IDC Announcement: The IDC's First Casualty
by Oren Weiss

In Wizard of the Coast’s 10 expansions for the Star Wars Trading Card Game, they banned/restricted a total of 13 cards; about 1 card was banned or restricted per expansion. It seemed that the Independent Development Committee’s three expansions were untouchable in these matters. However, it now appears that this was not the case.

After the Battle of Endor expansion was released, it became clear what the most powerful unit in the game was: Luke’s X-Wing (E). With its Lucky 1, Armor, and damage removal ability, this unit was fairly reasonable. However, the problem comes when it is piloted by R2-D2 (J). When this happens, it creates a nearly unbeatable card combination. With the addition of Wedge Antilles (C), the card could easily take down a fleet of Dark Side space units, without taking a single hit. Needless to say, this is a problem.

And so, by a majority vote from the IDC Panel, Luke’s X-Wing (E) will be restricted to the use of only one copy per deck.

Some of you may think that R2-D2 (J) is the problem card, and I (as well as most of the Panel members) agree. After all, Lucky 3 and damage removal for only three build is extremely powerful. However, as per section 6.3.2 of the IDC Charter, the IDC is not allowed to ban or restrict WotC cards.

While Luke’s X-Wing (E) is restricted now, this is subject to change. With the IDC’s upcoming set, Clone Wars: Republic at War, there might be a card created that will level the playing field. On the other hand, if it becomes apparent that the restriction of Luke’s X-Wing (E) does not aid the situation, the IDC might decide to ban the card from use in decks entirely.

Below are the individual opinions of each of the Panel members, so the players might get a better understanding on the reasons why the Panel members voted for or against the motion to restrict Luke’s X-Wing (E).

Marc McNeill (aka Marconis Maximus), the Playtesting Subcommittee Chairperson:

"I think the restriction of Luke's X-wing (E) was the right choice. This restriction should open up the meta more and give Dark side players more options. Also, it will force Light Side players to look into new deck strategies. I've felt for a long time that the game is very balanced with the exception of LS pilot decks. Hopefully, this will help the game become even better and will give players lots of new options."

"My main concern is that players will feel that the IDC did not listen to them. From what I could gather, the public was split 50/50 on whether or not to restrict the card. Their voices were taken into consideration quite strongly. I initially voted against the restriction as I wanted to wait till public support was stronger. After the Card Review Committee decided to restrict the card, I voted to approve the decision. I hope that, in the long run, players will be glad with the IDC decision. Either way, players should feel free to voice approval or disapproval."

Derrick Rabenold (aka Jedi Master DJR), the Rules Subcommittee Chairperson:

I will admit right now Luke's X-wing (E) was way under the radar for me. For the longest time I still felt Luke's X-wing (B) was the stronger card and felt Luke's X-wing (E) was only pretty good. Then I played Marconis Maximus, our excellent Playtesting Chair, and my DS deck was spanked so hard by Marc's Luke's X-wing deck, that my monitor was practically shaking.

I was completely dumbfounded. I had thrown two Imperial Fleets, multiple Interceptors (ROTJ) and Tie Defenders, the Death Star II (D) a couple of times, and so forth at this unit. To watch Luke's X-wing win, unscathed practically, was unbearable. I was a bit mad for awhile and stopped playing for about a week.

Then I went back to the deck editor and did two things. One, I added LXWE to my Ewok deck, increasing its win percentage by at least 10%. I then went to my Dark side decks and worked to beat LXWE in the Space arena. Some ideas I stumbled onto, like the Boba Fett (B) and Slave 1 (G) combo (which is fantastic). Others, like packing Droid Missiles and Painful Reckoning also worked pretty well against Luke's X-wing, but not any other Space presence. And as for Countermeasures, the card that worked so well against a Falcon-pilot stack, is no good because of that Lucky ability that R2-D2 (J) gives.

Many, many games later I came to a horrible realization, one I had hoped was not true. Luke's X-wing (E), one of the most popular cards the IDC has ever made, was too powerful. Its abusiveness and possible brokeness, followed first by Mace Windu (A) in the Sith Rising Meta and Luke's X-wing (B) in the Battle of Yavin Meta, made them look like Cliegg Lars (A) by comparison.

This, in conjunction with the opinions of others in the Rules and Playtesting Sub-Committees, led us to this decision. But if the "buck" for the restriction has to stop anywhere, it can land right on my desk. I pushed the hardest for this decision to be reached quickly and I believe from the "homework" I have done playing with and against this card; it has to be restricted for now. Once Clone Wars: Republic at War releases in the coming months, then I will be the first to take a hard look at this card again, to see if it can return to the meta at full strength.

What I really want the discerning TCG player reading this article to understand, is that the IDC is not Wizards of the Coast. This restriction is not an edict to set in stone, never to be changed or reversed. Because we don't have to care about the number of cards we create, how many booster boxes we have sold or that there is nothing that we can do. We do respect the work that WOTC have done, hence why we are not interefering with R2-D2 (J), per the Charter's mandate.

As always, we welcome comments, opinions, and suggestions from the fan community at large about our sets, cards, and in this case our addition to the banned/restricted list Wizards created with the release of Rogues and Scoundrels.

Brian Weeks (aka Skywlkr), the Public Affairs Subcommittee Chairperson:

"To be honest, I really hadn't had as much time lately to play the TCG. "All work and no play"...as is often said. But when Marc wrote the articles for the site regarding the Luke X-wing (E) deck (Luke’s X-Wing Pilot and Battle Report - Luke's X-wing vs. Death Star II), I knew the IDC had a serious issue on it's hands. The ability for one unit with a pilot to totally dominate the Space arena unbalances the game and takes all the fun out of the game.

After lengthy discussions and some playtesting on my own, I voted to restrict Luke's X-wing (E). Many of you may think that R2-D2 (J) is the obvious culprit with its Lucky 3 and damage removal, but per the IDC Charter, we are not permitted to Ban, Restrict or Modify any of the WOTC created cards. But, because the IDC is an active and evolving card creation committee, you may see some cards in the future that may serve to "neuter" the power of Luke's X-wing (E) and un-Restrict this unit. That will be up to the Card Creation and Rules Committees.

I might also add that not one negative word should be said in regards to the Playtesting Committee. Scum and Villainy was released almost a year ago today and this issue was just now discovered. If the players couldn't discover this "ability" in a year, then I wouldn't expect Playtesting to find it during a 4 month development."