Recently I've espoused the merits of what I call "Triple Threat." The squadron made up of Wes (VI, R5-P9), Wedge (Opportunist, R2), and Ibtisam (Opportunist). I had great results, but I've been spending a lot of time pondering the E-wing and where it will fit into lists. Most of my experimentation has been with Corran Horn and while he's been a scary fighter to fly against, he needs a lot of care to use correctly (and I'm still not sure I'm using him optimally).

Today I was thinking about Etahn and figuring what fighters would pair best with his monstrous buff. First, I thought Etahn (Marksmanship, FCS), Ten Numb (Marksmanship, FCS) and a Blue (FCS). This list would throw a terrifying amount of critical hits down range. Scary, especially for Imperial opponents. It has merit as a three ship list with some hardy vessels through defense dice and hp. However, I then had an epiphany.

I remembered my Triple Threat. Ibtisam can be replaced by an Opportunized Etahn. Now, the list consists of Wes (VI), Wedge (Opportunist, R2), and Etahn (Opportunist). It doesn't feature the unavoidable crit with Ten Numb, but it maintains the same stream of firepower as the original Triple Threat. Trading the HP of a B-wing for two more defense dice seems like an equal exchange in my eyes, not to mention the superior dial of the E-wing. The aura that Etahn adds to this squadron seems to far outstrip Ibtisam's personal pilot ability.

When I can fit some more games in, I'll be flying with this set up. Let me know your thoughts. The original Triple Threat was a TIE melting monster, this should be even worse.

That's almost exactly the list I've been messing with. Lots of potential. E'tan tends to be the first one they go after in my experience. I've been trying a jammer on him to keep him alive long enough to pass all those crits. That means dropping opportunist on him, but it seems to be worth it most of the time. Not as many swarm lists in my meta so it may be different for you.

That's the thing though. The enemy has to decide between Wes and Etahn. The goal is to fly refused flank, force the enemy to turn into the guns and get a kill on the first/second turn.

You are flying some of my favorite pilots. I may steal this list...

Let us know what you learn. I'm curious if the crits will make the damage out of this world.

Recently I've espoused the merits of what I call "Triple Threat." The squadron made up of Wes (VI, R5-P9), Wedge (Opportunist, R2), and Ibtisam (Opportunist). I had great results, but I've been spending a lot of time pondering the E-wing and where it will fit into lists. Most of my experimentation has been with Corran Horn and while he's been a scary fighter to fly against, he needs a lot of care to use correctly (and I'm still not sure I'm using him optimally).

Today I was thinking about Etahn and figuring what fighters would pair best with his monstrous buff. First, I thought Etahn (Marksmanship, FCS), Ten Numb (Marksmanship, FCS) and a Blue (FCS). This list would throw a terrifying amount of critical hits down range. Scary, especially for Imperial opponents. It has merit as a three ship list with some hardy vessels through defense dice and hp. However, I then had an epiphany.

I remembered my Triple Threat. Ibtisam can be replaced by an Opportunized Etahn. Now, the list consists of Wes (VI), Wedge (Opportunist, R2), and Etahn (Opportunist). It doesn't feature the unavoidable crit with Ten Numb, but it maintains the same stream of firepower as the original Triple Threat. Trading the HP of a B-wing for two more defense dice seems like an equal exchange in my eyes, not to mention the superior dial of the E-wing. The aura that Etahn adds to this squadron seems to far outstrip Ibtisam's personal pilot ability.

When I can fit some more games in, I'll be flying with this set up. Let me know your thoughts. The original Triple Threat was a TIE melting monster, this should be even worse.

Give this a try:

Wes Janson

++Veteran Instincts

Wedge Antilles

++Opportunist

++R2 Astromech

Etahn Abaht

++Opportunist

Similar to your first squad. All heavy hitters and Wedge and Etahn won't have too big a problem shedding the stress from Opportunist.

It seems Keyan Farlander is a better fit than Wedge;

Wes

VI

Keyan

Opp

Etahn

R2+Opp

It seems Keyan Farlander is a better fit than Wedge;

Wes

VI

Keyan

Opp

Etahn

R2+Opp

Both of these squads have proven to deal quite a lot of damage, but are sorely lacking defense against larger squads:

Squad 1:

Wes Janson

++Veteran Instincts

++R3-A2

Wedge Antilles

++Wingman

++R2-D2

Keyan Farlander

++Opportunist

Squad 2:

Wes Janson

++Veteran Instincts

Wedge Antilles

++R2 Astromech

Keyan Farlander

++Opportunist

++Heavy Laser Cannon

The first one I played against a BBXX List, and won, but Keyan and Wedge died. The second squad was against a TIE swarmlet with Soontir. Keyan one-shotted two TIE Fighters, but otherwise it was a quick loss.