Been planning on getting the Rebel Aces set mostly for the B-Wings but the more and more i look at the A-Wings, a few little bits keep catching my eye.

How about this...

Jake Farrell - Test Pilot, Vi, PTL, Cluster Missiles (32ts)

So we have an A-Wing that can Focus, then Barrel Roll, THEN Boost to try and lineup a perfect shot to unload with those Cluster shots and since hes all the way up at PS9, he matches Whisper, and beats the far more common Echo, so can A. See where they have ended up, and B. Get a shot off at them while theyre still at AG2.

Theres still room for a Modification (i was looking at Failsafe or Stealth Device) and I was tinkering with the Proton Rockets to save a point but i think getting into R1 of a Phantom (especially Echo) is gonna be too tricky.

Maybe a little costly for an A-Wing but he could do the job. Of course any PS9 R3 Missile Boat could do it, but i think Jake adds that little bit of movement to chase them down and is still effective in any normal fight situation. This isnt really specialising for the Phantoms, it just happens to be effective against them AND good against other lists.

I don't feel that clusters would be the best thing against a phantom, if you are using rebel aces go with a proton missile, yes it will be harder to get into range 1 but so be it. Definitely will have an easier time tracking down a phantom with that mobility and PS though.

I don't feel that clusters would be the best thing against a phantom, if you are using rebel aces go with a proton missile, yes it will be harder to get into range 1 but so be it. Definitely will have an easier time tracking down a phantom with that mobility and PS though.

I dont get how the Proton Rockets are better than Clusters though. Isnt Clusters 2x 3 shots over the 5 the Protons give?

I personally think the more solid single attack from the Proton Rocket is the better choice for several reasons. It's 1 point cheaper, you don't have to spend a Target Lock or even gain a Target Lock, and the high dice against the speedy target of the Phantom is very desirable. Also, if the Phantom in question -isn't- Cloaked before Jake attacks they're likely to get hit that much more brutally.

I don't feel that clusters would be the best thing against a phantom, if you are using rebel aces go with a proton missile, yes it will be harder to get into range 1 but so be it. Definitely will have an easier time tracking down a phantom with that mobility and PS though.

Clusters would really hurt a phantom that isn't cloaked. With VI he should be able to get a shot in before Echo ACDs after shooting. Interesting setup. However, 32 points is a lot for an A wing

Ok, so what do we do in the mean time while we wait for Rebel Aces to come out?

I don't feel that clusters would be the best thing against a phantom, if you are using rebel aces go with a proton missile, yes it will be harder to get into range 1 but so be it. Definitely will have an easier time tracking down a phantom with that mobility and PS though.

I dont get how the Proton Rockets are better than Clusters though. Isnt Clusters 2x 3 shots over the 5 the Protons give?

Same scenario 4 agility does .6

The proton rocket, with the same deafult start settings(Focus/TargetLock on the attacker) Focus on the defender with the defender cloaked does 2.2 damage coming from an A-Wing. So it outdamages clusters against 2 agility while firing against 4 agility.

I don't feel that clusters would be the best thing against a phantom, if you are using rebel aces go with a proton missile, yes it will be harder to get into range 1 but so be it. Definitely will have an easier time tracking down a phantom with that mobility and PS though.

I dont get how the Proton Rockets are better than Clusters though. Isnt Clusters 2x 3 shots over the 5 the Protons give?

Against a 2 agility Phantom with a focus Clusters with a focus against a target do 1.8 damage.

Same scenario 4 agility does .6

The proton rocket, with the same deafult start settings(Focus/TargetLock on the attacker) Focus on the defender with the defender cloaked does 2.2 damage coming from an A-Wing. So it outdamages clusters against 2 agility while firing against 4 agility.

Fair enough. Ill go with what the math says lol.

But yeah i know its kinda pricey for an A-Wing but considering the Imperials starting to lean towards fewer elite ships and the Rebels having some relatively cheap swarm of their own theres gonna be options.

I don't feel that clusters would be the best thing against a phantom, if you are using rebel aces go with a proton missile, yes it will be harder to get into range 1 but so be it. Definitely will have an easier time tracking down a phantom with that mobility and PS though.

I dont get how the Proton Rockets are better than Clusters though. Isnt Clusters 2x 3 shots over the 5 the Protons give?

Against a 2 agility Phantom with a focus Clusters with a focus against a target do 1.8 damage.

Same scenario 4 agility does .6

The proton rocket, with the same deafult start settings(Focus/TargetLock on the attacker) Focus on the defender with the defender cloaked does 2.2 damage coming from an A-Wing. So it outdamages clusters against 2 agility while firing against 4 agility.

Fair enough. Ill go with what the math says lol.

But yeah i know its kinda pricey for an A-Wing but considering the Imperials starting to lean towards fewer elite ships and the Rebels having some relatively cheap swarm of their own theres gonna be options.

The other question is what build is best to put him into?

Im almost tempted to try a 3 Ship list...

Dagger + Adv Sen, E2 Upgrade, Jan Ors

Keyan Farlander + AdvSen, PTL, E2 Upgrade, Kyle Katarn

Jake Farrell + Proton Rockets, Test Pilot, Vi, PTL

So Jake ranges off alone. The B's fly together with Keyan making the most of his ability and triggering Kyle, which in-turn can trigger his wingmans Jan Ors for some added protection. Admittedly ive cobbled this together in 10 sec so im sure it sucks, infact a more tradional Ion Cannon B-Wing flight would probably be better, or even just 3 Rookie X-Wings, just an idea...

...maybe as the Flanker for a Headhunter Swarm?

I don't feel that clusters would be the best thing against a phantom, if you are using rebel aces go with a proton missile, yes it will be harder to get into range 1 but so be it. Definitely will have an easier time tracking down a phantom with that mobility and PS though.

I dont get how the Proton Rockets are better than Clusters though. Isnt Clusters 2x 3 shots over the 5 the Protons give?

It's (3 shots vs 2 evade) x 2

Against 5 shots vs 2 evade.

Protons are better in that regard.

Edit - Nvm, i should had guessed this would be answered before posting.

Ok, so what do we do in the mean time while we wait for Rebel Aces to come out?

Use turrets, PS9's, bombs, buckets of dice, flechette torpedos, ion weapons, or just prevent 'em from decloaking.

Try this. It generates high PS shots, stress and ionization and it works well against other lists as well as Phantoms.

Han Solo (51)
Swarm Tactics, Tactician, Millennium Falcon

Roark Garnet (26)
Blaster Turret, Recon Specialist

Gold Squadron Pilot (23)
Ion Cannon Turret

Try this. It generates high PS shots, stress and ionization and it works well against other lists as well as Phantoms.

Han Solo (51)

Swarm Tactics, Tactician, Millennium Falcon

Roark Garnet (26)

Blaster Turret, Recon Specialist

Gold Squadron Pilot (23)

Ion Cannon Turret

*Sees Han Turret Spam... falls into immediate brain failure comatose state due to boring easy option*

Try this. It generates high PS shots, stress and ionization and it works well against other lists as well as Phantoms.

Han Solo (51)

Swarm Tactics, Tactician, Millennium Falcon

Roark Garnet (26)

Blaster Turret, Recon Specialist

Gold Squadron Pilot (23)

Ion Cannon Turret

*Sees Han Turret Spam... falls into immediate brain failure comatose state due to boring easy option*

Thx Aminar. The list was initially 2 ion cannons, but I found it better to have the blaster turret on Roark for the reason you mention.

The list takes some thinking about to play, but as you say has a great deal of tactical options open to it. What makes the list good is it doesn't just work against Phantoms.

Sorry I'm Just not a fan of Turret lists. I started out playing The Falcon and Y-Wings and felt like I was playing ez-mode instead of learning to 'fly'.

Didn't mean to sound insulting.