Consider:

Cracken (19) + predator (3) = 22 points.

Compared to a 21-point rookie you lose a hull HP and a bit of damage (predator makes up for some of the lost attack die), but gain PS 8 and a free action every turn. That's a focus + TL stack, a barrel roll to get a b-wing into a better position, etc. As long as you have another ship to boost you should be getting more total damage than the rookie provides. That's the kind of thing you expect from a 30+ point HWK, not a 22 point rookie substitute. TBH I'd find it hard to justify taking a basic x-wing anymore when Cracken is available.

So what's the drawback? Why is all the attention on z-95 swarms and Blount (who, granted, is very good)?

He dies easy.

Or at least he dies as easily as you'd expect a 2/2/2 ship to die when he's got some abilities that can become very annoying very quickly. He may not be Howlrunner but he can sure be close.

For what it's worth I wouldn't run offensive boost on him. That just giving your opponent even more reasons to shoot him down and deprive others of his benefits. In a way he is like Jan except cheaper but even squishier.

Consider:Cracken (19) + predator (3) = 22 points.Compared to a 21-point rookie you lose a hull HP and a bit of damage (predator makes up for some of the lost attack die), but gain PS 8 and a free action every turn. That's a focus + TL stack, a barrel roll to get a b-wing into a better position, etc. As long as you have another ship to boost you should be getting more total damage than the rookie provides. That's the kind of thing you expect from a 30+ point HWK, not a 22 point rookie substitute. TBH I'd find it hard to justify taking a basic x-wing anymore when Cracken is available.So what's the drawback? Why is all the attention on z-95 swarms and Blount (who, granted, is very good)?

Because we haven't unleashed the Kraken yet. And his costing is odd. Z-95's are cheper than Ties based on being ps2 for the same cost but he's ps8 and costs 1 more than Howlrunner while his ability isn't as good. It seems odd.

Consider:Cracken (19) + predator (3) = 22 points.Compared to a 21-point rookie you lose a hull HP and a bit of damage (predator makes up for some of the lost attack die), but gain PS 8 and a free action every turn. That's a focus + TL stack, a barrel roll to get a b-wing into a better position, etc. As long as you have another ship to boost you should be getting more total damage than the rookie provides. That's the kind of thing you expect from a 30+ point HWK, not a 22 point rookie substitute. TBH I'd find it hard to justify taking a basic x-wing anymore when Cracken is available.So what's the drawback? Why is all the attention on z-95 swarms and Blount (who, granted, is very good)?

Because we haven't unleashed the Kraken yet. And his costing is odd. Z-95's are cheper than Ties based on being ps2 for the same cost but he's ps8 and costs 1 more than Howlrunner while his ability isn't as good. It seems odd.

In a smaller list, or one with access to more/better actions I'd say his ability is much better because it grants options, and I'd rather give a three die ship, or something with a HLC or one shot weapon a tl+F combo than give three ships one reroll each.

Instead of Predator give him HU. Now he is a -1 attack X-wing.

Consider:Cracken (19) + predator (3) = 22 points.Compared to a 21-point rookie you lose a hull HP and a bit of damage (predator makes up for some of the lost attack die), but gain PS 8 and a free action every turn. That's a focus + TL stack, a barrel roll to get a b-wing into a better position, etc. As long as you have another ship to boost you should be getting more total damage than the rookie provides. That's the kind of thing you expect from a 30+ point HWK, not a 22 point rookie substitute. TBH I'd find it hard to justify taking a basic x-wing anymore when Cracken is available.So what's the drawback? Why is all the attention on z-95 swarms and Blount (who, granted, is very good)?

Because we haven't unleashed the Kraken yet. And his costing is odd. Z-95's are cheper than Ties based on being ps2 for the same cost but he's ps8 and costs 1 more than Howlrunner while his ability isn't as good. It seems odd.

In a smaller list, or one with access to more/better actions I'd say his ability is much better because it grants options, and I'd rather give a three die ship, or something with a HLC or one shot weapon a tl+F combo than give three ships one reroll each.

I plan on running him with Squad Leader all the time. 21 points for the best part of the CR-90's front end. Yes Please.

For what it's worth I wouldn't run offensive boost on him. That just giving your opponent even more reasons to shoot him down and deprive others of his benefits. In a way he is like Jan except cheaper but even squishier.

I strongly disagree with the idea of making a ship less of a threat so it won't get shot at. If my opponent is ignoring one of my ships because it's not worth shooting at then I'm stuck with the serious problem of having a list that includes a ship that is so bad nobody wants to shoot at it. And it's not like taking shots away from Cracken means they just disappear, it just means that one of my other ships gets to die first. This "strategy" only works if Cracken, even without the offensive upgrade, is really contributing enough to be a priority target but your opponent fails to recognize this and makes him a lower priority. And I'd really prefer not to plan on using a strategy that requires my opponent to be stupid.

Your comparison to Jan demonstrates this point pretty well: she provides a nice boost, but she comes with a turret tax that you have to pay because her ability is nowhere near powerful enough to justify spending a quarter of your points on a ship that will never do any damage of its own. Predator fills the same role here, it allows Cracken to close the gap significantly on the 3-dice ships and contribute damage in addition to his free action. A free action alone wouldn't be worth anywhere near 19 points.

My favorite set up for Cracken is Veteran Instincts, so he can hand that action out before an opponent shoots. It keeps him cheap and functional as well.

For greater laughs, add a Cluster Missile so he can hand out two actions the first time. If you have a couple ships with ordnance nearby, he can let them get the target locks they need even if they have a low PS and weren't able to do so. Two shots from ordnance with TL and focus because of his influence is a pretty good payoff for his price, even if he misses.

As for Predator, I find that with a 2 dice shot it is not very effective. Just focus and shoot, and take what damage he provides.

In a smaller list, or one with access to more/better actions I'd say his ability is much better because it grants options, and I'd rather give a three die ship, or something with a HLC or one shot weapon a tl+F combo than give three ships one reroll each.

I think this is right about the key difference: Howlrunner is great, but only if you're buffing 3-4 (or more!) ships with her ability. If you're just buffing 1-2 then she's not worth it. And that's the situation rebel lists are in: you usually have 3-4 ships in your entire list, and once you account for maneuver spacing you're likely to end up with only 1-2 within range 1 of your buff ship. And full free action on one ship is better than a partial TL on 1-2 ships.

I had him in a list with Squad Leader, 2 Bandits both with Conc missiles, a rookie, and Tarn with an R7. I am quite looking forward to giving that a try. Has a decent alpha strike, and Tarn should be a heck of a closer.

Cracken will be great with mobility armies and ordnance armies (add the focus to a TL). His free action could really turn the tide against the phantom if you can reposition with the free action to get a shot the thing.

Instead of Predator give him HU. Now he is a -1 attack X-wing.

Thats about what I think if Z-95s in general and not just Cracken. It eats the upgrade slot but Bandit + HU = Rookie -1 attack -6 points plus a different set of upgrades.

The cheapest Z-95 is 12 points... so buying Cracken is kind of like spending 19/12*21 = 33 points on an X-wing. Naked.

For what it's worth I wouldn't run offensive boost on him. That just giving your opponent even more reasons to shoot him down and deprive others of his benefits. In a way he is like Jan except cheaper but even squishier.

I strongly disagree with the idea of making a ship less of a threat so it won't get shot at. If my opponent is ignoring one of my ships because it's not worth shooting at then I'm stuck with the serious problem of having a list that includes a ship that is so bad nobody wants to shoot at it. And it's not like taking shots away from Cracken means they just disappear, it just means that one of my other ships gets to die first. This "strategy" only works if Cracken, even without the offensive upgrade, is really contributing enough to be a priority target but your opponent fails to recognize this and makes him a lower priority. And I'd really prefer not to plan on using a strategy that requires my opponent to be stupid.

Your comparison to Jan demonstrates this point pretty well: she provides a nice boost, but she comes with a turret tax that you have to pay because her ability is nowhere near powerful enough to justify spending a quarter of your points on a ship that will never do any damage of its own. Predator fills the same role here, it allows Cracken to close the gap significantly on the 3-dice ships and contribute damage in addition to his free action. A free action alone wouldn't be worth anywhere near 19 points.

Well the idea here is that his ability already makes him a threat and a target, if you bump his offense he goes from "High priority" to "pour everything I've got on him" and he dies before either his ability of the offensive boost earns it's keep. No upgrade keeps the cost of him dieing down, a defensive boost means that it'll take them longer to kill him and if you are being enough of a pain he'll be targeted anyway. Headhunters are so fragile that unless the entire point is to absorb fire you really don't want someone to want him dead. It's not so much "expect them to be stupid" as it is "don't give them one glaring obvious choice".

Cracken will be a shot magnet for sure. So you have to either get value out of him really quickly or protect him.

I haven't tried it yet, but I think one of the best uses for him will be:

Blue + HLC (29)
Blue + HLC (29)
Rookie (21)
Airen Cracken+SL (21)

With any luck, Cracken will survive the first engagement round at range 3 and you will get four focus+TL HLC shots off before he bites the dust. Plus, a shot on Cracken means a shot wasn't taken against a bwing.

The cheapest Z-95 is 12 points... so buying Cracken is kind of like spending 19/12*21 = 33 points on an X-wing. Naked.

I guess that depends a little on how you are looking at him. I'd say he is half again as much better as a Bandit. If you look at him as being +7 on the "base" ship then you'd be looking at 28 point in an X-Wing and Luke vs. Cracken in X-Wing at that point value probably favors Cracken.

A question I have for those statisticians: How often does giving Cracken (any Z really) a Hull Upgrade enable it to survive one more ATTACK from an enemy. As we should know 3 hull ships can die all too often from 4 dice attacks and even from 3 and 2 dice attacks. With 2 hull and 2 shield the Z should be safe from getting one offed from 2 attack dice but 3 and 4 can still do it in as can that lucky Proton Bomb. Does 3 hull and 2 shield result it taking another attack often enough that it is a good way to spend points?

I can see Cracken being very fun in a list with APTs, as a way to give rookies/blues/golds the ability to use them without needing a more expensive Dutch/Kyle/Garven for the support

Cracken is awesome. Check this out.

Cracken + Squad Leader

Garven

Biggs + R2-F2

Tarn + R7

All flying in formation. Cracken gives 2 actions a turn. That can be focus to Biggs, giving him up to 2 focus a turn after using R2-F2, or target locks for Garven and Biggs.

As for Predator, I find that with a 2 dice shot it is not very effective. Just focus and shoot, and take what damage he provides.

Can you chime in on the Apex Predators thread? I'm trying to convince people that BSPs are better off with Outmaneuver.

He's the first z I flew. Put him with an ordnance bandit and Jake who loves extra acts and watch em go.

The cluster missile trick would be great with Biggs to ensure your whimps get the ordnance off.

As for Predator, I find that with a 2 dice shot it is not very effective. Just focus and shoot, and take what damage he provides.

Can you chime in on the Apex Predators thread? I'm trying to convince people that BSPs are better off with Outmaneuver.

lol a BSP swarm with outmaneuver and Howlrunner best of both worlds, one bad turn exposing your side to the swarm and you are toast

Cracken is awesome. Check this out.

Cracken + Squad Leader

Garven

Biggs + R2-F2

Tarn + R7

All flying in formation. Cracken gives 2 actions a turn. That can be focus to Biggs, giving him up to 2 focus a turn after using R2-F2, or target locks for Garven and Biggs.

Just for clarification, ships still can't perform the same action twice. Cracken could give Biggs the chance to Focus after Biggs used R2F2 but that second focus would still need to come from Garven. I guess a question I have about that squadron is "what is Biggs there to protect?" A secondary question is "does Cracken boost the rest of the offense enough to justify not using another X-Wing in that slot?"

Cracken is awesome. Check this out.

Cracken + Squad Leader

Garven

Biggs + R2-F2

Tarn + R7

All flying in formation. Cracken gives 2 actions a turn. That can be focus to Biggs, giving him up to 2 focus a turn after using R2-F2, or target locks for Garven and Biggs.

Just for clarification, ships still can't perform the same action twice. Cracken could give Biggs the chance to Focus after Biggs used R2F2 but that second focus would still need to come from Garven. I guess a question I have about that squadron is "what is Biggs there to protect?" A secondary question is "does Cracken boost the rest of the offense enough to justify not using another X-Wing in that slot?"

It's a pretty cool list all things considered. I wish there was a way to put a Stealth device or Hull upgrade on Biggs...

Can you chime in on the Apex Predators thread? I'm trying to convince people that BSPs are better off with Outmaneuver.

Not that thread but useful anyway: Outmaneuver does more damage than one reroll from predator: link

There are two assumptions:

1. Outmaneuver triggers (firing arc condition).
2. Predator gives only one reroll, not two.

That calculation uses three attack dice plus focus or TL. Which does not fit BPS.

It seemed to me like the Z-95 pilots were just as one-off as the ordinance they're supposed to be shooting. Blount is there to instant-ion a heavy ship and Cracken is there to pass actions off to his flanking wingmen with a Cluster Missile. At least Cracken has some utility afterward and can follow one of the aces around, feeding that ship actions. Maybe put wingmen on him too so he can be the squire to whatever other knight you have in your list.

Cracken is useful through the rest of the game because he can still feed actions around while he shoots. Blount though... the only way to utilize his ability is if you can somehow apply an affect with your attack. Since the Z-95 can't carry cannons, this is only through the concussion missiles that the Z-95 can carry, and they can carry only one of them.

The bottom line here though is not to expect so much out of the Z-95. It's a filler ship. It'll die quicker than TIE Fighters but at least it's more warm bodies to pad out a rebel list to either take the heat off your aces or tackle the Empire when they're shooting at your more valuable players.