Can anyone link me to the astromechs or atleast tell me what the cards say?

R3-A2

R2-D6

Flechette Torpedoes

I hope we eventually get a ps5 or 6 generic rogue squadron card that lets us have an EPT and astromech.

So what happens with Hobbie and Push the Limit (via R2-D6)?

His ability says: "When you acquire or spend a target lock, you may remove 1 stress token from your ship."

Push the Limit says: "Once per round, after you perform an action, you may perform 1 free action shown in your action bar. Then receive 1 stress token."

So if Hobbie focuses, then uses PTL to take a target lock, does he receive the stress and then immediately clear it via acquiring a target lock or does he take the stress without an opportunity to clear it?

Also note that R3-A2 is before you roll dice but after you declare. You can't decide if you want to stress them after an attack or not.

So what happens with Hobbie and Push the Limit (via R2-D6)?

His ability says: "When you acquire or spend a target lock, you may remove 1 stress token from your ship."

Push the Limit says: "Once per round, after you perform an action, you may perform 1 free action shown in your action bar. Then receive 1 stress token."

So if Hobbie focuses, then uses PTL to take a target lock, does he receive the stress and then immediately clear it via acquiring a target lock or does he take the stress without an opportunity to clear it?

Read exactly how PTL reads.

You receive the stress after performing the second action.

Focus

PTL action, Target lock.

Stress

Stress happens after the acquire TL action.

This all looks lovely. Now I'll just go ahead and click the link that talks about the new imperial p-...

Oh, right.

GlobeTrotting: You receive the stress after the action. So the lock doesn't clear the stress.

But Hobbie with R3-A2 seems awesome. Shoot target, give them a stress and then clear it by spending lock! Especially if you can Swarm Tactics him to shoot early!

So if Hobbie focuses, then uses PTL to take a target lock, does he receive the stress and then immediately clear it via acquiring a target lock or does he take the stress without an opportunity to clear it?

No, I don't think so, the timing would work like this.

Focus Action, then use PtL to do a free action in this case a TL. Then you get the stress. So you have the TL before you have the stress token. But what you could do, is spend the focus token on your attack to remove the stress you got from PtL.

GlobeTrotting: You receive the stress after the action. So the lock doesn't clear the stress.

But Hobbie with R3-A2 seems awesome. Shoot target, give them a stress and then clear it by spending lock! Especially if you can Swarm Tactics him to shoot early!

It is a bit expensive at 27 points. I don't know if it would be better than a rookie with the same droid at 23 points.

ETA: With the rookie, you would at least be able to see who is left on the table after the rest of the lists dakka and pick and choose who you want to have stress.

Another interesting combo... R3-A2 and Flechette Torps, give the target 2 stress, for the cost of one stress on you.

Hobbie with R3-A2 is a combo right? I do whatever, acquire a lock, shoot at something give it a stress and the spend lock to lose mine?

Stress is going to be a BIG factor now. Add in some Ions for the ultimate in annoyance.

Why do I get the feeling that we Imperials are just falling farther and farther behind in tournament viability...

Wes can pretty well shut down Kir Kanos

R3-A2 seems specifically targeting Ints

Tarn is DC/NB level of good

It is actually seeming sad: these X-wings (and their Astromechs) have potential to really shake meta boundaries, but Imperial Aces not so much.

Looking at the picture in the original announcement I cannot find R2-D6. Anyone see the card?

Janson

His ability costs two points. Seems very useful. Has to shoot early for maximum effect. May require VI when flying alongside Wedge.

Porkins

Another pilot with EPT is good news. His ability costs zero points. If it is too risky, don't use it. No loss.

Klivian

Combines well with R3-A2. Add Flechette Torpedoes for maximum effect.

PS5 may be too low to TL the enemy you want or need to TL.

Mison

One point for his ability. It can help deliver an APT. PS3 may make him an excellent escort for the transport. Or fly with green squadron.

R3-A2

He is situational. Do not use him every round. Depending on the number of green moves on the E-Wing he may be an excellent choice.

Does not work well with Y-Wings which shoot turrets outside their firing arc.

R2-D6

Gives tons of options. No time to consider them all now.

A Y-Wing has two green moves. So a stress-generating EPT may not be a very good idea. Except maybe PTL for APT.

Biggs: I'd still prefer R2-F2.

Anyone: 2 points for +2 PS is not bad.

So what happens with Hobbie and Push the Limit (via R2-D6)?

His ability says: "When you acquire or spend a target lock, you may remove 1 stress token from your ship."

Push the Limit says: "Once per round, after you perform an action, you may perform 1 free action shown in your action bar. Then receive 1 stress token."

TL action, remove stress (which he does not have) via pilot ability, after that gain stress from PTL.

So no, the idea does not work.

Removing stress by acquiring a TL is tricky. Works with Dutch.

This all looks lovely. Now I'll just go ahead and click the link that talks about the new imperial p-...

Oh, right.

Imps get Aces, Rebels get Rogues... I think it all balances out

So what happens with Hobbie and Push the Limit (via R2-D6)?

His ability says: "When you acquire or spend a target lock, you may remove 1 stress token from your ship."

Push the Limit says: "Once per round, after you perform an action, you may perform 1 free action shown in your action bar. Then receive 1 stress token."

So if Hobbie focuses, then uses PTL to take a target lock, does he receive the stress and then immediately clear it via acquiring a target lock or does he take the stress without an opportunity to clear it?

Read exactly how PTL reads.

You receive the stress after performing the second action.

Focus

PTL action, Target lock.

Stress

Stress happens after the acquire TL action.

This seems right. But you can still use the TL during your attack to the clear the stress, and why wouldn't you?

Hobbie with R3-A2 can really change a fight too. If you can get in behind your target, they'd never be able to K-turn as long as you keep a TL.

'd

Wow ... just wow ...

The new rebel stuff outclass the imperial Aces...

Click on the links of the names to see the pictures within the announcement.

It's a good time to be Rebel Scum

Oh my. I just noticed R3-A2 doesn't require you to not have a stress. So, constant stressing of the opponent.

I do like the idea of Draw Their Fire on a Grey Squadron. Determination would be handy on Y-wings as well.

I really hope that with wave 4 there will be a competitive shift towards the Empire ... or i'll defect ...

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Wow ... just wow ...

The new rebel stuff outclass the imperial Aces...

I wouldn't say that. I think Interceptors are finally starting to see more play here/there as people move away from true swarms and Falcon lists and gravitate towards normal Rebel builds, and I expect several pilots in the Aces xpac will see a lot of play as positive single additions to mess with that.

Honestly, I plan on playing more imperials in the near future, particularly because many people see Rebels as stronger, which I don't think is a fair assessment. There's just been more flashy rebel stuff previewed lately.

I just noticed R3-A2 doesn't require you to not have a stress.

Interesting.

With several stress tokens you won't perform an action for a long time. Which is not relevant if you are about to die anyway. Consider the stress tokens you hand out a parting gift.

Edit:

R3-A2 might be an excellent choice for Biggs. He dies sooner than with R2-F2 but all those stress tokens ...

Now imagine if there was a large ship that came with an astromech and a co pilot slot, you could take R3-A2 with a gunner and potentially hand out two stress tokens a turn. Wave 5 with the outrider and an astromech slot? Could be a good way to differentiate the outrider from the falcon? Buuuttttt thats way off topic....

Wow ... just wow ...

The new rebel stuff outclass the imperial Aces...

I wouldn't say that. I think Interceptors are finally starting to see more play here/there as people move away from true swarms and Falcon lists and gravitate towards normal Rebel builds, and I expect several pilots in the Aces xpac will see a lot of play as positive single additions to mess with that.

Honestly, I plan on playing more imperials in the near future, particularly because many people see Rebels as stronger, which I don't think is a fair assessment. There's just been more flashy rebel stuff previewed lately.

The Aces are Interceptors! Do you see many Interceptors in competitive play? Hell no!

Do you see many X-Wings in competitive play? Hell yes!

So I hope the Phantom's cloak is really pretty decent ...