Does FFG need to release a new counter to ions?

As of right now the best defense against ions is to run large based ships, or swam type lists of 5 or more ships. I would say defensive ships, but you don't want to have to save your focus for defense if you can help it - especially since most ships that can shoot ions are fairly tough.

But as for a new defense against ions? I'm not sure, but I really wouldn't mind. Perhaps a card that prevents ANY tokens from being placed on your ship? Or maybe a card that gives you a focus or evade any time you do a 1-speed maneuver? What do you think?

I don't think ions have caught on to the point where they need a hard counter yet. And the focus for 1spd, unless it was several points, would be overpowered. It already has a half counter in R2.

I could see the prevents any token from being placed though... An EPT that comes in at 4 points... prevents TL and prevents ions... that might have a place in the game. Now it's not just a ion counter (which would never be worth the points until ions become omnipotent) but also an ordnance counter and a TL+F counter... But wait, FFG is trying to make ordnance viable... So I doubt we'd see that anytime soon.

Yeah that's my thinking, that they shouldn't make just an "ion" counter, but rather something that could help, but also have other roles to play. If it prevented any tokens, it would be a double edged sword, because it would also prevent focus and evades, and even target locks of your own.

You do also have R2 and Nien Numb, but I'm thinking something like a mod or EPT - that could work for more pilots. Maybe an EPT that gives you one extra agility die against secondary weapons?

The best counter is high agility.

Any squads that abuse Ions are going to be lacking in ACTUALLY DOING DAMAGE. Also, most....MOST Ion platforms are woefully low in agility, hence, they are TAKING damage. They are also generally expensive....meaning, less ships.

Personally, I think Ions can be a nice supplement and help one win a game, but if you try to go overboard on Ions and win games by walking other ships off of the board or doing a single damage a turn, your going to be disappointed.

I don't think they need a counter.

There is no need to release a counter to Ion Cannons, the biggest reason? It's all the Y- wing has going for it, start putting out Ion counters and suddenly the rebels lose a ship from their list.

Also all the Cannon runners are easy as all hell to hit, agility 1 sucks.. If it's giving you that much trouble stay at range 3, even a Tie fighter with 2 attack vs a Y-wing's boosted 2 agility will kill the Y-wing.. while the Y-wings 2 primary attack vs a boosted 4 agility won't do crap..

If they were going to make some kind of "hard" counter to an ion weapon why would they have released the ion pulse missile giving the ability to even more ships?

With the low rating of damage, I don't worry about this weapon, the ships that used will loose good firepower, greettings