So,

with Rebel Aces coming out, it looks like we can have

3 Blue Squadron B-Wings with Advanced Sensors, Gunner and a Hull upgrade for 99 pts

or

3 Dagger Squadron B-Wings with Gunner and Advanced Sensors for 96 pts and 4 pts of extra's maybe Ibti replacing one Dagger with the same set up.

Do people think this is better than 4 straight B-Wings as damage output should be very consistent or is 4 ships still better?

The other possibility is the B-Wing Buzz Saw with FCS and Gunner for the old TL+Focus fire if you miss first time.

Same question applies to the three vs four ship question?

It's been discussed in other threads, but based on the cost of other available titles, mods, etc., the +Crew upgrade could cost more than 0. If it costs 1, the first list has to trim points somewhere (a Hull Upgrade, probably?), and the second list costs 99 with no extras. If it costs 2, the first list can run with no Hull Upgrades and a couple of extra points left over, and the second list can't run at all.

As for the actual question, I wonder if it's not relevant to look at HLC for precedent. You can currently run 3x Dagger + HLC + FCS, but hardly anyone actually does. And HLC is arguably a bigger benefit than Gunner, particularly against the 1 Agility metagame. My intuition says Gunner would be good, but I think the lack of widespread adoption of HLC B-wings implies otherwise.

I like the idea of a Buzz Saw B-Wing. It could be a great compliment to many different list not just an all B-Wing squad. How much does the card cost to add the crew and what is it called?

I like the idea of a Buzz Saw B-Wing. It could be a great compliment to many different list not just an all B-Wing squad. How much does the card cost to add the crew and what is it called?

We don't know the answer to either question, except that the first part of the title's name is "B-Wing."

I know this is presumptive of me but...

Seeing as the B-wing is generally perceived as being undercosted largely because of its system upgrade options synergy, given that X-wing is mostly a well balanced game and it looks like FFG is doing a decent job working out Meta kinks with each wave announcement; I find it hard to believe that the B-wing crew member will come with a zero cost.

I do think it will have a points cost, but probably just 1pt as you still have to buy the crew.

In that case, I'd drop the Hull in list one and list to would stand with a 99 pt total.

Even if that is not the case two buzz saws and support may still be a nasty option.

Is Gunner really that useful on a 3 attack ship? It works better with YT1300 because you have a 360 firing arc so you can select a first target at long range or with tokens. The buzzsaw shuttle also has a slightly larger arc because its a large base ship, so more targets to choose from.

The b-wing is generally at pretty close range, especially with Advanced Sensors, so range 1 shots (and no gunner reroll) are more likely.

I think Weapons Engineer + FCS would be an interesting combo. Basically shooting with TL + focus every time after the first firing round.

If we are expanding the question to other crew, Intelligence Agent on a Blue with Engine Upgrade and Adv. Sensors might prove interesting for the block and shoot routine.

I'm actually looking forward to building a list with 1 named B-Wing, carrying the title, a recon specialist, Deadeye, and 2 APT's with escort fighters. I don't think he's going to need the munitions failsafe. Also don't think he'll survive long enough to unload, but if he does......

Ten Numb with Mercenary Copilot is going to be pretty sick... and relatively low-costed.

With 1 agility, I dont think 3 b-wings is a good idea. Even with their 8+ hull, they'd get decimated against a team with more ships, particularly a swarm or a mini-swarm with interceptors or a shuttle (or a defender, once wave 4 hits).

Don't think we'll see many squads running more than 2 bwings, new incarnations of the XXBB's we see running rampant now, or maybe some A-wings hitting the competitive field.

It's been discussed in other threads, but based on the cost of other available titles, mods, etc., the +Crew upgrade could cost more than 0. If it costs 1, the first list has to trim points somewhere (a Hull Upgrade, probably?), and the second list costs 99 with no extras. If it costs 2, the first list can run with no Hull Upgrades and a couple of extra points left over, and the second list can't run at all.

As for the actual question, I wonder if it's not relevant to look at HLC for precedent. You can currently run 3x Dagger + HLC + FCS, but hardly anyone actually does. And HLC is arguably a bigger benefit than Gunner, particularly against the 1 Agility metagame. My intuition says Gunner would be good, but I think the lack of widespread adoption of HLC B-wings implies otherwise.

Good point. I ran the triple HLCs on the Bs when they first came out. It was fine, but then you realize that 4 Bs w/o HLCs have essentially the same firepower (and vastly more at close range, where the B's inevitably end up) and 8 more health to spread around.

Ten Numb with Mercenary Copilot is going to be pretty sick... and relatively low-costed.

Relative to what, though? Ten + Marksmanship is the usual combo at 34, and Ten + Merc Copilot will be a minimum of 33, and very possibly 34 or even 35. It'll definitely work, but I don't think it'll be substantially more (or less) effective than the status quo.

Iam thinking that I cant wait to try out a B-wing with firecontrol system and a weaponsengineer,

possibly adding some Torps, hmmm munitions failsafe.... XD

Might wanna try 2 of those out as fire support in the bigger games we play, pish-posh with the tourney scene!