I have not seen this discussed. With Aces Just around the corner, what is the current thinking on a-wings vs Z-95s as components of your squad makeup? The a-wing is clearly a superior ship, and a better bargain with refit, but far less attractive as a missle boat, in part because of the refit "premium" on missles with the a-wing.

If we look at the low end, we see a 3 point difference between A-wing with refit and the base z-95. The bandit has a slight edge in pilot skill, but not sure this matters much, as PS2 really does not seem to be practically better than PS1 in most situations.

Obviously, there are some good named pilots on the high end, and I welcome discussion on them as well. The ability to take 2 EPTs cannot be overstated I think, but even at the low end, I think the superior dial of the A-wing is certainly worth 3 points. I realize one size does not fit all, and blount with an assualt missle is hard to argue with.

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Z-95's are made to swarm or force opponents to lose actions. Chardaan's are really good at the latter. It just depends on what role you are looking to fill. If I want someone to get in people's way so that nobody can catch Dash I'll take a couple chardaan's.

If you're comparing the Bandit to the Prototype Refit I tend to view them as two very different ships even if they share attack, hull, and shield values.

The A-Wing gains a lot in the available action department and has a better dial. There are times when PS 1 can even be seen as an advantage but there are also times when the Bandit's PS 2 can be better. The advantage of the Bandit is that it is still 20% cheaper, loading a missile is far cheaper, and there are plenty of times the A-Wing's dial and action advantage may not be fully utilized while the Bandit's more basic action bar and dial will still be plenty good enough.

It is easy to acknowledge that the A-Wing can do everything the Z-95 can do but with its premium cost you have to want it to perform functions that the Z-95 just doesn't perform. If you're looking for that speedy flanker and/or blocker then the Refit Prototype probably is what you are looking for but if you're just looking for more ships in your squadron the Z-95s are likely the better choice.

In some ways comparing the A to Z is a little like comparing the basic TIE Fighter to the Interceptor. The one has a few more bells and whistles but it pays for them and unless you're ready to capitalize on that boost you may be better off with the lesses ship.

Sadly, the Z-95 is superior. Has something to do with being released later. The point in case for me is that both have 2 attack dice and the superior dial of the A-Wing is not 3-points superior.Quantity has a qualitiy of its own. I think our resident number cruncher, the awesome Major Juggler, would support that. Not that I would touch the Z-95 - not Star Wars enough for me.

Sadly, the Z-95 is superior. Has something to do with being released later. The point in case for me is that both have 2 attack dice and the superior dial of the A-Wing is not 3-points superior.Quantity has a qualitiy of its own. I think our resident number cruncher, the awesome Major Juggler, would support that. Not that I would touch the Z-95 - not Star Wars enough for me.

Other than a much better dial, the A-Wing is also more durable (+ 1 Agility) and has more/better actions. Totally worth the 3 point difference.

Whether or not that is better in your squad is a totally different matter.

Basically, in upgrading from a Bandit Squadron Pilot to a Prototype Pilot + Refit, you get better approach control due to boost, a better dial for in-close work, and better durability due to the agility bump. That's a lot to pick up for 3 points, as long as you weren't planning on using missiles, but the 3 points in question can actually be pretty big.

You can buy three Bandits for 36 points, but just two Prototypes. Trimming Fat Han down to 55 points instead of 61 (the maximum price if he has three Talas for escort)probably requires dropping something significant.

And the same is true for some other list archetypes that currently feature Headhunters: BXXZZZ, for instance, can't afford to bump those Zs at all. You can sacrifice an X-wing to run BXAAAZ, losing an attack die to buff your list's overall durability and maneuverability, and I think that pretty nicely illustrates the necessary tradeoff between offense and defense.

So I sort of think we'll start seeing cheap Refit A-wings used as filler in place of Headhunters when you don't have quite enough room for three Headhunters--that is, in pairs--but I think it's going to be up to the community to innovate some new places where 45 points' worth of low-PS A-wings makes your list tougher without losing. Otherwise you're talking about the named A-wings, which are a different beast--way more options now, and a little cheaper, but not necessarily easier to employ to substantial effect.

If I have 15 points and up and not have to spend some point on must have upgrades I'd take an A-wing all the time over the Z95. But there are so many cases were you have 14 point or less left and it leaves 1 choice left. Also downgrading an A to a Z so you can upgrade a 2 attack ship to a 3 attack ship is also a must do.

I think the A is better, but more often than not you find yourself only left with enough points to take a Z.

but the 3 points in question can actually be pretty big.

Yeah, I think the Prototype is worth the 3 points for what it offers, any two of the three things, evade, boost, +1 defense, is likely worth 3 points. Add in the better dial and there's IMO not much question there.

But 3 points is still a lot, and adds up quickly.

For example, what's better 6 A-Wings at 90 points or 8 Z's? The fact that you're left over with 10 points really makes prototypes an issue, because there's just not much you can do with those points and those ships. Other then give 2 hull and 1 shield upgrades or something.

So I don't think you can say one is better than the other, not unless you're looking at it in a bit of a vacuum and comparing just the two ships to each other.

I think the consensus so far is that if you have the three points to spend, the base A-wing with refit is superior. higher agility, vastly better manuverability, and a wider range of upgrades with dual EPTs. Now, I realize at this point you are sinking more points into it. I see myself taking a refit A over a Z the majority of the time, unless I just want as many ships as possible in the list.

but the 3 points in question can actually be pretty big.

Yeah, I think the Prototype is worth the 3 points for what it offers, any two of the three things, evade, boost, +1 defense, is likely worth 3 points. Add in the better dial and there's IMO not much question there.

But 3 points is still a lot, and adds up quickly.

For example, what's better 6 A-Wings at 90 points or 8 Z's? The fact that you're left over with 10 points really makes prototypes an issue, because there's just not much you can do with those points and those ships. Other then give 2 hull and 1 shield upgrades or something.

So I don't think you can say one is better than the other, not unless you're looking at it in a bit of a vacuum and comparing just the two ships to each other.

I agree with the points that they are hard to compare in a vacuum. Bandit is the super budget option, and seems most suited to being thrown in front of the big ship that is your real firepower. I am hoping due to the superior dial actions and agility, that prototype a-wings are just as viable for the 3 extra points.

My solution for the 10 points left after taking 6x prototype a-wing is to upgrade one to a named pilot such as jake farrell with PTL, or to drop the 6th a-wing and pick up 2 z-95s with the 25 points.

If you want to swarm your opponent with bodies to chew thru, the Z-95 is the way to go.

If you want a fantastic blocker, the A-wing prototype is the way to go.

If you want an extremely cheap missile carrier, the Z-95 is the way to go.

If you want a cheap and annoying flanker, the A-wing prototype is the way to go.

If you want a very list-adaptable ship to take on interesting roles (such as intimidation), the Green A-wing is the way to go.

It really depends on the rest of the list.

I've seen missiles mentioned a few times; let me add that if you are adding missiles to Z's you are doing it wrong.

I've seen missiles mentioned a few times; let me add that if you are adding missiles to Z's you are doing it wrong.

or maybe they are doing it right?

I've seen missiles mentioned a few times; let me add that if you are adding missiles to Z's you are doing it wrong.

This all depends on how you're using them. A single, generic, ordnance carrying Z probably is a mistake. Three or four Zs carrying ordnance with a good alpha strike plan, not nearly so much.

Sorry Sir, your math is wrong. The Z-95 is actually 17-18 points while the A-wing is 20 points .

This is because the Z-95 is carrying an assault missile/homing missile with or without a munitions failsafe, while the A-wing is a Greensquadron pilot with refit and PtL, and has room for a second EPT if you so desire. But you are correct, a 2-3 point gap between the two.

Generally at the end of list building i find myself trying to fit a z95 in by cutting one or two points so it will be hard for me to make the move to a wing. Also i find the commonality between the z95s dial compared to the x and y wings I tend to run to be an advantage. At ps1 I don't think much advantage can be taken with the boost action. I actually like the A wing better and I'm looking forward to Ferrel, but in the lists I play right now the Z is the better fit.