With Predator finally coming out, I was thinking about using Predator as a replacement for PTL on Rebels like Wedge. for the same 3 points I get a reroll that while admittedly isn't quite as good as a TL, I don't get the stress and am still free to perform another action. I know it doesn't quite replace PTL on highly evasive ships like the A-wing or Tie Interceptor, but it does seem to work very well for ships limited to TL and Focus. Anyone have any experience or thoughts?

I think Predator is a very good replacement. ... sometimes. It depends on the ship. TIE Interceptor should avoid Predator like the plague because you have a lot of green and you need to be able to arc dance. X-Wing? Absolutely, it's a great replacement. It depends on the ship and what the PS commonly is in your area.

I think it'll be powerful on a lot of different pilots, I can also see PTL becoming less popular due to how many stress giving upgrades have been added recently (Tactician, R3-A2, Flechettes).

I already started to use Predator in some games and so far I'm loving it! Like you said, it is a really good substitute for PtL.

Any ship shooting at 2 dice is loving it, but where I got the best use out of it is with Turr and Tetran. With Stress giving weapons being more and more common, or ship denying action or removing tokens, I'm pretty sure it will see a lot of play.

One combo that I can't wait to try is:

Jake Farrell+ATP+CR+Predator+Outmaneuver (28pts)

I think it arguably helps firesprays more than any other ship in the game. X-wings would be a close second.

I know it doesn't quite replace PTL on highly evasive ships like the A-wing or Tie Interceptor, but it does seem to work very well for ships limited to TL and Focus.

This is pretty much it. If all you're doing with the second action is getting a target lock then predator is the clear winner. It doesn't stress you, it doesn't require you to commit to a target or worry about who moves into range first, and it doesn't go away if you lose your action. The only drawback is not being able to re-roll all of your bad dice, but you aren't getting that many blanks often enough to make up for all the other advantages. On the other hand predator is a pretty clear loser if you have a more interesting action bar. In those cases PTL wins decisively since it gives you the flexibility to pick the two actions you need in any combination, including movement + movement or defense + defense. The stress is a small price to pay for that flexibility, especially when those ships tend to have good dials to clear it.

I cannot wait to use Predator on Wedge, although I can see how it would be amazing on Firesprays too. I'll only be too happy to not have to rely on PTL any more on those ships.

I think it arguably helps firesprays more than any other ship in the game. X-wings would be a close second.

Cough*Tie Defender*Cough

Predator on a Defender means you can Focus and get the reroll (though if you are utilizing Vessery's ability it doesn't matter he might be better with outmaneuver, so i guess this applies more to Rexlar) or lets you reroll after doing a hard turn.

X-wings and Firesprays will be awesome for it too, Kath+Recon Spec+Predator or Predator on Wedge?

I was thinking of putting that on Kath, but it seems like Kath was meant to take Marksmanship, so not sure. Maybe on a Phantom, but I can't help but think I'd rather take Vet Instincts. Might be cool on Mauler Mithel: extra die in range 1, usually paired with Howl, could mean rerolling 3 out of 4 die in range 1 and an nearly a double target lock at range 2 and 3.

I was thinking of putting that on Kath, but it seems like Kath was meant to take Marksmanship, so not sure. Maybe on a Phantom, but I can't help but think I'd rather take Vet Instincts. Might be cool on Mauler Mithel: extra die in range 1, usually paired with Howl, could mean rerolling 3 out of 4 die in range 1 and an nearly a double target lock at range 2 and 3.

Predator is much better than Marksmanship, even on Kath. Even on Kath with Gunner. Because it doesn't cost an action, allowing for much greater accuracy.

I think it'll be powerful on a lot of different pilots, I can also see PTL becoming less popular due to how many stress giving upgrades have been added recently (Tactician, R3-A2, Flechettes).

I don't think so since interceptors are actually seeing increased success despite the fact that those cards have been out.

Pretty much all of the above but I want to add that Predator on Chewie or Lando with Gunner/Luke is awesome-sauce! The Pred & Luke combo is particularly effective on the Falcon with EU because you can concentrate on boosting and evading arcs while still keeping constant fire on your opponent. If you miss your shot (which will happen often) the next shot will be more deadly with Luke and if you get those annoying 1hit 2 blank rolls Pred can help by turning that hit to a miss to trigger Luke.

I'll admit its a heavy investment but you'll get a hyper mobile YT that hits hard and still have points left over for a Blue and Rookie pilot. This list has worked very well for me so far.

I was thinking of putting that on Kath, but it seems like Kath was meant to take Marksmanship, so not sure. Maybe on a Phantom, but I can't help but think I'd rather take Vet Instincts. Might be cool on Mauler Mithel: extra die in range 1, usually paired with Howl, could mean rerolling 3 out of 4 die in range 1 and an nearly a double target lock at range 2 and 3.

Predator is much better than Marksmanship, even on Kath. Even on Kath with Gunner. Because it doesn't cost an action, allowing for much greater accuracy.

My thought was I just had fun with Krassis with HLC and whats more fun than a ps5 Firespray rerolling 1 die at 2-3? A PS 7 Firespray rolling 1(probably 2 50ish% of the time) at all ranges, I personally think sure the crits are nice but usually by the time you punch crits though its the last damage card dealt and it doesn't matter because the ship is already dead

Ya, basically it is a replacement for ships that were pretty much just using PTL for focus + TL like wedge, some falcons etc. You stick with ptl for things that still need to barrel boost sometimes like interceptors. Simple as that really.

I think it arguably helps firesprays more than any other ship in the game. X-wings would be a close second.

Cough*Tie Defender*Cough

Predator on a Defender means you can Focus and get the reroll (though if you are utilizing Vessery's ability it doesn't matter he might be better with outmaneuver, so i guess this applies more to Rexlar) or lets you reroll after doing a hard turn.

X-wings and Firesprays will be awesome for it too, Kath+Recon Spec+Predator or Predator on Wedge?

There's two reasons why I think it benefits firesprays most. One is that they are large ships so more likely to crash and lose actions, but they will still be able to use predator. Second is predator can be used with secondary weapons, so kath or boba can become like Krassis with HLC's.

Pretty much all of the above but I want to add that Predator on Chewie or Lando with Gunner/Luke is awesome-sauce! The Pred & Luke combo is particularly effective on the Falcon with EU because you can concentrate on boosting and evading arcs while still keeping constant fire on your opponent. If you miss your shot (which will happen often) the next shot will be more deadly with Luke and if you get those annoying 1hit 2 blank rolls Pred can help by turning that hit to a miss to trigger Luke.

I'll admit its a heavy investment but you'll get a hyper mobile YT that hits hard and still have points left over for a Blue and Rookie pilot. This list has worked very well for me so far.

So maybe something like this ?

Chewbacca (42)

Predator (3)

Luke Skywalker (7)

C-3PO (3)

Millennium Falcon (1)

Airen Cracken (19)

Bandit Squadron Pilot (12)

Bandit Squadron Pilot (12)

Total: 99

Chewie! He becomes somewhat like Han, plus you're putting predator on an alien

I really like Predator on Kath, with a Tactician or Rebel Captive for crew

I think Predator is generally better than PtL at this point, unless the ship has a middling to high PS, either boost or barrel roll (or both), and a green maneuver in each bearing. Off the top of my head, I think only the TIE interceptor and A-wing meet that standard. For everyone else, I'd recommend Predator. It doesn't generate stress and it works every shot, even if you were unable to take any action.

I think Predator is generally better than PtL at this point, unless the ship has a middling to high PS, either boost or barrel roll (or both), and a green maneuver in each bearing. Off the top of my head, I think only the TIE interceptor and A-wing meet that standard.

That includes every X (with EU), Y (no EPT slot) and E with R2 as well.

Wedge with EU, PTL and R2? Oh yes.

Don't forget that ships with stress based abilities would want ptl, such as ibitsam for example. Also ships who want a better punch with secondary weapons, as they need the target lock to fire them off, then a focus to better their odds of big damage.

Also ships who want a better punch with secondary weapons, as they need the target lock to fire them off, then a focus to better their odds of big damage.

Predator would apply to the ordnance as well. One or Two re-rolls is still fine when you're shooting 4 dice.

Assuming you're more likely to only get 1 reroll with predator than 2, the only warheads I could see being better with predator over a focus is the proton torpedo and cluster missiles.

Predator is awesome with any cannon/turret upgrades and the focus action though.

Assuming you're more likely to only get 1 reroll with predator than 2, the only warheads I could see being better with predator over a focus is the proton torpedo and cluster missiles.

Predator is awesome with any cannon/turret upgrades and the focus action though.

Still a bit better off with focus for AM.

Expected hits/crits for AM

Unmodified: 2

1 Predator re-roll: 2.25

2 Predator re-rolls: 2.5

Focus: 3

Now predator is great for all aspects of the game after that warhead strike, I'm just saying if you really want to maximize your hurt with a warhead, you should do ptl.