Im currently practicing 8 z-95s , 1 w ion pulse missiles and munitions. Whats your take? Should they be flown 2x 4 or 4 x 2?

Hehe well no comments kinda speaks about the current meta... :S

That's weird.

Your first post shows:

Posted Today, 12:25 AM

Your second post shows:

Posted Today, 11:03 AM

I can't remember seeing the topic earlier.

Two groups of 4, if you ask me, by the way. Possibly splitting up if needed.

Im currently practicing 8 z-95s , 1 w ion pulse missiles and munitions. Whats your take? Should they be flown 2x 4 or 4 x 2?

Depends what you are playing against. If there are assault missiles, 4x2, if not, i would prefer 2x4.

Is target locking better than focusing?

Hehe well no comments kinda speaks about the current meta... :S

Well, not so much on my end, I just have no experience with Z swarms so I didn't comment

I don't think Zs lend themselves to swarms (no large force multiplier like Howlrunner) so much as mini-swarms, where they provide dependable bulk to beef up elite pilots.

Is target locking better than focusing?

I'd say absolutely not because the defensive bonus is far too important, unless

1.) Your Z is not likely to get shot the following turn (either out of arcs or not a priority target)

2.) Your Z is in range 1, where TL will do more with 3 dice than focus will

3.) Your Z doesn't have a shot because it's currently trying to make it back into the fight, so might as well TL an enemy to set up the next turn of shooting.

Of course, having ordinance will skew priorities, but I never use them

Is target locking better than focusing?

Short answer no.

But sometimes you will want to target lock for an eventual target lock + focus, specially against phantoms and the like.

Spending a focus on attack is mathematically equal to spending a target lock to reroll isn't it?

Spending a focus on attack is mathematically equal to spending a target lock to reroll isn't it?

Except for the crit chance, that's correct.

Spending a focus on attack is mathematically equal to spending a target lock to reroll isn't it?

Ninja'd

There is a reason why Tie Swarms are more prevalent than Z-95 swarms. Sure Z-95 can take 1 more hit but they have a lower agility and less movement capabilities. The Tie Fighters are fast and still have a 1 turn. They can also barrel roll which makes them quite agile. The 3 Agility and evades make it so they can reduce more incoming damage.

With a Z-95 swarm have a couple of squad leaders to shoot missiles like Assault Missiles or Cluster missiles then keep the rest naked. However Z-95s they are not that swarmy, sure they cost as much as an academy pilot but really they are cheap fillers and cheap missile delivery systems.

I won a local tournament recently using an 8 Z swarm: 4 Talas and 4 Bandits. It was challenging, but a z swarm can definitely be effective! I was able to beat a Phantom/Howlrunner mini swarm, a Fat Han, and BBBBZ. The Phantom list was the most difficult: I only won by killing all the TIEs and then time being called. If there had been no time limit, the Phantom likely would eventually have eaten all the Zs.

I thought about running 8 Bandits with a missile thrown in, but I have had difficulty using missiles on PS 2 ships. Depending on the PS of your opponents, it can be difficult to get the Target Lock on your opponent.

The reason Tie swarms are more prevalent are nothing about performance, but how accessible is to have a Zwarm.

- They are not a buy you make when you get started, oppossed to the cheap'o 2 Ties you get with the core. Or even better, 2 coresets.

- Tie swarms had been around for a very long period of time.

- Scum annoucement stopped plenty of people from getting more Z's (i am not alone on this).

Tie swarms have some strenghts and some weakness, the same happens with Z's. Play at their strenghts and you should be fine.

I love me a Z-95 swarm. Fly 4 Bandits and 4 Talas, set up across the side of your board, alternating the types, and fly at your enemy. Surround and conquer.

That's weird.

Your first post shows:

Posted Today, 12:25 AM

Your second post shows:

Posted Today, 11:03 AM

I can't remember seeing the topic earlier.

It's not weird when you remember the 12 AM is Midnight and 11 AM is an hour before Noon. If the time were 00:25 and 11:03 it would be a lot clearer to you.

If flying eight similar ships I'd be starting them in two sets of four with each four being made up of a set of pairs. If you're asking about 8 bandits with one of them having upgrades I'd instead upgrade half of them to the PS 4 ships.