FFG Forum Archive

Posted at 2014-04-28 18:27:26+00:00

In looking to apply R7 astromechs in non - E-wing fighters, I've come up with at least one particularly good pairing:

Tarn Mison + R7 (25 pts)

When Tarn is declared the target of an attack, he can pick up a target lock on that ship. It's an interesting ability with somewhat limited usefulness by itself, but it really shines combined with an R7 'mech.

Tarn can pick up a target lock on anyone shooting at him, and R7 can then force them to reroll attack dice. R7 can only do that once per round so the defensive bonus is limited, but

Tarn's ability guarantees that each round that you are shot, you will be able to trigger R7's ability.

I'm also thinking that there could be great utility with multiple R7s and Dutch Vander (Defensive Dutch), with Dutch passing out Target locks like candy to disrupt enemy attacks. Are there any other good R7 combos out there that you guys can think of?

*Edit: apparently someone on another forum (BGG) saw this combo before me*

Edited April 28, 2014 by Babaganoosh

Posted at 2014-04-28 18:51:50+00:00

I think that's a pretty cool combo. Costs the same as naked Biggs.

Speaking of Biggs in reference to your second combo with Dutch ... I wonder if having a bunch of X-Wings with R7s and Dutch would be better than Biggs Walks the Dogs (Biggs, a Rookie, two Blues).

[edit] Dutch Walks the Dogs:

Dutch Vander w/ R7 Astromech (25)

Red Squadron Pilot w/ R7 Astromech (25)

Edited April 28, 2014 by Danthrax

Posted at 2014-04-28 18:54:45+00:00

Should work well, might be the best 2 points you can spend on him (besides maybe Flechette Torps). While it may only work once, you can gain as many TLs as you want, so you protect one attack, and then attack TL+F against your second attacker. Not a bad way to double the usefulness of his ability for just 2 points.

Posted at 2014-04-28 18:58:37+00:00

The problem is I think that's the only reliable combo. I want my 2 points worth, and the chances of always being attacked by someone with a target lock against you are quite slim. In that regard, I think the biggest boon of it will be that IF you have a certain ship target locked already, that ship will not attack you unless you are its only target. Being forced to reroll attack dice when you don't want to can be problematic, but what if htey have a focus? Sure, the benefit COULD happen, but if they're you're changing a 75% likely result hoping that it will revert to the 25% result. 50%/50% is much better odds, obviously, but if I was attacking the ship with an R7, and I have a focus token, I would probably attack it anyway. So, it is likely you could be on the receiving end of the attack and still take damage most of the time anyway. Which, by the way, it only works once per round.

The card reads pretty great at first glance, but It loses a lot of its attraction after you think about its application.

Posted at 2014-04-28 19:07:54+00:00

I'm not completely sold on using an offensive resource defensively, though Biggs is gonna be a happy puppy.

Any Rebel flying against Han is going to be relieved they brought R7 along as well.

Builds are going to have to take into account they can't reliably count on rerolling because disruption is getting bigger.

Posted at 2014-04-28 19:16:06+00:00

The problem is I think that's the only reliable combo. I want my 2 points worth, and the chances of always being attacked by someone with a target lock against you are quite slim. In that regard, I think the biggest boon of it will be that IF you have a certain ship target locked already, that ship will not attack you unless you are its only target. Being forced to reroll attack dice when you don't want to can be problematic, but what if htey have a focus? Sure, the benefit COULD happen, but if they're you're changing a 75% likely result hoping that it will revert to the 25% result. 50%/50% is much better odds, obviously, but if I was attacking the ship with an R7, and I have a focus token, I would probably attack it anyway. So, it is likely you could be on the receiving end of the attack and still take damage most of the time anyway. Which, by the way, it only works once per round.

The card reads pretty great at first glance, but It loses a lot of its attraction after you think about its application.

It's true that it has a limited usefulness outside of Tarn and maybe Dutch.

I would say that the defensive benefit is substantial, though. Forcing a reroll on the enemy's dice not only forces them to rely on focus actions to improve their rolls, but it also prevents them from rerolling those dice again during that attack (see "modifying dice results" on pp 12 rulebook). So if they've got a target lock on you and you trigger R7, then you prevent them from using target lock on those dice again to rescue lost hits (although they can still use the TL on dice they didn't reroll already).

Another benefit is the ability to influence enemy decision making. By making one ship less appetizing as a target, they may go for sub-optimal targets; ships at longer ranges, with more health, etc.

One factor that really impacts R7's usefulness is the number of ships you're facing. A tie swarm is barely going to notice R7, but a three or four ship list could really be hampered by it. Dual falcons would be particularly dismayed to have to deal with R7s.

Posted at 2014-04-28 19:20:06+00:00

R7 is probably a good choice for your closer.

Posted at 2014-04-28 19:21:57+00:00

Yeah I've been waiting for the cost of this card to be spoiled since Tarn Mison was revealed and R7 was explained in that game trade web article a while back, it's a very nice little combo because although you can only use R7s effect once you can establish a new lock every time you are targeted and only use the re-roll when the enemy has a good roll.

I think a nice build for Corran will be marksmanship, fire control and R7. Marksmanship for offensive focus, fire control for lots of target locks which will help with his extra attack and then combine with R7 to help protect him when he can't attack.

R7 could be nice on Biggs too especially if you've got Kyle, Garven, Lando or Cracken about to give him a focus token/action

Posted at 2014-04-28 19:26:03+00:00

R7 is probably a good choice for your closer.

I was thinking this, too. I thought up this list right after the Transport Pilots were announced:

Hobbie Klivian

Biggs Darklighter

Red Squadron Pilot

Left 4 points, wasn't sure how to spend them. Thought maybe R3-A2 on Hobbie, and now I think I will switch a naked Red to Tarn Mison with R7 Astromech and keep him next to Biggs. Will make him a good closer.

Thoughts?