Hello I have a fellow veteran friend that I just got him commited to playing X-Wing . He likes to play Rebels while im commited to the Empire so it works out great on the teams we play we are both stir crazy over the scum and villians faction that is soon to come out so we are both going to eventually play that faction ....but anyways back on topic.... He is just starting Rebels and only picked up the starter set and a Z-95 expansion....the guy loves his Z-95's and X-Wings. I think he is even considering getting the Falcon because im trying to talk him into getting a large ship so he can bringsomething big to the table to play against my new Decimator. after a conversation last night he is thinking on getting some more Z-95's or X-Wings is there any advice you can give on a good list build that runs Z-95's and X-Wings so he can bringba can of whoop ass to the table? I ask because i only dabble in the Empire and have no clue on building lists for Rebels and he's just getting commited to the game so he dosent really know all the ins and outs to building a list to play. Can anyone give some ideas on a list that can handle going against Decimator lists? Keep in mind he wants to play with Z-95's and X-Wings and he is even thinking about getting a Falcon eventually but for now ......Z-95's and X-Wings. Thanks

If he's going to want to fly a big bird, he's gonna have a lot easier time and a lot smaller bill buying the Outrider instead of the Falcon. Z-95s are a blast, but I'd consider having him get an E-wing just to have something heavier and both Corran Horn and Etahn A'baht are great solo pilots in formidable fighters. Run one of those guys or a decked out Outrider with a couple of Tala Squadron Z-95s or a couple of Rookie Pilot X-Wings and kick some tail. Just my opinion :-)

The bane of the decimators existence are swarms. So if he wants to use xwings and z's he might want to go for 2 rookie pilot xwings and 4 z95's he'll have 10 points left over for either upgrades (droids on xwings are great) or increasing pilot skill (again preferably on xwings). However he could opt for flying airen crackens z95 to give his ships free actions. Something along those lines would be good going against a decimator. Get those ships into range 1-2 and the decimator will be taking hit after hit.

I suggest that all new players check out my index thread that is pinned. The tournament results section has plenty of info if you want to netlist.

Do you require that you need original upgrade cards (other than pilot cards) or are proxies allowed for things like VI and Engine Upgrade?

Or are you going to pool upgrade resources? May you use his Decoy and Munitions Failsafe and he your Swarm Tactics?

This would impact a possible buying priority.

Either way, three X-Wings and a couple of Z's could benefit from Etahn in his E-Wing, or serve as decoys for Corran in his.

Perhaps you can find someone (a modder for instance) with spare X-Wing pilots, torpedoes and astromechs to complement his stock.

A Falcon might be hard to come by for a while, so don't hold your breath.

I used to run b, x, x, z , z, z, and do rather well. Its a basic rebel swarm list and gives you lots of pilot skill 2 choices. I highly recommend it.you could just run a third x I suppose but that isn't how I did it. Good luck.

I'll echo the vs. Decimator sentiments by adding an E-Wing specifically Etahn. His Crit-Converter makes the Decimator's high Hull value more likely to draw a Direct Hit critical.

----

Etahn A'baht — E-Wing 32
Draw Their Fire 1
Fire-Control System 2
R2-D2 4

Biggs Darklighter — X-Wing 25

Bandit Squadron Pilot — Z-95 Headhunter 12 (x3)

Or drop biggs and the upgrades for Cracken/Rookies

Have a look at this for 100 points;

Hobbie ((25+2)

R3-A2

Biggs (25+3+3)

R2-F2

Experimental Interface (may need to proxy card unless he wants the YT-2400 for a large base ship)

Rookie (21)

Airen Cracken (19+2)

Swarm Tactics

This gives him a 4 ship list with a bit of synergy. The idea is to keep Biggs at the rear with his R2-F2 extra Agility and a focus and have Airen give the Rookie his PS and a free action so it can fire before the others with a focus and target lock. Alternatively you could have Hobbie use the PS to stress a target (say a phantom) so it cant perform free actions (like cloak after an attack)...

There are a few threads that will give him guides on how to fly in formation so he can make the most of the range 1 synergy goodness.

Zs in numbers tear apart Decimators. Their inability to cancel damage dice (0 agility) means you can layer on damage rolls with very good results (whereas ships would agility get to roll defense dice against each attack).

X-wings, in general, are not too great. There are a few stand-out pilots, some of them + some real great astromechs locked away in the Transport expansion, but their generics I've found to be incredibly underwhelming. Against large turreted ships specifically, I find they just don't have the raw stats to stand against the bull that is a 360 degree field of fire. This is especially if you're trying to rock expensive monsters like Wedge, who murder everything when flown well but don't have the cost --> stat efficiency to stand up to a ship that can always fire back.

Now, Luke Skywaker might have what it takes to stand against them given his defensive ability, but I havn't put him on the table yet. The recent release of the YT-2400 brought with it the upgrade "Lone Wolf" which synergizes very well with his ability.

Biggs also is one of the most influential pilots in the game, and there are tricks for keeping him at range 3 of the enemy while still protecting the majority of your squad. Him with Zs would have an incredible first round of fire on decimators.

I will also echo the sentiment that Eathn is a boss. He and Airen Cracken (Z-95 pilot) get along stupendously well, what with the E-wing's stacked action bar and Airen's higher PS.

Have a look at this for 100 points;

Hobbie ((25+2)

R3-A2

Biggs (25+3+3)

R2-F2

Experimental Interface (may need to proxy card unless he wants the YT-2400 for a large base ship)

.

He'll also need to proxy both Hobbie and his droid unless he buys a transport right off the bat.

I mean, considering the world champion list is a Fat Han 3zs, I think hes gonna be fine.

Han

Luke crew

C3po: can also use Chewbacca, take a point off somewhere else.

Millienium Falcon title

Engine Upgrade

Choice of EPT: Veteran Instincts or Predator or Marksmanship

3 Bandits Z

Thanks for all the replies so far. After further talking to my friend today he is set on just using X-Wings And Z-95's for now so i guess gear replies to effective builds using just those ships.

XXXZZZ is a very viable list if those are his favorite ships. And you can easily drop one of each to add in a YT1300 or 2400.

It's a bleeding liberty that no-one has cared to mention the honest-to-goodness-dyed-in-the-wool workhorse of the rebel fighter fleet.

The Y-Wing

The Gold Squadron, Ion Cannon Turret, R2 astromech combo is just about the most fun you can have for 24 points

Dutch and Garven (X-Wing) are made for each other - Dutch and low PS missile boats are made for each other. Horton with Blaster Turret is a baby Han Solo

and

And

AND

Plenty of places still have Y-Wings in stock

If he loves x-wings the transport has a bunch of pilots and astro droids in it.

Have a look at this for 100 points;

Hobbie ((25+2)

R3-A2

Biggs (25+3+3)

R2-F2

Experimental Interface (may need to proxy card unless he wants the YT-2400 for a large base ship)

.

He'll also need to proxy both Hobbie and his droid unless he buys a transport right off the bat.

yeah, that occurred to me about 30 minutes after i hit post.... been a rough morning, must need another coffee.

I was recently looking at the Rebel swarm made up of XXXZZZ, I'm going to give it a go tonight.

He could try a variant of the Trench Run all stars or 3 Amigo's. Basically it's Luke, Wedge and Biggs seasoned with various upgrades.

However, if he's relatively new to the game then the old Han Shoots First build is quite forgiving and competitive.

It's a bleeding liberty that no-one has cared to mention the honest-to-goodness-dyed-in-the-wool workhorse of the rebel fighter fleet.

The Y-Wing

The Gold Squadron, Ion Cannon Turret, R2 astromech combo is just about the most fun you can have for 24 points

Dutch and Garven (X-Wing) are made for each other - Dutch and low PS missile boats are made for each other. Horton with Blaster Turret is a baby Han Solo

and

And

AND

Plenty of places still have Y-Wings in stock

I agree with you 100% I love the Y-Wing ..always have always will.....and im excited that it making its way in the scum and villany faction so i can be a merc with a Y-Wing now

And because of S&V, I don't expect stocks to last long.

It's a bleeding liberty that no-one has cared to mention the honest-to-goodness-dyed-in-the-wool workhorse of the rebel fighter fleet.

The Y-Wing

The Gold Squadron, Ion Cannon Turret, R2 astromech combo is just about the most fun you can have for 24 points

Dutch and Garven (X-Wing) are made for each other - Dutch and low PS missile boats are made for each other. Horton with Blaster Turret is a baby Han Solo

and

And

AND

Plenty of places still have Y-Wings in stock

I want a Y wing. I have a list for one, but I can't find one around here.

It's a bleeding liberty that no-one has cared to mention the honest-to-goodness-dyed-in-the-wool workhorse of the rebel fighter fleet.

The Y-Wing

The Gold Squadron, Ion Cannon Turret, R2 astromech combo is just about the most fun you can have for 24 points

Dutch and Garven (X-Wing) are made for each other - Dutch and low PS missile boats are made for each other. Horton with Blaster Turret is a baby Han Solo

and

And

AND

Plenty of places still have Y-Wings in stock

I want a Y wing. I have a list for one, but I can't find one around here.

where's here?

If you're in the UK there's still a few around