So, a buddy and I are playing tonight, and we made each other the list we'll use.

I think I did him well... Vader and his two wingmen, Backstabber, Mauler Mithel. Then I gave him two Scimitar Squadron TIE Bombers, both with proton bombs. The backstory is that it is a bomber mission entrusted with hitting a vital rebel base, and Vader wants to ensure that it is well protected, deciding that he will actually guard the bombers himself.

My buddy sent back this list... Jan Ors with Marksmanship and an Ion Turret, and then three rookie X-Wing pilots... one with R2D2, one with a generic R2 unit, and one with R5P9. His idea was that Jan is commanding three rookies on a mission (in this case, maybe to intercept the bombers?)

So... any thoughts on the list I gave him? Was I fair? And how about the list he gave me? I am really not entirely sure how to tackle it... a bit worried about the HWK getting caught by those bombers...

Huge fan of the HWK, but Marksmanship isn't the EPT for Jan. Furthermore, no crew?!? Propose this to your friend instead:

Jan+Determination+Ion Turret+Intelligence Agent

Wedge+PtL+R2

Luke+Marksmanship+R2-D2

Should be an epic battle and lots of fun.

Let me see if I have this right. You create the squad he has to use and he creates your squadron. You end up with these:

Imperial: (104)

Vader (29)

Mauler (17)

Backstabber (16)

SSP + Proton Bomb (21) x2

Rebel: (104)

Jan + Marksmanship + Ion (33)

Rookies with Astromechs (22,24,25)

I guess my first issue is why 104 points? I'm asking simply because it screws up most people's evaluations of squads. Those points could give you Rookie x4 or Howlies w/ Stealth + APx7. I'm also not entirely sure what is meant by "fair" squadrons. With your squadron bombs are often best served on higher PS ships so you know if you actually hit something or not. You may also be using the two TIE Fighters that can get an extra attack die but other than that everything is stuck with two attack dice. On the rebel side I'd say those X-Wings are very good but Jan's setup SUCKS. WHAT KIND OF IDIOT GIVES JAN MARKSMANSHIP? A Focus token is just as good except in the RARE case she attacks with her primary weapon and turns up an [eye] which Marksmanship will turn into a [crit] instead of a [hit] although either of those have a good chance of being evaded.

I'm not sure which of you is getting screwed worse. I figure that Jan is pretty much a waste (for 33 points send out a PtL Wedge with R2 or Luke + R2D2 + DTF) but only getting to roll 2 attack dice against X-Wings with regenerating shields would be very frustrating.