186th Squadron Podcast 13 - Alex Davy Interview

[Dodo 112]

Morning all,

 

New episode time! Alex, James and Mike trap Alex Davy and Jesper Hills in a room and force them to talk X-Wing for an hour! We discuss the Coruscant Invitational, X-Wing Design and the shape of the competitive environment.

 

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Edited August 4, 2016 by Dodo

[Tokyogriz 697]

Thanks!

[atr127 868]

great interview.  particularly the bit about the J5k.

[Fuego Estelar 401]

did he told anything about the Gunboat?

[costi 1,297]

Can we have a short summary?

[SmartCookie 1,253]

Can we have a short summary?

All is well.

FFG is very pleased that the Contracted Scouts have driven most ships out of the meta, forcing us to buy more of the new ones to stay competetive.

Well, I guess he kind of gave a good explanation on the current state of the meta as the Scouts have chased off the Rebel stress and regen builds allowing Imp aces to rise and combat the Scouts. No real mentions of any upcoming fixes but a very astute description of where the game is right now.

Edited August 4, 2016 by Veldrin

[Celes 619]

 

Can we have a short summary?

All is well.

FFG is very pleased that the Contracted Scouts have driven most ships out of the meta, forcing us to buy more of the new ones to stay competetive.

Well, I guess he kind of gave a good explanation on the current state of the meta as the Scouts have chased off the Rebel stress and regen builds allowing Imp aces to rise and combat the Scouts. No real mentions of any upcoming fixes but a very astute description of where the game is right now.

 

Brilliant, i had a good laugh.

[Chief Hugh 372]

 

Can we have a short summary?

All is well.

FFG is very pleased that the Contracted Scouts have driven most ships out of the meta, forcing us to buy more of the new ones to stay competetive.

Well, I guess he kind of gave a good explanation on the current state of the meta as the Scouts have chased off the Rebel stress and regen builds allowing Imp aces to rise and combat the Scouts. No real mentions of any upcoming fixes but a very astute description of where the game is right now.

 

Leads me to believe he has something in store for rebels so they can have a fair shake in the current meta.

[AlexW 2,902]

It seems to me from the interview that they didn't test the most prevalent combo on the JMs (deadeye, OCR/R4, and torps).

Edited August 4, 2016 by AlexW

[Tbetts94 2,401]

Alex Davy has said before there is a hard counter to U-Boats in Wave 9, so kinda disappointed you guys didn't ask him what he believes the hard counter is. Everything is released and nothing seems to counter the U-Boats.

[Jo Jo 4,807]

It seems to me from the interview that they didn't test the most prevalent combo on the JMs (deadeye, OCR, and torps).

 

 

Sounded to me like they completely missed the combo. I am curious too what they think the Scout counter is as well. 

[Darthfish 806]

Yes, I don't think they ever tried the triple u boat build with R4. I think it got by them.

[ViscerothSWG 3,940]

38min in - quality stuff!

Palp Aces and U-boats are balanced against each other and pushing everything else out. He even says it's starting to look similar to Fat Han and the Phantom Menace.

 

They're keeping an eye on it.

[WingedSpider 1,266]

Wow, this is a very informative interview. Interesting how they designed the Jumpmaster around ordinance but missed the "perfect storm" that led to its power. 

[JacknifeUK 25]

Alex is just really nice to talk too. Really honest and passionate about his work and modest enough to admit his mistakes. The game is in great hands.

[davidhaus 343]

Loved the interview, guys!

From the sound of it, I got the vibe that an errata is coming for Deadeye. Small ship only maybe? I may be reading between the lines, but Alex sounds like a huge fan of ordnance lists that use small ships, but not large ships.

[Chief Hugh 372]

Alex seems to be a fan of the Star Viper and is optimistic that it can and should be fixed.

[Celes 619]

Yes, I don't think they ever tried the triple u boat build with R4. I think it got by them.

 

I appreciate Alex's honesty (this was a great interview btw), but i'm once again baffled how they repeatedly miss such obvious builds in playtesting and balancing. The JM5K combo is just the latest example.

 

I mean deadeye+r4+ordnance was discovered literally the day the ships hit Vassal, it's such a straightforward synergy. There seems to be some sort of issue with the balancing process.

Edited August 5, 2016 by Celes

[costi 1,297]

It seems to me from the interview that they didn't test the most prevalent combo on the JMs (deadeye, OCR, and torps).

 

 

Sounded to me like they completely missed the combo. I am curious too what they think the Scout counter is as well.

So, quad TLT again? FFG really needs to reconsider their testing procedures.

[Dodo 112]

Thanks for all the positive feedback guys, it was great fun recording this!

 

Alex seems to be a fan of the Star Viper and is optimistic that it can and should be fixed.

Fun fact - we recorded this on the Thursday, Alex was staying until the Sunday. He borrowed some a YV-666 (with Hound's Tooth title!), a StarViper and a Z-95 and still took 8th at a local Summer Kit with 30+ people

[Rodafowa 2,483]

Alex is just really nice to talk too. Really honest and passionate about his work and modest enough to admit his mistakes. The game is in great hands.

Yeah I always enjoy hearing Alex talk about the game, he just seems to really Get It. FFG screw things up from time to time, but the company in general and Alex in particular always feel like they're making a good-faith effort to find, own and deal with problems as they arise.

Really good interview, chaps.

[downsizedsandals 55]

 

Yes, I don't think they ever tried the triple u boat build with R4. I think it got by them.

 

I appreciate Alex's honesty (this was a great interview btw), but i'm once again baffled how they repeatedly miss such obvious builds in playtesting and balancing. The JM5K combo is just the latest example.

 

I mean deadeye+r4+ordnance was discovered literally the day the ships hit Vassal, it's such a straightforward synergy. There seems to be some sort of issue with the balancing process.

 

 

 

External playtesters are hired for their ability to not leak information, and not necessarily on their play skill.

 

FFG should probably try to hire a top player (multiple regional wins or better) on a full time position to assist them with it.

Edited August 5, 2016 by moppers

[Boba Rick 4,209]

And what of the Gunboats massing near Sullust?

[SmartCookie 1,253]

Yes, I don't think they ever tried the triple u boat build with R4. I think it got by them.

 

I appreciate Alex's honesty (this was a great interview btw), but i'm once again baffled how they repeatedly miss such obvious builds in playtesting and balancing. The JM5K combo is just the latest example.

 

I mean deadeye+r4+ordnance was discovered literally the day the ships hit Vassal, it's such a straightforward synergy. There seems to be some sort of issue with the balancing process.

 

 

External playtesters are hired for their ability to not leak information, and not necessarily on their play skill.

 

FFG should probably try to hire a top player (multiple regional wins or better) on a full time position to assist them with it.

I suggest you read the playtest credits on the ships and see if any names ring a bell...

[Dengar5 764]

Excellent interview. It's nice to be reminded that Alex Davy does have a realistic perspective of this game.

 

Still though, I get worried often cause he said, "PS9 Xizor only needs a little help in order to get him viable." The 37-point Xizor build doesn't need a little help. It is approximately 4-points overcosted which I would categorize as needing a large help. Starviper needs a fix almost as big as the Defender fix.

 

Alex Davy is right to be proud of the Ghost design. It is thematic, complicated, and costed appropriately. It's no wonder that double ghost with HWK did well at the Coruscant Open.

 

The thing is, wave9 is a step back from the stellar design of wave8 & Imperials veterans. What's the deal?