Can two space cows be competitve?

By Russw, in X-Wing

Hi All,

Well I have an upcoming tournament and I need to work out a list for the event. What I thought of running is two space cows (Shuttle's) plus support.

What I am expecting to encounter is Tie Swarms or Mini Swarms with Interceptors. Other lists that I might encounter is Rebels with high PS and also probably B-Wings and probably the odd falcon.

Our group tends to favor high PS over lower PS

So what can you come up with, what idea's can you suggest.

Soitenly.

The following is a flow-chart of good builds. Enjoy :)

Omicron Group Pilot

+ Darth Vader (24)

+ Engine Upgrade (25)

+ Advanced Sensors (28)

+ Gunner + Fire-Control Systems (32)

+ Heavy Laser Cannons (32)

+ Mercenary Co-Pilot + Mercenary Co-Pilot (36)

+ Ion Cannon + Tactician + Tactician (32)

And now, an Explanation:

OmG Pilot + Darth Vader is a great way to get huge amounts of damage out of your shuttle on the first pass. It typically flies alongside a Swarm. Remember that Vader's damage is guaranteed.

All other good Shuttle builds use an Engine Upgrade to improve mobility, as otherwise it's a bit of a duck. You can fly 4 of them with just that for an excellent "Herd"

Using a Fire-Control System + a Gunner is a build that EATS high agility fleets (Like Swarms or Swarmlets + Interceptors). The trick is that you may use the Target Lock acquired from your first attacked to modify your Gunner's attack. Do so for even 1 die, as you'll pick up a new TL after your Gunner shoots anyway. 3 of these is great if 2 are OmGs and 1 is Yorr, potentially with an Intelligence Agent.

Using a Heavy Laser Cannon will similarly eat low agility fleets (like BBBB). If your low agility opponent has high hull, consider adding 2 Mercenary Co-Pilots. The de-crittening of the HLC happens before any other die modification, so crits granted by upgrades and acctions (even ones pulled from TargetLock Re-rolls) get to stick around.

Tactician won't be legal for tournaments until the Phantom is officially released, but two of them on a ship with an Ion Cannon means that whenever you attack a foe at range 2, they get Ionized with 2 stress tokens, which will force them into 3 turns of predictable movement even if you never attack them at Range 2 or with your Ion Cannon again. No opponent will like you if you force them into 2 turns of no actions, no pushing of the limit, no opportunist....

I have seen a 4 Omicron build win the Regional's so, shuttles can be good if well flown!

The 4 shuttle build that won regionals was fire control system + anti pursuit lasers.

The 4 shuttle build that won regionals was fire control system + anti pursuit lasers.

Really?

The final of your regional match wouldn't happen to have been filmed, would it?