And the e-wing is my heavy favorite for best ship.

I've only flown it twice, but both times my squad got massacred only to have Etahn outfly every other ship on the board. His ability to generate critical hits is nothing short of magnificent, and paired with veteran instincts and fire control system, becomes a nigh unstoppable force should he get outside your arc.

In my most recent game, Etahn one shotted a TIE, single handedly took down a firespray, and finished off another tie and a defender.

I'm going to see if I can trim the list to include r2-d2 so he can regenerate, and become even more unkillable.

I like Etahn too. I wouldn't say he was "nigh unstoppable", but the ability to generate Crits is really great, as you say.

I usually fly him with some sort of defensive upgrade, typically PTL so that I can focus+evade if he's in a bind.

And while I like the E-wing, I doubt it is objectively a good ship, given its cost. The named pilots have fantastic abilities but you pay a premium for every E-wing on the table.

I like him as well. I wouldn't go as far as unstopable either.

I played this week in a summer kit tournament and went 1-2 with Wedge, Kyle, and Etahn.

Toasted a falcon + 2 rookie X-wings 100 to 0.

Then lost to a pair of Echo Phantom + mini TIE Swarm lists.

My strategy was going to burn down the swarms as fast as I could, but both times I failed to kill the swarms before the swarms + echo wasted Kyle in one match and Wedge in the other. Both times Etahn was the last survivor. I did a fair amount of damage, but there is still a learning curve on combating Echo, and with a max pilot skill of 7, I wasn't able to beat Echo's VI upgrade to 8 (BTW in one match that might have made all the difference if I could have shot before he recloaked).

I like Etahn too. I wouldn't say he was "nigh unstoppable", but the ability to generate Crits is really great, as you say.

I usually fly him with some sort of defensive upgrade, typically PTL so that I can focus+evade if he's in a bind.

And while I like the E-wing, I doubt it is objectively a good ship, given its cost. The named pilots have fantastic abilities but you pay a premium for every E-wing on the table.

Do you really though? Lets take a cursory look at a Rookie vs. Knave... First, lets discount the Rookie to PS1 and 20 pts. Now the Knave is 7 points more expensive. For those points, we get a shield vs. hull, which according to the mod cards is worth 1 point. Then we get barrel roll, which, again according to EH would be 2 points. For the remaining 4 points, we get a 3rd agility (worth more than 3 from Stealth), and a slightly better dial (2 K turns, and faster greens, and faster 5 straight). Oh yeah, and we get the evade action, worth at least 1 point (MF title).

So, it doesn't seem to me that you pay a premium for the E wing over the X wing at all... If anything, you're getting a discount, which would make sense because all the mod cards are probably overpriced to add to the ship vs. innately having it.

I've been playing against a guy using E'tan with jammer, predator, and R2-D2. He runs 4 Tala Squads with him. The tala squads look harmless, but with all the crits from E'tan they are hard to deal with. The jammer on E'tan and R2-D2 make it near impossible to knock out. The talas block and get in a range 1 to shoot and it makes it tough. It is the rebel swarm and it is hard to handle.

I was running ordnance on all my ships too, so everybody had a big gun in their pocket to shoot, which really helped in the initial joust.

I love Etahn, also. His ability is really punishing, and the E-wing has a really versatile dial. They can fly in tandem with X-wings or Z95s without issue, OR they make great flankers. And by the way, Etahn's ability works with both strategies. But they are certainly not stoppable or invincible by any means. They are basically as durable as a TIE Advanced: 3 agility and 5 total HP, with a different shield/hull ratio. The TIE Advanced is widely regarded as the worst ship in the game, but it is actually slightly more durable than an X-wing because of its third agility.

I agree they are expensive, but I also agree with Khyros: they are NOT overpriced. They just may be too expensive to play all E-wing squads. This Wave really seems to want to encourage players to mix up their lists with multiple ship types. Great thing about he E-wing? Like I said, it can easily fly in formation with Zs or Xs, or it can flank. AND you can get Etahn and 3 X-wings or B-wings in a squad easily. So they're good, and they're not too expensive.

Wave 4 really seems to be bringing the sensor jammer back into play

I flew him with the Cracken and Luke, so I can definitely speak to how well they work together. I call it my Top Gun list.

Luke bit it early, only popped a few shields off of the defender. Cracken flew behind Etahn, peppering TIEs and giving actions to Etahn when he could.

Etahn is good, I agree. It is scary to fly a big ship against him, or Ties. Heck, I might be scared to see him when running Interceptors too. The first shot to get through WILL be a crit. Better bring a shield upgrade.

There's something to be said for the sheet amount of dice you can manipulate, without gunner/luke.

Target lock re-roll, focus those, flip one crit.

I flew him with the Cracken and Luke, so I can definitely speak to how well they work together. I call it my Top Gun list.

Luke bit it early, only popped a few shields off of the defender. Cracken flew behind Etahn, peppering TIEs and giving actions to Etahn when he could.

That's only 79 points. Did you take a lot of upgrades?

The best thing about the named E-Wing pilots is their ability to use PTL and Advanced Sensors to maximum potential.

Ethan + PTL + Advanced Sensors + R2

This lets you pull two actions before you reveal your move, gain the stress, and then shed it with R2 when you make a green manuever.

Another great thing is the ability to bank the K-Turns with Advanced Sensors and Engine Upgrade. The Bwing can do this as well, but I find this is one of the times that a 4 k-turn is the better than a 2. Advanced sensors, then boost either forward turning your 4k turn into a 6k turn, or bank left and right and curve that thing depending on where your opponent landed. Works great with Ethan as it mean you can always keep track of your target, lighting it up for everyone else.

Wave 4 really seems to be bringing the sensor jammer back into play

I played against my buddy last night who had Etahn with Sensor Jammer and 2 Bs, also with Sensor Jammer. Man was that annoying. Especially brutal against Ties because Ties want to Evade, not Focus. Evading means they won't be dealing much damage and Focusing means they'll get torn up pretty quick.

I like Etahn too. I wouldn't say he was "nigh unstoppable", but the ability to generate Crits is really great, as you say.

I usually fly him with some sort of defensive upgrade, typically PTL so that I can focus+evade if he's in a bind.

And while I like the E-wing, I doubt it is objectively a good ship, given its cost. The named pilots have fantastic abilities but you pay a premium for every E-wing on the table.

Do you really though? Lets take a cursory look at a Rookie vs. Knave... First, lets discount the Rookie to PS1 and 20 pts. Now the Knave is 7 points more expensive. For those points, we get a shield vs. hull, which according to the mod cards is worth 1 point. Then we get barrel roll, which, again according to EH would be 2 points. For the remaining 4 points, we get a 3rd agility (worth more than 3 from Stealth), and a slightly better dial (2 K turns, and faster greens, and faster 5 straight). Oh yeah, and we get the evade action, worth at least 1 point (MF title).

So, it doesn't seem to me that you pay a premium for the E wing over the X wing at all... If anything, you're getting a discount, which would make sense because all the mod cards are probably overpriced to add to the ship vs. innately having it.

Sure, the prices of the mod cards add up to make this look like a good deal. But generally speaking, investing in highly upgraded ships is not as effective as holding back on the upgrades and maxing out on ships. Past a certain point, the more tricks you pile on a ship the less points-efficient it typically becomes. This is the old 3-ship rebel list vs. 4-ship rebel list conundrum, which has been hashed out thoroughly on forums like this.

In what is probably the best mathematical analysis of ship efficiency, by MajorJuggler, the E-wing scored a frightfully bad 81% jousting efficiency and 90% total efficiency. This happens to also be borne out by many personal evaluations of the E-wing.

And let me make it clear that I don't like this at all, but the best signs we have point to the E-Wing, as a ship, being below average value for its cost. Thankfully the named pilot abilities are excellent, and with the E-wing's options for customization, there are likely some decently effective builds out there.

I love the E-wing. I am currently running EEE lists whenever i play rebels. I'm trying not to let my enthusiasm overpower my judgement, even if it leaves me a little pessimistic about the E-Wing's competitiveness.

Proof of my E-Wing enthusiasm:

I had a good run with Etahn/FCS/Veteran Instincts flying with two Knave Squadron pilots (also with FCS). The E-Wing packs a good punch, has decent survivability, and a great dial. Doesn't hurt that FCS is fast becoming my favorite upgrade.

A certain Wookie would big to differ about who's the better PS 5 pilot.

These jousting analyses dont take into account maneuvering, pilot abilities, or the particular set of upgrade icons a ship has. They have some value in choosing whether to enter a head-on engagement I suppose, but they seem poorly suited as a means of ranking ships or deciding point cost.

I like Etahn too. I wouldn't say he was "nigh unstoppable", but the ability to generate Crits is really great, as you say.

I usually fly him with some sort of defensive upgrade, typically PTL so that I can focus+evade if he's in a bind.

And while I like the E-wing, I doubt it is objectively a good ship, given its cost. The named pilots have fantastic abilities but you pay a premium for every E-wing on the table.

Do you really though? Lets take a cursory look at a Rookie vs. Knave... First, lets discount the Rookie to PS1 and 20 pts. Now the Knave is 7 points more expensive. For those points, we get a shield vs. hull, which according to the mod cards is worth 1 point. Then we get barrel roll, which, again according to EH would be 2 points. For the remaining 4 points, we get a 3rd agility (worth more than 3 from Stealth), and a slightly better dial (2 K turns, and faster greens, and faster 5 straight). Oh yeah, and we get the evade action, worth at least 1 point (MF title).

So, it doesn't seem to me that you pay a premium for the E wing over the X wing at all... If anything, you're getting a discount, which would make sense because all the mod cards are probably overpriced to add to the ship vs. innately having it.

Sure, the prices of the mod cards add up to make this look like a good deal. But generally speaking, investing in highly upgraded ships is not as effective as holding back on the upgrades and maxing out on ships. Past a certain point, the more tricks you pile on a ship the less points-efficient it typically becomes. This is the old 3-ship rebel list vs. 4-ship rebel list conundrum, which has been hashed out thoroughly on forums like this.

In what is probably the best mathematical analysis of ship efficiency, by MajorJuggler, the E-wing scored a frightfully bad 81% jousting efficiency and 90% total efficiency. This happens to also be borne out by many personal evaluations of the E-wing.

And let me make it clear that I don't like this at all, but the best signs we have point to the E-Wing, as a ship, being below average value for its cost. Thankfully the named pilot abilities are excellent, and with the E-wing's options for customization, there are likely some decently effective builds out there.

I love the E-wing. I am currently running EEE lists whenever i play rebels. I'm trying not to let my enthusiasm overpower my judgement, even if it leaves me a little pessimistic about the E-Wing's competitiveness.

Proof of my E-Wing enthusiasm:

Juggler's analysis takes quite a lot into account. Here's the relevant thread:

http://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/100360-using-lanchesters-square-law-to-predict-ships-jousting-values-and-fair-point-values-work-in-progress/page-5#entry1111620

It's not perfect, of course, but it is pretty **** good.

I flew him with the Cracken and Luke, so I can definitely speak to how well they work together. I call it my Top Gun list.

Luke bit it early, only popped a few shields off of the defender. Cracken flew behind Etahn, peppering TIEs and giving actions to Etahn when he could.

That's only 79 points. Did you take a lot of upgrades?

definitely, here's the full list.

Etahn: proton torps, PTL, fire control system

Luke: flechette torps, wingman

Cracken: concussion missiles, expert handling, munitions failsafe

I'm not sold on the E yet. Sure, if you add up the price difference as upgrades it looks like a deal, but the practical benefit is iffy.

The dial is a wash. Moving the green banks from 1 to 2 is actually bad, IMHO. The extra K is nice, but the higher forward speeds don't play as well as better turns.

Evade... Pfft. Even if you consider it great you can't just stack the cost of multiple extra action upgrades because of the opportunity cost. But the reality is that focus is still the king.

The shield/hull swap is rarely going to make a practical difference. Unless your third hit is a crit, it does nothing. There's something to be said for having one shield on an otherwise unshielded high agility ship, to eat the one crit that will often sneak through. In the middle of the damage track like that it's less meaningful.

So that leaves the extra agility and barrel roll. Both of which are solid improvements, and probably worth the 7 points.

So why don't I like it? Two reasons... First is opportunity cost. 27 points is Wedge territory, and not far off from Farlander. Is an extra agility and barrel roll worth 7 points? Probably. But how does it stack up to +8 PS and Wedge's offense?

More importantly, the Es cost pushes you strongly towards a 3 ship build, which I don't like. It's over that magical 25 point mark, and while you could mix it with a few cheaper options like a pair of Bs, you're giving up an awful lot to get there.

I'm dropping expert handling and munitions failsafe from Cracken to throw R2D2 on someone.

My gut reaction was to out it on Etahn, since he was clearly the best fighter in the group, but improving Luke's survivability would be nice too.

A certain Wookie would big to differ about who's the better PS 5 pilot.

This is a good point.

A certain Wookie would big to differ about who's the better PS 5 pilot.

This is a good point.

Ethan honestly doesn't even make it into the cage with those two.

I'll have to do some 1v1 testing to figure that out.