So, I managed a respectable second at my local city championship this past weekend playing Chewbacca and 2 AS Blues. However, I was absolutely savaged by a strong pilot playing a high PS skill swarm. After the match, I kept thinking about what I could have done differently, and I simply couldn't envision a scenario where I survived the alpha strike with all my ships intact. So, I decided to try running either a blocker or assault missiles. As it stands right now, I don't think any of the current rebel ships can efficiently run the missiles. Blockers it is!

With that said, I figured a naked ORS might be the way to go, despite the lessened stat line, simply because it has the huge base and PS1. What blockers do you guys usually run? Or, how do you rebel players deal with swarms backed by strong opponents?

Prototype or Gold Squadron.

Prototype or Gold Squadron.

Gold with an Ion makes for a great blocker. They are tough as nails and with that 360 degree firing arch, they can still hit anything near them that they didn't run into. For 23 points, you get a ship that is always an active part of your fleet. The 17 point Prototype won't provide you the same luxury.

You could put the Assault Missiles on Chewie, the named YT-1300s do have Missile slots. He still activates before a PS 6 Black Squadron Pilot + Veteran Instincts list, if that's what you faced, but with the large base it'll be easier to get a lock.

I'm also a fan of ORS with Anti-pursuit lasers. They are 1s, so they move first, they have a 360 deg. firing arch, and the Anti-pursuit lasers means you can do damage to those that run into you! All for 29 points. Heck, take two of them!

I'm also a fan of ORS with Anti-pursuit lasers. They are 1s, so they move first, they have a 360 deg. firing arch, and the Anti-pursuit lasers means you can do damage to those that run into you! All for 29 points. Heck, take two of them!

Plus, you can throw in someone with Squad Leader so they shoot at a decent PS.

My concern with the Gold Pilot is that PS2. The PS1 Tie Fighters are gonna be the ones in front and have the chance to block for the high PS ships behind them. Aside from that, however, I agree that it looks like a solid possibility. I'll test one in a few games!

Outer Rim with Anti-Pursuit as listed above. They have a 50% of dealing damage when hit, so use them to horribly annoy your opponents as much as possible.

My concern with the Gold Pilot is that PS2. The PS1 Tie Fighters are gonna be the ones in front and have the chance to block for the high PS ships behind them. Aside from that, however, I agree that it looks like a solid possibility. I'll test one in a few games!

If you have the points you could use a hybrid of prototype plus assault missile! After he fires it off, you now have your blocker.

I prefer a prototype to block personally. It has (almost) every maneuver available to it, and then it can boost as well if you need to... Often times it's easy to determine whether or not it will be a good move to boost. If they're moving suboptimally to avoid a collision, then the blocker still did its job.

Though I could see the ORS being a good blocker, I just really don't like flying the big based ships, they just don't have the same "dog fighting" feel that the small based ships do. But as I said - that's a personal opinion. They can be very effective.

The problem with the prototype, and one of the reasons that I've migrated to the GSP, (which reduces its blocking effectiveness and makes me think I should move back to the prototype) is that it will be the last ship on the board for your side. And moving first + shooting last is no longer an advantage, especially with boost. Against anything else with a maneuver action, it'll likely lose the fight in the long run.