Brainstorming the future of SoG
At this point, I think we have enough data that we can start projecting out benchmarks for future reprints and somewhat new sets.
we know...
1. Ares requires six names per sculpt, by hook or crook.
2. Ares prefers to have at least one reflag paint scheme whenever possible. Single reflag ship may not be enough (see 1793-1802 HMS Commerce de Marseilles, a captured Ocean, though this may also be because CdM was never truly recommissioned as a fighting ship but only used in ancillary duties usually reserved to hulks).
3. We can expect to see downgraded versions of Special sculpts in regular releases, or Specials as upgraded versions of regular. (The CAD file they're using for ALL British First Rates is HMS Victory.)
4. Reprint sets we can expect to see one carry-over, and only two new offerings.
That said, here's some brainstorming about possible future sets... I'm going to focus mainly on the classes with less reprint potential, I'll work up to the bigger populations later.
Wave 2 British First Rate: (note, I'm including two dimensionally near-identical Second Rates that were built as "let's build another Victory, but leave some guns ashore")
2-B: SGN108D 1756 HMS Royal George 100/1810 HMS Boyne 98, SGN108E 1810 HMS Impregnable 98-104/1811 HMS Union 98
left for 2-C: 1810 HMS Queen Charlotte
Wave 2 Ocean 110: We have five ships remaining, plus two of a cut-down variant. Despite the Action of 5 Nov 1813, I would not expect to see 1811 Imperial for a while due to name confusion. I'm pairing one Commerce de Paris 110 with each of these reprint Oceans, as otherwise I don't expect to see 'em.
2-B: SGN106D Wagram/Commerce de Paris, SGN106E Montebello/Duc d'Angouleme
left for 2-C: 1811-14, briefly '15 Imperial/1814-15, 15-25 Royal Louis
"Wave X" USS Constitution downgraded sculpt: Here we have a problem. Three Humphreys 44's, one of which is Off The Table from being a Special. One reflag, two closely-related ships. I'd suggest pairing each 44 with a 38, and doing HMS President as a single-side-only. Speaking solely for myself I would not be comfortable with having Chesapeake share this sculpt
Wave X: SGN1xxA USS United States/USS Congress, SGN1xxB USS President/USS Constellation, SGN1xxC HMS President single-side
I'll toss up more later as I develop it, but I could easily see a combined Dutch/Spanish "quick launch" using reprints--the Spanish and Dutch had 5 Temeraires each, and the Dutch had seven members of the Hebe family-tree. Do two double-sides each of Spanish Temeraire, Dutch Temeraire and Dutch Hebe/Virginie/Hortense/Pallas and you're just left coming up with a reprint Spanish frigate.