Hi All,

I've been excited about a lot of S&V stuff, but I've not really thought much about the Star Viper. Or is it Starviper? Well, I think it can be a great ship with 3 Attack/Evade, 4 Hull, and 1 Shield. I'm wondering what would make a good list?


Before I go much further, I probably need to think about what type of a list he's going to play in. With his special ability, I think he would work best with a bunch of generics or cheap ships. I'd want to toss the damage onto those guys. I figure I can use it as kind of a mini-swarm. Have the cheap ships zip around and Xizor flank and kill. I can think of Y-wings, as they have a lot of points before death. I really like the M3A Scyks, too. They could keep up with Xizor to ensure he's got someone at Range 1. I worry that they have too few hits, though. Z-95's are not very maneuverable and the cheapest. Maybe a mix?

I like the idea of the body guard, Guri, but then that's two ships at 30+ points and not a lot left for filler. Maybe I try to focus on the main person and some scrubs.

I'm thinking of starting with Prince Xizor (which I found out is pronounced she-zor from an audio book) as I think the high PS will help. Next, if you are going to have such a high point ship, you need Auto Thrusters on him. I think that just needs to happen. It's not too many points and you don't need EU.

What else? I think I like the idea of giving him Advanced Sensors so that he can get that action before his maneuver. He can TL and then get the S. Loop (red). Or he can Focus and do it. Something along those lines. I like the idea of him zipping around. So, that means Virago title and Adv. Sensor.

What about the EPT? Part of me wants the VI to make sure I'm going as one of the last ships, but another part of me wonders if the Phantom will be seen anymore? Will it even matter to bid up when everyone is bidding up? Also, that means giving up something else. PTL is an option. I mean, with Adv. Sensors, I could do two actions and then a green. That wouldn't be too bad on the approach, which is where I think I'll see a weakness. Oh, crap! He can't Evade. I was thinking Focus + Evade at Range 3 would be great for him. Well, getting somewhere nice and then being able to Focus + TL and then doing a green move would be nice. Or Boost/BR to be within Range 1 of some scrubs is also a good idea. The green moves are that hot, though, so maybe that's a bad idea. Then there are options like Predator or even Outmaneuver. Both help on the attack without taking an action. I might see Outmaneuver work better with this guy.

Prince Xizor w/ Virago, Adv Sensors, Auto Thrusters, and Outmaneuver
40 pts

60 divided by 12 = 5 Binayre Pirates

Hmmm.....that's a lot of ships! It's not a bad idea. It's got one hot pilot and a swarm of cheap Z-95's. I could go for 4 and an illicit, but what? Not Dead Man's Switch! I'd want them near Xizor and that's just deadly. I don't have anything that would Ionize, either. "Hot Shot" Blaster might be good, but it's expensive and Xizor kind of does that, anyways. So, I think just going with more ships is the way to go.

Or.....

Prince Xizor w/ Virago, Adv Sensors, Auto Thrusters, and Outmaneuver

Syndicate Y-wing w/ Ion Turret + Unhinged Astromech
3 x Z-95's

This adds more variety and allows for a turret shot to help with flankers. Something Ionized can then be easier prey for the Z-95's or Xizor. Also, the more hits for cost ratio with the Y-wings.

Do these sound like good builds? Any other builds people are thinking for this ship or Xizor?

I was thinking:

All Black Sun ships .

I've been thinking about Xizor for a long time now. I made a pretty long-winded post about him a while ago. What it boils down to is something like this: Pair Xizor with a bulky, cheap ship like a Y-wing, and load up Xizor with nasty upgrades. Normally, Xizor would become a priority target, but his ability screws with the enemy's target priority. They have two bad choices: shoot Xizor first and have your shots potentially absorbed by the Y-wing (after Xizor's 3 defense dice), or try to burn down the Y-wing first and let Xizor rampage for a turn or two. It works with defensive and offensive upgrades in theory, making Xizor a late or early game threat that should not be ignored under normal circumstances.

So, I think what you have with these lists is pretty good for a Xizor build. I would also think about loading him up offensively (PtL, maybe a torpedo(?), AdvS) to make him an early game glass cannon-style threat that will attract enemy fire to be filtered through his defense dice and spread out over his buddies.

Syndicate Thug — Y-Wing 18

Autoblaster Turret 2

Syndicate Thug — Y-Wing 18

Autoblaster Turret 2

Syndicate Thug — Y-Wing 18

Autoblaster Turret 2

Prince Xizor — StarViper 31

Predator 3

Fire-Control System 2

Autothrusters 2

Virago 1

@AverageBoss: I've thought about Guri a little bit. He/she looks pretty cool and a good option. I like that ability.

@Babaganoosh: I think it would be a mistake to take just two ship lists that you suggest. I think many cheap ships would work best with Xizor.

Do you think PTL would give too much stress? I don't like the green maneuvers for it.

@Bloodstrip Baron: I don't like all the autoblasters. What if someone just sits at range and shoots?

100 Points

@AverageBoss: I've thought about Guri a little bit. He/she looks pretty cool and a good option. I like that ability.

@Babaganoosh: I think it would be a mistake to take just two ship lists that you suggest. I think many cheap ships would work best with Xizor.

Do you think PTL would give too much stress? I don't like the green maneuvers for it.

@Bloodstrip Baron: I don't like all the autoblasters. What if someone just sits at range and shoots?

Bloodstripe Baron was talking about auto thrusters (the mod that comes with the starviper), not auto blasters.

Syndicate Thug — Y-Wing 18

Autoblaster Turret 2

Syndicate Thug — Y-Wing 18

Autoblaster Turret 2

Syndicate Thug — Y-Wing 18

Autoblaster Turret 2

Prince Xizor — StarViper 31

Predator 3

Fire-Control System 2

Autothrusters 2

Virago 1

I like it, except for a little bit of functionality overlap between predator and FCS. Target locks are not as useful if you are naturally re-rolling your dice. Could be replaced with VI, PtL, Outmaneuver, etc.

@Babaganoosh: I think it would be a mistake to take just two ship lists that you suggest. I think many cheap ships would work best with Xizor.

Yeah, also bring other ships to fill out the list - don't put like 80 points of crap on Xizor!

But Xizor's ability only works at R1, so it may not make sense to make a whole list of ships for him to shunt damage onto. The most effective points-for-bulk purchase is a Y-wing. That's your basic meat shield for Xizor.

Z-95s are decently efficient and sorta bulky on their own, so taking a swarm of those with Xizor would probably be fine, but Y-Wings have a lot more bulk for Xizor to shunt damage to for the points you spend.

Bloodstripe Baron was talking about auto thrusters (the mod that comes with the starviper), not auto blasters.

Syndicate Thug — Y-Wing 18

Autoblaster Turret 2

Syndicate Thug — Y-Wing 18

Autoblaster Turret 2

Syndicate Thug — Y-Wing 18

Autoblaster Turret 2

Three Y-wings w/ R1 turrets isn't a good idea to me.

@Babaganoosh: True that Y-wings are the best bet. I think I like the Y with the Z's. I like having them spread out a bit so that you don't know where Xizor will end up for his Range 1 support. I think, especially with Adv. Sensors, that he can just about pop anywhere with an ally in R1.

Prince Xizor (31)

- Virago (1)

- Push the Limit (3)

- Autothrusters (2)

- Advanced Sensors (3)

Serissu (20)

- Heavy Scyk (2)

- Heavy Laser Cannon (7)

Tansarii Point Veteran (17)

- Bodyguard (2)

Binarye Pirate (12)

Total: 100 points

Would you rather shoot the 4 evade defensive reroller with the HLC, the Bodyguard with 3 evade dice and a reroll (but no focus), the 12-point Z95 with two evades and a reroll, or the 40-point beast with two actions, PTL, 3 evade dice and the ability to shrug one damage off to to that Z95 within range 1?

As a side note, I think I like the Binarye better as Xizor fodder than the Y-Wing. With Y-Wings, the choice is easy: kill the Y first. It has less evade dice. Two Binarye Pirates are only 24 points, have the same total health, and get double the attacks and evade dice.

Dead Man's Switch is just terrible with Xizor! You want him in R1 of your own guys all the time. Why would you want them also blowing up?

I'm thinking Scyk's would be bad with Xizor as they are evasive, but fragile. Also, I think I'd want more than 1 ship to be sacrificial.

Seems to me that Guri is begging for an Advanced Proton.

Use PTL to boost into range one and target lock, then get your free focus.

Throw in some blockers or controllers to help Guri get off his shot because of the low pilot skill.

Dead Man's Switch is just terrible with Xizor! You want him in R1 of your own guys all the time. Why would you want them also blowing up?

I'm thinking Scyk's would be bad with Xizor as they are evasive, but fragile. Also, I think I'd want more than 1 ship to be sacrificial.

As I said fun not good (=

Think of it this way instead, any other pilot would have taken that hit anyways, this way you can deal some damage to the enemy instead (=

At least give me it's fun

For those who don't know, Guri is a Human Replica Droid so technically the correct pronoun is "it" but Guri was modeled after a Female so "She" would be acceptable as well. (I just remember the big Echo/Whisper gender debate earlier and saw the potential for a flare up with Guri)

That said I like APTs on her, she is probably the best person for Scum to use them(maybe a firespray with the security droid would be a close second) Autothrusters are a weird choice, stay at range 3 for their benefit or close to range 1 for the focus? (Yes out of arc of course is Ideal but not always practical at that PS)

I'll just throw this out there, 4 PS1 Starvipers, it probably will fly like a 4X/B build but have a tiny bit more survivability

The issue with Xizor is his ability makes you want to shoot other ships. The key is to find a way to make them shoot him instead. Best with me, I'm going to say something crazy. Adv Sensors, EI and Expose. Yes, yes, I know, but bear with me. He becomes more of an offensive threat, making him a higher priority, AND it reduces his defense, making him seem easier to hit.

It may end up to be terrible, but seems worth a try. The other option is to over kit another ship defensively, making it so difficult to clear that his majesty is the safest target just to get damage on the table.

The issue with Xizor is his ability makes you want to shoot other ships. The key is to find a way to make them shoot him instead. Best with me, I'm going to say something crazy. Adv Sensors, EI and Expose. Yes, yes, I know, but bear with me. He becomes more of an offensive threat, making him a higher priority, AND it reduces his defense, making him seem easier to hit.

It may end up to be terrible, but seems worth a try. The other option is to over kit another ship defensively, making it so difficult to clear that his majesty is the safest target just to get damage on the table.

Expose might be a bit much, but I agree with you about the ability and how it should be taken advantage of, generally.

Expose is not worth as much offensively as PtL, if I am remembering the math right, so I think he's better off with that over Expose, although the defense-lowering aspect is interesting as a way of drawing fire to him. I think the better way to draw fire on him is to turn him into an extreme glass cannon, so that the enemy is punished heavily if they ignore him.

The issue with Xizor is his ability makes you want to shoot other ships. The key is to find a way to make them shoot him instead. Best with me, I'm going to say something crazy. Adv Sensors, EI and Expose. Yes, yes, I know, but bear with me. He becomes more of an offensive threat, making him a higher priority, AND it reduces his defense, making him seem easier to hit.

It may end up to be terrible, but seems worth a try. The other option is to over kit another ship defensively, making it so difficult to clear that his majesty is the safest target just to get damage on the table.

Expose might be a bit much, but I agree with you about the ability and how it should be taken advantage of, generally.

Expose is not worth as much offensively as PtL, if I am remembering the math right, so I think he's better off with that over Expose, although the defense-lowering aspect is interesting as a way of drawing fire to him. I think the better way to draw fire on him is to turn him into an extreme glass cannon, so that the enemy is punished heavily if they ignore him.

The issue with Xizor is his ability makes you want to shoot other ships. The key is to find a way to make them shoot him instead. Best with me, I'm going to say something crazy. Adv Sensors, EI and Expose. Yes, yes, I know, but bear with me. He becomes more of an offensive threat, making him a higher priority, AND it reduces his defense, making him seem easier to hit.

It may end up to be terrible, but seems worth a try. The other option is to over kit another ship defensively, making it so difficult to clear that his majesty is the safest target just to get damage on the table.

Expose might be a bit much, but I agree with you about the ability and how it should be taken advantage of, generally.

Expose is not worth as much offensively as PtL, if I am remembering the math right, so I think he's better off with that over Expose, although the defense-lowering aspect is interesting as a way of drawing fire to him. I think the better way to draw fire on him is to turn him into an extreme glass cannon, so that the enemy is punished heavily if they ignore him.

Keep in mind that he's not recommending Expose in a vacuum. It's the same Expose/EI combo we're seeing on Chiraneau. It allows Xizor to take a Focus scion to modify his dice. You could even consider replacing the AdvSens with FCS, allowing him to take Focused, Target-Locked shots with 4-5 dice.

True, and I wouldn't dismiss it completely without trying it, or doing a more thorough analysis.

But also keep in mind that xizor can only shunt one damage away per attack. With two evade dice, he's going to take serious damage, and you'll be canceling less hits overall against your squad. It's still useful in that it would be a Biggs-like situation, with a More resilient Biggs, but also a more expensive Biggs that is also bleeding damage out to your squad, albeit in a controlled manner.

I think there are probably better ways to make Xizor a target, without also sacrificing his defensive capability.

The issue with Xizor is his ability makes you want to shoot other ships. The key is to find a way to make them shoot him instead. Best with me, I'm going to say something crazy. Adv Sensors, EI and Expose. Yes, yes, I know, but bear with me. He becomes more of an offensive threat, making him a higher priority, AND it reduces his defense, making him seem easier to hit.

It may end up to be terrible, but seems worth a try. The other option is to over kit another ship defensively, making it so difficult to clear that his majesty is the safest target just to get damage on the table.

Expose might be a bit much, but I agree with you about the ability and how it should be taken advantage of, generally.

Expose is not worth as much offensively as PtL, if I am remembering the math right, so I think he's better off with that over Expose, although the defense-lowering aspect is interesting as a way of drawing fire to him. I think the better way to draw fire on him is to turn him into an extreme glass cannon, so that the enemy is punished heavily if they ignore him.

Keep in mind that he's not recommending Expose in a vacuum. It's the same Expose/EI combo we're seeing on Chiraneau. It allows Xizor to take a Focus scion to modify his dice. You could even consider replacing the AdvSens with FCS, allowing him to take Focused, Target-Locked shots with 4-5 dice.

True, and I wouldn't dismiss it completely without trying it, or doing a more thorough analysis.

But also keep in mind that xizor can only shunt one damage away per attack. With two evade dice, he's going to take serious damage, and you'll be canceling less hits overall against your squad. It's still useful in that it would be a Biggs-like situation, with a More resilient Biggs, but also a more expensive Biggs that is also bleeding damage out to your squad, albeit in a controlled manner.

I think there are probably better ways to make Xizor a target, without also sacrificing his defensive capability.

The more I run using Xizor over in my mind the more compelled I am to run PtL along with Advanced Sensors and Auto-Thrusters. I know this tops out at 40 points (OUCH!) but after playing a few games with it I have been incredibly surprised at how nimble and effective this build is when paired with the StVy's dial. The plethora of 1 moves paired with advanced sensors allow some pretty exciting maneuvers when you really start to throw around your boost and barrel roll. Honestly Xizor is an incredibly competent dog fighter at PS7.

My first inclination for Xizor was to max out his damage potential but it never really seemed possible to get the most out of his ship while still keeping his cost down (yeah, I realize my build cost 40 points). However it started to become more and more apparent that Xizor is not really as much about dealing damage as he is about survival. Gearing him up with expose or even Accuracy Corrector seems less important than trying to get out of arc and into R1.

A note on Guri, she REALLY shouldn't be discounted as a possible substitution for Xizor. Her Pilot Skill is her only downside but her ability is fantastic when you kit her out for high maneuverability. But in the current meta of high PS pilots I think she might end up as an easy lunch for Phantoms.