Just played a couple games against my friend, XXBB vs. TIE Swarm (Howl + 4x 3-PS TIEs) + Soontir.

My two B-Wings were both like this:

2-PS B-Wing + Advanced sensors + Engine Upgrade

I found both B-Wings to be rather useless. I used Advanced Sensors and Engine Upgrade to do some arc-dodging but the sheer number of TIEs meant it was possible to dodge some but not all of their arcs. The B-Wings' low PS coupled with their weak agility and lack of Evade means that they are very easy to kill. One of them got killed in the first turn before it could even do anything. The other got killed shortly thereafter.

So, I am wondering, do low PS B-Wings stink? Or am I just not using them correctly?

Prior to RA Blues and Daggers were pretty much the only B-wings.

Not sure you need Engine Upgrade on those.

There are bad matchups for them but they're solid dogfighters.

Low PS is the only way to get your 4 B-wing squadron. B-wings only cost 1 more point than an X-wing.

Now I don't think it is the low PS that hurts B-wings as much as the low agility which will hurt it more. However that is how B-wing are designed and the high hit point tight maneuvering B-wings did dominate a little before Wave 4.

There seemed to be a fair number of Blues at Worlds, especially given the current meta. So, it's a hard case to make that they stink.

XXBB with adv. sensors (PS 4) on the B-Wings taking a championship. Similar list to yours. You may want to watch this for pointers, advanced sensors were really utilizing the asteroids to help bust up the imperial formations.

Keep flying em and just remember to avoid as many arcs as possible. They are solid ships just gotta keep at it.

XXBB with adv. sensors (PS 4) on the B-Wings taking a championship. Similar list to yours. You may want to watch this for pointers, advanced sensors were really utilizing the asteroids to help bust up the imperial formations.

Thanks for the video. I'll watch it when I have some time. Are there any other videos available that show championship-level games being played? I did a Youtube search recently but was unable to find any.

Go with Heavy laser cannons and keep them at the back, range 3, 4 dice, theyre not going to last long against a concentrated force such as a Tie Swarm, I only close in with them after the initial approach is over formations are splitting up

Or use some of the named pilots, Keyan with Fire Control System, HLC and opportunist (stress to roll an additional attack dice if no focus or evade token on the defender - then spend the stress on the attack to clear it)

The stock barrel-roll with Advanced Sensors should give you enough of an ability to arc dodge that the 4 points per ship for Engine Upgrade could probably be put to better use elsewhere.

I'm really thinking your weakness here was that all of the enemies were higher PS than your B wings. But, B wings are powerful knife fighters and are quite cost efficient compared to their durability. It was noted above that before Rebel Aces, genetic B wings were the only ones ever played.

PS2 B-wings don't really need Engine Upgrades to shine. The damage potential they have when coupled with FCS is really what helps them shine. I used to play XXBB very often ( 2 Reds, 2 Daggers) and I found that putting my X-wings out in front allowed the B-wings to last longer because people loved shooting at the X's. Considering most swarms tend to be played with Howl+ obsidians or APs, you will have a better chance of getting shots off at them ( even killing Howlrunner) before they can stick damage on you. Engine upgrade is a little less useful on B-wing pilots who can't PTL, especially if you are trying to dodge arcs. Just my two cents.

Just you. Four B's sting.

I played 4 blues and a Bandit in our last store tournament and took first. The B-wing is hands down my favorite ship.

Low ps b-wings are fine they are tough enough to survive some incoming fire and have the fire power to repay the debt, just keep em cheap and cheerful.

Point for point, I personally think B-Wings are the best ship in the game. TIE Fighters come in second, and then you have daylight third.

I love B-Wings... I think they should have their own game.

Engine upgrade is too much of a points sink on Blue Squadrons. Granted it's fantastic fun but they won't be competitive often enough.

Someone else mentioned Heavy Laser Canons and again, while fun they never quite cracked the meta at Nationals or Worlds if I recall.

At one time 2 blues w/ HLC and 2 rookies (aka Blue Thunder) was a thing but got immediately trumped by the 2 AS Daggers and 2 Red X's list (aka Bloody Daggers).

I Love PTL and EU on Keyan for loads of fun but I don't think he is very competitive.

Naked Blue Squadrons can be very strong ships in a 4 ship Rebel build. You start adding too many toys and you price yourself out of being competitive.

Blue's and daggers are incredibly good. TIE swarms are kind of their natural predator though.

They're really good and really powerful. Sorry it's just you. Maybe they don't fit you.

Pair some low PS BWings with a Hwk and you can upgrade them to 12 on the fly - then they become a little more mean

I just won our local store tourney yesterday with the following

3x Blue Squadron

Fire control system

2x Prototype Pilot

Chard refit

Just remember, you will incur loses...but take the hits and use the B's to hammer the high PS pilots and than work on lower PS ships

Low PS B wings are still to be feared causes its 8hp and throwing minimum 3 dice

I just won our local store tourney yesterday with the following

3x Blue Squadron

Fire control system

2x Prototype Pilot

Chard refit

That's a 102 point list.

Even without any upgrades a B-wing is a sollid ship.

Just don't fly it at the front of your squad, full speed, into a swarm. That's where your one AG will fail you and your hitpoints fade away like snow in summer.

My bad, only 2 B wings had FCS free from the Chards (blasted whiskey not letting me think straight completely lol)

Think of them as your Flying Pillboxes...let the enemies come to you, use terrain to help protect you and make your opponent respect their durability and firepower

If using multiple Blues or even Daggers, expect to least lose minimum 1 a game, but make that be equal on the other side of the scoresheet