So right now in a list I'm working on that incorporates predator, I'm debating between the following two options and I'm curious as to which mathwingers would prefer for damage:

Option 1

Saber with Predator+Academy

Option 2

Two BSP with Predator

So 2x2 attack dice with at least one reroll each or 1x3 attack and a "regular" 2 dice attack?

Thanks in advance.

What are you shooting at? The answer is highly dependent on how much agi the target has.

I have some toy python code that can directly answer the question (once it's fully specified) that I've been meaning to get up on GitHub.

In this case, 2x2 attacks are statistically better. Don't forget that a focus or evade token that is used in one attack is not available for the next attack. And in Range 1, the statistics become even better because now it is 2x3 vs 1x4.

Also, don't forget about the fact that more ships on the battlefield means more opportunities to block your opponent's maneuvers and rob him or her of actions.

If I did my math right, assuming you take focus for everyone...

Option 1 should give you 3.9375 hits out of 5 dice after all modifications.

If they both attack a PS1/2 ship then they should get 4.125 hits out of 5 dice after all modifications.

Option 2 should give you 3.375 hits out of 4 dice after all modifications.

If they both attack a PS1/2 ship then they should get 3.75 hits out of 4 dice after all modifications.

So Option 1 gives more damage, but that's more from the extra attack dice than anything else. Also you should really put PTL on the saber instead of predator anyways.

It depends on what you're shooting at (range and agility) and if you use focus but for damage before attrition Option 1 is stronger. After you loose a ship though...

If I did my math right, assuming you take focus for everyone...

Option 1 should give you 3.9375 hits out of 5 dice after all modifications.

If they both attack a PS1/2 ship then they should get 4.125 hits out of 5 dice after all modifications.

Option 2 should give you 3.375 hits out of 4 dice after all modifications.

If they both attack a PS1/2 ship then they should get 3.75 hits out of 4 dice after all modifications.

So Option 1 gives more damage, but that's more from the extra attack dice than anything else. Also you should really put PTL on the saber instead of predator anyways.

Thanks for the numbers -- this is what I was looking for. I do normally put PTL on my interceptors, but predator is a nice offensive option and doesn't require an action, so I found I was even more able to use the dial. I definitely have some more thinking to do about it anyway, but this helps. Thanks.

I'd also add that one of the reasons I like predator is that a lot of lists I see tend to be an expensive turretted ship with filler like z-95s

To echo others, it depends heavily on what you're shooting at. Against a target with 1 Agility, it's a question worth asking; against a target with 3 Agility and a focus token, I don't even need to run the numbers to tell you that Option 1 is better.