rob_dog_yipe Are there any plans to add more content to the SWM WOTC web site than the regular 1 article weekly update?
WotC_Rob I have been solicited by the web content guru to submit some additional material, like an AT-AT scenario. But I do not have much time available outside of my R&D duties to devote to such things. For anything beyond that, you'll have to get the ear of the web people, not Bill and me.

_NickName_ Will we see a general solution soon to either the huge rules, or the maps, or the DCI rules that will allow huges to be more competitive (ie fieldable without risking an automatic loss becuase it cant leave it's starting area)
WotC_Rob It is being discussed. Our proposed solution is to have tournaments where only "huge friendly" maps are allowed. But we do not have enough different maps at this time to go there yet. Maybe in 6 months or so.

Jexx Thrawn's master tactician allows him to pick who goes first but if there are more than three players does he pick the order of everyone, and when he switches teammates does that provoke attacks of opportunity?
WotC_Rob The person with Grand Admiral Thrawn decides who go first, then play proceeds clockwise. If he uses his ability to switch two allies, no attacks of opportunity are provoked.

rebel_yancy what can we expect to see in the way of New Republic units to flesh that faction out in the next couple sets?
WotC_Rob Champions of the Force will have additional New Republic characters in it. /ga

Lokzor Will we be getting a re-done, more effective Mara Jade at any point? What about HK-47? I'd give you a kidney for either.
WotC_Rob No plans on an additional Mara Jade at this point. I can't really say anything about HK-47, but please keep your kidney. *wink*

Arc-TrooperAlpha What's the chance of making the tourney kits available somehow, maybe even accessory sets, as not everyone can find a place close enough to play at, and we end up buying them on eBay anyhow, so there's money to be made on map/tile/template/promo figure sets. Ultimate Missions are too expensive at $30 a pop, but smaller map/tile sets would work. I can do without the missions.
WotC_BillS We're looking into a number of different formats for tournament-usable material. Watch the website for announcements in the future.

CPreksta Rob, you mentioned in a previous interview that Lucas had some planned minis pulled from sets. Beyond the Mouse Droid what are some other figs that never made it?
WotC_BillS That's about the only one that didn't make it to the end ... many just get tweaked along the way.
WotC_Rob I think some EU people got yanked by Lucas, but I can't remember who they were.
WotC_Rob So Lucas axed Mouse Droid, Nomi Sunrider, Cay Qel-Droma that I can remember.
WotC_BillS We might do them later.

beyond667 If there are fighters and capital ships in the starship game, can we expect some not-so-realistic scale of the models in relation to each other, like between tanks and infantry in AAM?
WotC_BillS Our plan is to do a game that is more relative in scale than realistic ... otherwise we can't get the ships we want into the game.

GhengisSka Rob during the SWendirect interview you mentioned what was proposed in the Endor pack, to Either Rob or Bill why are there no Ewoks? Any hints on the 4 maps?
WotC_BillS Ewoks? People want Ewoks?
WotC_BillS Seriously, the Endor Pack is set to deliver a small number of minis but a lot of maps.
WotC_BillS We didn't have room for the little fellows.

masterjedishane How many more sets do expect to make at this point? Do you see Zuckass and the NJO jedi's like the Solo kids in the next couple sets?
WotC_BillS As many as you keep buying. Seriously, we have plans that take us through the next few years, and many of the characters you mentioned are on various lists.

DRAUGTUR with Cotf, are we going back in time as well as into the current New Republic and if so, are there going to be new factions for Sith, Old Republic?
WotC_Rob Yes we are. There are certainly champions of the force from quite a large swath of history to choose from.

Quade Can you tell us if there are any plans on re-releasing CS as a set, there is a number of post on the forum begging for them.
WotC_BillS At the moment, there are no plans for another reprint of Clone Strike, but we will bring the question to our Brand Team.

GhengisSka In CotF with the addition of Sith and Old Republic Jedi, as well as going onto the NJO order what is it looking like for the breakdown of amounts in the various factions? the Vong were very small in Universe.
WotC_Rob I believe the Yuuzhan Vong are the only faction not represented in Champions of the Force. Everyone else gets at least a few figures. Unfortunately, Lucas axed a bunch of the Old Republic good guys, so the Sith turned out to get more characters than the Old Republic.

Disturbed1 will we see remakes of any non-Fett bounty hunters in future sets or first versions of Jodo Kast, Snoova, and Boussh in the next few sets?
WotC_Rob Yes, you will see some new versions of familiar faces in the Bounty Hunter set. You will see some new bounty hunters for the first time as well.

Rocky when can we expect the next set to get released? Is it the CotF?
WotC_BillS AT-AT in November, Attack on Endor in February, Champions of the Force in April.

lingster Are the EU characters are made up by WOTC or LFL...for example, Dark Side Marauder...is he from another source, or new from the game?
WotC_Rob I believe he was taken from the Star Wars Role Playing Game.

lingster Will the SWM game be put into hiatus while you bring out the Spaceships game? Will the SWM game be put into hiatus while you bring out the Spaceships game?
WotC_BillS No. We consider them to be the same line, even though the game mechanics will be slightly different.

SW_Bookworm Is there a way that we can post stats to be considered for future sets.
WotC_Rob Bookworm, we cannot look at outside ideas due to legal problems with WotC itself and additional restrictions from working with an outside partner (Lucas)

beyond667 Rules question about force immunity: which force powers DO work against it? The universe inlet says you cannot spend FP to "affect" this character. But isnīt the use of e.g. Lightsaber Precision rather affecting the user and not the target? AND bonus question: can you get multiple reserves on the same INI roll (2 BlackSun Vigos)?
WotC_BillS Working on it ...
WotC_Rob Force Immunity means you cannot effect the target with anything. But if you are "buffing" yourself up prior to smacking a Vong around, that is fine. You can get multiple batches of reserves on the same initiative roll, but the quanitities cannot be combined... they must be purchased as separate batches.

Lokzor Are we getting more, different ewoks? Ewok on glider, ewok with log, ewok with slingshot, ewok on speeder, crushed under AT-ST ewok, sith ewok?
WotC_BillS People seem to want Ewoks. There are no additional Ewoks in Champions of the Force or Bounty Hunters ... after that, we'll try to work some in.

rob_dog_yipe What was the best part about developing UNIVERSE?
WotC_BillS Huge figures! I love the Huge figures! Rob>
WotC_Rob I think the best part about developing Universe for me was taking the game in entirely new directions with the new abilities. Shaking up the metagame, unfolding new ways to play the same game so that your play experience is enhanced.

Thodafett1977 are there any plans to expand upon the Gungans, for example Captian Tarpals, Boss nass, even Jar Jar or a shield holding generic, or even a huge or larger Faamba?
WotC_BillS Our contact at Lucasfilm really wants a JarJar, so eventually ... maybe.

stsparks72 Will the upcoming Star Wars Starship game be similar in play to A&A Miniatures or will it be a d20 game similar to SWM?
WotC_BillS Starships will be d20 based. It will be its own game, not using the A&A rules.
Engineer Are there plans for regional qualifier tourney's for SWM (like DDM)?
WotC_Rob I have not heard plans, of yet, for regional qualifier tournaments for SWM. Until attendance goes up for our major convention tournaments, there really is no reason to have qualifiers.

DRAUGTUR Will you please talk with the POWERS THAT BE, and post more info on upcoming products. Rumors are nice, but direct info terms every time. Please post upcoming info faster not the week prior to release. And can we have a Nothwest convention tournament please!
WotC_Rob Bill is writing a book.
WotC_BillS We provide hard facts six to nine months out ... beyond that, we don't provide solid details. It's our policy. As for other conventions, we constantly look for venues but can only hit so many every year.
WotC_Rob Or maybe Bill just types slow!

masterjedishane May of us would like to see more sets being released faster. Is this possible? I mean after COTF can we expect another 8 month wait or is it possible to get sets ever 4 months?
WotC_BillS There is a break due to manufacturing issues that happens, unfortunately, between Universe and Champions. The sets after that are much closer in release, like D&D.

Disturbed1 will SWM be compatible with the starship game in any way? Can i have a job at WotC?
WotC_BillS Starships will be similar in play but scaled for space combat.
WotC_BillS (You won't be able to have Darth Vader run out and slice open a Mon Cal Cruiser, for example)/ga
WotC_BillS As for jobs, check the website for info on submitting resumes!

zenduggie mobile attack good with speed 12, or still limited to 6?
WotC_Rob Yes, the earlier templating on Mobile Attack didn't allow for speeds greater than 6. This was an error, and mobile attack is usable at any speed.

rebel_yancy are you concerned in any way for the metagame where factions (New republic, vong perhaps sith/old republic in CotF) have so few characters and so little variety?
WotC_Rob We are thinking about changing the tournament scene to dark side versus light side. But until then, we believe enough variety is found by adding fringe to any faction to make a myriad of different squads viable for any faction.
SW_Bookworm Are there any future sets planned beyond Bounty Hunters other than the starships game? Are there any minis that you can give us a hint about whether or not they will be in any of the upcoming sets?
WotC_BillS We can't discuss plans for beyond 2006. Frankly, we weren't supposed to tell you about starships yet!

Jexx Will there be a new emperor or darth plaguies?
WotC_BillS Yes
Palpatine_Xizor which one?
WotC_BillS Guess

Palpatine_Xizor Can you tell us anyone in Champions of the force
WotC_BillS Sure, I'll let Rob drop two hints .../ga
WotC_Rob Exar Kun and Queen Amidala /ga
Palpatine_Xizor queen amidala
Palpatine_Xizor she doesnt have the force
WotC_BillS (Rob picked blindly from the set list) /ga
Palpatine_Xizor what did she do that was so great to be a champion of the force
WotC_BillS (We gave hints, we're not here to debate them)
Palpatine_Xizor but she didnt to something great like plagueis
Palpatine_Xizor might as well put a jawa in it along with your ewoks

armoredgear7 Could you describe the process for designing the starter set maps, such as how you decide on locales/layouts? Does the design team create the layout and have West create the artwork?
WotC_BillS Rob and I design the maps after a lot of discussion, then let Chris West make them pretty (and he adds some of his own touches as well, as long as he doesn't change game play elements)

DRAUGTUR Can you please Post A STICKY, So that as the fans and buyers of product, we can post or desired wants for future pieces, without the thread being buried. Seems like a helpful way to know for sure what the fans really are looking for.
WotC_BillS Good suggestion ... we'll pass it on to our WizOs.

Matt_the_Hutt I basically have comments, not really questions. Do you watch the forums for feedback on decisions? Because I'll be posting some stuff tonight (IE Reactions to proposed changes and reactions to things discussed tonight). Lol.
WotC_Rob I do peruse the forums from time to time, I try to read them at least once a week. I occasionally copy/paste some comments/feedback and pass them on to the general Star Wars team... R&D, marketing, etc. If you guys think something sucks, I let people know. If you like something, I pass that along too.
WotC_Mel butts in that WizOs also report "hot" threads once a month and submit them to the brand team