First off, this card worries me. Assuming that there is a generic Z-95 option (it doesn't look like the Scyks can have illicit upgrades. Can't tell on the Z-95s for sure) that comes in at 13 points or less and can hold illicit upgrades, that means that you'll be able to field 6 Z-95s each with Accuracy Correctors. That's scary. 12 guaranteed damage results to dodge in one turn ought to have the falcon/decimator lists shaking in their boots. EDIT: Nevermind, I mistook Accuracy Corrector as an illicit upgrade, but it's a System Upgrade. Thanks to all who pointed that out.

Second, Prince Xizor creates the opportunity for a different kind of swarm experience, one designed for maximum protection rather than maximum offense. Normally loading up one powerful ship with lots of upgrades is risky, because it paints a huge target on that ship's thermal exhaust port. However, start with Xizor at 31 points, add the Virago title and 8 more points worth of upgrades (personally I'd go with something like PtL, Advanced Sensors, and maybe Inertial Dampers or some other illicit upgrade), and that still leaves you with enough points to field 5 vanilla Z-95s (assuming that S&V has a 12 point Z-95 option). With 20 Hitpoints spread across 5 escorts, it all but guarantees that your 40 point Xizor will survive until the end game, and with boost, barrel roll, and the new Segnor's Loop Maneuver, the Starviper looks like it will be a nasty end-game ship. This type of swarm has me excited.

Third, we have the Scyks. Based on their most expensive pilot (20 pts), it seems likely that the cheapest Scyk will come in around 13 or 14 points. Cheap enough to field a swarm of them, for sure, but it doesn't seem like the Scyk's are built for swarming so much as they are suited for adding the Heavy Scyk Interceptor title and slapping a cannon on them. Still, that does mean that you could see 5 of these flying around with ion cannons, which would be potent if time-consuming. We'll have to wait and see what the two new cannons are that come with the Scyk before we can really judge it's potential.

I for one am excited about the Scum and Villainy faction, and the new options it will offer.

I doubt the generic z95's will have the illicit upgrade slot due to how powerful that accuracy corrector would be.

Accuracy Corrector is a System, not an Illicit, so the Z95 can't take it. Luckily, it is not available on any 2 attack ships thus far, else it would likely become an auto include. One of the cannons is the Flechette Cannon, and the text is quite similar to the ion cannon. Definitely appears as though the Flechette Cannon will deal a single damage and a stress token. The other cannon (Mangler Cannon?) Appears to change a die result. Both could be interesting if they are appropriately priced. I'm currently interested in 4 Heavy Scyks with Heavy Laser cannons. Could be a fun squad to fly, using range to your advantage.

I stopped after the first paragraph, but the Accuracy Corrector is a SYSTEM upgrade, not an ILLICIT one. The Z-95s will have nothing to do with it.

Accuracy corrector is not an illicit upgrade, its a system upgrade, which all three factions have, and won't be on the Z-95s. The generics may have illicit upgrades to make up for the fact that they are 1 PS less each than the rebels Z95s and will cost the same

The Prince Xizor idea forces you to formation fly, which has many counters now. Also, if he has multiple uncanceled hits, he still has to take 1

Scyks with HLCs will be glass cannons similar to Interceptors

There IS an illicit upgrade that is a secondary weapon, so I am curious about that. Maybe it upgrades your Z95 to a three attack weapon. "Hot Shot" Blaster or something of that nature. Comes in Most Wanted and IG2000.

Accuracy Corrector is a System, not an Illicit, so the Z95 can't take it. Luckily, it is not available on any 2 attack ships thus far, else it would likely become an auto include. One of the cannons is the Flechette Cannon, and the text is quite similar to the ion cannon. Definitely appears as though the Flechette Cannon will deal a single damage and a stress token. The other cannon (Mangler Cannon?) Appears to change a die result. Both could be interesting if they are appropriately priced. I'm currently interested in 4 Heavy Scyks with Heavy Laser cannons. Could be a fun squad to fly, using range to your advantage.

I stopped after the first paragraph, but the Accuracy Corrector is a SYSTEM upgrade, not an ILLICIT one. The Z-95s will have nothing to do with it.

Oh, right, my bad. Well that relieves me a little. Editing my main post now

The Prince Xizor idea forces you to formation fly, which has many counters now. Also, if he has multiple uncanceled hits, he still has to take 1

Actually, the beauty of it is that you only need 1 or maybe 2 ships near Xizor each turn. The rest can spread out.

Scyks with HLCs will be glass cannons similar to Interceptors

Agreed. I wonder what their dials will be like?

However, start with Xizor at 31 points, add the Virago title and 8 more points worth of upgrades (personally I'd go with something like PtL, Advanced Sensors, Veteran Instincts, and maybe Inertial Dampers)

Pretty sure you can't have PTL and VI on Xizor.

Depending on the cost for scum Y-wings, Xizor+3Y could work really well if there's a 3pt turret card.

Even if they can create a swarm, it is unlikely to be stronger than the TIE swarm. The interceptor does get target lock, but is also likely to be a few points more expensive than an academy pilot.

Lets turn on our imaginations and make a (admittedly far fetched) hypothesis about cost from what we see from the most expensive pilot at 20 points and PS8. Lets work backwards with the PS6 pilot potentially being 18 points, the PS5 pilot being 16-17 points, and the PS2 pilot being 14-15 points. I might be overestimating cost by a point or two but I feel that if the dial is on par with even a standard TIE fighter that value feels about right taking into account the action bar and the heavy upgrade.

However, start with Xizor at 31 points, add the Virago title and 8 more points worth of upgrades (personally I'd go with something like PtL, Advanced Sensors, Veteran Instincts, and maybe Inertial Dampers)

Pretty sure you can't have PTL and VI on Xizor.

Man I am off today. Fixing it now. Thanks

If you're flying a swarm of Scyks with Xisor in command, then Serissu strikes me as a good idea - she's the best Scyk pilot (i.e. still **** cheap!) and is a sort of reverse howlrunner - reroll defense dice at range 1 of her. Makes it harder to remove Xisor's disposable goons, plus makes it harder to hit him as well.

If you're flying a swarm of Scyks with Xisor in command, then Serissu strikes me as a good idea - she's the best Scyk pilot (i.e. still **** cheap!) and is a sort of reverse howlrunner - reroll defense dice at range 1 of her. Makes it harder to remove Xisor's disposable goons, plus makes it harder to hit him as well.

Might synergise with Xizor better than Y-wings, at least dial-wise, but you get WAY more HP buffer out of Y-wings for the points.

I'd be very interested in seeing the options and relationships shared between M3-A Interceptors and Z-95's. They both have low attack and are somewhat fragile and cheap, but with the plethora of upgrades we'll see... it should certainly prove interesting to say the very least.