So, I was looking through the forums and I came across this thread - http://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/107819-pushing-the-limit-with-porkins/

That got me thinking.. Now that I have the transport and the pilots that come with it, why not try and come up with a list that uses some of the major assets. Until now, the Transport has been a display piece for me, as I just haven't had the opportunity to sit down with a builder or to actually play with any of the pilots or upgrades..

So, this is the list I came up with (extrapolating on the above link's ideas - credit where credit is due..)

I'm not a huge fan of 3 ship Rebel builds, but this does have decent enough damage output that it could be useful.. I was thinking perhaps it might be better if included in a larger fleet for Epic or Cinematic play though. Feedback or suggestions are more than welcome, without further ado -

Jek Porkins [PS 7] (26)

- Push the Limit (3)

- Hull Upgrade (3)

- R5-D8 (3)

Garven Dreis [PS 6] (26)

- R5-P9 (3)

- Advanced Proton Torpedoes (6)

"Hobbie" Klivian [PS 5] (25)

- R5-K6 (2)

- Flechette Torpedoe (2)

Total 99 points - http://xwing-builder.co.uk/view/81931/unsung-heroes-of-red-squadron#view=full

So, the basic idea here is Hobbie loves his Target Locks, and sheds stress because of them - he'll be TL every turn if possible. The Flechette is a nice addition for him, as it means someone is going to have a bad day. Once it's gone, his TL's are used for re-rolls. Hobbie would fly at the Tip of the wedge formation.

Next up - Garven. Well, what can you say about Garven that hasn't been said before?? Focus, Focus, Focus. He'll be passing these off like candy, most likely to Hobbie as Hobbie shoots after him - the Focus/TL combo of Hobbie should pay big dividends.

Finally, good ol' Porkins.. Push means he'll be Focussing and TL almost every turn. His ability to shed stress should help him out, but the potential is always there that by using his ability he'll take some damage. That's where the Hull Upgrade comes in. Makes him a bit more durable, just in case.. And if he DOES take damage from his ability? Well, R5-D8 can hopefully remove it as well, with an evade or focus roll..

Yeah, it's a lot of points on each ship. AND, it includes ordnance (something I seldom if ever include on ANY ship), but I had 8 points left over after ships and Astromechs, so I thought they could use some ordnance. I suppose I could have replaced the Adv PT on Garven with a Hull for him and Hobbie, but in the event that this is included as part of a larger fleet in Epic or Cinematic, I figured the Adv PT would add some extra punch.

I think the 3 pilots have some great synergy, and though I would have loved to fit a fourth ship in there, with 100 points that just wasn't possible.. Using the higher point values in Epic and Cinematic play, seems like these would slot right in with a couple of B's, A's, maybe Biggs or Wedge and a YT..

So, what do you think?

I'd say its a pretty decent list but I think R5-P9 should be on an X-wing other than Garven. He's still only got 1 focus and he's either gonna spend it on his attacks or for evading. You will rarely get a chance to use it for shields. As for Hobbie, R3-A2 is a far better companion droid than R5-K6. I get what you're trying to do with him but he's rarely gonna get stressed unless he's K-turning so R5-K6 is a bit redundant. Be careful though cuz Hobbie with R3-A2 will often be your opponents target priority so you'll have to find a way to keep him from being shot down too quickly. Perhaps you can drop the FT and toss in a Hull Upgrade instead.

I agree with the suggestions so far, and also, I'd rethink that advanced proton. Either ditch it entirely, or put it on a different pilot (probably porkins as his PS is highest). You said yourself Garven should be focussing every turn, but in order to use this, he will need to TL at least once. Better to have it on a pilot who can get TL's without sacrificing focus. Personally, I'd rather drop it and use the points for more durability (like hull upgrades on both Garven & Hobbie, for example).

I have no idea what to do with the nine relatively useless points you put on Garven. He's never going to be able to use the APT because he should never not be using focus, and he's never going to have a focus to heal because he'll be passing it. The only time P9 is worth it on him is when he's on a team with the Moldy Crow and he can pass that focus to be stored.

Also, Hobbie with the Stress giving Astromech is a mean combo. Use it.

You could drop all the upgrades and get tarn mison in there. I think. I did the list awhile ago. If not, you're really close. Might have to drop Porkins for Biggs actually. Although this is getting dangerously close to deviating from the OP's original squad.

Tarn Mison ain't Red Squadron though.

I agree with the suggestions so far, and also, I'd rethink that advanced proton. Either ditch it entirely, or put it on a different pilot (probably porkins as his PS is highest). You said yourself Garven should be focussing every turn, but in order to use this, he will need to TL at least once. Better to have it on a pilot who can get TL's without sacrificing focus. Personally, I'd rather drop it and use the points for more durability (like hull upgrades on both Garven & Hobbie, for example).

Yeah, the Adv Torp was a wild card for me.. I had points that I wasn't sure exactly what to do with.. I'll swap it for 2 hull upgrades for Hobbie and Garven..

Ok, so I've tweaked it somewhat, but now I'm not quite sure what to do with Garven.. I have 4 points left over - I'd like to give him an Astromech, but as said above R5-P9 causes him to use the Focus token on Regenerating shields rather than for attack..

Porkins, R5-D8, PTL, Hull Upgrade - 35 points

Garven, Hull Upgrade - 29 points

Hobbie, R3-A2, Flechette Torpedo, Hull Upgrade - 32 points

Total - 96 points

4 points under would win me the initiative every time, but there must be somewhere else I can throw those points - a different astromech, maybe something different on one of the other ships??

Of course I could swap out Garven completely for Kyle Katarn with the Moldy Crow Title, Shield Upgrade and Ion Turret for a better effect Pilot effect than Garven (Range 3 instead of 1-2), some control with the Ion, and the ability to save up some focii for future rounds.. But, this defeats the theme behind my list... Grrr..

EDIT: Garven with Hull Upgrade, R2-D6 (adds an EPT slot), and PTL??? That's an even 100 there, or I could swap for Veteran Instincts, or Determination, both of which would put me just below 100 points for initiative..

Ok, so I've tweaked it somewhat, but now I'm not quite sure what to do with Garven.. I have 4 points left over - I'd like to give him an Astromech, but as said above R5-P9 causes him to use the Focus token on Regenerating shields rather than for attack..

Porkins, R5-D8, PTL, Hull Upgrade - 35 points

Garven, Hull Upgrade - 29 points

Hobbie, R3-A2, Flechette Torpedo, Hull Upgrade - 32 points

Total - 96 points

4 points under would win me the initiative every time, but there must be somewhere else I can throw those points - a different astromech, maybe something different on one of the other ships??

Of course I could swap out Garven completely for Kyle Katarn with the Moldy Crow Title, Shield Upgrade and Ion Turret for a better effect Pilot effect than Garven (Range 3 instead of 1-2), some control with the Ion, and the ability to save up some focii for future rounds.. But, this defeats the theme behind my list... Grrr..

Engine upgrade on the Porkster. 4 Points. Amazing Fun.

Ok, so I've tweaked it somewhat, but now I'm not quite sure what to do with Garven.. I have 4 points left over - I'd like to give him an Astromech, but as said above R5-P9 causes him to use the Focus token on Regenerating shields rather than for attack..

Porkins, R5-D8, PTL, Hull Upgrade - 35 points

Garven, Hull Upgrade - 29 points

Hobbie, R3-A2, Flechette Torpedo, Hull Upgrade - 32 points

Total - 96 points

4 points under would win me the initiative every time, but there must be somewhere else I can throw those points - a different astromech, maybe something different on one of the other ships??

Of course I could swap out Garven completely for Kyle Katarn with the Moldy Crow Title, Shield Upgrade and Ion Turret for a better effect Pilot effect than Garven (Range 3 instead of 1-2), some control with the Ion, and the ability to save up some focii for future rounds.. But, this defeats the theme behind my list... Grrr..

Engine upgrade on the Porkster. 4 Points. Amazing Fun.

Ahh, but then I'm losing the Hull Upgrade on Porkins.. As easily as he goes down in the Star Wars, I really don't want him to go down that easily when I'm playing him..

With that list, I'd probably add R6-D2 and PTL to Garven. But I'm not really sure that it's really a good idea. Rethinking it, I really don't like it. It makes him super predictable, or breaks his ability. You could put another Flechette on Porkins, and then upgrade the hulls to shields. Or put R2D2 on Garven... That might be the best use...

When you have ships with higher PS than Garven, like Porkins, why not consider R2-D6 & Veteran Instincts?

When you have ships with higher PS than Garven, like Porkins, why not consider R2-D6 & Veteran Instincts?

That's what I was thinking.

So, I'll try the list out tonight and see how it does.

Porkins, R5-D8, Push the Limit, Hull Upgrade

Garven, R2-D6, Veteran Instincts, Hull Upgrade

Hobbie, R3-A2, Flechette Torpedo, Hull Upgrade

98 points for a nice initiative bid, or I throw another Flechette on Porkins for an even 100 points and call it a day..

Or upgrade the Flechette to normal torpedoes.

Or give Garven or Hobie shields instead of Hull.

But with Porkins already having PTL, and only two actions (TL + F), he won't need Garven's focus... it'd be better going to Hobbie, who can only TL... And Hobbie is a lower PS anyways, so... That's kinda like 2 points wasted imo.

But with Porkins already having PTL, and only two actions (TL + F), he won't need Garven's focus... it'd be better going to Hobbie, who can only TL... And Hobbie is a lower PS anyways, so... That's kinda like 2 points wasted imo.

Porkins won't always be able to PTL. Even when he can he can still benefit from 2 focus tokens; offense & defense, or defense from multiple attacks.

I don't see 2 points as wasted when it gives Garven more options to better support the rest of the squad. Besides, even if you never give the token to Porkins, 2 points to go from PS 6 to PS 8 is cost appropriate and has other benefits.