So, did quite a bit more looking at this set, now that we have it in hand. I'm more disappointed in the set than I started out being... back to being where I'd feared I'd be (kinda) during the lead up. However, my disappointment isn't really just "power creep"... rather, it is the sheer randomness of the set. Some pieces are just flat out insane (Yuke leaps to mind)... while others are total head-shakers (Gotal Assassin leaps to mind).
So I did some analysis and did my own personal assessment, based now on some play (not extensive play, mind you). Here is what my assessment came out to...
Game Changers
There are a few powers and models that will fundamentally change the game. I'm not saying this is inherently bad, but I think it was ill considered, particularly given our competitive maps. These include Force Push/Repulse, the Golan Turret, and the Camaasi Noble. In fact, I won my release tournament with a truly, TRULY pathetic squad (my rares were Ozzel and Leia) purely because I used the Noble to great effect, locking down a doorway against a KWS.
I also feel that the VERY generous use of Force Renewal significantly upped the power curve... (they doubled the number of models with Force Renewal from 10 to 21, and placed it on much less expensive models).
Quality Assessment
The thing that REALLY struck me after looking at the set was the wild variety in the set. As mentioned above, some figures are going to be likely referred to as "broken" soon, much as Boba BH. Yuke leaps immediately to mind as being one such. Additionally, there are a significant number of seriously "undercosted" models (in my opinion, of course, based largely on comparisons with other similar models). These include:
Kazdan Paratus - Off by probably 20% in my mind. At 66 he'd feel about right, given the fact that when used properly he'll generate his own point value in droids by turn 4.
Vader Unleashed - Yes, I know he's not the end-all, but he is about 5-8 points too cheap imho. FR + Dark Armor + Def23 + Grip 4 makes this pretty clearly true to me.
Luke + Yoda - Even at 70 he's a bargain. He's not a commander, like Revan, but he's simply ridiculous and game changing. I could see him at 80 easy.
Then on the flip side, you get the ones that are insanely OVERcosted, for no apparent reason. For instance:
Gotal Assassin - Compare with Storm Commando (admittedly one of the very best figures in the game) and it is just laughable. Yes, built in accurate is great.. but not at this price with this limited firepower. If he had Damage 20, he'd be viable (maybe even too cheap)... but with damage 10, he's a waste of points.
PROXY - Um... without getting powers, he's going to suck most of the time. Yes, you can pair him with Bane and get a double attacker for 30. Yes, you can pair him with Vader U and get him great D and Atk for a slight discount... but even then, not at that price with those limitations. He's at least 10 points too high for my money.
Overall Impressions
Overall I'm still happy enough... the sculpts are great in general, and there are plenty of viable troops that don't whack the game out... fun stuff like Rebel Troop Cart... Vanguard (powerful but balanced by fragility)... and the potentially nasty Evo Trooper (spendy, but has some serious firepower potential).
I will give credit where credit is due on one item... the MTB. He is probably the single greatest change to Meta from this, other than Push (which is meta only in that most of the tournament maps are highly... crappy).
Anyway, to all of you who were wrestling with me in discussions prior to release, I don't think either of us get to say "I told you so". There is some pretty significant upgrading (by design or otherwise) and I don't think there was any significant resurrection of old pieces that weren't often played. I do, however, think the set didn't destroy the game (not that I expected it to). I DO think that they added a level of complexity with the rules this time around that may begin to have negative impact if they aren't careful... push is a little too much of a tool for skilled players to just wipe the floor with unskilled ones. The "gap" just got much, much wider... and I'm not at all sure that's really great for our sport.
Anyway, feel free to flame or shoot away... just my thoughts anyway