set.  There are just so many things that CIS needs to get some real variety in list building, and a third expensive lightsaber unit is absolutely not one of those things.  Especially since he's going to be an Operative, how is he supposed to be fielded in any way other than in a slightly different Double the Fall list?  And as much as I like Ventress, do we really need a fourth lightsaber unit?
Here is what I would have rather gotten/think we should get next:
1. Admiral Trench - He may be an Admiral, but we see him commanding ground forces at least once, and we see him fight Anakin (briefly...).  He would be an awesome model (with cyborg and non-cyborg options), has great lines for command cards, and has cool weapon options.  Plus, unlike most CIS commanders shown in Clone Wars, he is actually competent. Easy first choice.
2. Super Tactical Droid Kalani/Kraken/Aut-O - There are several good named options for the Super Tactical Droid, so I don't think it should be the generic option.  Instead that should be...
3. Generic T-Series Tactical Droid - They are seen commanding Separatist forces more than probably anyone or anything else in Clone Wars, and almost exclusively as nameless mooks.  They were built specifically for command, but they're not particularly good at it.  Perfect choice for a generic commander.
4. Nute Gunray - Needs no explanation.

that could work, but i still think we will see some of the major crime characters like Jaba and Maul.  They, especially Jaba, don't fit with the other factions.

for the CIS starter:
2x Corps:
B1 battle droid:
42 points
7 minis
white attack melee-3
white defense
no surge
2 courage
speed 2
extra trooper upgrade:(they have an upgrade that adds 2 troopers for 12 points)
grenade upgrade
Keyword:
Battle droid: This unit ignores the effects of suppression tokens
Support:
STAP: Similar to the imperial speeder bike
Commander:
Grievous:
190ish points
attacks:
hold out blaster: Range 1-2 red black
lightsaber: Melee 6 white
pierce, impact
lightsaber: Melee 6 white
pierce, impact
surge to hit
speed 2
health 7
courage 2
upgrades:
Extra weapon: Comes with 2 extra lightsabers
Extra weapon
key words:
Arsenal 4
Battle droid: This unit ignores the effects of suppression tokens
 
followed by
Corps:
B2
Support:
Droidekas
Dwarf spider droids
Special Forces:
IG 1000
Buzz droid
Heavy:
crab droid
AAT
Vulture Droid
Operatives:
Jango Fett
Ventress
Maul (i know not part of the CIS but he is so iconic)
Commanders:
Duku
Palpatine 
Kalani
tactical droid
...
 
 
 
 
 

Yeah, for the core set I bet its Grievous/Obi-Wan with Duku/Anikin coming in as a close second.  I actually don't see Maul as a commander at all but as an operative.  I also see them releasing Palpatine for both the Republic and the Seperatist as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and Darth Sidious respectively.
My prediction for the first 4 commanders for each side are:
CIS: Grievous, Duku, Nut Gunray, and Poggle the Lesser
GAR: Obi War, Anakin, Padme, Cody

I think the easiest way to deal with that problem is to release vehicle commanders as a pilot upgrade card that has a courage value printed on that.

I think the easiest way to deal with that problem is to release vehicle commanders as a pilot upgrade card that has a courage value printed on that.

it is possible that Maul will be for a scum faction.  The Devs did say that they were going to have some content from the Mandalorian coming around the end of the year.  With the end of the last season of the Clone Wars featuring Mandalor, Maul being in command of Deathwatch, and Deathwatch being the Mandalorians in the flash backs in the Mandalorian, This could indicate a Deathwatch/scummy release for the Clone Wars erra.

it is possible that Maul will be for a scum faction.  The Devs did say that they were going to have some content from the Mandalorian coming around the end of the year.  With the end of the last season of the Clone Wars featuring Mandalor, Maul being in command of Deathwatch, and Deathwatch being the Mandalorians in the flash backs in the Mandalorian, This could indicate a Deathwatch/scummy release for the Clone Wars erra.

it is possible that Maul will be for a scum faction.  The Devs did say that they were going to have some content from the Mandalorian coming around the end of the year.  With the end of the last season of the Clone Wars featuring Mandalor, Maul being in command of Deathwatch, and Deathwatch being the Mandalorians in the flash backs in the Mandalorian, This could indicate a Deathwatch/scummy release for the Clone Wars erra.

That is one of the ideas that I had when thinking of how these things would work.  Its one way of dealing with the problem of the base taking up too much area, and it would allow for the units to step over low obstacles like barricades and what not.  It would also allow for infantry to run around through the legs.

Well at least the author of the book paid attention, and only created a new variant of the TIE fighter called the TIE scout which is hyperspace capable.

Well at least the author of the book paid attention, and only created a new variant of the TIE fighter called the TIE scout which is hyperspace capable.

It wasn't my intent to start that argument up again, it was rather to point out that the arguing was about where Maul should be, not if he was around.  I do agree that the debate has probably run its course and the only thing to do is wait and see.

Maul does fight during the clone war, where the argument comes in is what faction should he be in.  By the time of the clone wars Maul isn't allied with the separatist, so putting him in the CIS faction would seem out of place.  At that time he is starting to take over the Criminal underworld which eventually leads to him in control of Crimson Dawn and The Shadow Collective.

it looks like a new expansion will be announced on February 20.
 

I didn't say it was complicated, it is just more on the modeling side of things than FFG seems to be aiming for.  It goes along with there being no requirement for the minis to be painted and other such things, none of that is hard but it does create a barrier to playing the game.  As I mentioned, I believe that if that was the direction that FFG was going for they would have also released troopers with customizable poses as well.
As for the tournament rules, I would argue that putting a laser canon on the AT-RT is not "modifying" it as you are only using components provided by FFG, and you are using them in the intended location.  I do admit that it can be ambiguous and I could very well be wrong on this count.
FFG would want us to buy 9 AT-RT's but I'm willing be bet that no one would buy 9 and they would loose out on more sales than they would make up for.  

Maul does fight during the clone war, where the argument comes in is what faction should he be in.  By the time of the clone wars Maul isn't allied with the separatist, so putting him in the CIS faction would seem out of place.  At that time he is starting to take over the Criminal underworld which eventually leads to him in control of Crimson Dawn and The Shadow Collective.

Here's my idea for a Mandalorian squad:
Death Watch
Corps
3 units
Red defense dice
speed 2
Vibro knife: Melee 1 red 1 black
Westar- 35: range 1-2 1 red, 1 black
Upgrades:
Extra trooper
Heavy weapons
Armament
Gear
Keywords: Beskar: Add 1 block result when you defend against a ranged attack
 
They would come with armament upgrades like:
Whistling Birds:
Flame Thrower:
Blaster Rifle:
Gear upgrades would include:
Jet pack:
Whipcord:
 
My idea behind this is to make them a corps so you could create a legal army out of them.  They would be on the expensive side of things to keep their numbers limited.  They would be able to serve in any role that the current corps do depending on the armament upgrade taken.

Here's my idea for a Mandalorian squad:
Death Watch
Corps
3 units
Red defense dice
speed 2
Vibro knife: Melee 1 red 1 black
Westar- 35: range 1-2 1 red, 1 black
Upgrades:
Extra trooper
Heavy weapons
Armament
Gear
Keywords: Beskar: Add 1 block result when you defend against a ranged attack
 
They would come with armament upgrades like:
Whistling Birds:
Flame Thrower:
Blaster Rifle:
Gear upgrades would include:
Jet pack:
Whipcord:
 
My idea behind this is to make them a corps so you could create a legal army out of them.  They would be on the expensive side of things to keep their numbers limited.  They would be able to serve in any role that the current corps do depending on the armament upgrade taken.

Here's my idea for a Mandalorian squad:
Death Watch
Corps
3 units
Red defense dice
speed 2
Vibro knife: Melee 1 red 1 black
Westar- 35: range 1-2 1 red, 1 black
Upgrades:
Extra trooper
Heavy weapons
Armament
Gear
Keywords: Beskar: Add 1 block result when you defend against a ranged attack
 
They would come with armament upgrades like:
Whistling Birds:
Flame Thrower:
Blaster Rifle:
Gear upgrades would include:
Jet pack:
Whipcord:
 
My idea behind this is to make them a corps so you could create a legal army out of them.  They would be on the expensive side of things to keep their numbers limited.  They would be able to serve in any role that the current corps do depending on the armament upgrade taken.

The earliest that i would expect an announcement would be Gen Con this year with a release Gen con 2021.  I think a Scum faction makes the most sense due to only needing to add units for a single faction. 
That being said it might be better if they do what they did with the clone wars in X-Wing and release faction starter kits. These would include a commander and 2 corps, all the faction specific cards you need + the 4 generic command cards.  There would be a support released along side it to give the same number of unit choices that a half core set gives you.