BobaConstrictor and Friends

By Gather, in X-Wing

I was wondering if anyone had ideas to help round out a list I've been working, perhaps to help me think outside the box a bit.

The base of my list is:

Boba(Constrictor) - 39

Engine Upgrade - 4

Push The Limit - 3

Navigator - 3

Seismic Charge - 2

This totals to 51 pts

What I'm really looking for is a posse to accompany him. I play Boba as a slippery snake, boosting out of firing arcs, and making full use of his auxiliary arc. Sometimes this serves well as a distraction for the rest of the force. Sometimes it gives him a great advantage with bombs or other ordnance.

So given that what is the best way to accompany him with those 49 pts?

Replace Navigator with Recon Specialist. There are few things tankier than a Firespray with double focus tokens and an evade token. If you shave off the Seismic Charge, you can fit in an Emperor's Buzzsaw or a naked Bounty Hunter, and either a Scimitar or Backstabber / Dark Curse. Alternatively, replace the EU and SC with an Advanced Proton Torpedo and go with an OGP + Engine Upgrade + Advanced Sensors.

If you're not keen on shuttles, two Saber Squadron's with PtL also fit the bill, or Kir Kanos and an RGP + PtL.

Edited by WonderWAAAGH

Replace Navigator with Recon Specialist. There are few things tankier than a Firespray with double focus tokens and an evade token.

No!!! Soontir Fel is no longer a unique and special snow flake!

As to the list, 1/2 your points tied up in 3 attack dice without gunner....hmm, you really need the other 50 points to provide punch. Interceptors might be a good idea since they are the cheapest 3 attack you can get.

Replace Navigator with Recon Specialist. There are few things tankier than a Firespray with double focus tokens and an evade token. If you shave off the Seismic Charge, you can fit in an Emperor's Buzzsaw or a naked Bounty Hunter, and either a Scimitar or Backstabber / Dark Curse. Alternatively, replace the EU and SC with an Advanced Proton Torpedo and go with an OGP + Engine Upgrade + Advanced Sensors.

If you're not keen on shuttles, two Saber Squadron's with PtL also fit the bill, or Kir Kanos and an RGP + PtL.

Sorry, my question wasn't how to alter what I already had, but how to accompany it. For the options you list how do you see them working with Boba?

For the options you list how do you see them working with Boba?

Use your Interceptors the same way you use Boba. Flank, dodge, fly away and let them chase you - be a general nuisance, and don't let your opponent play to his strengths.

Edited by WonderWAAAGH

Replace Navigator with Recon Specialist. There are few things tankier than a Firespray with double focus tokens and an evade token.

No!!! Soontir Fel is no longer a unique and special snow flake!

As to the list, 1/2 your points tied up in 3 attack dice without gunner....hmm, you really need the other 50 points to provide punch. Interceptors might be a good idea since they are the cheapest 3 attack you can get.

Yeah, that can be an issue. With Boba being so squirrel-ly and flying about with this loadout, I wonder if interceptors would just end up being an easy target. Perhaps twin sabers with PTL? Can they reliably sneak around on their own without taking too much fire or will they just get hunted easily if Boba is ignored?

My usual solution to the fire-power issue is to load up Boba even more. The above Boba loadout is probably the best Adv. Proton Torp carrier in the game.

Yeah, that can be an issue. With Boba being so squirrel-ly and flying about with this loadout, I wonder if interceptors would just end up being an easy target. Perhaps twin sabers with PTL? Can they reliably sneak around on their own without taking too much fire or will they just get hunted easily if Boba is ignored?

My usual solution to the fire-power issue is to load up Boba even more. The above Boba loadout is probably the best Adv. Proton Torp carrier in the game.

Boba's not THAT squirrel-ly with just PtL & engine upgrade. Twin sabers might do okay, especially if you flank or keep them back behind boba (not directly behind, mind you). Alternatively, you could go with the Adv. proton torp and just settle for a second firespray (bounty hunter with Recon Spec & HLC = 43 pts OR gunner & shield = 42). Either way you are going to have limited firepower and will have to pick your fights carefully...

My buddy likes a similar set up and Lorrir and Kanos. 2 interceptors is a pretty good way to make most lists more interesting!

My buddy likes a similar set up and Lorrir and Kanos. 2 interceptors is a pretty good way to make most lists more interesting!

I'll have to try the interceptor idea. I like Lorrir since he's fairly cheap and independent. Kanos I feel needs someone to give him an extra action to make work, such as Howlrunner. Mayber Lorrir and another PTL interceptor, along with Boba - 3 cagey ships.

Yeah, that can be an issue. With Boba being so squirrel-ly and flying about with this loadout, I wonder if interceptors would just end up being an easy target. Perhaps twin sabers with PTL? Can they reliably sneak around on their own without taking too much fire or will they just get hunted easily if Boba is ignored?

My usual solution to the fire-power issue is to load up Boba even more. The above Boba loadout is probably the best Adv. Proton Torp carrier in the game.

Boba's not THAT squirrel-ly with just PtL & engine upgrade. Twin sabers might do okay, especially if you flank or keep them back behind boba (not directly behind, mind you). Alternatively, you could go with the Adv. proton torp and just settle for a second firespray (bounty hunter with Recon Spec & HLC = 43 pts OR gunner & shield = 42). Either way you are going to have limited firepower and will have to pick your fights carefully...

Maybe "slippery" or "slithery" is a better word. With the large base, ptl, engine upgrade, and navigator, it becomes hard to pin him down. My tests with another firespray has resulted in that firespray getting concentrated on and being gunned down. A good distraction for Boba I guess, but I feel it happens too quickly and Boba becomes way outgunned.

Edited by Gather

I tried a very similar Boba a while back. I called him my go anywhere Boba Fett

Boba Fett

Expert Handling

Engine Upgrades

Navigator

As it turned out of all the extra movement I was allowed 80% of the time I used the Barrel Roll. Big Base+Rear Fireing arc makes barrel roll oh so very good.

She is 6 points cheaper than your build and I would put her up against yours any day. (Though she is more designed to kill Lower PS stuff)

After that my favorite Firespray has switched to

Kath

Expert Handling

Gunner

I find that if I am not barrel rolling out my opponent's firing arc, I can just take an evade action and rely on my gunner to make sure I hit.

Um... how about fitting Carnor Jax in there (maybe with expert handling)? The ability to stop / negate focus and evades might be complimentary to a Firespary without gunner. It's going to take some fancy flying to keep Carnor alive, but if you can, he can offer you the targets that you want.

Just from my experience with running the same Boba build, its actually not quite as squirrely as you think. The reason being is that PTL gives you stress and the Firespray doesn't have a huge number of greens so after the first time you pull it your options get small, and much more predictable, very quickly.

Beyond that 2 Sabers with PTL are a good start to accompany Boba is you want to keep to the hyper mobile route.

-Oops. Look like my thoughts have already been said several replies above.

Edited by SpaceDingo

Just from my experience with running the same Boba build, its actually not quite as squirrely as you think. The reason being is that PTL gives you stress and the Firespray doesn't have a huge number of greens so after the first time you pull it your options get small, and much more predictable, very quickly.

Beyond that 2 Sabers with PTL are a good start to accompany Boba is you want to keep to the hyper mobile route.

-Oops. Look like my thoughts have already been said several replies above.

Yep, and I disagree. You still have a lot of options open, some of which have consequences (lose your actions), and some are situational (do a hard turn while stressed through an asteroid to get out of a firing arc), but the beauty is you can pick the best one for the situation after most enemies have gone and assigned their actions.

Um... how about fitting Carnor Jax in there (maybe with expert handling)? The ability to stop / negate focus and evades might be complimentary to a Firespary without gunner. It's going to take some fancy flying to keep Carnor alive, but if you can, he can offer you the targets that you want.

I like Carnor plus PTL. He eats up a lot of points though. Who do you think would be good to fill out the remainder of points? Maybe Backstabber or Mauler?

When in doubt... Nightbeast and Backstabber are never a bad decision.

Here's a list for that:

Boba + EU + EH + Nav

Lorrir

Backstabber

Academy

Still a slithery little monster...Lorrir also slithers along fine... stabber strikes (snakey!). You could also drop the EU and bump the Academy to Night Beast and have an init bid or add the seismic back. If you have BR through EH how often do you need Boost?

Replace Navigator with Recon Specialist. There are few things tankier than a Firespray with double focus tokens and an evade token.

No!!! Soontir Fel is no longer a unique and special snow flake!

Also on the Rebel side: named YT-1300 + PtL + Recon Spec + MF title

When in doubt... Nightbeast and Backstabber are never a bad decision.

Here's a list for that:

Boba + EU + EH + Nav

Lorrir

Backstabber

Academy

Still a slithery little monster...Lorrir also slithers along fine... stabber strikes (snakey!). You could also drop the EU and bump the Academy to Night Beast and have an init bid or add the seismic back. If you have BR through EH how often do you need Boost?

Yeah Expert Handling is a different kind of BobaConstrictor - I call it a Sidewinder. It gives even more maneuverability, but less reliable shooting (can't PTL). When I go that route, I take a gunner since you're going to get very few actions outside of Barrel Roll.

Um... how about fitting Carnor Jax in there (maybe with expert handling)? The ability to stop / negate focus and evades might be complimentary to a Firespary without gunner. It's going to take some fancy flying to keep Carnor alive, but if you can, he can offer you the targets that you want.

I like Carnor plus PTL. He eats up a lot of points though. Who do you think would be good to fill out the remainder of points? Maybe Backstabber or Mauler?

If I followed the point calculations that leaves 20 points.

Mauler Mithel with push the limit or

Backstabber and add a cloaking device to Carnor?

Knowing how Carnor Jax can screw up a lot of actions, he would be my primary target if I were facing such a formation.

Carnor Jax and Dark Curse would be miserable to fly against.

Yeah Expert Handling is a different kind of BobaConstrictor - I call it a Sidewinder. It gives even more maneuverability, but less reliable shooting (can't PTL). When I go that route, I take a gunner since you're going to get very few actions outside of Barrel Roll.

I'm not sure the shooting is less reliable. Maybe vs. 3 agility ships? I don't know the math for certain, but I'd say PtL vs. Gunner is pretty close in terms of offense. However, here's one important difference: if you're using PtL for TL & Focus, you aren't getting boost for manoeuverability. And vice versa, if you boost, you lose the max damage potential (Gunner becoming superior in that case). Gunner is nice because you don't need your action for offense. You can barrel-roll for the slipperiness or if that won't help you, evade. Or if you aren't coming under fire, TL/F. Ultimately, either combo can work of course, but it seems like Gunner + Expert Handling provides you with slightly more versatility. Oh, and it denies your opponent the effectiveness of their own TL's, so a little perk that occasionally you will be thankful for.

Yeah Expert Handling is a different kind of BobaConstrictor - I call it a Sidewinder. It gives even more maneuverability, but less reliable shooting (can't PTL). When I go that route, I take a gunner since you're going to get very few actions outside of Barrel Roll.

I'm not sure the shooting is less reliable. Maybe vs. 3 agility ships? I don't know the math for certain, but I'd say PtL vs. Gunner is pretty close in terms of offense. However, here's one important difference: if you're using PtL for TL & Focus, you aren't getting boost for manoeuverability. And vice versa, if you boost, you lose the max damage potential (Gunner becoming superior in that case). Gunner is nice because you don't need your action for offense. You can barrel-roll for the slipperiness or if that won't help you, evade. Or if you aren't coming under fire, TL/F. Ultimately, either combo can work of course, but it seems like Gunner + Expert Handling provides you with slightly more versatility. Oh, and it denies your opponent the effectiveness of their own TL's, so a little perk that occasionally you will be thankful for.

I'm not talking so much about which puts out more damage over time, but reliability. When I place Boba against someone with a TL and Focus from PTL, I can fairly reliably know how many hits I'll do. That's very valuable so I don't over commit my other ships. With gunner, you are relying a lot more on randomness. Focus helps a small amount, but it's only for one of the attacks and you run into the issue where someone may just take a weak hit so gunner doesn't trigger.

How about 4 academy pilots? Pretty generic, but could be very useful.