During last year's tournament season, I flew dual bounty hunters exclusively, so I decided to go for rebels this time around.

After screwing around with several lists involving HLC B-wings & Jan, I haven't yet found a combination I'm completely happy with. Since I'm lucky enough to have three local store championships this month, I decided to just put together something that was pure fun to fly for the first tournament, which was held at Dice Age Games in Vancouver, WA.

I give you...(drumroll)... Full Retard .

Han Solo - Expert Handling, Assault Missiles, Gunner, Nien Numb, Engine Upgrade (63)

Tycho - Push the Limit, Assault Missiles, Stealth Device (37)

I had three goals: fly some serious donuts around the board, set a new record for stress counters on Tycho (my current high is 9), and finish at least 2-2.

We ended up with 13 players, and a *lot* of big ships (8 or so shuttles, 5 or 6 firesprays, and two falcons).

My first opponent was Adrian:

Kath - PTL, Gunner, Engine, Seismic charges

Saber - PTL (x2)

This first game was the first time I'd flown the list, and it took me a few rounds to get a handle on such a maneuverable version of the Falcon. Much to my surprise, my list was a lot more effective than I would have anticipated. I picked off the two sabers in exchange for all of Han's shields, which left Kath all by herself. The engine upgrade makes a Firespray rediculously maneuverable... but both of my ships could do the same thing, at a higher pilot skill.

(1-0)

My second opponent was Scott:

Chewie / Gunner / Expert Handling

Garvin

Biggs

Fearing my assault missiles, Scott set up his forces fairly spread out--Chewie in the corner, Biggs in the middle, and Garvin centered between the two. I decided to make a bee line for Chewie, with the intent of dropping two assault missiles into him before Biggs could give him any cover. I believe I managed to ping one or two shields off Chewie, combined. Scott then unleashed the fury of his red dice: Han was left shieldless and Tycho was one-shotted by garvin. I could only shake my head and laugh as his dice kept up their hot streak (we guessed that he only rolled 3 or 4 misses...total... the entire game). Even still, Han managed to take out Garvin & Biggs before Chewie finished him off.

(1-1)

My third opponent was Brian:

Dutch / Ion Cannon

Garvin

Biggs

Rookie

This was easily one of my all-time favorite games. Tycho & Han zoomed all around the board, dropping missiles and grinding damage on Brian's fleet, which he flew very well. Unfortunately, Tycho managed to juuuuuuuust clip an asteroid, and Brian was able to focus fire and take him out. By the last turn of the game, he had Dutch with 4 hull against Han with 1 hull left & a Blinded Pilot result. I was planning on zipping around at range 3, in hopes of needling him to death... but then Dutch clipped an asteroid, earning a Direct Hit. Unable to resist the opportunity, Han barrel-rolled right in front of him. Brian pointed out that I was blinded. "Ah, yes... but I have a gunner!" I dropped four hits and the round was mine!

2-1

My final game was against either another Scott or another Brian (sorry)

Krassis / Assault Missile / HLC / Mercenary Copilot

Saber Squadron / Shield Upgrade (x2)

This game went pretty quickly. Scott/Brian devoted all three ships to chasing Tycho, while Han kept harrassing them from the flanks. By the time Tycho 'sploded, Krassis was down to 5 hull and one of the sabers was gone. Krassis ate a two-hit-two-crit assault missile, and the last saber was unable to escape.

3-1

While I didn't manage to achieve a new Stress record, I ended up in a three-way tie for second, scoring a range ruler and some store credit. The build turned out to be a lot more effective than anticipated, too (albeit, mentally exhausting to use). Good enough, in fact, that I may end up using it again...

Overall, a great tournament at a great FLGS. Big thanks to Jim for running things, too.

Dang, I think I've only ever had 3-4 stress when I played Tycho. I've got to work on that!

I find this all impossible to believe. According to these forums, you cannot win without at least 4 ships in your squad, much less NAMED PILOTS.

Congrats on making that crazy ass list work. 63 point Falcon... lol.

I find this all impossible to believe. According to these forums, you cannot win without at least 4 ships in your squad, much less NAMED PILOTS.

Congrats on making that crazy ass list work. 63 point Falcon... lol.

Part of that success was undoubtedly my all-tourney initiative advantage. In all four games, I deployed last. That, combined with the threat of double assault missiles made it pretty easy to pounce on 25-33% of my opponents squadrons. Also, high PS + boost/barrel roll is exceedingly powerful...

As for the pilots themselves, I've gained a healthy respect for Tycho over the last couple weeks. With PTL/Stealth, he's usually still 100% in the end stages of the game, where he really excels at finishing off all the wounded targets. As a buddy puts it, "I never know where that @sshole's gonna be!"

Han was really the big surprise for me. I've never been a huge fan of the falcon. It's obviously powerful, sure, but it never really clicked for me in terms of being fun to use. A falcon that can boost and barrel roll, though? That's a whole 'nuther animal, entirely...

Dang, I think I've only ever had 3-4 stress when I played Tycho. I've got to work on that!

Get into a protracted fight with a couple PTL interceptors, you'll start eating stress like popcorn...

Any info on the top list(s)?

Well, I was in the top four (along with two other 3-1 finishers, I believe).

Top spot went to Chewie w/expert handling & gunner, Garvin, Biggs

The other two were a tie/int swarm (mauler/howlrunner/backstabber/2x alphas & an academy pilot) and a triple-big list (two BH w/recon spec & a buzzsaw shuttle).