Having played 3 total games (2 core set, 1 utilizing a frend's collection) I consider myself something of a tactical expert at this point . In other words, I've got some questions lol.

I just bought a very complete collection of Imperial ships and I'm putting together my first few lists now. The one I'm most excited about for the time being is Colonel Vessery grabbing target locks from a ST-321 Lambda with Turr Phennir causing havoc and dodging arcs.

When it comes to reviewing other people's lists, though, one upgrade I very seldom see is Expert Handling. I get that some models are tailor-made to fit with certain upgrades, like Soontir Fel and PTL. However, on fairly high PS ships that will often be barrel rolling anyway, the ability to deny target locks from low-cost enemy ships seems pretty rock solid.

So what am I missing? I plan on playing the list as-is regardless, but I can only get a few games in each week so it might be some time before the inadequacy of Expert Handling really sets in so I'd like to get the community's response. Thanks!

it's usually better to pick up more actions or better attack power. Predator, swarm tactics, ptl, outmaneuvere are all epts that in most cases can be considered better.

with that said I like using it on x wings and falcons to help make them more slippery, and I think it'll have some merit on a Mara jade toting decimator

it's the fact that it takes up the EPT slot that's the real downfall. plus, if you've already got barrel roll, you're paying 2 points for just the ability to take away those target locks. it also takes away your action to use, so unless you've got PTL (and, oh, EH takes the EPT slot so you can't) you only get it's benefit on turns where you want to barrel roll.

the real benefit of that card is being able to give ships that can't already barrel roll that ability, but even then it still costs you a stress token.

I think it's because in a lot of cases better options exist for EPTs. I would definitely experiment putting it on Tycho with PtL and EI and the test pilot title of course. Pair him up with Jake Farrell and all of a sudden you have two barrel rolling and boosting A-wings who get to focus each round on top of that. And one who doesn't care about the stress he's accumulating. Now I really wanna fly a Tycho Jake and Keyan list..

engine upgrade is superior to expert handling but it costs 2 more points. on a falcon boosting without incurring stress lets it run away and fire at any pursuing ships, it also lets it arc jump, especially in the end game. expert handling has gone out of favour a bit, i remember when it was used lots of a named firespray pilot but the shift in the meta towards higher PS has pushed it down the list of upgrades u take.

Now I really wanna fly a Tycho Jake and Keyan list..

That's what I ran at last night's tournament. Plus a prototype. It was a lot of fun.

I think it may have a home on awing test pilots that can take 2 epts

Remember that if the ship already has Barrel Roll, Expert Handling does not cause stress, so it won't trigger Fel's ability.

I've had success with X-Wings pairing Expert Handling with a R2 Astromech, and it's also useful to give large ships Barrel Roll, but it's very situational on anything else.

Put it on a high PS Firespray. You will love it. For some reason barrel rolling out of firing arcs and having a rear arc is just an amazing combo.

You need to do it before Wave V is released because they are changing the rules for how big ships barrel roll. It will still be good, just not as good.

I used to see it pretty often on falcons and firesprays, but I think engine upgrade has overtaken it, especially with the new barrel roll rules for large ships.

Expert Handling recently got nerfed.
It used to treat Large Ships and Small Ships equally, but now you've got to use the 1 template sideways on the Large ships.

This is largely because, on Large Ships, a regular-rules Barrel-Roll would actually take you from Range 4 to Range 1, at the ideal angle.

That being said, Barrel-Roll is one of the best actions in the game, even while stressful and taking your EPT slot. It's just that A) there are incredible options at just 1 point more, and B) People undervalue point-of-choice maneuverability, which is where Barrel-Rolls truly shine.

When Experimental Interface comes out, I intend to try EH on Carnor Jax. Denying Focus, Evade, and Target Locks seems pretty good.

The other issue worth considering is that it isn't super easy for a low PS ship to effectively target lock higher PS ships, especially if they are doing it for ordnance purposes. If you've got a high-PS pilot closing with a lower PS ship that is likely to target lock you, just make sure that you take the move that closes to within Range 3, not them.

Because they move first, and aren't in target lock range following their move, they've got to do something else (which really stinks for ordnance carriers). Then, you close into attack range and can shoot them without fear of their ordnance.

The other important thing to remember is that you'll have plenty of games where the opponent never wants to take a target lock - two points is a lot to spend on a lock-shedding ability you won't reliably use.

Expert handling is probably the EPT I'll be using on Wedge in future games... but as others have said the fact that it needs high PS and takes up your EPT makes it situational.

Then again you'll find there's a lot of that in this game. The effectiveness of everything is situational.

Oh and also, it probably doesn't help that Veteran Instincts is a point cheaper than Expert Handling.

It used to be the go to EPT for Kath in the infamous Scarlet Cowgirl list. It's recently been nerfed and, when combined with powerful action free EPT's like Predator, it's fallen out of favor a bit as of late.

At release, when BR was less of an option and TL was still seen as a good option it had a lot of power. With the new nerf I don't think it should cause stress at all. BR is powerful but giving up an EPT for it AND paying 2 pts AND getting a stress for it isn't really worth it anymore.

I never use in a game, greettings.

When Experimental Interface comes out, I intend to try EH on Carnor Jax. Denying Focus, Evade, and Target Locks seems pretty good.

Now THAT is my kind of ship.

A little too popular, considering it kinda sucks. =P

Its mostly a problems of opportunity cost

My friend picks it wayy too often. Can't seem to get him to understand that having two stresses and no focus and being R2 for an attack is not better than being R3 for his shot with a focus.

Put it on a high PS Firespray. You will love it. For some reason barrel rolling out of firing arcs and having a rear arc is just an amazing combo.

You need to do it before Wave V is released because they are changing the rules for how big ships barrel roll. It will still be good, just not as good.

They changed the rules back in August.

Tycho + PTL + expert handling + awing test pilot = cool

Tycho + PTL + expert handling + awing test pilot = cool

Add EI when wave 5 drops for true insanity.

Wedge+Expert Handling+Generic R2 astromech

Improved movement and positioning! And thanks to the, still the best astromech in the game, R2 you shed stress easily.