Since I started playing, my small gaming group doesn't typically field to many Falcons.

With the release of wave 4 (namely phantoms), I've seen a staggering amount of Falcons around. According to the regionals thread, this isnt self contained to my group.

Since my group didnt play it much before, my experience level on defeating falcons is a bit low. I simply haven't had enough play time against them to figure out what works and doesnt.

So I wanted to start a discussion on tactics used to counter a falcon. Besides the swarm, what are some good ways to help take down a falcon?

Thanks ladies and gents. Look forward to hearing the thoughts of some of you long time vets.

Just as a quick reference, I like to fly imperial and tend to use only 3 or 4 ships. I never fly swarm as I don't find it fun to play. Typically I've been playing a lot of BHs, Shuttles, Phantoms and Interceptors.

The answer is Bounty Hunters and Shuttles. You want to be able to outtank the Falcon. But your best bet is a 4+ship squad. Falcons want a low ship count. It makes the most out of their attacks, durability, and 3PO.

That's part of the reason they are doing so well. The 3 Ship Meta is the Falcons favorite Meta. Especially when those 3 ships have less than 15 total HP. So rather than running 3 ships, look at running 2 heftily priced ships that leave you with 36 points left, and add 3 Ties or Z-95s. They pump out a fair bit of damage, block up movement, and really mess with your opponents strategy.

Swarms

You shoot it.

A bigger bird ?

Perhaps an eagle?

The answer is Bounty Hunters and Shuttles. You want to be able to outtank the Falcon. But your best bet is a 4+ship squad. Falcons want a low ship count. It makes the most out of their attacks, durability, and 3PO.

That's part of the reason they are doing so well. The 3 Ship Meta is the Falcons favorite Meta. Especially when those 3 ships have less than 15 total HP. So rather than running 3 ships, look at running 2 heftily priced ships that leave you with 36 points left, and add 3 Ties or Z-95s. They pump out a fair bit of damage, block up movement, and really mess with your opponents strategy.

Yeah, that's what I'm starting to realize. Fielding a BH and shuttle has worked decently but its always a tough fight.

Would a 3 ship list with 24hp and 10 atk be a decent starting point? I'd like to use the mini swarm as an absolute last resort. I know the Tie is an amazing ship but I'm just not a huge fan of flying them myself. Outside of the named pilots anyway.

Doesn't seem to be many falcon counters outside of the swarm. I really hope that changes in the future. Most ships have 2 or 3 counters that work effectively. Falcon seems to have only one.

What are your thoughts on cluster missiles? No Jonus.

Swarms

Re read the post please.

Heavy Laser Cannons really eat into them, especially if you are using Krassis or Predator.

Also, Outmaneuver is a beautiful thing. Especially with C-3PO around.

Heavy Laser Cannons really eat into them, especially if you are using Krassis or Predator.

Also, Outmaneuver is a beautiful thing. Especially with C-3PO around.

Some good ideas. HLC continues to be a great upgrade. Just very expensive.

So basically anything that helps you reroll, throw more dice or modify hits etc.

Just my experience with using a Krassis with a HLC. If you are good about spacing, it can really tear into a Falcon. The key to taking out a Falcon is focus. You have to send as much firepower as you can. But that is going to be somewhat annoying now with all the defensive options a Falcon can bring now, like the title, C-3PO, and soon to be Lando.

The answer is Bounty Hunters and Shuttles. You want to be able to outtank the Falcon. But your best bet is a 4+ship squad. Falcons want a low ship count. It makes the most out of their attacks, durability, and 3PO.

That's part of the reason they are doing so well. The 3 Ship Meta is the Falcons favorite Meta. Especially when those 3 ships have less than 15 total HP. So rather than running 3 ships, look at running 2 heftily priced ships that leave you with 36 points left, and add 3 Ties or Z-95s. They pump out a fair bit of damage, block up movement, and really mess with your opponents strategy.

Yeah, that's what I'm starting to realize. Fielding a BH and shuttle has worked decently but its always a tough fight.

Would a 3 ship list with 24hp and 10 atk be a decent starting point? I'd like to use the mini swarm as an absolute last resort. I know the Tie is an amazing ship but I'm just not a huge fan of flying them myself. Outside of the named pilots anyway.

Doesn't seem to be many falcon counters outside of the swarm. I really hope that changes in the future. Most ships have 2 or 3 counters that work effectively. Falcon seems to have only one.

What are your thoughts on cluster missiles? No Jonus.

Swarms

Re read the post please.

Falcons get eaten by numbers. You wanna kill it? Suck it up and fly 4+ ships.

As a Han player I can tell you it's usually the 4 reb ship list that give me the most trouble. Biggs, an X and two Bs are a lot to chew through when you only have one agility die.

I've flown Chewie, HWK and a Y (both ions) against a 6 ship rebel attack that featured Bs, 3 Zs and an X. I won handily.

He did some damage on the first pass, but lacking the movement options available to the imps, the turrets ate him up as he negotiated turning to get the second pass.

Falcon's aren't difficult to kill, so long as you have enough firepower on the board. 1 evade dice means pretty much attack you make will cause damage.

Remember, the Falcon will make up approximately 50% of a Rebel list. It can only engage one ship per turn, you can engage it with as many as you've got. Just point your ships at it and roll as many dice as you can until it's gone.

I think outmaneuver is awesome against falcons, they shoot 360 and are big so won't have you in their front arc often, plus with 0 evade it's gonna go down quick. Rexler Bath can also be great, but I'm not that big a fan of flying such an expensive ship that can be difficult to use the ability of and still get a lot of damage out.

Lots of attack dice. It only has 1 evade but with C-3PO it makes it so that it can just about evade every time. So keep hitting it with more ships. With low agility cluster missiles could have some good effects.

Lots of attack dice. It only has 1 evade but with C-3PO it makes it so that it can just about evade every time. So keep hitting it with more ships. With low agility cluster missiles could have some good effects.

Outmanuever is great, but it isn't a huge thing with the falcon. Adding 3/8ths of a damage to your attacks over the game isn't huge against 13 hull. It limits 3PO, which is good, but only if all your ships have it.