So, i was trying to decide what list to bring too the upcoming NOVA open tournament, and i think i have narrowed it down to two:

2x Delta Squadron Pilot w/HLC

2x Obsidian Squadron Pilot

or:

2x Onyx Squadron Pilot w/HLC

Captain Jonus

Captain Jonus + Flechette Torpedo + Swarm Tactics (26)

Delta Squadron Pilot + Heavy Laser Cannon (37)

Delta Squadron Pilot + Heavy Laser Cannon (37)

I've seen this list running around a lot on Vassal. It performs very well with Jonus allowing rerolls to maximize damage. Whenever your dealing with a 3 ship build you always have to include a way to ratchet up the offense. The Flechette Torpedo will give a huge swing in the first pass as they will be unable to K-Turn with the Defenders leaving the ship exposed for a turn and likely dead.

Go with Jonus. Not sure if it's better but having a named guy with a special ability always makes games more fun and exciting.

The biggest problem I see with the Jonus and 2 hlc defender build is that if you go up against a squad with a lot or all high ps ships they're a decent chance jonus dies before getting to use his ability to help the defenders.

Captain Jonus + Flechette Torpedo + Swarm Tactics (26)

Delta Squadron Pilot + Heavy Laser Cannon (37)

Delta Squadron Pilot + Heavy Laser Cannon (37)

I've seen this list running around a lot on Vassal. It performs very well with Jonus allowing rerolls to maximize damage. Whenever your dealing with a 3 ship build you always have to include a way to ratchet up the offense. The Flechette Torpedo will give a huge swing in the first pass as they will be unable to K-Turn with the Defenders leaving the ship exposed for a turn and likely dead.

I had the same thought: demote Onyx Squadron to Delta Squadron, and use the extra four points on Jonus. I'd lean toward Squad Leader rather than Swarm Tactics; ST gets you ahead of Chewie, which is important in the current metagame, but Squad Leader gives you a bit more repositioning ability without losing focus for your attacks.

The biggest problem I see with the Jonus and 2 hlc defender build is that if you go up against a squad with a lot or all high ps ships they're a decent chance jonus dies before getting to use his ability to help the defenders.

2 Defenders with HLC is still nothing to scoff at. But yes, I agree. Imperial 3-ship builds are sketchy.

Imperial 3-ship builds are sketchy.

Decimator/Firespray/Backstabber?

I have been running:

bounty hunter with hlc and hull upgrade

Vessery with hlc and hull upgrade

academy tie

Imperial 3-ship builds are sketchy.

Decimator/Firespray/Backstabber?

I don't think the Decimator is going to be all it is cracked up to be unless it has a mechanic to regenerate shields. A 0 Agility ship will get murdered by concentrated fire. Also, you have one to play games with?

Imperial 3-ship builds are sketchy.

Decimator/Firespray/Backstabber?

I don't think the Decimator is going to be all it is cracked up to be unless it has a mechanic to regenerate shields. A 0 Agility ship will get murdered by concentrated fire. Also, you have one to play games with?

Kenkirk+Ysanne is mathematically more durable than Threepio Falcon with title. We'll see how it goes in practice, but any list with this will be monstrous. I intend to give flight instructor a chance in it, too, to get the most out of that single agility.

Imperial 3-ship builds are sketchy.

Decimator/Firespray/Backstabber?

I don't think the Decimator is going to be all it is cracked up to be unless it has a mechanic to regenerate shields. A 0 Agility ship will get murdered by concentrated fire. Also, you have one to play games with?

16 hit points with 0 Agility is pretty close in survivability to 13 hit points with 1 Agility, and as Engine25 says, Kenkirk + Isard is incredibly tough. Splashing in a Bounty Hunter and Backstabber leaves you 3 points for Predator on Kenkirk, Recon Specialist on the Firespray, or Rebel Captive or Mara on either one.

And yes, I do have one to play with--although my version has a cloaking device that makes it look like a YT-1300.

Vorpal, sorry about my snippy comment.

As an Imperial player, that boat is expensive with the mandatory Expose (a 4 Attack turret with no downside until it has Hull damage is too good to pass up). I shudder when I think about a 50+ point ship with almost no defensive capabilities. Advanced Torps and Proton Rockets are going to eat this thing's lunch.

Vorpal, sorry about my snippy comment.

As an Imperial player, that boat is expensive with the mandatory Expose (a 4 Attack turret with no downside until it has Hull damage is too good to pass up). I shudder when I think about a 50+ point ship with almost no defensive capabilities. Advanced Torps and Proton Rockets are going to eat this thing's lunch.

Defenses are not great anyway. So that isn't going to stop me from using this behemoth.

Vorpal, sorry about my snippy comment.

As an Imperial player, that boat is expensive with the mandatory Expose (a 4 Attack turret with no downside until it has Hull damage is too good to pass up). I shudder when I think about a 50+ point ship with almost no defensive capabilities. Advanced Torps and Proton Rockets are going to eat this thing's lunch.

Expose? Mandatory? Not unless you have EI. Expose isn't bad because you lose an agility, it's bad because you lose an action.

Vorpal, sorry about my snippy comment.

As an Imperial player, that boat is expensive with the mandatory Expose (a 4 Attack turret with no downside until it has Hull damage is too good to pass up). I shudder when I think about a 50+ point ship with almost no defensive capabilities. Advanced Torps and Proton Rockets are going to eat this thing's lunch.

You say that as if we see torps and rockets everywhere. And the Decimator isn't alone going to make them part of the meta.