As usual, I'm putting my list together at the last minute, and though I was very tempted to try a SuperDash variant or a Decimator build, I went with BYBY http://xwing-builder.co.uk/view/176577/by-by
Two B Wings with ion cannons and FCS
Two Y Wings with ion turrets
I debated dropping one of the FCS to add the stress droid R2-A3 to one of the Ys. But I love symmetry, so I went without. That was a fatal mistake.
My plan was to lead with the Ys, with the Bs a range band behind. The Ys, with the turrets would actually try to look like they were jousting straight in, but turn to the flanks while the Bs delivered the knock out blow. Again, it's my first time with a build I'm taking to a tournament, but that's how you learn, right?
My first round was against Ken. He was flying Rexlar (with HLC+), Whisper (kitted as normal) and an Academy Tie. Hmm, this was going to be interesting. I tried to spread the asteroids out, but we ended up with a clean right flank, but at least the centre was crowded. Whisper came up the right, Rexlar on the left and the Academy down the middle.
Now, Ken has done an excellent AAR on this already. So, I'll just sum up here as it did not go well for him. Whisper stayed cloaked too long, and never got a shot off as once she was ioned, she couldn't decloak. She was almost ioned off the board, but the dice were hot enough to get a clean kill. Meanwhile, the Academy was ioned onto an asteroid.
Soon it was just BYBY against Rexlar. He stressed himself with PTL, but this is bad on the Defender, especially if ioned. Though he dealt some damage, it was not enough. Ken now firmly dislikes ions. (100-0)
Second match was against Keith, who was flying a Patrol Leader Decimator with Mara Jade and a Rebel Captive (oh goody, stress) plus Fel's Wrath and Cowel. Two Interceptors and an anchor ship. Interesting.
I got the asteroid placement I wanted - that is nicely spread out. And this turned out to be quite prophetic, as at least twice Interceptors ended up on the rocks' and once for the Decimator)
We both set up in the middle and dodged asteroids as we approached the merge. I earned some stress, and ioned some interceptors. This locked one out of the battle and then a B Wing destroyed the other. Then the asteroids came into play. Over the next two turns, he landed on two if different asteroids and killed a B and a Y while losing the last Interceptor.
This is when I discovered how tough a Decimator can be. The points were close and we jinked and jagged around the board. Mara and the Rebel Captive dealing stress, while occasionally being ioned. Not that that is a bad thing when you have a turret.
Time was called and we finished our last turn. The patrol leader whiffed his attack. The B did not (again FCS with focus is a beast). Win. 100-50.
Lesson learned in retrospect. Ions are not as strong against large ships, especially those with turrets. The stress droid would have been nice.
Round three, finals, against Alan. He's flying an Outrider (Leedo with HLC, Title and Lone Wolf) and Falcon (Chewie with upgrades). Ugh. I've faced Falcons before, but never an Outrider.
Asteroid placement went well, initial engagement did not go well, my Bs did not get in range, leaving the Ys alone. One almost dies. It turns to block the Flacon while the other three ships chase the Outrider. That thing moves fast. And though the Bs both ioned it, Alan flew very smartly, barrel rolling each turn to keep me outside the donut hole and hurting his ion escort (I was really regretting not taking that stress droid).
I then over chased and ended up only getting one shot on the Outrider. This was a critical error. Though I still managed to kill it two turns later, this was after he killed a B.
Though we had equal health and points left at this point, one B and one Y has a tough time against Chewie. Especially given my forces were spread out. I didn't last long.
Lesson learned. Don't be too agressive. I should have stayed at range 3 and just quietly escorted the Outrider off the board. As well, miss-timing the merge hurt me, and then forced me to split my forces. A key issue here was me underestimating the speed of large ships. That large base makes a difference. Include it in your calculations!
Splitting worked OK when fighting small ships, but this build depends on ions and you need two on large ships - which often means you need three shots. You must adapt to your opponent. Of course, it didn't help that all his ships had turrets.
Loss 50-100
Alan deserved the win. He is a smart player, and I was outplayed. I've got to learn to stay focused through the last game...
I will add that the calibre of players in Winnipeg is definitely ramping up. Lots of very insightful discussions and some vey focused players showed up. It may be bad for my win-loss record, but it's good for the game and I love a challenge.
My thanks to James at Mighty Comics for running a great event. And to those complaining about playing on the heroclix map - that's where I got both my victories!
Edited by TnT