First let me say "Keep up the good work Fantasy Flight Games!!!" (and the awesome new stuff )

Second, my question is for you veterans out there. If I understand the new Hobbie X-Wing pilot card, if he is "upgraded" with R2-D6 and "Push the Limit" - does that mean that he could, for example, 1) perform a Focus action, 2) perform a Target Lock action (via PTL), 3) receive a stress token and then with his unique pilot ability, 4) remove this stress token?

In other words, he would be like a fully functional (albeit at a lower pilot skill level ) "Darth Vader" (as opposed to Tycho) for the Rebels? If so...most awesome indeed!

He preforms the target lock before taking the stress token (stress token is received after the second action), but he may remove the stress token when he uses the target lock that turn

What AgentV said. Gaining the TL won't get rid of the stress, because he doesn't get the stress until after he gains the TL.

No, because push the limit doesn't give him the stress token until after he had performed the target lock action and acquired the TL.

On the other hand, if he then USES the TL that turn, then he will clear the stress.

Sneaky ninjas

This guy actually makes R5-K6 useful, in my opinion, as that lets him potentially ditch 2 stresses in a single go!
With the advent of Flechette missiles, that's actually going to be necessary.

From the looks of his ability, you almost HAVE to take R2-D6 & PTL to make it work. Otherwise the only way you can acquire a target lock while stressed is from someone with squad leader or lando. And only way to spend a target lock while stressed is getting it on a previous turn but not using it that turn and saving it for when you are stressed.

So then he's 29 points to use effectively for most situations. At that point I rather have a barebones wedge for the same price, or luke for 1 point cheaper.

From the looks of his ability, you almost HAVE to take R2-D6 & PTL to make it work. Otherwise the only way you can acquire a target lock while stressed is from someone with squad leader or lando. And only way to spend a target lock while stressed is getting it on a previous turn but not using it that turn and saving it for when you are stressed.

So then he's 29 points to use effectively for most situations. At that point I rather have a barebones wedge for the same price, or luke for 1 point cheaper.

Unfortunately, PTL gives you stress AFTER you take your second action, so acquiring a target lock as an action still doesn't work (unless we're getting a way to do that while stressed). On the other hand, he turns into basically-Vader if you shoot at your target (Focused and TLd) each time, so there's that.

In that case, though, he might be the first League of Legends X-Wing pilot (You ganked my kill, so I'm going to stay stressed, and let you know that it's all your fault n00b)

See my previous comment about R5-K6 as a secondary possibility for minmaxing his ability

I'm just trying to wrap my mind around how a droid would turn a regular pilot into an elite one. Perhaps R2-D6 is the Star Wars equivalent of magic slippers.

I'm just trying to wrap my mind around how a droid would turn a regular pilot into an elite one. Perhaps R2-D6 is the Star Wars equivalent of magic slippers.

the droid pilots the ship.

I'm just trying to wrap my mind around how a droid would turn a regular pilot into an elite one. Perhaps R2-D6 is the Star Wars equivalent of magic slippers.

'Cuz R2-D6 is 3 times better than R2-D2 and R2-D2 is the baddest mofo in the SW universe?

I'm just trying to wrap my mind around how a droid would turn a regular pilot into an elite one. Perhaps R2-D6 is the Star Wars equivalent of magic slippers.

Basically, the Droid came with a bunch of tutorial programs on his holo-feed.

"Okay, Red, what you did there was Expert Handling. Uh, you just barrel-rolled. But nevermind; say 'Apple'. 'Apple!'"

*alarm*

"Okay, you know what? That's close enough. Just hold tight!"

y wings can get an elite now yay

From the looks of his ability, you almost HAVE to take R2-D6 & PTL to make it work. Otherwise the only way you can acquire a target lock while stressed is from someone with squad leader or lando. And only way to spend a target lock while stressed is getting it on a previous turn but not using it that turn and saving it for when you are stressed.

Dutch Vander?

Dutch's power states:

" After acquiring a target lock, choose another friendly ship at Range 1-2. The ship may immediately acquire a target lock. "

Wording intentionally seems to avoid the phrase, take a "target lock action"

page 20 of the manual:

Breaking the Rules

Some abilities on cards conflict with the general rules. In case of a conflict, card text overrides the general rules.

The droid has a aura of awesome. That why he gives ept.

Not hard to imagine a droid programmed with tactics of specific pilots, or some kind of AI to assist in flight. Even veteran instincts, could just be recommendations or flight path adjustments from the droid - programmed based on watching certain better pilots - the only weird thing about this interpretation is why the droid isn't programmed with ALL of the skills

There has been talk on the forums about this new "Wingman" EPT card from Wave 4...

People think it allows you to take a stress from a nearby ally. So, in theory, Hobbie (And also Porkins, who comes with an EPT to begin with) could soak stress from other ships, too

Thoughts?

From the looks of his ability, you almost HAVE to take R2-D6 & PTL to make it work. Otherwise the only way you can acquire a target lock while stressed is from someone with squad leader or lando. And only way to spend a target lock while stressed is getting it on a previous turn but not using it that turn and saving it for when you are stressed.

So then he's 29 points to use effectively for most situations. At that point I rather have a barebones wedge for the same price, or luke for 1 point cheaper.

Squad leader and Lando wouldn't work because they give free actions and stress makes actions impossible. Dutch letting you acquire a target lock would work, notice the word action isn't in the phrase.

To the veterans who answered my queston, and to the other good feedback - I thank you

I was also wondering about an engine upgrade for Hobbie, (with R2-D6 & PTL). Acquire Target lock, boost, add stress token, fire at target (spend target lock), remove stress token, free and clear to navigate (aka full maneuvers avaiable). Or is this the same as equiping R7-T1? (aarrghh!! head hurts)

There has been talk on the forums about this new "Wingman" EPT card from Wave 4...

People think it allows you to take a stress from a nearby ally. So, in theory, Hobbie (And also Porkins, who comes with an EPT to begin with) could soak stress from other ships, too

Thoughts?

Thoughts? How about "most grand"!!!!

From the looks of his ability, you almost HAVE to take R2-D6 & PTL to make it work.

How often is a X-Wing going to be stressed? If you're stressed every turn you are IMO doing it wrong. You shouldn't need to preform a red maneuver every turn.

You're also assuming he has a reason to use that TL every time he shoots, which is not true. Also there are going to be times where you want to save that TL so you can use it to shed stress for next turn because it sets you up for 2 really good attack runs.

Just because you can use a TL to shed stress doesn't mean you need to or should do it every turn.

From the looks of his ability, you almost HAVE to take R2-D6 & PTL to make it work.

How often is a X-Wing going to be stressed? If you're stressed every turn you are IMO doing it wrong. You shouldn't need to preform a red maneuver every turn.

You're also assuming he has a reason to use that TL every time he shoots, which is not true. Also there are going to be times where you want to save that TL so you can use it to shed stress for next turn because it sets you up for 2 really good attack runs.

Just because you can use a TL to shed stress doesn't mean you need to or should do it every turn.

I agree with this statement. However, I don't know if it's really the best use of his ability.

The X wing can only self stress via EPTs and K turns. So, let's take a look at the K turn. In order to clear that stress without doing a green after K turning, you would have to acquire a TL the turn before, not spend it that turn (so attack without modifier), K turn and get stress... lose your action... and then spend the TL to clear the stress.

You end up netting 1 action for the two turns, just like you would have before. But now you exit without being stressed so you can indeed do whatever maneuver you chose after you K turn. However, you run several risks, 1) the enemy could fly out of your arc after K turn, 2) the opponent could be out of range after you K turn, 3) the opponent could die before you can spend your TL. If any of these happen, you've actually decreased your effectiveness, since now you went 2 turns without an action, and you still have to do a green maneuver to clear the stress.

DD and EH could be slightly better. If turn 1, you TL and don't spend it, then turn 2 you use EH or DD, get a stress, and then spend the TL to clear the stress. Being a mid PS, this is more likely to actually be possible to pull off, and if it's not, then you can choose to not do DD or EH if the stress will not clear and you don't want to do a green. As for your damage, it stays at the same level since you have 1 offensive action over two turns, which is the same as without his ability. But now you don't gain the stress unless you're confident you can immediately clear the stress and then do whatever maneuver you want on turn 3.

But PTL looks like gold to me. It's basically Vader-lite. Again, this is best used against a person who has already moved, but you close in, F+TL+stress, knowing you're setting up a deadly shot, and then you spend the TL+F and clear the stress. And if you're not confident in your ability to use said TL, then don't PTL to get it anyways since you don't think you'll use it.

As for opponent stress tactics, TL the rebel captive ship, and then it can't stress you (though it can still stress others that shoot first). TL Kath, and you can clear the stress she causes you (if she shoots you). Flechette torps from higher PS aren't a problem since you can just shoot whomever you have TL to shed the stress, but if they're shot from lower PS, there's not much you can do about that besides do a green.

Now lets look at the other half of his ability - clear stress when you acquire a TL. This can't happen via action since you'd already be stressed. So that rules out Hobbie himself, along with Lando and Squad Leader. But it does leave Dutch and R5-K6 as possibilities. I still don't think R5-K6 is worth his points since it's such a rare occurrence that it happens. But Dutch on the other hand, is Hobbie's best friend (wiki source??? is this actually true?). Dutch moves after Hobbie, so he can immediately clear any stress that Hobbie picked up, from say a K turn or PTL. This gets rid of the risk on the K turn that was stated earlier. Furthermore, Hobbie can then use his previous TL that he was "saving" for the K turn and have an action every turn. And in the case of EH/DD, he can then immediately clear the stress and get a TL for offense. Such a great synergy there. I can't wait to have Dutch flying around in circles with his ICT, while Hobbie K turns every turn. Effective, probably not, baller as all hell? AAHHHHH yEEEEEAAHHHH

You end up netting 1 action for the two turns, just like you would have before.

True, but everything you list as a risk is true regardless of if you have a TL or not, and true of any other ship for that matter. A K-Turn is always a bit of a risk, you can end up stressed and without an action but not actually accomplish anything other then turning around.

But PTL looks like gold to me.

Despite what some are saying I think PtL will still be a great EPT. Using it to TL+F and spend the TL to clear the stress is a great way to use Hobbie. Being able to effectively use PtL for a TL+F on every time you fire for free, is IMO well worth the points.

But my point was that R6 and PtL isn't the only way to use Hobbie, you could simply TL early and save it for when using it gives you a bigger advantage then just rerolling dice. There as you point out a risk in that, but that risk might be worth the 4 points and open astromech slot.

I'm just trying to wrap my mind around how a droid would turn a regular pilot into an elite one. Perhaps R2-D6 is the Star Wars equivalent of magic slippers.

Having a theamatic feel to this game is important to me as well. I will admit that when I first read your post and thought about it I couldn't wrap my head around it either (besides magic slippers ).

Then I thought about it for a bit and, while I don't know the creative process behind this new Astromech, I think I might have an answer.

If the R2 Astromech can turn the X-Wing maneuver dial (left picture) into the an "A-Wing" type maneuver dial (right picture)

which seems to allow the R2 Astromech to "modify" the ships capabilities (maybe like "chipping" a car and adding horsepower) beyond its normal limits, then just like the R2 Astromech...

maybe R2-D6 does the same thing by making maneuver's (modifying) normally unavailable (or impossible for "non-elite" Pilots) now possible. As many Elite Talents are essentially maneuvers (Daredevil, Expert Handling, etc...) or by acting as a "crew-member" or co-pilot and doing/helping with actions (Push the Limit, Squad Leader, Opportunist, etc...) this could make the "normal" (non Elite Talented Pilot) now able to attempt and do these (otherwise) impossible (for them) things.

Anyways, just an attempt to give a creative solution that might be plausible and help to explain the thematic possiblity. Cheers!

I love the new x wing pilots and upgrades in the transport, as do many people. Have seen middle PS pilots perform well, they attract a few hits early from ace squads, but shoot before swarms. So, I put together this 4 sexy wing list with Hobbie:

Hobbie

Biggs

Red Squad

Red Squad

2 fives and 2 fours. leaves 4 points. could switch a red to tarn and upgrade to PS5 with R2-D6+VI, could add R3-A2, could give all an R2 astromech, could give Biggs Elusiveness and stay at 99 or R2D2 to last a little longer.

Sound off!