Builds fall into several categories, IMHO.

There are builds that we see and think, "What were they thinking when they put this together?" But when they give us a run for the money or even take us down, they gain our respect!

There are builds that we face that we know do well, but there are counters to them and we have to respect their capabilities or else we get beat!

There are builds that we just can't seem to beat, but we can get close or each time we meet them, it's a closer fight. We respect them!

I respect the Three Amigos, Han and Chewie, three Firesprays and turreted ships.

Then there is the "feared" builds! Those builds that no matter what we do, we just can't seem to conquer! They frustrate us and intimidate us! We think about devising ways to beat them almost to the point of obsessing over them! We even consider the option of joining their ranks just to balance the scales...

For me, the "feared" build is a Tie Swarm!

I have yet to beat a Tie Swarm and can honestly say I've been pummeled every time losing all my ships to them! I've agonized over how to tackle them! Then yesterday I had an epiphany thanks to posts on the forums. I need to change my "style of play!"

I have good builds! I'm just not using them to their greatest abilities! It's me! It's not the builds!

We need to learn to adapt and be willing to make changes in order to improve! This has been my downfall and I am going to change that.

I do believe it's just a matter of time and I will say I "fear no build" but I "respect" a lot of builds!

The new Falcon+3 is pretty scarry to face. I also think the classic Firespray + miniswarm has no glaring weakness.

That's what I love about the game. Unlike some games (MtG comes to mind) where some builds are just better than others, there's a solid skill factor and a luck factor built into the game. When I started (as if I have been playing that long), I would use a build once, then change it to move onto another build. Which was fun and fine, but I wasn't learning to use my assets. I built a list that had cards that I wanted to master (PtL, Marksmanship) and stuck with that build even if I lost (which I did), so that I could train myself. This is where I am as a player now. I am trying to improve my piloting and stop running my ships into themselves, and trying to maximize my style of play.

A bit part of that is figuring out what my style of play is. For me, I want certainty in the dice. That's why I like Etahn so much. And Marksmanship. Push the Limit is a great card, but doesn't fit as well with my style of play. As I learn what I lean towards, I am trying to find new ways to implement this style, and also ways to expand my style "tool box" to include more tricks. Someday, I will use PtL to its full potential.

That's probably just too much information that you didn't need at all. But you're thinking right along with where I am now.

one of the things i love about this game is u can virtually win with any 'reasonable' array of ships/upgrades.

customizability is virtually endless meaning that u can create and tweek squads again and again.

yes the tie swarm is one to be respected, and in the hands of a skilled player feared.

as u mentioned in ur post there are counters to everything which is quite fascinating because if u know u r facing certain squads at a tournament u can build ur own list accordingly but then u might come up against something unexpected!

i am always shocked when players limit themselves to playing only one faction as time using rebel AND imperial squads teaches you the strengths and weaknesses of those squads and allows you to see how they tick, allowing u to have a deeper understanding of how to beat them!

"Upon this a question arises: whether a list be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one squad, is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with." Machiavelli, The Prince (of X-Wing)

The three times I flew tie swarms i encountered issues with assault missiles being able to weaken the swarm to quickly if you can fire it at the center of the swarms

The three times I flew tie swarms i encountered issues with assault missiles being able to weaken the swarm to quickly if you can fire it at the center of the swarms

did u try not flying in formation at the start of the game and regrouping at close range?

if i have even 4 ships and i see they r using assault missiles id play in two wings and limit their options.

one of the things i love about this game is u can virtually win with any 'reasonable' array of ships/upgrades.

customizability is virtually endless meaning that u can create and tweek squads again and again.

yes the tie swarm is one to be respected, and in the hands of a skilled player feared.

as u mentioned in ur post there are counters to everything which is quite fascinating because if u know u r facing certain squads at a tournament u can build ur own list accordingly but then u might come up against something unexpected!

i am always shocked when players limit themselves to playing only one faction as time using rebel AND imperial squads teaches you the strengths and weaknesses of those squads and allows you to see how they tick, allowing u to have a deeper understanding of how to beat them!

Yes, I agree with you!

I also can't figure out guys who only buy one faction! For one thing, they are limiting their card/upgrade options. And possibly more importantly, they are not learning how the other faction works completely. I try flying ships that I never think Ill never use so I know how they work in order to beat them! Sometimes I find ships that surprise me and I start flying them regularly, like Vader!