This was my first "tournament" and my first tournament report!
I play at a small shop, and the previous events never had much of a showing. The allure of free ships had 8 people flying on Saturday, so that was an improvement.
I just starting the game about a month or two ago, so I don't have much originality in my builds. I decided to fly the build I am most comfortable with:
BH + Recon Specialist x 2
Doom Shuttle + Adv Sensors.
99 Points.
(I believe this is Froggie's list?)
We also had a 60 minute time limit. I figured 30 hits was a lot for my opponents to get through in that time. Didn't actually matter, all my games finished in time (I play fast).
Round 1
The first pairings are announced and unfortunately, I faced my friend and frequent opponent. We were a bit disappointed to play each other first round. He also had never faced my build, so I think I had the advantage at the start.
He flew a 4 x-wing: Wedge, Bigss, Rookies x 2*. I can't remember the upgrades. Something defensive on Biggs for sure. He likes to keep his builds simple.
I set up my squad with a BH on the outside edge next to the shuttle with a bit of a gap. I then place my next BH about Range 2 away from the shuttle (varies depending on asteroids). We were set-up with a straight joust with my 2nd BH coming in at and angle. After the second move we were Range 3 from each other. He couldn't focus all of his shots on the shuttle. We had about equal hits, but I was able to strip shields off Biggs and add a useless crit with Vader.
I can't remember exact placement of next turn, but I tried to fly the shuttle in to block and mess up formations while hopefully getting a range 1 shot with it. It was successful. The two rookies bumped the shuttle. Biggs didn't bump, but was sitting in all three of my ships firing arcs. Wedge bumped the rooks. The shuttle took a lot of damage from Wedge and Biggs, but I was able to take out Biggs and remove 1 or 2 shields off Wedge in the exchange.
The shuttle was down to low hull and wedge finished it next round. I felt good about the situation. The BH's still had 17 - 18 hits left combined. His Wedge was without shields. Not a lot of damage was done for a couple turns, but I finished Wedge off and took off the shields from one rookie. Then with recon and the hit point advantage, I just wore the rookies down until they were both gone.
I don't think either of us flew better or worse than the other. I got just enough out of the Shuttle to swing the game in my favor, which is how I try to play this list.
Win 99 - 27.
Round 2
Opponent seemed experienced, but had a strange list.
Turr, Lorrir, Mauler, Backstabber, with upgrades spread throughout*.
I was really confident seeing his squad, but the dice and my flying decided otherwise.
Basically came down to the third movement phase. I just barely didn't clear my own shuttle with a BH. This ended up moving the BH back right on a rock. He had a couple perfect maneuvers where he ended up just millimeters from bumping the BH. He focused all his guys on the BH and did the most crits I have ever received in one turn. No complaints, him just barely missing the collisions meant he got all his actions and I was naked. I think the BH either died that turn or had 1 HP left. The other BH did nothing to Mauler, the only ship I had shot on with it.
The shuttle fortunately was able to land 2 hits on Mauler, and then Vader was used to finish him off. I knew I was in bad shape. My ships were in horrible position, the BH was behind the shuttle and his ships were in good spots to block me. Low PS really hurt me all game. I had to move the shuttle first which couldn't really move, and there was no where for the BH to go without crashing.
I did what I could, but he played it smart and ignored the shuttle. It was out of the fight for two rounds to turn back around. I had some problems with my opponents play because he measured my firing arcs to determine if he should barrel roll with a ship or two. I let it slide because I thought the match was pretty much decided.
Regardless, it wasn't going to matter. I could never strip the stealth off his interceptors, and I don't think I did a single point of damage the rest of the game. That one turn really decided it, but it was poor flying by me. Combine that with his higher PS on every ship of his and it was not pretty.
Loss ? - 99. (Not sure if Mauler had upgrades.)
Round 3
Well I am tied for third place right now with 5 points . Tied with my next opponent and my friend. Unfortunately, the tournament started late and there was a break before this round. I wasn't sure if I could stay for any more rounds after this one.
He was running some form of swarm with Soontir*. I feel very comfortable running my squad against swarms, and this opponent was new to the game.
This game was never in doubt. The shuttle earned its pay here. He tried to take out a BH first. The double focus prevented a lot of damage. The shuttle was ignored until the last round. I believe I delivered 4 crits throughout the game with Vader. Almost 5, but was killed on the last turn before firing. I took out 3 ships in the first two exchanges thanks to two Vader crits. The BH's just mopped up after that.
Win 100 - 27
Round 4
Time's up. Unfortunately the tournament ran longer than I had hoped and I had to forfeit my last match. I was 2 - 1 with 10 points. Tied for 2nd. 2 other people had 10 points (one being my friend). My second round opponent pulled out a Match win by 1 point in round 3. So he was at 15. I really wanted a rematch with him in the finals, just because I wanted that one turn back where I flew so poorly.
I wasn't that bothered by having to leave. I would like to get a ship, but for my first tournament I thought it went well. I am not sure what my next matchup was going to be. I had the highest strength of schedule and had the head to head win against my friend, so all had to do was win to be in the finals.
Loss 0 - 99 (Forfeit)
Surprise Ending
I am not really clear on what happened for the next round or for the finish. I will stop by the store this week to find out. Sounds like something weird. My second round opponent was the champion. He took Defender. My friend tied for second. Not sure how that happened. But he got Z-95. The other guy took E-wing.
Even with the forfeit I got 4th thanks to some other people only getting modified wins! I have the phantom waiting for me at the store to pick up.
What I took away from the tournament
I had a great time even with the forfeit and the poor 2nd round. I always feel guilty for using someone else's list, but I love BH's with recon and the Lambda is my favorite looking ship right now in the game.
I am excited to be into the game as the new wave comes out, so I can hopefully create a decent, unique list. Rebels are scum though. This will make it hard because I have mixed feelings on the new Imperial ships.
I can't decide if I want to keep adv. sensors on the shuttle. It is nice because of the stressful maneuvers and in blocking, but dropping it would give me 4 points elsewhere. Maybe seismics on each BH?
*Sorry for lack of specifics on upgrades. I had to forfeit to go to a comedy show and had a decent amount to drink there.