LoL. Now the double IG list i was planning for is even better.

I just realized that the B doesn't specify primary weapon. Double HLC attacks!!!

True but the expense would be prohibitive, and HLC often hits anyway, no? I figure we'll see this one with cheap cannons, since it is only going to activate conditionally.

Correct me if i'm wrong but isn't this the first ship with a green 3 bank?

88A is kind've a dead card in the current meta. You likely get nothing for it in the opening joust and you get nothing for it when you destroy the last ship because the game is over...

and most people are flying 2 or 3 ships, at least one of which is usually a high-durability big base.

It'll be peachy if swarms make a big comeback at some point.

I just realized that the B doesn't specify primary weapon. Double HLC attacks!!!

True but the expense would be prohibitive, and HLC often hits anyway, no? I figure we'll see this one with cheap cannons, since it is only going to activate conditionally.

I'm not sue we'll see any variant with cannons often. One cannon will do to use the "B" ability.

I just realized that the B doesn't specify primary weapon. Double HLC attacks!!!

True but the expense would be prohibitive, and HLC often hits anyway, no? I figure we'll see this one with cheap cannons, since it is only going to activate conditionally.

I'm not sue we'll see any variant with cannons often. One cannon will do to use the "B" ability.

Yeah, that's what I imagine also. B with one cannon, or two very cheap cannons.

A few unrelated thoughts:

1.) It's interesting that both the Aggressor and the Starviper have slow but highly maneuverable dials.

2.) I love that this ship is PS6. I think it's going to be a defining ship in the wave, and it's cool that it's not super-high.

3.) I've been playing around with double TIE Defender lists for a while, now, and all I can think of is that this will do what those lists do, but be about twice as good at it (at first blush). Similar price similar firepower, better maneuverability, better durability.

Loving the dial, very green-white heavy and the S-Loops will make this thing slippery as hell. The amount of green, coupled with the actions, also makes this a very interesting PTL ship.

Also, IG88B's pilot skill is lethal. Basically it's a free gunner (which isn't a cheap upgrade) that stacks. I can see alot of double IG88 lists with Mangler Cannon (or Flechette or Ion for control lists) and FCS.

Going with an Ion Cannon isn't a bad option. Shoot your normal fire, but if you miss, fire the Ion Cannon. Hopefully, they have no stress or anything. Ionize the target and get yourself set up for a Range 1 move next turn.

Still, won't be great against the large ships in the current meta. HLC is terribly expensive at 7 pts and I'm looking at the Mangler Cannon to be the exciting one. Would be even better if you pair it with FCS to get the free TL.

Triple action IG-88C seems like it could be useful.

I suspect all models will wish they had higher PS, though. [scum-only(?)] Crew version of VI coming soon?

(Systems upgrade that boosts PS would be cool, too. Phantoms would have their EPT slot freed up.)

I could see the Cannon ability being used with an Control/HLC combo. Against a lot of targets, an Ion or Flechette Cannon hit will cause major problems, so you open with that, because any successful hit is "good". If they can't stop it or they decide to let it go through, you've made a successful attack. If they block it because a 1 white straight will be killer next turn, you then drop the HLC on them. If all you want to do is do damage, you open with the HLC and use the Ion/Flechette as a follow-up in case they get lucky and block your shot. That's not terribly unlikely if you're under stress.

Hmm so that's everything from this expansion right?

A few unrelated thoughts:

1.) It's interesting that both the Aggressor and the Starviper have slow but highly maneuverable dials.

2.) I love that this ship is PS6. I think it's going to be a defining ship in the wave, and it's cool that it's not super-high.

3.) I've been playing around with double TIE Defender lists for a while, now, and all I can think of is that this will do what those lists do, but be about twice as good at it (at first blush). Similar price similar firepower, better maneuverability, better durability.

Better abilities, too. I think its main weakness is going to be the large base. Fettigator syndrome is a real thing.

Remember, they only have one forward arc, and their bases take up a big chunk of real estate on the table. Blocking these guys is a real counter. Right now, big-ship blocking isn't a big deal because of 360 arcs on the popular large ships. But these droids only have that front arc and a bump could be devastating. I expect 88 builds will seek to minimize that effect, and counters will try to exploit it.

C + D. Advanced Sensors > Boost (Free Evade) > Hard Turn Sengor's Loop. It's no Phantom, but that's some crazy movement.

88A is kind've a dead card in the current meta. You likely get nothing for it in the opening joust and you get nothing for it when you destroy the last ship because the game is over...

and most people are flying 2 or 3 ships, at least one of which is usually a high-durability big base.

It'll be peachy if swarms make a big comeback at some point.

I don't know, I think it lets you chew up the Zs or TIEs in support of a big ship. You don't mind taking a damage a turn from a turret if you're healing some damage while killing the blockers.

C + D. Advanced Sensors > Boost (Free Evade) > Hard Turn Sengor's Loop. It's no Phantom, but that's some crazy movement.

Stay on target may also find a home here. Maneuver variability is probably going to be super-important to these droids.

I like the idea of the free evade with a boost. Throw in the hard turn and I think we have a winner combo. I like 3 green dice with a free evade on such a big ship. I wonder what the Math wingers say about a Fat Han match up with these guys?

Pretty much evil death against turrets too, since they can have Autothrusters.

Take a C+D combo...you get boost, free evade, then autothrusters against turrets which you can EASILY stay out of arc of.

They'll struggle against swarms due to mass blocking of their bases, but I can see these chewing up turret lists with ease.

Worth noting that while the ship is agile and full of greens there's no Hard 3 Turns, and no 4 or 5 straights so it's not really a "fast" ship.

88A is kind've a dead card in the current meta. You likely get nothing for it in the opening joust and you get nothing for it when you destroy the last ship because the game is over...

and most people are flying 2 or 3 ships, at least one of which is usually a high-durability big base.

It'll be peachy if swarms make a big comeback at some point.

I don't know, I think it lets you chew up the Zs or TIEs in support of a big ship. You don't mind taking a damage a turn from a turret if you're healing some damage while killing the blockers.

Mmm. Good call, yeah. There is tempo to be considered.

I like the idea of the free evade with a boost. Throw in the hard turn and I think we have a winner combo. I like 3 green dice with a free evade on such a big ship. I wonder what the Math wingers say about a Fat Han match up with these guys?

And let's not forget that it can equip Autothrusters for even more defense.

edit: Ninja'd!

Pretty much evil death against turrets too, since they can have Autothrusters.

Take a C+D combo...you get boost, free evade, then autothrusters against turrets which you can EASILY stay out of arc of.

They'll struggle against swarms due to mass blocking of their bases, but I can see these chewing up turret lists with ease.

Don't forget the PS6 though, they'll be moving before most Dash's and Hans which is a disadvantage for sure in terms of staying out of arc / keeping enemies in arc.

For B's ability do you even need 2 cannon equipped? HLC miss and use the same HLC on the second attack?

Really makes the tie defender look over priced. For 6 more points you get 5 higher PS, evade and boost actions, a bomb slot, pilot abilities, and arguably a better dial.

Autothrusters, hlc, fcs, title, and 3 point ept will come to 50 points x2.