So, after some research into this game, I have identified the following current archetypes:

Rebels

• Han Shoots First (Han + 2 X-Wings)
• Biggs Walks the Dogs (Biggs + 2 B-Wings (usually Daggers) + 1 X-Wing)
• Double Falcon (self-explanatory; usually one of the Falcons is Chewbacca)
• Trench Run/Three Amigos (Wedge + Luke + Biggs)

Empire

• TIE Swarm (Howlrunner + 5-7 TIE Fighters)
• TIE Mini-Swarm (Firespray + 4-5 TIE Fighters; lately Phantom + 4-5 TIE Fighters has also been quite strong)
• Double Firespray (usually one or both is a Bounty Hunter)
• Soontir Fel-led lists (varies greatly, based on what I observed, but all involve Soontir Fel + PtL + maybe Stealth Device for a very maneuverable Soontir Fel)
• Double Phantom + Double TIE Interceptor (gaining popularity, some overlap with Soontir Fel lists, though this build usually use Royal Guards and Imperial Aces pilots, not Soontir Fel)

Based on your observations are certain archetypes strong/weak against other archetypes?

e.g. One that I could think of (on paper) is that Soontir Fel is probably not especially strong against the Falcon. Soontir's main point is to fly out of a main attacker's arc, but the Falcon has a 360 degree arc and can shoot Soontir no matter where he goes, so long as he is within range.

Also, I would appreciate it if you could add any archetypes that I did not mention above.

Edit: This is really what I was looking for (link is to an article for another game, please don't laugh...it was a while ago)

http://www.sixprizes.com/2011/10/28/cindra-ferocious-chinchilla/

That article has an overview of the archetype (this, I could find for X-Wing on metal bikini, etc.)

Then, it has a matchups section, stating what a typical matchup between this archetype and another archetype will likely be like and who would probably win, if both are played by players of equal skilled.

Last, it has some sample build lists (though again, I could find this on Metal Bikini)

Back when I was playing the "other game," I found articles like the one above immensely helpful. It helped me quickly grasp the strategy behind the archetype and whether it will likely be effective against other archetypes in my particular metagame.

I don't know if such articles ( w/ Matchups section ) already exist for X-Wing. If they do, please point me to where I could find such articles. If not, I am trying to explore the Matchups between different archetypes in this thread.

So, e.g. I would be very appreciative if someone could post something like this:

HSF [typical build list]

vs. Soontir Fel: [such and such would happen, HSF is more likely to win because of 360 arc]

vs. TIE Swarm: TIE Swarm could focus on Han and try to kill him, etc. etc. ____ is more likely to win [or it is a toss-up]

vs. [Archetype]: For ___ and ____ reason, HSF is at a slight disadvantage.

etc. etc.

swarms = rock. everything else = scissors.

Low PS Rebels should be given a mention, even before wave 4 my local meta was dominated by AABBX lists, and the like! It destroys most 4-ship rebel builds.

Anyone have thoughts on this.

Basically, I just want to know whether certain builds consistently perform better against specific opposing builds.

imo the game is getting very rock-paper-scissors, but not to the point that build is the only thing that determines who wins

imo the game is getting very rock-paper-scissors, but not to the point that build is the only thing that determines who wins

Han shoot first + VI is very strong against any named phantom build.

In general Falcon lists beat Interceptors. Everything else is down to flying.

Do you put VI on Han or on one of the supporting X-Wings?

Do you put VI on Han or on one of the supporting X-Wings?

Han.

Bump with major Edit in Original Post clarifying what I am trying to accomplish with this thread.

The archetypes really come down to the squad with lower firepower and higher PS needing to pilot much better than the lower PS player. A single bump with a high PS ship can murder it.

Arc dodging doesn't change much from ship to ship, discounting Phantoms and a few interceptors.

Lists only mean a little in this game, but more firepower and durability is always going to put you at an advantage.

So, for example, how would a TIE Swarm vs. HSF battle usually turn out? What strategies are commonly encountered in that matchup? Do you kill Han first? Or do you kill his wingmen first? That sort of analysis.

you havent listed a Lamda Shuttle squad, although few have made it to the top tables to get the recognition they deserve. lots of variations with the shuttle.

• Doom Shuttle (Omicron Group Pilot with Vader crew card) can be accompanied by a swarm of tie-fighters
• Buzzsaw Shuttle (Omicron Group Pilot with FCS+Gunner+Engine Upgrade) is 32pts and the rest of the squad can be filled out with virtually anything
• Zoom Shuttle (Omicron Group Pilot with Advanced Sensors+Engine Upgrade) is 28pts and has appeared in a few squads such as the Bareback Cowgirl

Bareback Cowgirl

Zoom Shuttle + Intelligence Agent

Backstabber

Academy pilot

Kath Scarlet + expert handling + rebel captive

Scarlet Cowgirl

Buzzsaw Shuttle

2x Academy Pilot

Kath Scarlet + expert handling + rebel captive

Doom Swarm#1

Doom Shuttle

6x Obsidian Squadron Pilot

Doom Swarm#2

Doom Shuttle

Howlrunner

4x Academy Pilot