Generally, no. Missiles are already not typically cost-effective in a competitive environment, and effectively increasing their cost by 2 doesn't do missile-carrying A-wings any favors.

However, there are two missiles that might break that pattern. The first is Ion Pulse Missiles:

These aren't terribly impressive damage-wise, with the same three dice and capped damage offered by the Ion Cannon, but they definitely offer cheap control. And that means for the highly maneuverable A-wing, they offer a way to force an opponent to fly predictably for a turn--presumably while the A-wing plots a loop that will take it into a flanking or even tailing position.

The second is the Proton Rockets(?) that appear to be included at the upper left of the card fan. We don't exactly know what they do, or what they'll cost. But as I've mentioned in other threads, it's reasonable to infer that they created with the Chardaan Refit in mind; accordingly, they ought to be something that FFG's designers and playtesters thought was worth running on an A-wing even with the extra opportunity cost presented by the Refit.

So it's not quite time for despair yet.

Don't forget that the Ion Pulse Missiles do not require you to spend the TL to use them. Another point in their favor.

Don't forget that the Ion Pulse Missiles do not require you to spend the TL to use them. Another point in their favor.

And from squinting, the Proton Rocket doesn't seem to, either. It starts with "Discard" instead of "Spend."

Missles are still a rare upgrade and still worth 2 points as new better missles hit the game

The A-wings now have to pay a 2 point tax to be allowed a missile upgrade, but they WILL remain the most agile missile platform. Generally the strategy with ordnance is the alpha strike. The A-wing allows you to stay away from the fray, and strategically place your ship to get off the perfect shot at the right moment in the game.

The question is whether that bonus in strategic placement is worth the extra 2 points, or will the alpha strike remain the primary and most effective way to release missiles in a match.

Homing missiles are the only missiles to me that currently mix with a-wings. Without that reroll missiles are dead weight and I feel the hurt you more than help. With the new missiles allowing rerolls with your unspent target lock I can see their usefulness increasing, especially at the cost.

People assume that you don't already pay for the missle upgrade on the yt-1300 or z95. But considering the rarity of the missile slot and the fact the outer rim smuggler specifically loss the missile slot as a cost reducing mechanic I don't see it as a two point tax considering no other ship can equip missile upgrades for free. The truth of the matter is you are likely paying 2 points for the missle slot on every ship that has it whether you use that slot or not. The awing and outer rim smuggler are the only ships that give you the option to remove that cost.

I've played A's with and without missiles. I like them both ways, but you have to play them differently, you go into the game with a different plan if you have missiles vs not having them.

I don't think the refit makes missiles any worse of an option then they already were, because missiles were really take a lot of work to get the points out of them in the first place. So making them 2 points more expensive doesn't IMO change the basic concepts of using them.

They're still risky to take, and if you don't get a TL+F before firing them they'll almost never pay off.

I'm guessing FFG figured out that the "cheap missile carrier" just went to the Z-95 and that if they want to keep A-Wings in the mix something needed to be done.

I'm guessing FFG figured out that the "cheap missile carrier" just went to the Z-95 and that if they want to keep A-Wings in the mix something needed to be done.

I don't believe that the Z-95 was ever going to stop people from playing A-Wings. It might be the end of the Prototype blocker, but the prototype moves before the lowest PS Z. So even then people might still want the Prototype.

A-Wings were IMO never an amazing missile carrier, but then again I think most people aren't super impressed with trops/missiles in the first place, because they're hard to use. I plan on playing a 6 Z-95 with 4 assault and 2 conc missiles at least once just for the sake of it. I can see putting ion pulse missiles on Z's... because they're cheep.

But I don't think the Z-95 was going to really replace the GSP w/PtL. Because that offers stuff the Z doesn't.

I think the Ion Pulse isn't a great option for A-Wings, not when you figure they effectively cost 4 points for low damage and one round of something being ionized.

don't forget that the Ion Pulse will force your opponent to keep his large ships away from the table borders, and closer to center of the mat (where the asteroids tend to be); because as soon as he comes close to the edge you will fire that Ion and watch him fly off :-)

@OP

I like your attempts to see the good here, but the problem is that Ion Pulse and Proton Rocket missiles can never fix the brokenness that is Chaardan Refit.

Let's assume that both cards are sufficiently awesome and points-efficient to make them worth taking even with the new 2-point tax on A-Wing missiles. That means that they are under costed for their worth and would be TOO good on every other ship that has a missile slot.

The only way that this works out is if the Proton Rockets are downright incredible AND they say A-Wing only.

Then people would have a legitimate reason not to take Chaardan.

TLDR: if Proton Rockets are awesome enough to make them worth using in spite of the refit, then they will be stupid good on Z-95s/Tie Bombers/every other missile platform and you're better off taking them on those ships instead.

I know what Proton Rockets do.

They F*** things up. They were the most powerful weapon you could use in TIE Fighter.

Like seriously two of those would blow up a corvette.

But green squad offers the cheapest way to launch a tl and focus missile solo via ptl. I don't think a wings will carry alpha strike missiles, that'll be z95s, he a wing offers a great mid/late game tactical missile strike.

Do we know that the mid level generic Z-95 doesn't have an EPT?

If we don't know, you'd better hope, otherwise your one reason to use the A-Wing is gone.

Do we know that the mid level generic Z-95 doesn't have an EPT?

Well seeing how so far 1 rebel mid PS generic has a EPT, that being the Green Squad pilot, it seems to be a safe bet that something like the Z-95 won't. It's of course possible, but not a safe bet.

I'm not the one betting. But don't you think that the recent Astromech that adds an EPT shows that FFG realizes this was a mistake?

They essentially made up for the X-Wings and Y-Wings not having an EPT without actually errataing the mistake.

I'd agree that it's more likely that the Z-95 won't have one. But I don't think it's enough of a safe bet for people to be using it as their one reason that GSPs might still take missiles.

I don't think A-wings and Missiles ever mixed. Missiles are, and always have been, way too many points for a one shot use weapon. I have never not regretted adding one to a team. Advanced Proton Torpedo in the right hands can work, because it can one shot half the ships in the game, but everything else? I have never seen them come up useful...

So, in the end, they mix as well as they ever did.

They essentially made up for the X-Wings and Y-Wings not having an EPT without actually errataing the mistake.

No. Because you're having to give up something for the EPT, same as you have to give up something for the -2 points for A-Wings. But in this case you're giving up an astromech which is quite a bit more useful to X's and Y's, so carries a higher opportunity cost.

But I don't think it's enough of a safe bet for people to be using it as their one reason that GSPs might still take missiles.

It's a reason not the only reason. A-Wing will still have advantages over the Z-95, in the form of better dial and more defense dice.

We'll see when the tournament results start coming in next year. I don't expect I'm wrong here though.

I like your attempts to see the good here, but the problem is that Ion Pulse and Proton Rocket missiles can never fix the brokenness that is Chaardan Refit.

Let's assume that both cards are sufficiently awesome and points-efficient to make them worth taking even with the new 2-point tax on A-Wing missiles. That means that they are under costed for their worth and would be TOO good on every other ship that has a missile slot.

The only way that this works out is if the Proton Rockets are downright incredible AND they say A-Wing only.

Then people would have a legitimate reason not to take Chaardan.

I find your lack of faith... disturbing.

I doubt anyone, even those who wanted the A-wing to come down in cost, would have predicted the Refit before yesterday's surprise. Do you think FFG--with a professional design staff and a decent reputation for balance in this game--published Proton Rockets just to rub salt in your wounds? It's a missile included in the same box as the Chardaan Refit, so it was certainly tested right along with it.

Reputation for balanced design?

Please explain the following:

Arvel - ability is completely useless

Wrath - ability is almost completely useless

Opportunist - 4 downsides for one upside

Push the Limit - so good that almost no other EPTs were worth using for about two waves

Maarek - nearly useless

Need I go on?

The fact that there are probably a dozen upgrades/ships that are absolutely never used outside of fun theme lists does not give me confidence in the play testing and design team on this game.

Just because the 6 good ships/builds that work are fairly balanced against themselves does not mean the game is balanced overall.

I think you guys are missing a bit here.

Green, with PTL, and Marksman, with cluster missiles.

That is a ship that can be agile enough to get into prime position, and strong enough to cripple any ship on the board.

Not sure if it is worth 27 points, but it might be in the right circumstance. P.S. I have 1 shot Luke with that combo on Vader. And the A-wing is cheaper and more maneuverable.

The other thing to think about is this.....who cares if it will win the world championship? Not me...I will never be there. So the more important thing is what will be fun. And options for your A-wings will be fun.

Wow, a few things being a subpar and suddenly the design team is terrible at costing. And seriously, Opportunist does not belong on a bad card list.

The A-wing isn't going to be the dedicated Missile carrier for Rebels. But when kitting out a super A-wing, why not toss in a Missile. A Homing Missile with Target Lock and Focus is just plain evil.

Lol. I like what one of the other guys said about not running opportunist even if it was free.

It really is that bad. 4 points? I think I'd rather take a concussion missile on an A-Wing post-refit.

And it's not just a few cards. That was just the top of the iceberg. I'd go into more detail, but it's been done a hundred times on this forum alone.