I think this list is going to be pretty strong:

6x Rebel Operative

96 points. More HP than a dual Falcon list and throws just as many attack dice. It's PS2 so it shoots before a standard Imperial swarm. You can get initiative against Rebel Swarms to ensure you can remove threats. When in range one, it Doubles (!!) its attack dice.

I don't know if it's just that he's naturally a soft spoken individual, or if there is an equipment issue, but it's always so difficult to hear Theorist. It sounds like he's at 1/3 volume compared to to rest of you. If it's possible to play with the sound levels on the next podcast I'd be especially grateful. I always enjoy hearing his thoughts on anything relating to this game.

Also, welcome back froggie!

Great as usual, just sad that I havn't earned my name on the podcast in awhile now...I can do better! I'm so ashamed.

As much as I love the new A's I don't see an A and 1-2 Z's having enough firepower moving forward. I've said it before and I'll say it again later, but the 2 red ship is in trouble. HP are up, and where they aren't, defense is. We're looking into a future of falcons that can shrug off 2-4 damage (I think there is a theoretical 5 out there) a turn, Bwings that can now C3po AND/or Jan, more ships with shields, and most 2 dice ships are "missile carriers" and neither missiles or torps aren't catching fire.

Jake can PTL and outmaneuver AND there are enough 1 defense ships that are popular to still put down some hurt but he's working for it (much like interceptors always have). Gemmer looks sooo fun but I don't know if be can really compete at his points. Refit greens are still maybes and I don't know if protos at 15 are really better than bandits at 12 (or talas); 4-9 pts difference is enough to change build options. I don't think anyone forgot to post:

5x refit prototypes

2x bandits

For a reason.

The sad part is I feel like I'd be good at that list

I'll be posting more submitted squads today hopefully we can get more of a discussion going. Rakky you need to get over to TC and hang with the people there. Much more brass tacks and no pointless threads.

This is a pretty popular build submitted by Erik Gudmudson via Email.

Lists with Etahn take some nerves of steel to play because he consumes so many points. Generally Etahn lists have not fared very well in tournaments, probably because of the Phantom issues that you mention. But against a Falcon and Swarm heavy meta it might do OK. I like this build because Tarn + R7 = great damage output and he's also a tank. You really need at least two 3-dice ships in a 5 ship Rebel build, and not one that dies in the first round, so Tarn is a great fit here. Personally, I would give Etahn R2-D2 instead of R2 and Advanced Sensors, but I can see the benefit in both.

I love your analysis of Howlrunner. That's how I've felt since Wave 1, but everyone always takes her. I learned you just spend a lot of points for a ship that dies fast.

Howl CAN be good... but she gets burnt down so fast that it's usually not worth it. I think there's a calculation of how many shots she has to make a hit for her to be worth it. Where's MajorJuggler or VorpalSword when we need them?

Either way even if things go perfectly for her I think Backstabber steals the show efficiency wise.

Yes, I agree, but on these forums and when talking to people in real life it just seems that everyone thinks the world of Howlrunner and she's always an auto-include. I've just found she's not worth her points, in my humble opinion. It's just refreshing to hear other people who are respected in the community to voice the same opinion. I haven't heard anyone say the same in a long while.

Lists with Etahn take some nerves of steel to play because he consumes so many points. Generally Etahn lists have not fared very well in tournaments, probably because of the Phantom issues that you mention. But against a Falcon and Swarm heavy meta it might do OK. I like this build because Tarn + R7 = great damage output and he's also a tank. You really need at least two 3-dice ships in a 5 ship Rebel build, and not one that dies in the first round, so Tarn is a great fit here. Personally, I would give Etahn R2-D2 instead of R2 and Advanced Sensors, but I can see the benefit in both.

As the lynchpin in the list I feel like Etahn needs to always be focus/Evaded to avoid taking fire. Sensors and R2 lets you do that almost for forever regardless of blocking.

The sad part is I feel like I'd be good at that list

It's a fun list, yes...competitive list? Probably not. Good list? Brings out my inner interceptor pilot: all indeed to do is keep half my ships out of arcs and not roll all blanks! Means it's twice as good, right?

I'll be posting more submitted squads today hopefully we can get more of a discussion going. Rakky you need to get over to TC and hang with the people there. Much more brass tacks and no pointless threads.

Maybe I will. This forum is in a much better place lately. I don't know if I can keep up with BOTH. I have an account a d everything, just haven't used it much since I went from 30hoirs of work to 60.

Rakky Wistol from the FFG forums submitted the following:

Rex + Vi + Hull

Jendon + FCS + Weapons Engineer

Backstabber

Academy Tie

The Good:

I get Jendon here. Throw the TL to Backstabber or Rex and profit. Rex is your phantom Hunter. Backstabber is still hyper efficient.

The Bad:

I am not in love with PS 10 without engine or turret vs phantom. Jendon likely will not often be within range 2 of the ships he wants to hand TLs to.

I like this for this archetype:

97 points

Pilots

------

Academy Pilot (12)

Backstabber (16)

Rexler Brath (42)

TIE Defender (37), Veteran Instincts (1), Engine Upgrade (4)

Omicron Group Pilot (27)

Lambda-Class Shuttle (21), Fire-Control System (2), Engine Upgrade (4)

Last 3 points can be spent on the following: Night Beast, Rebel Captive, Fleet Officer, Mara Jade.

You can also HLC Rexler and go FCS Shuttle.

I like the Defender but I feel like they are over costed, and I don't think we have the cards yet to make Rexler sing. Right now he just sort of feels okay to me. If he's your Phantom hunter then you have to have engine on him. While I get the idea of Jendon in this list I don't think he will be as useful. I would much rather have the ST-321 Title then the Weapon Engineer. At least this way you can set up Rex better. It just seems a little clunky to get all the parts to line up just right.

You could try this,

Rex + VI + EU

Soontir + PTL

Doomshuttle

96pts you could give Soontir a TC or just save it. All of these ships are good targets.

Rakky Wistol from the FFG forums submitted the following:

Rex + Vi + Hull

Jendon + FCS + Weapons Engineer

Backstabber

Academy Tie

The Good:

I get Jendon here. Throw the TL to Backstabber or Rex and profit. Rex is your phantom Hunter. Backstabber is still hyper efficient.

The Bad:

I am not in love with PS 10 without engine or turret vs phantom. Jendon likely will not often be within range 2 of the ships he wants to hand TLs to.

I like this for this archetype:

97 points

Pilots

------

Academy Pilot (12)

Backstabber (16)

Rexler Brath (42)

TIE Defender (37), Veteran Instincts (1), Engine Upgrade (4)

Omicron Group Pilot (27)

Lambda-Class Shuttle (21), Fire-Control System (2), Engine Upgrade (4)

Last 3 points can be spent on the following: Night Beast, Rebel Captive, Fleet Officer, Mara Jade.

You can also HLC Rexler and go FCS Shuttle.

I like the Defender but I feel like they are over costed, and I don't think we have the cards yet to make Rexler sing. Right now he just sort of feels okay to me. If he's your Phantom hunter then you have to have engine on him. While I get the idea of Jendon in this list I don't think he will be as useful. I would much rather have the ST-321 Title then the Weapon Engineer. At least this way you can set up Rex better. It just seems a little clunky to get all the parts to line up just right.

You could try this,

Rex + VI + EU

Soontir + PTL

Doomshuttle

96pts you could give Soontir a TC or just save it. All of these ships are good targets.

Or shield upgrade.

I've run it twice: 1-1

First with just destroyed a rebel swarm.

2nd went to time with Rex at 3hp vs. Han with no shields.

I don't think the defenders are quite there. I really want to like them but without boost AND evade they just don't defend quite well enough and the dial is just restrictive enough to matter. Close but just doesn't cut it me thinks.

I think cedeing PS and taking Vess then dropping to OGP will work better and more often. Not sure what to do with all those "free" points.

Can you guys work on your mic levels? Some of you are loud while others I can barely hear.

I've run it twice: 1-1

First with just destroyed a rebel swarm.

2nd went to time with Rex at 3hp vs. Han with no shields.

I don't think the defenders are quite there. I really want to like them but without boost AND evade they just don't defend quite well enough and the dial is just restrictive enough to matter. Close but just doesn't cut it me thinks.

I think cedeing PS and taking Vess then dropping to OGP will work better and more often. Not sure what to do with all those "free" points.

Defender not defensive enough? I see what you did there

Just listened to the podcast and really enjoyed it but there are differing sound recording levels between each presenter. Kelvan seems to be really loud, Theorist is really quiet, Mr Froggies seems to be the middle ground with Sable coming on the quiet to middle range.

Can you please equalise the recordings out so Kelvan does come back into the conversation so load it makes my ears hurt.

Apart form that keep up the great work, I look forward to your podcasts.

gr8 work guys. Really enjoying reading the posts made here. More quality discussion is whats needed on these forums and u guys are leading the way.

That is one of the big bonuses of the podcast...I'd like them all to be spaced out so that when news drops we get a longer length of quality discussion.

To the Defender: I anticipate a combo that will make them viable will come out because they are definitely not tie advanced bad. They are like early shuttle bad... always an upgrade away from being good (but much less explosive upgrade slots). Their ceiling is lower but their floor is higher.

Just listened to the podcast and really enjoyed it but there are differing sound recording levels between each presenter. Kelvan seems to be really loud, Theorist is really quiet, Mr Froggies seems to be the middle ground with Sable coming on the quiet to middle range.

Can you please equalise the recordings out so Kelvan does come back into the conversation so load it makes my ears hurt.

Apart form that keep up the great work, I look forward to your podcasts.

Yeah I completely agree. I'm working on my editing skills.

gr8 work guys. Really enjoying reading the posts made here. More quality discussion is whats needed on these forums and u guys are leading the way.

Bomber I was hoping for a squadron of yours. Our team covenant page has more discussion than this thread.

That is one of the big bonuses of the podcast...I'd like them all to be spaced out so that when news drops we get a longer length of quality discussion.

To the Defender: I anticipate a combo that will make them viable will come out because they are definitely not tie advanced bad. They are like early shuttle bad... always an upgrade away from being good (but much less explosive upgrade slots). Their ceiling is lower but their floor is higher.

the defender is a solid ship. its a little underrated actually. defensively is about as tough as a firespray to take down - 3 green dice with 3 shields is hard to take down. the name pilots are expensive tho so its hard to build it into a competitive squad. its time to shine will come in time as ppl play it more as see how good it really is.

gr8 work guys. Really enjoying reading the posts made here. More quality discussion is whats needed on these forums and u guys are leading the way.

Bomber I was hoping for a squadron of yours. Our team covenant page has more discussion than this thread.

haha, iv been a little busy lately but ill step up to the plate and post a few lists when i find the time iv been helping a friend test some defender squads for a local tourney... still tinkering... if we crack the code and come up with something innovative that can actually win in the meta ill let you know

I will be posting the other squads we received here for discussion because there were many many squads I want to cover and I want to cover them before worlds.

Lets start with Sable's squad.

My Thoughts:

The good:

Tankalicious. This will be a MOV monster. Serious candidate to see top 16 in any flight.

The Bad:

I would prefer Hull over stealth. If there were a way to get engine on Chewbacca I'd like that as well, heck i might prefer it over stealth/hull in Gemmer and Falcon title. Additionally this is lacking a little firepower in only 3 ships, especially with one being an A wing.

Your thoughts?

Any droid capable ship will pack R3 A2 and that is what is going to be required to stop Engine Upgrade on Falcons ( or else the tried and true blocker is needed). A PTL Chewie is in for a hell of a day when he meets up with that droid! Full action denial for 2 pts. Sign me up for some of that.

That is one of the big bonuses of the podcast...I'd like them all to be spaced out so that when news drops we get a longer length of quality discussion.

To the Defender: I anticipate a combo that will make them viable will come out because they are definitely not tie advanced bad. They are like early shuttle bad... always an upgrade away from being good (but much less explosive upgrade slots). Their ceiling is lower but their floor is higher.

the defender is a solid ship. its a little underrated actually. defensively is about as tough as a firespray to take down - 3 green dice with 3 shields is hard to take down. the name pilots are expensive tho so its hard to build it into a competitive squad. its time to shine will come in time as ppl play it more as see how good it really is.

I actually really like 3 defenders with ion.

Set up sideways and k turn until the enemy comes to you. I've walked Fat Han off the board that way.