So while I didn't win any ships for Imdaar Alpha and some of my matches ended up pretty tensely I did learn a lot. This was my return to the tournament scene after a half a year's hiatus because of my dice luck, and once I realized TIE swarms were my problem (and relying on agility), I tried a list on Saturday with Porkins, Push the Limit, R5-D8, and a hull upgrade (thanks Zathrus!)

The only other time I've had as much fun with a particular piece was running a Falcon with Expert handling and engine upgrade for fun and hilarious positioning!

So while I'm trying to fit this fun Porkins into other fun lists (and trying to get around the fact that he's 32 points, I'm trying to figure out how far I could cut porkins down and still have him perform well enough with some insurance.

PTL+R5-D8 (32)

I'm lacking the extra hull insurance so I'd need to try keeping Porkins out of combat. But if I push the limit and still take damage R5-D8 can reasonably cover for me. Should I be extra cautious, or should I go all out?

R5-D8+Hull Upgrade (32)

Feels tanky, redundant, and kind of lacking. I have coverage to do K-turns and some protection from enemy fire but it doesn't feel as fun without PTL. This list might be worth considering anyway since Porkins is only going to be PTL'ing for a focus with his Target Lock he'll get anyway. On the other hand, that other action could also be used for R5-D8.

PTL+Hull Upgrade (32)

Feels like this has a timer. Run Porkins out there as much as I can and hope I get the most out of my 4 hull as I can before I explode. No way to repair the damage, entirely reliant on the outcome of the attack dice, but if Porkins has a mission he'll do it.

R5-D8 (29)

He offers protection against those drawn hits but he can't save crits, and he needs an action to do. The one action is kind of limiting in comparison to other options out there.

Hull Upgrade (29)

Same with Push the limit, just no extra action. More insurance but can't help being fired at.

PTL (29)

Risky, but pretty awesome in theory. Porkins can be a 29 point kamikaze candle but at least it'll be fun while it lasts. Perhaps redundant though depending on how often he can act upon his target locks.

So anyone have other thoughts for what one can do with Porkins? Any ideal combos and strategies to use him in a list?

The PtL + R5D8 base is where it is at even if it does lack the extra 'safety' of a hull upgrade. You could consider other stress inducers (Expert Handling?) instead of PtL but keeping the Astromech as insurance could be a good idea.

Porkins is probably the only place I'd actually consider R5D8. A "possible" chance of getting a card while preventing something else that's bad allows me to feel ok with a "possible" chance at removing that card.

I like Porkins + R5D8 + PTL

The trick is that you don't necessarily use Porkin's ability every move. My recommendation is to look ahead and see if next turn you want to make a green maneuver or not. If there's a clear green opportunity, don't worry about the stress and clear it naturally. If you won't have a good maneuver, then dump the stress.

One thing this does allow you to do is K-Turn. You K-Turn, then dump the stress. If you take the damage, your action should be R5D8. If that clears the damage, great, you still get an action when you Push. Then decide as above, will a green maneuver be your planned maneuver next turn or will you need something creative?

i ran porkins like this for imdar:

porkins+determination+R5D8+hull upgrade

i made every roll with R5D8 that i attempted, that was cool

i drew 2 pilot damage cards

where i messed up was my 3rd match, it came down to my porkins with 3 hull points remaining going head on to Wes at range 1. wes had VI and went at 10, his shooting resulted in 1 hit 2 crits. i pulled my porkins and went to my car for a drink (drinks were not allowed in the store) as i was sitting there i though, **** it i forgot determination!!!! i went back and pulled the damage cards, and sure enough the second crit was a pilot damage.

so kids, remember to use cards........it sucks to mess up that big.

R5-D8 was apparently Porkins' droid in the films, so it makes sense that he pairs so well with it.

Push the limit on a two action ship doesn't give me enough options. I would rather use engine upgrade on Porkins than a hull upgrade. He is a wonderfully versatile ship, but also pricy.

It is a real shame that daredevil isn't viable on him (without also buying a slightly redundant engine upgrade). If only daredevil only did 1 red dice damage, instead of 2.

Without a self stressing effect he effectively becomes meta (to stress causers), or gives you a white k-turn. Is that enough? Not sure at the moment.

I like Porkins with Engine upgrade. Probably not tournament viable, but **** is boosting out of a K-Turn fun. I like the full Push, R5, Engine Upgrade combo for fun games, much like Tycho and Jake fully kitted out, it looks fun and rediculous to play. Run all and call it Rebel Phantoms.

... I like the full Push, R5, Engine Upgrade combo for fun games, much like Tycho and Jake fully kitted out, it looks fun and rediculous to play. ...

A little caution/question to that statement. Is that R5D8 or the much cheaper R5 which just flips cards face down? Need to assume it's the more expensive one because there is a chance at getting cards R5 is NOT what you really want.

... I like the full Push, R5, Engine Upgrade combo for fun games, much like Tycho and Jake fully kitted out, it looks fun and rediculous to play. ...

A little caution/question to that statement. Is that R5D8 or the much cheaper R5 which just flips cards face down? Need to assume it's the more expensive one because there is a chance at getting cards R5 is NOT what you really want.

Figured about as much but you know people like throwing R5 on ships too. That's a problem when the ways you'd commonly abbreviate something are actually things in their own right.

Figured about as much but you know people like throwing R5 on ships too. That's a problem when the ways you'd commonly abbreviate something are actually things in their own right.

Context can typically be trusted. R5-D8 features all over the OP.

Jek Porkins - R5-D8, PTL, EU

Tycho Chelchu - PTL, A-Wing Test Pilot, Chaardan Refit, Outmaneuver, Hull Upgrade

Jake Farrell - Predator, Outmaneuver, A-Wing Test Pilot, Chaardan Refit, Hull Upgrade

The I can go anywhere, any time squad. Probably not viable, but should be good for a giggle in casual. Imagine trying to pin these guys down long enough to shoot them.

Saw the thread title, thought this was going to be a topic about intimate relations with fat chicks, and came away sadly disappointed.

I agree with Sable, I ran porkins with a friend and he was set up with PTL and R5 D8, and a the flak torpedo. He worked fantastic, took one damage the whole match, which R5 quickly got rid of.

Don't use his ability if you'll stick to a green next turn, and sometimes perhaps you won't need double the actions. However I can't stress how good a Stress less K turn is with then a focus and target lock, and having that extra action to fix damage he's taken if such happens.

He was my personal fav X wing pilot before he came out and now he's my fav even in his use.

My favorite Porkins is Expert Handling and R5-D8. He gets a barrel roll, which is great for evading firing arcs, and can roll to remove stress. If the roll fails, he's got R5-D8 as backup. And it only totals 31 points.

I have had great success running Porkins with Opportunist and the R5-D8. In a three x build with Wedge and Wes he is always the last ship to be targeted and he makes them pay for laughing at him!

Saw the thread title, thought this was going to be a topic about intimate relations with fat chicks, and came away sadly disappointed.

You should have known better. Unlike Porkins, the while the larger ones are fun to drive, you don't tell your mates about it.

I really don't see the point of R5-D8 + PTL. If you're spending your extra action to repair the damage you took to get that action then what's the point? Why not just save points and skip both of them?

Because you aren't using that extra action to repair the damage all the time. You could use it to pick up a focus with that Target Lock (Or boost if you have the engine upgrade). R5-D8 is there in case you want to repair stress-given damage on top of being combat effective.

Taking PTL and having R5-D8 lets you do two of the following three: Repair your ship, Target Lock, Focus. With an engine upgrade you can allow Boost in there too. Quite awesome for an X-Wing unaffected by anything stress-related.

I really don't see the point of R5-D8 + PTL. If you're spending your extra action to repair the damage you took to get that action then what's the point? Why not just save points and skip both of them?

Focus, Target Lock every turn?? MAYBE take damage. MAYBE get rid of the damage..

What's not to like??