Has anyone come up with a list that uses R4-D6 effectively?

I have found that the poor little Astromech spends all his time collecting dust in the dark, forgotten corners of the Rebel Base.

The only ship I could really see him being used on is a Y-wing, which is the worst ship for dealing with the stress and you only will typically cancel 1 die so it won't really help that much (or if you do cancel the 2+ dice, now you have that much more stress to deal with)

If it allowed a total cancel for a point of stress per result it might see use. As it is I don't think it's ever been a justifiable buy.

If I have biggs in a list and a point to spare I'll put it on him.

Yeah, the "I have one point to spare... oh, and also an empty Astromech slot..." is the most I have ever had 'success' with R4-D6.

On a handful of occasions, the one point has meant the difference between a single Hull Point and a dead Biggs/Y-Wing, but most of the time when I am running either of those ships, I have already filled their Astromech slot with something a little more consistently useful.

Yeah, the "I have one point to spare... oh, and also an empty Astromech slot..." is the most I have ever had 'success' with R4-D6.

On a handful of occasions, the one point has meant the difference between a single Hull Point and a dead Biggs/Y-Wing, but most of the time when I am running either of those ships, I have already filled their Astromech slot with something a little more consistently useful.

The problem is that generic R2s are also 1pt. On a Y-wing you'll get more use out of the R2 for sure, likely the same with the X.

R4-D6 makes sure your X-Wing does not die to two attacks (1). Killing it requires at least three attacks. That's not bad on Biggs. However, there are better options for his astromech slot.

How about R4-D6 on Jek Porkins? You turn one damage into a 3/8 chance to suffer one damage. Not bad. And considerably cheaper than R5-D8 + PTL.

The problem with R4-D6 is that you still suffer two points of damage.

(1) Ignore crititcal hits.

The problem is that it only sees hit result not crits.

If your opponent lands hit, hit, crit, crit then it doesn't trigger and you wasted a point

The problem is that it only sees hit result not crits.

If your opponent lands hit, hit, crit, crit then it doesn't trigger and you wasted a point

If your opponent frequently fields a HLC or three, that's no longer a problem. R4-D6 might be worth a 2nd thought in such a meta.

Edit:

Yes, I know that HLC attack dice can be modified to crits. Nevertheless, HLCs generate fewer crits than other attacks.

I just struggle to find a situation that any other Astromech doesn't fit the bill better.

I was hoping that there might be something that is eluding me, because the little guy just beeps sadly while all the other Astromechs get picked to play.

Also dvor, R4-D8 wouldn't work on Porkins because his ability removes stress, not damage. R5-D8 fits nicely with him because it helps mitigate the potential damage he might get by removing the stress.

Used him on biggs kept him alive for 1 more round of combat allowing me to win the game If I fly biggs you can bet R4-D6 will be with him

R4-D6's home is at R1-3 of a Huge ship with a Comms Booster.

The problem with Astros is that they are all interesting and unique abilities (AFAIK the only way to regen health), but few of them are actually any good. R5-K6 giving me free TLs? Nope, Green dice reliant. R5-D8 getting rid of damage? Also Green dice reliant. R4-D6 can gain stress to cancel damage? Oh, it's only non critical and I take at least two damage before I can use it.

I mean, how can you fix this? I've suggested removing the green dice requirement for K6 and D8, but I can't think of an upgrade card that could fix R4. The only solution would be a complete rewrite, which is impossible. So he shall forever be passed over for the shinier, more polished droids, and left to beep sadly in the cobwebby corner.

R4-D6 is an excellent buy, especially on Biggs. Especially with the HLC Outrider gaining popularity, he is really coming into his own. The 1 point spent on him can consistently allow Biggs (or whatever ship the little guy is on) to survive one more shot and/or allow you to save your focus, which is awfully good for a single point.

Is he good every turn, or even every game? No, but he only costs 1 point. You get at least as much value as you put into the little guy. He might not ever be on the first team, but he is a solid back up player for the last few touches to your list.