I think that one of the greatest things you gain by adding some 3rd Age ships is flexibility. Not sure how many people you play against or what the environment is like, but that added flexibility can equate to surprise on the battlefield. If everyone knows you as the Early EA guy in your group, and they plan for that, then you can now play 3rd Age and shake it up a little.
3rd Age adds some higher level ships but takes some lower level ones out. The Omega is a superior choice (IMO) to the Orestes for Battle-level ships (more fighters, jump engine, more interceptors, more weapons).
The Thunderbolt offers much the same performance as the Tiger Starfury, but loses the weak trait, gains atmospheric, more speed and an extra AD on the missile weapon at a trade-off of 2 less flights per Patrol point).
The Nova changes the weapon loadout, and that would be up to you if it is worth it. The broadside has a lot more AD, but it changes from AP and DD to Twin Linked. So it is up to you which you like better. Less dice to roll but AP DD or roll a handful of dice (twice).
The Avenger changes to Aurora Starfuries and, in the right era, Thunderbolts can be freely swapped, and that can be powerful fighter-wise.
You lose the Tethys, Artemis Escort, and Saggi. Gain the Omega, Warlock, and Poseidon. In higher level games, these ships can be quite powerful, the centerpiece of a fleet. The sheer number of fighters a Poseidon has can change the face of a game and the Warlock is a strong ship with very powerful weapons.
Some of it is preference and the local scene. If you play only small games and are satisfied with the Early EA options, then Early EA only is right for you. If you play larger point games or higher PL games, then maybe 3rd Age is right for you. Depends on what you like to play. Does that help a little bit?
And, as I said before, 3rd Age dovetails into Early EA quite a bit so that you can use many of the same ships you already have whilst adding some other options at your convenience.
Chris
Lone Gunman said:
The quitesential answer has not been answered until now.
Why should I update to 3rd age or crusade? What benefits do I gain apart from the iconic Omega and the Warlock?
One of the specific design goals of the second edition was to get every fleet jealous of others. Believe me, there are Narn and Centauri players looking on with green eyes at some of your ships!
