Now hopefully the M3-A preview won't be far behind, so we can get a good look on the new cannons (which I hope will give some additional rolls to fill for Defenders).

I'm afraid that until FFG re-evaluates some of their design decisions, and release ad-hoc upgrades for Defenders (most likely with the imperial huge), the only thing they will fill is unused cargo containers.

If they release a cannon that deals damage cards instead of stripping shields that would be a big boost to Defenders.

The Flechette Cannon appears to be a stress dealing version of Ion Cannon. The other one is a complete mystery, however. Mangler Cannon? Mando Cannon? Mango Cannon?

Meiloorun Canon

The Empire wanted them for something!

Now hopefully the M3-A preview won't be far behind, so we can get a good look on the new cannons (which I hope will give some additional rolls to fill for Defenders).

I'm afraid that until FFG re-evaluates some of their design decisions, and release ad-hoc upgrades for Defenders (most likely with the imperial huge), the only thing they will fill is unused cargo containers.

If they release a cannon that deals damage cards instead of stripping shields that would be a big boost to Defenders.

The Flechette Cannon appears to be a stress dealing version of Ion Cannon. The other one is a complete mystery, however. Mangler Cannon? Mando Cannon? Mango Cannon?

It's definitely Mango Cannon.

But I really like Defenders... I am sure I am in the minority but they are fun ships to fly. I know Alex said at GenCon that there are some upgrades coming out that he thinks will make the predator "fiercer".

I must say, Autothrusters makes me happy. It's useless on a Phantom, but brings Interceptors back into the game as major players.

I think I'll get 4 StarVipers ...

and be a part-time Black Sun pilot .... ^^

I'm back!!! And not a moment too soon. Vipers are cool, it will be interesting to see how to load them up, as they don't really have the maneuverability options for best PtL usage, yet the actions they can take will make it hard to resist. I really like Guri, with LW she could be a fun in-your-face flanker. Bodyguard on Leechy (the HWK pilot dude) would be pretty sweet too if played right. In fact, Leachy + Xizor could be pretty good if the opponent is packing evade tokens (steal an evade, if a hit goes through Xizor, pass it to Leachy who cancels it with his token[if that would work]).

if a hit goes through Xizor, pass it to Leachy who cancels it with his token[if that would work]).

It would not

Only the actual defender can use tokens or results to cancel hits. And even if he could, it would happen too late - you don't know if Xizor is hit (and therefore can't use his ability) until after dice have been compared and canceled.

if a hit goes through Xizor, pass it to Leachy who cancels it with his token[if that would work]).

It would not

Only the actual defender can use tokens or results to cancel hits. And even if he could, it would happen too late - you don't know if Xizor is hit (and therefore can't use his ability) until after dice have been compared and canceled.

Curses! Foiled again!!

I think Xizor should be paired with a low PS Y-Wing, as Y-Wings have 8 life (shields + hull).

Not quite as good a candidate for Push the Limit as the interceptor, because of its dial, but it will certainly find its place.

Dial is similar to the E-wing with the K-turns replaced by the left and right 3 S-loop.

Looks like enter sandman will work.

I think Xizor should be paired with a low PS Y-Wing, as Y-Wings have 8 life (shields + hull).

Already done:

[41] Xizor, PTL, AdvSens, AT, Virago

[22] N'dru Suhlak, Lone Wolf, Hull Upgrade

[19] Thug, Unhinged Astromech

[19] Thug, Unhinged Astromech

Thugs move early, so Xizor can adjust as necessary to have range 1 offloads that make him a better target than the Thugs, Suhlak is effectively a 22pt PS7 X-wing.

Interesting that the viper gets the S loop but not the K turn.

That will hurt them at times, particularly in asteroid fields or close to board edges. They'll only be 1 viable way to go and it will have you pointing in the wrong direction.

Overall, I think that it won't be that much harder to deal with. If you suspect the S loop you just try and position yourself to block one of the moves and fire at the other. Virago + AdvS will help a lot here.

Yes, I think I might have to get a few of these.

I think Xizor should be paired with a low PS Y-Wing, as Y-Wings have 8 life (shields + hull).

Already done:

[41] Xizor, PTL, AdvSens, AT, Virago

[22] N'dru Suhlak, Lone Wolf, Hull Upgrade

[19] Thug, Unhinged Astromech

[19] Thug, Unhinged Astromech

Thugs move early, so Xizor can adjust as necessary to have range 1 offloads that make him a better target than the Thugs, Suhlak is effectively a 22pt PS7 X-wing.

101 points...

I think Xizor should be paired with a low PS Y-Wing, as Y-Wings have 8 life (shields + hull).

Already done:

[41] Xizor, PTL, AdvSens, AT, Virago

[22] N'dru Suhlak, Lone Wolf, Hull Upgrade

[19] Thug, Unhinged Astromech

[19] Thug, Unhinged Astromech

Thugs move early, so Xizor can adjust as necessary to have range 1 offloads that make him a better target than the Thugs, Suhlak is effectively a 22pt PS7 X-wing.

101 points...

Not according to the squad builder I used, but I can doublecheck.

edit: oh whoops, Xizor's 40pts with that build, I think I had Inertial Dampeners on him while I was fiddling with Suhlak and forgot to remove it from the total.

Crazy idea, don't laugh. Okay, you can laugh if you want.

Xizor's ability makes opponents not want to shoot him, because he'll redirect damage anyway. Many have suggested loading him to the teeth to make him a huge threat, one your opponent simply can't ignore. I first thought of Opportunist, making his shots punishing. Then, I thought, how about Expose and experimental interface. I know. I know. You don't have to say it. But, also give him the title and advanced sensors and he'll rarely be stressed, he's a tantalizing, expensive target, his offense is buffed, and his agility reduced, do they might think it's more likely to get a damage on him.

Just a thought, likely a terrible one, but I'd like to hear some opinions. Sound off.

Crazy idea, don't laugh. Okay, you can laugh if you want.

Xizor's ability makes opponents not want to shoot him, because he'll redirect damage anyway. Many have suggested loading him to the teeth to make him a huge threat, one your opponent simply can't ignore. I first thought of Opportunist, making his shots punishing. Then, I thought, how about Expose and experimental interface. I know. I know. You don't have to say it. But, also give him the title and advanced sensors and he'll rarely be stressed, he's a tantalizing, expensive target, his offense is buffed, and his agility reduced, do they might think it's more likely to get a damage on him.

Just a thought, likely a terrible one, but I'd like to hear some opinions. Sound off.

And then use Guri and Bodyguard to offset Expose...

Guri + PTL + AutoTh

BS vigo

Paulob +Blaster + moldy

BS Soldier

Crazy idea, don't laugh. Okay, you can laugh if you want.

Xizor's ability makes opponents not want to shoot him, because he'll redirect damage anyway. Many have suggested loading him to the teeth to make him a huge threat, one your opponent simply can't ignore. I first thought of Opportunist, making his shots punishing. Then, I thought, how about Expose and experimental interface. I know. I know. You don't have to say it. But, also give him the title and advanced sensors and he'll rarely be stressed, he's a tantalizing, expensive target, his offense is buffed, and his agility reduced, do they might think it's more likely to get a damage on him.

Just a thought, likely a terrible one, but I'd like to hear some opinions. Sound off.

Interesting. Could backfire, but could be quite disruptive. It certainly is an interesting piece of psychological warfare if nothing else.

I think Xizor should be paired with a low PS Y-Wing, as Y-Wings have 8 life (shields + hull).

Already done:

[41] Xizor, PTL, AdvSens, AT, Virago

[22] N'dru Suhlak, Lone Wolf, Hull Upgrade

[19] Thug, Unhinged Astromech

[19] Thug, Unhinged Astromech

Thugs move early, so Xizor can adjust as necessary to have range 1 offloads that make him a better target than the Thugs, Suhlak is effectively a 22pt PS7 X-wing.

Nice. I think I'll try this sometime once Wave 6 comes out. I like how the Most Wanted pack comes with an extra Y-Wing dial that I could use to convert my Rebel Y-Wing into a Scum one.

Crazy idea, don't laugh. Okay, you can laugh if you want.

Xizor's ability makes opponents not want to shoot him, because he'll redirect damage anyway. Many have suggested loading him to the teeth to make him a huge threat, one your opponent simply can't ignore. I first thought of Opportunist, making his shots punishing. Then, I thought, how about Expose and experimental interface. I know. I know. You don't have to say it. But, also give him the title and advanced sensors and he'll rarely be stressed, he's a tantalizing, expensive target, his offense is buffed, and his agility reduced, do they might think it's more likely to get a damage on him.

Just a thought, likely a terrible one, but I'd like to hear some opinions. Sound off.

Crazy idea, don't laugh. Okay, you can laugh if you want.

Xizor's ability makes opponents not want to shoot him, because he'll redirect damage anyway. Many have suggested loading him to the teeth to make him a huge threat, one your opponent simply can't ignore. I first thought of Opportunist, making his shots punishing. Then, I thought, how about Expose and experimental interface. I know. I know. You don't have to say it. But, also give him the title and advanced sensors and he'll rarely be stressed, he's a tantalizing, expensive target, his offense is buffed, and his agility reduced, do they might think it's more likely to get a damage on him.

Just a thought, likely a terrible one, but I'd like to hear some opinions. Sound off.

And then use Guri and Bodyguard to offset Expose...

Assuming Guri with Bodyguard and Autothrusters the list ends up looking about like this:

[42] Xizor, Expose, Advanced Sensors, Experimental Interface, Virago

[34] Guri, Bodyguard, Autothrusters

24pts left. A big-stick HLC Scyk might do it(maybe Serissu with one of the alternate cannons for extra defense). Problem with that is you don't have a soak for Xizor. A pair of Binayres might do it, but I think (as it always seems with Xizor) that the Thug ends up being the best choice again, and that leaves you with 6pts of upgrades for it.

[24] Thug, Bomb Loadout, Proximity Mine, Autoblaster Turret, Unhinged Astromech, BTL-A4 Y-wing

Look about right? Green 3s give it excellent bombing positions as well as let it keep pace with the StarVipers, the title and turret add in a nasty punch (could drop the title but this is going to have to be a close-knit squid which means the Ys flanks should have plenty of coverage, making it easier to herd ships into the killspot).

I'm loving Guri, have to run her a few times. I was only going to grab one of these, but auto-thrusters (and 2 per set) means I want 2, just to get auto thrusters and accuracy correctors for other ships.

Technically, Guri is an "it"

Technically, Guri is an "it"

Tell Guri that ... she'll rip your face off.

Besides, no human woman could fight like she does in stilettos - believe me it isn't as easy as you think.

Technically, Guri is an "it"

Tell Guri that ... she'll rip your face off.

Besides, no human woman could fight like she does in stilettos - believe me it isn't as easy as you think.

It's a robot.

Technically, Guri is an "it"

Tell Guri that ... she'll rip your face off.

Besides, no human woman could fight like she does in stilettos - believe me it isn't as easy as you think.

You need to watch more Castle. Kate Beckett throws down while in stilettos and pant-suits.

I do need to watch more Castle .. but that's just because it's Castle....