I've been thinking about flying the following list:

(42) Horton w/ ICT + PT + Engine + R2-D2

(33) Wedge w/ PTL + R2

(25) Biggs

A few thoughts:

I know Predator is much more popular on Wedge (and less costly than R2+PTL) but I don't have a Predator card, and I don't like to proxy if I can help it. I've had good success with R2+PTL Wedge anyway -- the focus lock / -1 agility combo is devastating. But everyone already knows Wedge is awesome.

I know ordinance doesn't generally get a lot of love, but Horton is built for Proton Torpedoes. His ability lets him re-roll any blanks at Range 2-3, and Proton Torpedoes change a focus to a crit, so there's a decent chance for 4 hits. That combined with Wedge and hopefully Biggs getting a chance to throw in three red dice makes for a solid alpha strike.

After that, Biggs dies quickly, Wedge hopefully lands a few more big hits before dying, which leaves me with the point of the list: end-game Horton.

I love this version of Horton in the end game. He regenerates shields, dodges arcs with Engine, and re-rolls any blanks from his Ion Turret at Range 2.

I don't think this could ever be a top-level competitive list, but I mostly only play in casual to semi-competitive games with my friends. We fly what we think sounds fun, and the above list sounds pretty fun to me.

Thoughts?

I like it

I like the idea, but a couple of points/suggestions:

1: There's not much green on Horton's dial to exploit R2-D2 with - only 1 and 2 straight.

2: If Horton is boosting, he's not target lock or focusing.

3: PtL is overkill on Wedge unless he's running an Engine Upgrade, as you only have Focus and Target Lock to choose from.

I would suggest a couple of little changes (if you have the cards available):

Horton, Proton Torpedos, Ion Cannon Turret, R7-T1

Wedge, Predator, R2-D2

Biggs

2 points left - either give Horton Flechette Torpedos as well as Protons, or an R7 for Biggs to help him be annoying a little bit longer...

Horton has an awesome ability to make Proton Torps efficient. Adding R2-D6 and allowing him to take an EPT like Marksmanship or PTL helps ensure that those focus eyes turn into crits and hits. R2-D2 is great, but increasing the damage output for Horton should be what drives making him fat. Also, running three kitted out Y's against Phantom+ACD can be a thing too.

A couple weeks ago, I took:

41 point Horton+2xPT+munitions failsafe+Ion Cannon Turret+R2-D6+Determination

33 point Dutch+2xFlechette Torpedo+Munitions Failsafe+Ion Cannon Turret

26 point Gold Sqd+FlechetteTorpedo+Munitions Failsafe+Ion Cannon Turret

This performed very well against a Phantom and it's four ship support swarm. With Horton and Dutch having two torpedoes each, they dished out more than they took per turn and if the enemies got too close, they were hit with Ion. Interesting to note, while a Phantom can decloak with a stress, it will not be able to recloak unless that stress is removed. FlechetteTorpedoes and Munitions Failsafe is the key. Either the Phantom gets hit and stressed or just stressed while cloaked creating awesome follow up shots for the next turn. That is if the Phantom didn't already get Nuked by Horton and his Torpedoes. Be warned though, a swarm greater than 6 can cut this list to pieces, so it's more of a casual list than tournament ready.

I agree with PTL being overkill on Wedge. Unfortunately, I don't have Predator...

As for Horton not being able to focus or TL, his ability allows him to re-roll blanks, which mitigates, to a degree, the need for an offensive action. So, the idea with R2-D2 is to do a green 1-bank, boost to complete a hard turn (ideally, out of arc) and then rely on Horton's ability for offense with the ion shot.

R2-D2 is great, but increasing the damage output for Horton should be what drives making him fat. Also, running three kitted out Y's against Phantom+ACD can be a thing too.

Great point. I think I'll consider dropping R2-D2 for another torpedo. I love the three Y-wing list. As a huge OT Star Wars fan, I used to think Y-wings were a joke (compared, of course, to the much cooler X-wing), but I love Y-wings in this game.

I agree with PTL being overkill on Wedge. Unfortunately, I don't have Predator...

As for Horton not being able to focus or TL, his ability allows him to re-roll blanks, which mitigates, to a degree, the need for an offensive action. So, the idea with R2-D2 is to do a green 1-bank, boost to complete a hard turn (ideally, out of arc) and then rely on Horton's ability for offense with the ion shot.

Unfortunately, Y-Wings don't have a green 1-bank - they only have two green moves, the 1 straight and 2 straight.

It's hard to make other suggestions without knowing what cards you have available, but if you're taking PtL on Wedge then he might appreciate the Engine Upgrade a bit more than Horton - boost into range one, focus/target lock, one shot kill.

Maybe:

Horton, Ion Turret, Proton

Wedge, Engine Upgrade, R2, PtL

Biggs, R2-D2?

Biggs draws fire for longer, Wedge is a killing machine and Horton does what Horton does

R2-D2 is great, but increasing the damage output for Horton should be what drives making him fat. Also, running three kitted out Y's against Phantom+ACD can be a thing too.

Great point. I think I'll consider dropping R2-D2 for another torpedo. I love the three Y-wing list. As a huge OT Star Wars fan, I used to think Y-wings were a joke (compared, of course, to the much cooler X-wing), but I love Y-wings in this game.

Horton Salm (25)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

R7-T1 (3)

Experimental Interface (3)

Total: 40

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

The real Fat Horton, uses R7-T1 to Tl + boost, then uses EI to focus, making him a deadly torp launcher.

R2-D2 is great, but increasing the damage output for Horton should be what drives making him fat. Also, running three kitted out Y's against Phantom+ACD can be a thing too.

Great point. I think I'll consider dropping R2-D2 for another torpedo. I love the three Y-wing list. As a huge OT Star Wars fan, I used to think Y-wings were a joke (compared, of course, to the much cooler X-wing), but I love Y-wings in this game.

I thought Y-wings were a joke too and when I told my buddy I would run that as a joke against his Phantom list, I expected to get mashed on. When it cleared the board of his ships, nether of us could stop laughing at how wrong we were. The follow up game was against a swarm. While 1v1 the Y-wing (Horton in particular) is a beast, the swarm basically swept them off in 4 or 5 turns of blocking/firing out of the Y-wings arc, negating the torps.

Why does everyone think Y-wings are a joke?? Sure in the 1st movie you see 3 get shotdown, but you also see 6 X-wings get shot down. In the 3rd movie, you see Ys and As blowing up Ties on Wedge's tail.

So, the idea with R2-D2 is to do a green 1-bank, boost to complete a hard turn (ideally, out of arc) and then rely on Horton's ability for offense with the ion shot.

Unfortunately, Y-Wings don't have a green 1-bank - they only have two green moves, the 1 straight and 2 straight.

Crud -- I totally forgot about the lack of green banks... All right, time to rethink.

Horton Salm (25)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

R7-T1 (3)

Experimental Interface (3)

Total: 40

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

The real Fat Horton, uses R7-T1 to Tl + boost, then uses EI to focus, making him a deadly torp launcher.

Yeah, that's more like it!

R2-D2 is great, but increasing the damage output for Horton should be what drives making him fat. Also, running three kitted out Y's against Phantom+ACD can be a thing too.

Great point. I think I'll consider dropping R2-D2 for another torpedo. I love the three Y-wing list. As a huge OT Star Wars fan, I used to think Y-wings were a joke (compared, of course, to the much cooler X-wing), but I love Y-wings in this game.

I thought Y-wings were a joke too and when I told my buddy I would run that as a joke against his Phantom list, I expected to get mashed on. When it cleared the board of his ships, nether of us could stop laughing at how wrong we were. The follow up game was against a swarm. While 1v1 the Y-wing (Horton in particular) is a beast, the swarm basically swept them off in 4 or 5 turns of blocking/firing out of the Y-wings arc, negating the torps.

Why does everyone think Y-wings are a joke?? Sure in the 1st movie you see 3 get shotdown, but you also see 6 X-wings get shot down. In the 3rd movie, you see Ys and As blowing up Ties on Wedge's tail.

I think it's their appearance. X-wings are about the coolest looking fighters imaginable. Y-wings are...not.

So, the idea with R2-D2 is to do a green 1-bank, boost to complete a hard turn (ideally, out of arc) and then rely on Horton's ability for offense with the ion shot.

Unfortunately, Y-Wings don't have a green 1-bank - they only have two green moves, the 1 straight and 2 straight.

Crud -- I totally forgot about the lack of green banks... All right, time to rethink.

Horton Salm (25)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

R7-T1 (3)

Experimental Interface (3)

Total: 40

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

The real Fat Horton, uses R7-T1 to Tl + boost, then uses EI to focus, making him a deadly torp launcher.

Yeah, that's more like it!

R2-D2 is great, but increasing the damage output for Horton should be what drives making him fat. Also, running three kitted out Y's against Phantom+ACD can be a thing too.

Great point. I think I'll consider dropping R2-D2 for another torpedo. I love the three Y-wing list. As a huge OT Star Wars fan, I used to think Y-wings were a joke (compared, of course, to the much cooler X-wing), but I love Y-wings in this game.

I thought Y-wings were a joke too and when I told my buddy I would run that as a joke against his Phantom list, I expected to get mashed on. When it cleared the board of his ships, nether of us could stop laughing at how wrong we were. The follow up game was against a swarm. While 1v1 the Y-wing (Horton in particular) is a beast, the swarm basically swept them off in 4 or 5 turns of blocking/firing out of the Y-wings arc, negating the torps.

Why does everyone think Y-wings are a joke?? Sure in the 1st movie you see 3 get shotdown, but you also see 6 X-wings get shot down. In the 3rd movie, you see Ys and As blowing up Ties on Wedge's tail.

I think it's their appearance. X-wings are about the coolest looking fighters imaginable. Y-wings are...not.

Meh, I could care less for the look of X-wings (not bad, but I've seen better), I think Ys, As, and Es all look pretty predatorial.

R2-D2 is great, but increasing the damage output for Horton should be what drives making him fat. Also, running three kitted out Y's against Phantom+ACD can be a thing too.

Great point. I think I'll consider dropping R2-D2 for another torpedo. I love the three Y-wing list. As a huge OT Star Wars fan, I used to think Y-wings were a joke (compared, of course, to the much cooler X-wing), but I love Y-wings in this game.

I thought Y-wings were a joke too and when I told my buddy I would run that as a joke against his Phantom list, I expected to get mashed on. When it cleared the board of his ships, nether of us could stop laughing at how wrong we were. The follow up game was against a swarm. While 1v1 the Y-wing (Horton in particular) is a beast, the swarm basically swept them off in 4 or 5 turns of blocking/firing out of the Y-wings arc, negating the torps.

Why does everyone think Y-wings are a joke?? Sure in the 1st movie you see 3 get shotdown, but you also see 6 X-wings get shot down. In the 3rd movie, you see Ys and As blowing up Ties on Wedge's tail.

I think they are underestimated. I know I had them collecting dust for the longest time since the B-wing came out. Two attack dice seem to be the one thing that Rebel lists tend to ignore rather than the awesome ordnance platforms that the Y-wings are. The new bomb upgrade will definitely open up some more options but I still consider the Y second class to the X-wing, even fluff wise.

R2-D2 is great, but increasing the damage output for Horton should be what drives making him fat. Also, running three kitted out Y's against Phantom+ACD can be a thing too.

Great point. I think I'll consider dropping R2-D2 for another torpedo. I love the three Y-wing list. As a huge OT Star Wars fan, I used to think Y-wings were a joke (compared, of course, to the much cooler X-wing), but I love Y-wings in this game.

I thought Y-wings were a joke too and when I told my buddy I would run that as a joke against his Phantom list, I expected to get mashed on. When it cleared the board of his ships, nether of us could stop laughing at how wrong we were. The follow up game was against a swarm. While 1v1 the Y-wing (Horton in particular) is a beast, the swarm basically swept them off in 4 or 5 turns of blocking/firing out of the Y-wings arc, negating the torps.

Why does everyone think Y-wings are a joke?? Sure in the 1st movie you see 3 get shotdown, but you also see 6 X-wings get shot down. In the 3rd movie, you see Ys and As blowing up Ties on Wedge's tail.

I think they are underestimated. I know I had them collecting dust for the longest time since the B-wing came out. Two attack dice seem to be the one thing that Rebel lists tend to ignore rather than the awesome ordnance platforms that the Y-wings are. The new bomb upgrade will definitely open up some more options but I still consider the Y second class to the X-wing, even fluff wise.

I'd take a GSP + ICT over any X-wing, any day of the week, it's about board control, and with Phantoms flying around, that is more important than ever.

R2-D2 is great, but increasing the damage output for Horton should be what drives making him fat. Also, running three kitted out Y's against Phantom+ACD can be a thing too.

Great point. I think I'll consider dropping R2-D2 for another torpedo. I love the three Y-wing list. As a huge OT Star Wars fan, I used to think Y-wings were a joke (compared, of course, to the much cooler X-wing), but I love Y-wings in this game.

I thought Y-wings were a joke too and when I told my buddy I would run that as a joke against his Phantom list, I expected to get mashed on. When it cleared the board of his ships, nether of us could stop laughing at how wrong we were. The follow up game was against a swarm. While 1v1 the Y-wing (Horton in particular) is a beast, the swarm basically swept them off in 4 or 5 turns of blocking/firing out of the Y-wings arc, negating the torps.

Why does everyone think Y-wings are a joke?? Sure in the 1st movie you see 3 get shotdown, but you also see 6 X-wings get shot down. In the 3rd movie, you see Ys and As blowing up Ties on Wedge's tail.

I think they are underestimated. I know I had them collecting dust for the longest time since the B-wing came out. Two attack dice seem to be the one thing that Rebel lists tend to ignore rather than the awesome ordnance platforms that the Y-wings are. The new bomb upgrade will definitely open up some more options but I still consider the Y second class to the X-wing, even fluff wise.

I'd take a GSP + ICT over any X-wing, any day of the week, it's about board control, and with Phantoms flying around, that is more important than ever.

As much as control is now important, I find action denial and stress inducement from high PS X-wings even more so. Y-wings do great at disrupting Freedom of Maneuver while Wedge and Wes work great to punish those who follow the current Phantom/Fat Falcon Meta.

Horton Salm (25)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

R7-T1 (3)

Experimental Interface (3)

Total: 40

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

The real Fat Horton, uses R7-T1 to Tl + boost, then uses EI to focus, making him a deadly torp launcher.

One problem I could see here is that Horton may get too close to use his torps after the R7T1 boost, since he has to acquire the target lock on someone who has him in range 1-2 if he acquires a lock through R7-T's ability.

You could TL with a regular action and then only take the boost from R7T1, but it seems a little wasteful, and still might get you too close to your actual target. Engine upgrade + PTL might be better, since you can do both actions in any order.

Of course, after the torpedoes are spent, R7-T1 is good on any ICT y-wing, but ordnance (specifically proton torpedoes) is what Horton does best.

Horton Salm (25)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

R7-T1 (3)

Experimental Interface (3)

Total: 40

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

The real Fat Horton, uses R7-T1 to Tl + boost, then uses EI to focus, making him a deadly torp launcher.

One problem I could see here is that Horton may get too close to use his torps after the R7T1 boost, since he has to acquire the target lock on someone who has him in range 1-2 if he acquires a lock through R7-T's ability.

You could TL with a regular action and then only take the boost from R7T1, but it seems a little wasteful, and still might get you too close to your actual target. Engine upgrade + PTL might be better, since you can do both actions in any order.

Of course, after the torpedoes are spent, R7-T1 is good on any ICT y-wing, but ordnance (specifically proton torpedoes) is what Horton does best.

R7-T1's boost is optional, FAQ says you don't need it for the TL, so no worries there.

Why does everyone think Y-wings are a joke?? Sure in the 1st movie you see 3 get shotdown, but you also see 6 X-wings get shot down. In the 3rd movie, you see Ys and As blowing up Ties on Wedge's tail.

I think it's their appearance. X-wings are about the coolest looking fighters imaginable. Y-wings are...not.

Disagree. I think the Y-Wing looks kind of shark-like from the side. Meh, I've always preferred Ys over Xs.

I was thinking of taking Horton to a tournament coming up this weekend.

Horton hears some B's

Horton w/ R2-D6, VI, ICT, flechette torps

3 Blue squadron pilots

if nothing else I think it will be fun.

Horton is aggravating because he doesn't work with Blaster Turret without support. His ability lends well to using Focus... unless you use the only Focus token you can generate on making the attack.

Horton Salm (25)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

Flechette Torpedoes (2)

R7-T1 (3)

Experimental Interface (3)

Total: 40

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

The real Fat Horton, uses R7-T1 to Tl + boost, then uses EI to focus, making him a deadly torp launcher.

One problem I could see here is that Horton may get too close to use his torps after the R7T1 boost, since he has to acquire the target lock on someone who has him in range 1-2 if he acquires a lock through R7-T's ability.

You could TL with a regular action and then only take the boost from R7T1, but it seems a little wasteful, and still might get you too close to your actual target. Engine upgrade + PTL might be better, since you can do both actions in any order.

Of course, after the torpedoes are spent, R7-T1 is good on any ICT y-wing, but ordnance (specifically proton torpedoes) is what Horton does best.

R7-T1's boost is optional, FAQ says you don't need it for the TL, so no worries there.

Right, I know it's optional, I'm just saying that it may be less than optimal on Horton since he generally likes to keep his distance and launch torpedoes at people. If he uses R7-T1 he gets closer to any torpedo target he has, and it is unlikely he could make use of a TL from R7T1 for a torpedo shot (since that TL is on the ship that has him at R1-2 in arc). It would only be useful for arc-dodging and setting ICT shots.

Horton is great with torpedoes but is still expensive. The other problem is that it is easy to get out of Hortons firing arc or close in to range 1 where his torpedoes and abilities are useless. Not to mention many people make the mistake of putting only Ion Cannon Turret on Horton not realizing the range limitation on his ability which results in a lot of point efficiency loss.

But here would be my tricked out Horton builds

R2-D6 + Dead eye (so Horton can switch targets if needed), Proton Torpedoes x2 (because of massive damage output.) Ion Cannon Turret (only if points allow.

Now you can switch Proton Torpedoes for Flechet Torpedoes and switch the R2-D6 for R3-A2 and include the Ion Cannon. Shoot for a double stress, then Ion Zap them and hopefully stay at range 2. However when I am doing that I often prefer to use a gold pilot for this build or maybe even Dutch. All Horton would do is when I fire a flechet torpedo I can put some more damage before I Ion them to death.

Currently I just have a Horton with proton Torpedoes x2 in my squadron but that is because I didn't necessarily build my squadron around Horton but around Jan Ors w/Kyle Katan (crew). Horton is still a key component in my squadron I just can't trick him out and keep the other 2 players In my squadron, but he serves his role well as a range 3 sniper.

I think it's worth noting that R5-P9 from the transport pack is much better for Horton than R2-D2, if I want Horton to tank damage, R5-P9 is my go to droid. Unless he's firing torps (or boosting w/EU) he should be focusing and if you don't use the focus (dice being dice after all) you can turn it into a shield (assuming your enemy managed to hit the broad side of a barn).

I think it's worth noting that R5-P9 from the transport pack is much better for Horton than R2-D2, if I want Horton to tank damage, R5-P9 is my go to droid. Unless he's firing torps (or boosting w/EU) he should be focusing and if you don't use the focus (dice being dice after all) you can turn it into a shield (assuming your enemy managed to hit the broad side of a barn).

Now pairing it with Garven or Kyle Katan(pilot) would make great use of R5

-P9.