If ever I have been more smitten by an astromech combination since Luke and R2-D2, that time is now. Simply extolling the virtues of the stressbot is not enough, but I have been designing my lists recently around that cheeky stress generating b*****d. While I find he is most effective on board Wes Janson's X-wing, I have been trying to think of other uses for that robotic fiend. For instance, since his ability triggers whenever you attack, no matter how much stress you already have, I am starting to think Corran Horn may be able to use him rather effectively thanks to the E-wings multitude of green maneuvers and the fact he is not gonna be shooting after his second turn anyway so he can burn the extra stress off while setting up a second pass. Whammy!

Aside from using a Hobbie/Dutch combo, has anyone else found the other pilots as effective as Wes? I am just curious.

wait, he stresses your ship too right? and you have to be pointed at the target?

Interesting card...

Eh...the problem is, with all those astromechs out there, there are just so many other options. Like, Corran with R3-A2...possibly useful pair? Sure, but it means you aren't using Corran with R7-T1 (who pairs so deliciously with FCS for Corran's double-tap). And, of course, the E-Wing has the most green of any Rebel ship that can take an astromech...so passing up R2-D2 has to be really carefully considered...

Eh...the problem is, with all those astromechs out there, there are just so many other options. Like, Corran with R3-A2...possibly useful pair? Sure, but it means you aren't using Corran with R7-T1 (who pairs so deliciously with FCS for Corran's double-tap). And, of course, the E-Wing has the most green of any Rebel ship that can take an astromech...so passing up R2-D2 has to be really carefully considered...

If the choice is easy, then something's wrong (unless PtL).

R2-D2 is always a great choice, but that is why he costs 4pts. R2 also doesn't generate the annoying stress effect that R3 can. I have found that handing an opponent stress always causes one of two things, 1. they cut and run or, 2. They try to slug it out without tokens. Both are not fairly good options for your opponent and if you can keep them from performing k-turns, the possibility of keeping guns on them go up. If at a cost of your own actions. I once had 6 stress tokens on Wes from a combination of firing on a rebel captive and using R3. While not having a k-turn sucked, I still ended up victorious by forgoing my actions to deny his. Stress is so very powerful! As is action denial.

I love R3A2 on Gold with Ion turret. It is a great addition to any list. Better, in my opinion, than the 2 bandits you can get for about the same points.

It's probably best on an e-wing as they can shed the stress the easiest, but even then I'm not a big fan of giving myself stress just to give stress to someone else.

R3-A2 + Hobbie. TL and clear the stress when you spend the lock.

Hobbie with a flechette torp and stressbot.

The only annoying thing is to try and fit this into an allround 100 pt build which can take on both Fat Hans and Phantoms.

He is only scourge when ion is also present. I find that stress sinks such as Wes or even E-wing with 4 green maneuvers are good. Wes with flechete torpedoes and R3-A2 is fun when doubling up. Also if you can follow with a Y-wing or B-wing (or even a Hawk) with Ion turrets it is even better.

R3-A2 on a Rookie is a very strong 23 points combined with Roark.

R3-A2 on a Knave is also quite good as it protects your stress droid investment.

Ghostbusters

Roark+Ion

Blue+Ion

Blue

Knave R3-A2

Falcons don't like stress, and neither do Phantoms. Firing as PS 12 is also a good counter to Predator/Hans as your wounded ship always gets to shoot first. As the R3-A2 is the most dangerous, you protect it on the Knave.

Ghostbusters 2

Roark+Ion

Blue+HLC

Bandit

Bandit

Rookie R3-A2

Slightly more firepower but less control and defence on the droid.

A bandit with ion missiles make it good for those big ships.

Don't forget Tarn with R7. For 25 points you have a ship that can be pretty hard to kill, and the fewer ships to shoot at him the harder it becomes to kill him.

Guy at a local tourney was running

Roark ICT

Red flechette

Red flechette

Red r3a2

Took second. Pretty tough list for a lot of green-dice lists.

I love R3A2 on Gold with Ion turret. It is a great addition to any list. Better, in my opinion, than the 2 bandits you can get for about the same points.

A buddy of mine runs this, it can be super frustrating when the ion keeps me from clearing stress.

Hobbie.

Seriously. This guy gets to throw stress at the enemy then clear his by spending his TL. Pairs up extremely well with Dutch too.

Pair him with Flechette Torpedoes. Doublestress.

R3-A2 on a Rookie is a very strong 23 points combined with Roark.

R3-A2 on a Knave is also quite good as it protects your stress droid investment.

Ghostbusters

Roark+Ion

Blue+Ion

Blue

Knave R3-A2

Falcons don't like stress, and neither do Phantoms. Firing as PS 12 is also a good counter to Predator/Hans as your wounded ship always gets to shoot first. As the R3-A2 is the most dangerous, you protect it on the Knave.

Ghostbusters 2

Roark+Ion

Blue+HLC

Bandit

Bandit

Rookie R3-A2

Slightly more firepower but less control and defence on the droid.

You know, for some reason it never occurred to me to use Roark's ability to push a cheaper pilot with stressbot to skill 12. I have no idea how I missed that. I might try one of the ghostbusters lists you posted in my league.

R3-A2 + Hobbie. TL and clear the stress when you spend the lock.

Hobbie does pair nicely with R3-A2, though being stuck at PS5 he kinda shoots too late to affect the high PS opponents. Again, Roark can help, as well as Dutch for granting the stress stripping TL, but I feel it kind of hamstrings the firepower and maneuverability of the overall 100pt size list. Those three together in epic however...

Getting some good ideas for combos guys, thanks.

Putting the stress on someone is especially good against Phantoms at the moment, so anyone who can go before a Phantom is best to get him. For those that don't know, if you are stressed, you don't get to cloak with Advanced Cloaking after you fire. It's especially good to put on something that is also manueverable so that you know you are going to get the Phantom in your firing arc.

If you are able to cause double stress, then you don't have to go before the Phantom. They will be able to clear one stress by doing a green move, but then can't clear the next one. The Phantom is open for anyone to fire at. They won't get their Cloaked beginning move, either, so you have a good chance of figuring out where they are.

I really want to use this guy, but am still waiting for more Rebel Transports to be delivered. The only place I can find them is at a local Barnes and Nobles for $60. That makes me cringe when I can get it for a lot less if I can get it for about $40 at my local game store. Or for less from NWS-ONLINE once they come back in stock.

My favorite is Hobbie with R3-A2 (add some flechettes if you really wanna do it up) flying along side Dutch. Best buds.

Eh...the problem is, with all those astromechs out there, there are just so many other options. Like, Corran with R3-A2...possibly useful pair? Sure, but it means you aren't using Corran with R7-T1 (who pairs so deliciously with FCS for Corran's double-tap). And, of course, the E-Wing has the most green of any Rebel ship that can take an astromech...so passing up R2-D2 has to be really carefully considered...

I don't understand the synergy there. Yes, of course FCS is handy on Corran (I like Marksmanship too), but why is that boost especially handy on him? It wouldn't be triggered any more than it would on someone else.

Putting the stress on someone is especially good against Phantoms at the moment, so anyone who can go before a Phantom is best to get him. For those that don't know, if you are stressed, you don't get to cloak with Advanced Cloaking after you fire. It's especially good to put on something that is also manueverable so that you know you are going to get the Phantom in your firing arc.

If you are able to cause double stress, then you don't have to go before the Phantom. They will be able to clear one stress by doing a green move, but then can't clear the next one. The Phantom is open for anyone to fire at. They won't get their Cloaked beginning move, either, so you have a good chance of figuring out where they are.

I really want to use this guy, but am still waiting for more Rebel Transports to be delivered. The only place I can find them is at a local Barnes and Nobles for $60. That makes me cringe when I can get it for a lot less if I can get it for about $40 at my local game store. Or for less from NWS-ONLINE once they come back in stock.

As an aside, I was lucky enough to get mine back in late April using store credit from tournament victories. The X-wing pilots, astromechs, and FlechetteTorpedoes alone make it a great buy, but I have also had fun playing a few epic games centered around the transport.

R3-A2 works the best when firing before the Phantom to defeat ACD, dumping additional stress from FlechetteTorpedoes backed up by munitions fail safe is a great double stress generator. The list I have in my signature works very well generating stress and was one of my developments a month back while trying to fight Phantoms specifically.

A word of caution though, if you see Soontir Fel without a stress don't use R3-A2. It's like passing a focus to the wrong team. Now even if he already has a stress, I wouldn't recommend going for the double stress because he will be able to manage it better than you can. I learned this the hard way three weeks ago at a tournament while trying to splash him near the end of a game. I feel that when Farlander comes out, Reb v. Reb matches in tournaments that pit a X or E with R3-A2 vs Farlander might not bode well if you trigger R3 before Farlander shoots.

Stress: It's What's For Breakfast!

Jek Porkins + PTL + Engine Upgrade + R5-D8 (36)

Tycho Celchu + A-Wing Test Pilot + PTL + Expert Handling + Experimental Interface + Refit (32)

Hobbie Klivian + R3-A2 + Engine Upgrade (31)

Alternatively, switch Hobbie for Keyan Farlander + PTL (32)

R3-A2 on a Rookie is a very strong 23 points combined with Roark.

This, Roark combined with any ship that induces stress is the best Phantom/ACD counter in the game.

Better and more fun for everyone than a Fat Han build.

One I recently came up with is: Hobble Flight!

Hobbie Klivian 25

R3-A2 2

Red Sq. Pilot 23

R5 Astromech

(2) Gold Sq. Pilot 18

Ion Cannon Turret 5

R2 Astromech 1

I originally used this list with a Gray Sq. Pilot. Haven't had a chance to play since, but it was fun! Somehow practically ionized Turr into an asteroid (stress, ion, smack dab in front of it the next turn), and somehow hit my friend's bomber and blew it to bits with all of my ships. Formation flying through dense asteroids with stress and ion rocks! (Oh, bad pun...)