https://www.techpowerup.com/258434/asus-launches-the-rog-rampage-vi-extreme-encore
 
ASUS today launched the Republic of Gamers (ROG) Rampage VI Extreme Encore socket LGA2066 motherboard. This board replaces the original ROG Rampage VI Extreme from the product-stack, but is positioned a notch below the Extreme Omega. It still has a beefy EATX PCB, but with slight variations to the layout. A few features such as the U.2 port are removed, while some of the connectivity options receive major updates. To begin with, the Extreme Encore features Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) WLAN (the Extreme Omega has the older 802.11ac standard). The Extreme Encore also features a 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, which combines 10 Gbps wiring from two ports to a single port. The wired networking is unchanged, with a 10 GbE interface driven by an Aquantia controller, and a 1 GbE driven by an Intel i219-V.
 
The ROG Rampage VI Extreme Encore is expected to be priced at USD $649.99. I find that price to be high but I suppose if you want ultimate gaming you have to fork out more cash. 
 

Nice motherboard. What, cheaper them Omega but more then Apex?
I stay with my decision that next motherboard will not be payed more then 450$ in Euro 450 euro.
If they offer me Strix or some ATX I will buy EVGA Motherboard without problem. 650$ cheaper variant, shame. Omega is 700$.
That's trick. They intentionally produce smaller number of some models with plan to advertised second model after some time and cause jealous feelings in customers who payed 650$. IT companies should respect customers who pay 450-500$, don't even to talk about higher price and leave them to enjoy in top motherboard at least 1-1.5 year.
3rd high end motherboard for same socket and chipset. That's not for new line of processors, it's for previous models only new motherboard, why?
Who will pay PCI-E 3.0 650$. Real price is 300-350$ with huge discount of processors. Intel should offer lower price for just little faster procssors as compensation for lower PCI-E standard because speed of Operation System depend of him.

Other sources report Rog Strix X299 II and Prime X299-A II are getting ready.
 
https://www.guru3d.com/ne...-a-iimotherboards.html

a213m
Other sources report Rog Strix X299 II and Prime X299-A II are getting ready.
 
https://www.guru3d.com/ne...-a-iimotherboards.html

I believe in future ASUS will try to sell Strix for price of Rampage 4 or Rampage 5 Extreme, I'm first who will not bite.
ASUS is incapable to find simple TUF or ROG Universal VGA Holder to sell to customers who need, same tool as they give for free with 3-4 motherboards.
 

I don't understand it's positioning in the lineup...it feels better than the Omega but is a step down?! 
The Encore has new AX WiFi and 10Gbit Aquantia on board, adds USB 3.2 and from what I see it only loses the "never used" U.2