Hello all. Thank you prematurly for the help. I'm participating in my first tourny at the end of the month and was seeking some advice. I'm mainly a Rebel player so I'll be sticking to them. I have two list, both of which I've flown causly at home.

List #1

Luke

+R2D2

+Draw their fire

(2) Blue B Wings

+FCS

Green A Wing

100 points

I currently do not own any shuttle, but will most likely be picking up one over the weekend. I may pick up two depending on comments here. This will push the A down to a proto if I run Adv Sensors. I've run this list both with FCS and Adv Sensors. and tend to like the Adv Sensors. Just not sure I want to commit another $40-60 for those upgrades. The FCS is certainly serviceable with the TL+F stacking, I just miss out on the pre-focused K turn and preventing action blocking. What is this list more suspect to? At home it mainly flys well against Firespray and escort list (I have not lost with it). We don't really fly swarms at home but will start in prep for the tourney.

List #2 (not as fond of, but it could work if I had more practice with)

Chewy

+Luke

+MF title

+Draw their fire (or EH)

(2) Blue B Wings

+FCS

I'm not sure I like giving up the extra attack dice and defensive target with this list. But if it's more suited for the current meta I need to give it a whirl. I have lost with this list in casual home games, so it gives me more pause. I do like the 360 arc with Chewy. Perhaps I drop Luke in favor or an engine and can flip out the FCS to advance sensors.

I guess I want to field the most competitive squad at the moment. I like the 4x ship build for the extras dice and targets. But the Chewy build allows more flexibility.

Thoughts?

Again, thank you for your help

First - if you're wanting to have a good showing at the tournament, play the list with which you are most comfortable. A good pilot, will almost always outfly a good build, if the other player is less skilled.

Second - I would probably pick the first list to the fly, thought the second list might be easier.

Third - In your first list, is it worth taking a Green over a Prototype and potentially losing initiative? I find a lot of people running PS2 pilots (especially shuttles) and it's nice to have the option of shooting first with your B's. This is entirely up to you, however,

If the FCS Blues are fixed either way it becomes a question of which you value more. Although it does give up the 2 attack dice from the A-Wing I may go with Chewie + Gunner for a more certain attack that is hard for opponents to avoid. Sticking with what you have I'd outfit Chewie with Gunner + DTF + Title + HULL Upgrade. I know Chewie is easier to hit than Luke or the GSP but now you're looking at taking 14 hits vs. 9 granted R2D2 could regen some shield and the GSP could also evade.

When I look at that first squadron I wonder how your opponent attacks it. Although he is a bit more resistant to getting shot down I'm thinking Luke should be the first target there; he may not get the FCS of the Blues but he rolls just as many attack dice and if you can focus him down in a round it makes the points spent for DTF and R2D2 useless. If the Bs are taken out first that could leave two very tough targets to finish off.

I often think in a timed setting that a good defense is a good offense.

Luke+Marksmanship+R2

Blue+ Adv. Sensors x2

Prototype

If the A-wing does its job as a blocker, the B-wings should be able to do some serious damage before they are destroyed. Luke is a pain in the neck to kill. Might be the best end game pilot for the Rebels.

I agree with the earlier comment about flying with what you are comfortable.

what other ships do you have in your collection?

I don't like the YT, so I would personally fly the first list with one tweak.

Luke w/ Swarm Tactics + R2D2

Blue w/ FCS

Blue w/ FCS

Prototype

Use the prototype to block and action deny where ever possible. Luke is a defensive beast, so they have to decide to go after him and his pesky ST, or give up on him and go for the blues with the TL+F action stacking... all the while letting them shoot at PS8 (ya ya, only one of them can, but it should always be the one they're attacking).

Personally, I'm not a big fan of DTF on Luke when he's protecting Blues. They have more health and less agility, so they're designed to take the hit, where as he's designed to avoid a few hits. Pulling damage from a 1agi ship to him will end up making your list over all easier to kill.

This puts you at 99 points, you can leave it there for init, upgrade one of them to AdvS if you want, or get fancy and put R5-P9 on Luke instead and then have 2 points to play with.

Gunner on the Falcon is always nice.. Expert Handling is a nice one too. Nothing like a barrel rolling, Target Lock shaking big ship..

I agree with the earlier comment about flying with what you are comfortable.

what other ships do you have in your collection?

My current roster is as follows.

2x Core

1x X Wing

1x A Wing

1x Y wing

2x B Wing

1x YT-1300

1x Firespray

1x Imp Aces

1x Tie Advance

my LGS is having a buy 2 get 1 free in celebration for free comic day, so that’s why I’m thinking about picking up 2 shuttles and possibly another Imp Aces or Firespray.

I agree with the earlier comment about flying with what you are comfortable.

what other ships do you have in your collection?

My current roster is as follows.

2x Core

1x X Wing

1x A Wing

1x Y wing

2x B Wing

1x YT-1300

1x Firespray

1x Imp Aces

1x Tie Advance

my LGS is having a buy 2 get 1 free in celebration for free comic day, so that’s why I’m thinking about picking up 2 shuttles and possibly another Imp Aces or Firespray.

Looks like your missing a HWK. Great ship with some great upgrade cards!

I too am thinking about buying another Aces set. One shuttle is enough for me, and thank goodness Adv. Sensors will be included with the E-wing. It is a crime that it is not included in the Rebel Aces set!

I'll take all the comments into account and practice, practice, practice with list 1. It's funnier for me to fly anyhow. I've had success with Luke functioning as a quasi Biggs in that he stays in the back and takes the B's crits when needed. Then peels off for a green and regens. The A functions as a flanker, but he dies fairly quickly after he turns in and gets one shot off. I like the idea of him being a blocker, he's just so dang squishy.

I'll try some of the combo's listed to see if the extra offense is worth it to me for the loss in defense. I have a feeling that the time will get to me.

And I need to try this list against other Imps. I have access to a tie swarm and several interceptors. Are these still being flown in the current meta? Or has it all gone to shuttle/firespray escort builds? I'm nervous and excited. Be good to play against some real competition.

I'll take all the comments into account and practice, practice, practice with list 1. It's funnier for me to fly anyhow. I've had success with Luke functioning as a quasi Biggs in that he stays in the back and takes the B's crits when needed. Then peels off for a green and regens. The A functions as a flanker, but he dies fairly quickly after he turns in and gets one shot off. I like the idea of him being a blocker, he's just so dang squishy.

I'll try some of the combo's listed to see if the extra offense is worth it to me for the loss in defense. I have a feeling that the time will get to me.

And I need to try this list against other Imps. I have access to a tie swarm and several interceptors. Are these still being flown in the current meta? Or has it all gone to shuttle/firespray escort builds? I'm nervous and excited. Be good to play against some real competition.

The Tie Swarm is alive and well. The Imperial Aces has boosted the popularity of the Interceptors and the Firespray makes a good tank for them. Be ready to deal with both.

I agree with the earlier comment about flying with what you are comfortable.

what other ships do you have in your collection?

My current roster is as follows.

2x Core

1x X Wing

1x A Wing

1x Y wing

2x B Wing

1x YT-1300

1x Firespray

1x Imp Aces

1x Tie Advance

my LGS is having a buy 2 get 1 free in celebration for free comic day, so that’s why I’m thinking about picking up 2 shuttles and possibly another Imp Aces or Firespray.

You must be a rebel player. Your "holes" are:

HWK: Maybe some crew cards and the ship can be nice support but otherwise not essential.

Interceptor: Mostly for Turr and Fell although this is also where you get the PS 1 and 3 pilots.

TIE Fighter: Again for the Unique Pilots

TIE Bombers: Just because you don't have them; don't miss out on many upgrades.

Lambda: A number of good upgrades although the ship often asks for a lot of help from other expansions outside of the Suicide Shuttle w/ Vader. Only ship to really consider as a Rebel Pilot in my book.