My hesitation to embrace Kenkirk is that I just have no faith in that conditional green dice. I like Isard for the automatism of the evade token. The single green dice just doesn't seem that great, when there are other interesting Decimator abilities among the other pilots that I would be giving up.

The reason I'm looking at Expose for the Decimator is because I wouldn't be giving up agility, just an action to get a fourth red die. I could get a focus token (or its near-equivalent effect with Chiraneau) elsewhere to make up for the focus action lost by doing the Expose action. By taking Kenkirk, I have that green die to lose again.

I don't actually have any Defenders, nor am I too drawn to them. That's why I'm thinking a Kath Scarlet to run alongside, as per my build idea on the previous page.

My hesitation to embrace Kenkirk is that I just have no faith in that conditional green dice. I like Isard for the automatism of the evade token. The single green dice just doesn't seem that great, when there are other interesting Decimator abilities among the other pilots that I would be giving up.

Understandable.

The reason I'm looking at Expose for the Decimator is because I wouldn't be giving up agility, just an action to get a fourth red die. I could get a focus token (or its near-equivalent effect with Chiraneau) elsewhere to make up for the focus action lost by doing the Expose action. By taking Kenkirk, I have that green die to lose again.

Right; you wouldn't want to use Expose on Kenkirk.

I don't actually have any Defenders, nor am I too drawn to them. That's why I'm thinking a Kath Scarlet to run alongside, as per my build idea on the previous page.

I think I knew that--Defenders and Phantoms not part of your headcanon--and just overlooked it in my evangelism.

Capt. Oicunn + Expose + Isard + Moff J. + Intelligence Agent + Dauntless + Seismic Charge (42+4+4+2+1+2+2=57)

Kath Scarlet + Fleet Officer + Seismic Charge (38+3+2)

So I think my issue with this is that it's bits of two different lists. The first is a list that uses Oicunn to get up close and personal, with external support to make the most of the Decimator's offense; the second is a more balanced Decimator/Firespray list.

While I agree Expose is an acceptable choice on the Decimator in general, I'm not actually all that happy with it in combination with Isard. Expose shouldn't be used without another offensive buff (which of course you know), which means either Experimental Interface or external support. Here, that external support is costing you a lot, and it means that when Kath dies, Expose suddenly becomes an expensive liability.

Head canon, what a hilarious term. I'm going to start calling my commentary "opinion-truths."

So, has anyone brought up the DeciVader yet? That's first on my list to try out, and the majority of my free points will be spent on a very capable mini-swarm.

I don't actually have any Defenders, nor am I too drawn to them. That's why I'm thinking a Kath Scarlet to run alongside, as per my build idea on the previous page.

I think I knew that--Defenders and Phantoms not part of your headcanon--and just overlooked it in my evangelism.

I'm impressed that that's even on your mental map. I will confess that I did pick up the Phantom the other day, just so that I can use it in my solo games to know how it works and what its Achilles heels are. I did take it to the FLGS the other day

Maybe my headcanon is weakening in its restrictions on me, but I'm still not too lured to pick up a Defender. You're a Defender evangelist?

Capt. Oicunn + Expose + Isard + Moff J. + Intelligence Agent + Dauntless + Seismic Charge (42+4+4+2+1+2+2=57)

Kath Scarlet + Fleet Officer + Seismic Charge (38+3+2)

So I think my issue with this is that it's bits of two different lists. The first is a list that uses Oicunn to get up close and personal, with external support to make the most of the Decimator's offense; the second is a more balanced Decimator/Firespray list.

While I agree Expose is an acceptable choice on the Decimator in general, I'm not actually all that happy with it in combination with Isard. Expose shouldn't be used without another offensive buff (which of course you know), which means either Experimental Interface or external support. Here, that external support is costing you a lot, and it means that when Kath dies, Expose suddenly becomes an expensive liability.

Yes, I'm adding Fleet Officer to Kath to give Oicunn the focus token, so there's the external buff. But mostly, I'm running Kath as a separate tanky ship with two arcs of fire and that stressing-out ability. I wish I knew of an Imperial upgrade to reduce her stress.

Why should Expose and Isard be a problem? It seems to me that Isard's defense would apply regardless of the -1 agility from Expose. I see it as a great combination. Am I missing something?

I enjoy a Shuttle/Firespray/defender list. Lots of HP and 3 solid ships make for no quick kills for your opponent and they can do some damage with 3 dice each.

Forum Search:

Big O Death Roll

Baron's Focus

Scarlet Cowgirl

Lots of BIG ships there and always big FUN.

Why should Expose and Isard be a problem? It seems to me that Isard's defense would apply regardless of the -1 agility from Expose. I see it as a great combination. Am I missing something?

I think he's talking about the general liability of Expose, being that you are spending four points to do next to nothing (an additional red die weighs about the same as a die modification). Even on a Decimator, you're still costing yourself an action, which means you need support to make Expose worthwhile. In your list, which he addressed, that support is coming from Kath with her ability to pass out focus tokens - but that's only two ships, and when Kath dies you're back to having a 4 point sink.

I think the reference to Isard is in regard to ExperimentaI Interface, which, while a good way of boosting the Decimator without need of external support, would prevent you from taking the free evade action (because you're stressed). I think Vorpal's general point is that you're splitting strategies - either go the support route and kick Expose's dead weight to the curb, or embrace the interface (yeah, I'm a friggin' poet over here) and ditch Isard.

Well Mikael... Your options for success in the current meta are as follows: 360 degree arc of fire, High PS (at or above 9) combined with movement correcting actions (Boost/Barrel Roll) and lots of cheap fighters.

You get to pick two of these things, as you generally can't afford all three.

I wasn't really surprised that there were that many Phantoms at our last tournament (and I built my list to hunt them), but I was surprised at how few Falcons there were. Those ships are essentially the ships to beat right now.

I think he's talking about the general liability of Expose, being that you are spending four points to do next to nothing (an additional red die weighs about the same as a die modification). Even on a Decimator, you're still costing yourself an action, which means you need support to make Expose worthwhile. In your list, which he addressed, that support is coming from Kath with her ability to pass out focus tokens - but that's only two ships, and when Kath dies you're back to having a 4 point sink.

I guess I'm still reflecting on my recent run-in with an HLC-armed Dash Rendar, and suffering dice envy.

(Edit: that Dash Rendar trauma was dealt out to me by UniJustin, who just joined us.)

Also, I have the expose card - surely if it's any use at all it would be on the Decimator. Maybe on Chiraneau, who has a poor-man's focus as his ability?

But, okay, I see where you and Vorp are coming from.

I think Vorpal's general point is that you're splitting strategies - either go the support route and kick Expose's dead weight to the curb, or embrace the interface (yeah, I'm a friggin' poet over here) and ditch Isard.

Well, I don't plan on picking up the YT-2400 so the interface is a bit of a moot point, nor does the card really draw me to begin with.

I'll certainly mull over the splitting of strategies. The strategy I've had in mind for this list is to use it to charge the enemy like a bowling ball, forcing the opponents to reduce their movement choices so as to remain out of Oicunn's way. Simple and direct.

Well Mikael... Your options for success in the current meta are as follows: 360 degree arc of fire, High PS (at or above 9) combined with movement correcting actions (Boost/Barrel Roll) and lots of cheap fighters.

You get to pick two of these things, as you generally can't afford all three.

I wasn't really surprised that there were that many Phantoms at our last tournament (and I built my list to hunt them), but I was surprised at how few Falcons there were. Those ships are essentially the ships to beat right now.

Yeah, it doesn't seem like our local meta has really caught up with the Phantom, even though people have been flying them pretty heavily. I think there's a bit too much stigma on what's seen as the easy ship to fly. I even feel that a bit when choosing the Decimator.

I'll certainly mull over the splitting of strategies. The strategy I've had in mind for this list is to use it to charge the enemy like a bowling ball, forcing the opponents to reduce their movement choices so as to remain out of Oicunn's way. Simple and direct.

I think that's a fairly well developed, focused tactic to start with. So, how do we implement your bull-in-a-china-shop strategy? I'd start by taking a look at all of the range 1 shenanigans you can pull and go from there. Now I find myself wondering if Saboteur might not have a home. It could be fodder for Jerjerrod, if nothing else, and coupled with Brath you could have yourself an interesting (albeit less than competitive) crit build.

Here's a tentative list for you:

42 Oicunn

2 Dauntless

2 Moff Jerjerrod

2 Saboteur

1 Intelligence Agent (or, alternatively, Tactical Jammer)

37 Rexler Brath

7 HLC

4 Engine Upgrade

3 Predator

---

Other things to consider: Anti-Pursuit Lasers, Intelligence Agent, Intimidate, and some form of mobility tool (Engine Upgrade?) would be a very, very interesting way of countering the current trend of Super Chewies. Block him (no evade action), he bumps (and takes a damage), and his agility is reduced to a point that mitigates Threepio.

I would say that YT's, Firespray 31's and Decimators are easy ships to fly, but they aren't necessarily easy ships to fly successfully. You are pouring a lot of eggs into a single 3-4 attack die basket where those points could have purchased twice that many attack dice spread out over 2-4 ships.

It's all a balancing act. You have to try to mitigate as many weaknesses as you can while capitalizing on the weaknesses of your opponents. And of course; list building only gets you so far.

in short; experiment often and play against as many competitive squadrons as you can.

(I'm always down for training exercises)

The Royal Escort

x2 Royal Guard Squint + PTLPTL

x2 Shuttle (your choice of upgrades)

Nothing new, but still very fun. Quite a bit of durability and offense. Plus those shuttles are customizable.

I think that's a fairly well developed, focused tactic to start with. So, how do we implement your bull-in-a-china-shop strategy? I'd start by taking a look at all of the range 1 shenanigans you can pull and go from there. Now I find myself wondering if Saboteur might not have a home. It could be fodder for Jerjerrod, if nothing else, and coupled with Brath you could have yourself an interesting (albeit less than competitive) crit build.

I'll definitely mull all that over.

I would say that YT's, Firespray 31's and Decimators are easy ships to fly, but they aren't necessarily easy ships to fly successfully. You are pouring a lot of eggs into a single 3-4 attack die basket where those points could have purchased twice that many attack dice spread out over 2-4 ships.

It's all a balancing act. You have to try to mitigate as many weaknesses as you can while capitalizing on the weaknesses of your opponents. And of course; list building only gets you so far.

in short; experiment often and play against as many competitive squadrons as you can.

(I'm always down for training exercises)

Hey, you're a lot of fun to fly against. I'd be down for that. I'm going to be out-of-state for the next two weeks, so it'll be a while. but when I get back, I'm definitely game.

Of course, I still won't have my Decimator by then. Maybe Rebel Aces, though?

Allow me to impress upon you the manfight empire list

Rexlar-HLC, Predator, and Engine Upgrade

Vessery-HLC, Predator, and Engine Upgrade

Always outnumbered, never outgunned. You're like the Spitfire: fast, heavy, and carrying a lot of firepower.

I wasn't really surprised that there were that many Phantoms at our last tournament (and I built my list to hunt them), but I was surprised at how few Falcons there were. Those ships are essentially the ships to beat right now.

I find sometimes people know a certain ship/build is heavy in the meta, and so they avoid taking that for fear people will bring a list designed just to kill it. I probably wouldn't run a falcon right now, for fear some goofball brings 3HLC b-wings or whatever just to counter falcons.

At some point I hope that the meta balances out, and that meta lists begin to deter one another.