So I've been looking into the Rebel Aces cards and wondering how they're best used.
I was already considering a BBBAA list and the Refit opens up 4 points to play with.
The most obvious upgrade is to take Green Squadron pilots or upgrade the B-Wings but again how? Fire Control on 2? Ion Cannon on 1? Refit and a crew member on 1?
Or should I free up more points by dropping a B to an X etc and adding more upgrades or just dropping down to a 4 ship list? Too many options lol
Edited by SonikgavTwo words: Keyan Farlander. 
he is going to be a beast!
So I've been looking into the Rebel Aces cards and wondering how they're best used.
I was already considering a BBBAA list and the Refit opens up 4 points to play with.
The most obvious upgrade is to take Green Squadron pilots or upgrade the B-Wings but again how? Fire Control on 2? Ion Cannon on 1? Refit and a crew member on 1?
Or should I free up more points by dropping a B to an X etc and adding more upgrades or just dropping down to a 4 ship list? Too many options lol
Two words: Keyan Farlander.
I second the motion for Keyan Farlander. He's already expensive, but if you kit him out with a cannon and Opportunist, can be quite punishing. Give another ship Wingman to pull stress off of Keyan in case he has to do a red maneuver, and a way to enforce a tokenless target, such as a Decoy to swap him with a lower pilot. Then fill out with another B wing and 2 Greens. OR you could drop Enhanced Sensors on a Blue to block, denying that token, allowing Keyan to beat face.
Edited by Engine25How are Rebel Aces best used?
It's ideal bait for your Rebel-Elimination trap....
Two words: Keyan Farlander.
I don't think he's going to end up as good as everyone thinks he will. Treating a stress like a focus means that if he PTL he can TL + BR and then still have TL+F for attack... But that's about the only time he'll get an advantage. Unlike an interceptor, he doesn't rely on maneuver actions to stay alive, so he won't br bst and end up without something to modify attacks.
I think more often than not, you're going to see him PTL to stress to take a TL+F, and the F will likely be wasted (with only a 25% of being used on each defensive roll). But without PTL, he won't have that F (or stress)... It makes me wonder if he wouldn't be better with just advS and using the full dial (1 turn, 3 banks, 2k are all basically white then).
How are Rebel Aces best used?
It's ideal bait for your Rebel-Elimination trap....
It's an Elaborate Ruse!
Two words: Keyan Farlander.
I don't think he's going to end up as good as everyone thinks he will. Treating a stress like a focus means that if he PTL he can TL + BR and then still have TL+F for attack... But that's about the only time he'll get an advantage. Unlike an interceptor, he doesn't rely on maneuver actions to stay alive, so he won't br bst and end up without something to modify attacks.
I think more often than not, you're going to see him PTL to stress to take a TL+F, and the F will likely be wasted (with only a 25% of being used on each defensive roll). But without PTL, he won't have that F (or stress)... It makes me wonder if he wouldn't be better with just advS and using the full dial (1 turn, 3 banks, 2k are all basically white then).
I guess that depends on where you believe peoples expectations are. Keyan ranks up there with the other elite pilots in the game. Is he the best as some believe, no. However he is certainly one of the best. Until we get him on the table and start to figure out his ability vs the point cost it will be hard to tell. I do agree the opening up the dial for the B-wing is the best use of Keyan's ability. Lets all just be thankful B-Wings can't take droids. Could you imagine that stress droid on Keyan!!
I'm personally looking forward to running this:
Jan Ors w/Kyle Katarn, Blaster Turret, and Swarm Tactics/Decoy. A very nice offensive boost for Jan.
Keyan costs 29 points, right? If I were to use him I would build him with AdvS, EU & PtL. 38 points, but he'll be a monster.
I am really not seeing this massive impact from Rebel Aces. It will get A-Wings on the table, fixing their cost issue. This is great as they are a fun little ship now appropriately priced. Jake Farrell or whatever his name is will be fun to fly.
Farlander is another expensive B-Wing and pouring tons of points into Agility 1 ships is fine for me to see across the table. Ditto for the crew slot. You want to add 6 points worth of gunner to that B-Wing? Knock yourself out. I only really respect B-Wings when I see them in large numbers and Farlander's cost means you are either running a 2 or 3 ship build or have really scrimped on the other ships (Z-95s or A-Wings, maybe with stripped down Blues or Rookies) which puts a huge X on him.
Now, if the predominant lists I see are shifting towards smaller numbers of ships, Farlander will be up there with the other good ones. Against swarm/mini-swarm, he's not that intimidating.
Edited by R2ShihTzuI was looking at...
Keyan + HLC, PTL, Kyle
Blue + Ion Cannon, FCS
Chardaan Prototype X2
Advanced Sensors does sound pretty cool on him too though. Hadn't thought about that option.
Edited by SonikgavBest use of Rebel aces?
Killing Impi-scum!
Two words: Keyan Farlander.
I don't think he's going to end up as good as everyone thinks he will. Treating a stress like a focus means that if he PTL he can TL + BR and then still have TL+F for attack... But that's about the only time he'll get an advantage. Unlike an interceptor, he doesn't rely on maneuver actions to stay alive, so he won't br bst and end up without something to modify attacks.
I think more often than not, you're going to see him PTL to stress to take a TL+F, and the F will likely be wasted (with only a 25% of being used on each defensive roll). But without PTL, he won't have that F (or stress)... It makes me wonder if he wouldn't be better with just advS and using the full dial (1 turn, 3 banks, 2k are all basically white then).
Yeah, the Focus will probably be wasted. Better to have a Wingman with Jan to turn that token into an Evade.
Two words: Keyan Farlander.
I don't think he's going to end up as good as everyone thinks he will. Treating a stress like a focus means that if he PTL he can TL + BR and then still have TL+F for attack... But that's about the only time he'll get an advantage. Unlike an interceptor, he doesn't rely on maneuver actions to stay alive, so he won't br bst and end up without something to modify attacks.
I think more often than not, you're going to see him PTL to stress to take a TL+F, and the F will likely be wasted (with only a 25% of being used on each defensive roll). But without PTL, he won't have that F (or stress)... It makes me wonder if he wouldn't be better with just advS and using the full dial (1 turn, 3 banks, 2k are all basically white then).
Or himself... I hadn't thought of that before. Jan should work on the ship she's on since it doesn't say "other friendly ships" like Roark and Howl say.
Yeah, the Focus will probably be wasted. Better to have a Wingman with Jan to turn that token into an Evade.Two words: Keyan Farlander.
I don't think he's going to end up as good as everyone thinks he will. Treating a stress like a focus means that if he PTL he can TL + BR and then still have TL+F for attack... But that's about the only time he'll get an advantage. Unlike an interceptor, he doesn't rely on maneuver actions to stay alive, so he won't br bst and end up without something to modify attacks.
I think more often than not, you're going to see him PTL to stress to take a TL+F, and the F will likely be wasted (with only a 25% of being used on each defensive roll). But without PTL, he won't have that F (or stress)... It makes me wonder if he wouldn't be better with just advS and using the full dial (1 turn, 3 banks, 2k are all basically white then).
Or himself... I hadn't thought of that before. Jan should work on the ship she's on since it doesn't say "other friendly ships" like Roark and Howl say.
Two words: Keyan Farlander.
I don't think he's going to end up as good as everyone thinks he will. Treating a stress like a focus means that if he PTL he can TL + BR and then still have TL+F for attack... But that's about the only time he'll get an advantage. Unlike an interceptor, he doesn't rely on maneuver actions to stay alive, so he won't br bst and end up without something to modify attacks.
I think more often than not, you're going to see him PTL to stress to take a TL+F, and the F will likely be wasted (with only a 25% of being used on each defensive roll). But without PTL, he won't have that F (or stress)... It makes me wonder if he wouldn't be better with just advS and using the full dial (1 turn, 3 banks, 2k are all basically white then).
Advanced Sensors + Red Maneuvers = auto TL + focus every round, and no stress, provided you have something to shoot at. 32 points at PS7. It makes the Defender's white K-turn look tame by comparison. You can also put Opportunist on him to gain stress, but that works best with Wes to forcibly remove a token first.
I am really not seeing this massive impact from Rebel Aces. It will get A-Wings on the table, fixing their cost issue. This is great as they are a fun little ship now appropriately priced. Jake Farrell or whatever his name is will be fun to fly.
Yes, once their cost is reduced by 2 then they will make just as good jousters as B-wings, which are currently the best that the Rebels have. The Z-95 will be better though. PS3+ A-wings with lots of EPTs are an inefficient point sink, PS1s at 15 points are where its at.
To the BBBAA list, could add Biggs in place of a B wing. That'd add some tactical fun and keep you at 99pts for initiative.
Initiative is important with those blocking PS 1 A wings.
To the BBBAA list, could add Biggs in place of a B wing. That'd add some tactical fun and keep you at 99pts for initiative.
That's a 103 point fleet, not 99, i'm afraid. At least, until Chardaan Refit comes out, which is probably what you were thinking and i'll shut up now.
Also, for the post-Chardaan Refit world, how about an XXAXX list? 4 Rookies and a Chardaan Prototype = 99 by my count.
I meant with the Refit 
Hence the topic of the original post hehe.
4 X Wings and 1 A Wing sounds amazing.
Edited by phild0I have a couple of Rebel Aces lists I want to try.
and
Ok, so hows this...
Keyan Farlander - Advanced Sensors and HLC
Blue Squad - Ion Cannon and FCS
Green Squad - Chardaan Refit x2
So 1 B-Wing lining up to unload on anything it can with a free TL and Focus every turn and another Stunning to set up a next turn Assault with 2 Cheap A-Wings flanking.
Well, besides my well documented hate of the stealth device, I'd suggest replacing PTL on Jake with Predator (in the first list... in the second, I'd suggest not taking 2 outmaneuvers since that's illegal).
Reason being that PTL ties you down to 2speed maneuvers and straights, and with his high PS, makes him susceptible to being blocked... which means he can't take a focus, which means he can't activate his ability, which means he can't PTL to get a 3rd action.
Furthermore, 3 actions seems a bit overkill to me... though there will be times where boost + br will be nice, and that's not possible without it. But if you give him predator, he basically always gets a F+TL+maneuver.
Don't get me wrong, PTL definitely makes Jake more slippery in the end game (br, boost to get out of arc... br fcs evade when you can't get out of everyone's)... it might be good enough to make it worth taking PTL and not using it for the first part of the game to keep him unpredictable... Afterall, you still have outmaneuver throughout the rest of the fight.
Jake. Is. The. Monster.
Jake + Awing test + refit +PTL + outmanuever
An interceptor with a better dial and 2 shields and 3 actions a round. If you find yourself with 3 pts more add a hull for some real fun. He destroys any lower PS pilots... tanks better than an interceptor, more accurate than an interceptor when out of arc (TL+ focus), and reduces agility. He's. A. Monster. Pair with any support ship and he's great: Jan = a better interceptor; Cracken = 4 actions a round and/or combat phase movement; Roark = PS 12 Interceptor; Lando/squad leader = all good, Garven = double focus and a free maneuver... so good.
Jan Ors — HWK-290 25 Ion Cannon Turret 5 Nien Nunb 1
Jake Farrell — A-Wing 24 Outmaneuver 3 Chardaan Refit -2 Push the Limit 3 A-Wing Test Pilot 0
Tarn Mison — X-Wing 23 R7 Astromech 2
Bandit Squadron Pilot — Z-95 Headhunter 12 Concussion Missiles 4
Jan supports and controls. Jake flanks and hits like a better interceptor with Jan's support. Tarn soaks attacks and him or Jake in end game is tough to beat. The bandit is a cheap rookie. You get a 5 dice punch up front and an extra gun the rest of the game- Jan turns him into a poor mans xwing if needed.
Edited by Rakky WistolSome B-Wing loadouts I'm eager to try when RA comes out:
Jake. Is. The. Monster.
Jake + Awing test + refit +PTL + outmanuever
An interceptor with a better dial and 2 shields and 3 actions a round. If you find yourself with 3 pts more add a hull for some real fun. He destroys any lower PS pilots... tanks better than an interceptor, more accurate than an interceptor when out of arc (TL+ focus), and reduces agility. He's. A. Monster. Pair with any support ship and he's great: Jan = a better interceptor; Cracken = 4 actions a round and/or combat phase movement; Roark = PS 12 Interceptor; Lando/squad leader = all good, Garven = double focus and a free maneuver... so good.
Jan Ors — HWK-290 25 Ion Cannon Turret 5 Nien Nunb 1
Jake Farrell — A-Wing 24 Outmaneuver 3 Chardaan Refit -2 Push the Limit 3 A-Wing Test Pilot 0
Tarn Mison — X-Wing 23 R7 Astromech 2
Bandit Squadron Pilot — Z-95 Headhunter 12 Concussion Missiles 4
Jan supports and controls. Jake flanks and hits like a better interceptor with Jan's support. Tarn soaks attacks and him or Jake in end game is tough to beat. The bandit is a cheap rookie. You get a 5 dice punch up front and an extra gun the rest of the game- Jan turns him into a poor mans xwing if needed.
Rakky Wistol . . . How could you?!! I thought you were a true Imperial to the core. You have betrayed us all, and YOU SHALL PAY!!!
:P