will have 6 change up the meta?

By Krynn007, in X-Wing

Discuss?

What do you think

With the introduction if a new faction will we see maybe less turrets and phantom lists dominant the current tournament scene.

Surely people will try their hand at using wave 6 along with new upgrades such as autothrusters .

Will that be enough to make some players steer away from the current trend?

We all know waves can make big changes to the meta.

Wave five seemed to introduce two ship metas with turrets and Phantoms and swarms oh my lol.

What do you think wave 6 will do, if anything?

I think fat Han will still be strong, but i do wonder.

I've been doing very well with Ig88 with autothrusters on vassal, but I've yet to play against a fat turrets with it, been really wanting to try

Edited by Krynn007

Autothrusters:

1300's down

2400's down

Interceptors up

Gunner Decivaders......up? I really don't know about that one.

Just want to add that I know every area is different.

I was sad to hear a tournament not too far away from here was mainly turrets.

Yes your bound to see some, but it used to not be like this.

I feel players at least around here are starting to feel they need them to stand a chance.

Makes me sad

Hell I'm no better, as I won our small tournament with dash

So I'm really hoping wave 6 changes things up

And with regionals coming up in a few months I'm hoping it won't be so turret heavy

I'm considering using scum, but wonder if that will be smart

Again I think fat hans will still be strong

Edited by Krynn007

Oh, absolutely. PTL Interceptors and A-Wings will be nearly unhittable by standard 3-dice turrets at range 3. Phantoms have a surprising challenge against Z95s with Feedback Array creating a range 1 autohit bubble. Mux is hilarious when on a team with Predators (PS0 is definitely lower than PS3).

Not a huge fan of the Aggressor, though. The more I play with it, the more I think I like the Firespray or even the StarViper better for the price.

Oh, absolutely. PTL Interceptors and A-Wings will be nearly unhittable by standard 3-dice turrets at range 3. Phantoms have a surprising challenge against Z95s with Feedback Array creating a range 1 autohit bubble. Mux is hilarious when on a team with Predators (PS0 is definitely lower than PS3).

Not a huge fan of the Aggressor, though. The more I play with it, the more I think I like the Firespray or even the StarViper better for the price.

I'm still in the air about it really

I've done well, but haven't seen how it'll fair against the dash, phantom and decimator and fat hans etc etc

Edited by Krynn007

Things that will definitely happen:

  • Autothrusters will depress the stock of turrets, although turrets won't go away.
  • People will be experimenting with Scum, initially pulling from the group of people currently experimenting with "junk" Rebel builds.
  • Soontir Fel + Push the Limit + Stealth Device + Autothrusters will appear in 30-50% of Imperial lists.

Things that I think will happen, but I wouldn't call a sure thing:

  • With turrets losing some currency in the metagame, Phantoms will be a more reliable bet and will win a larger proportion of majors than they do in Wave 5.
  • Lists featuring Scum Firesprays will treat two-ship lists the way Cookie Monster treats a plate of warm snickerdoodles. Two-ship lists fade out.
  • Scyks with Heavy Laser Cannons will be annoyingly everywhere for at least a few months, as one of the "Timmiest" combinations in Scum, and will fade out a bit but hang on as high-threat flankers.
  • Dual Aggressor lists will be a fixture for at least a few months, as one of the "Johnniest" combinations in Scum, and will fade out substantially as people realize that the list is good but not forgiving of errors.
  • Y-wings get way better, but only a handful of players notice. Those players will win a lot, but don't get much attention until someone hits the Top 8 at Nationals running Scum Warthogs.

Overall, I think list diversity will at least temporarily blow up. Things will settle down once the world figures out what's reliable and competitive from Scum and what's not (and some Scum players go back to Imperial or Rebel lists that take advantage of the new metagame).

Dash and a Mangler Canon everywhere!

Ten Numb and the mangler cannon becomes the anti-meta go to ship for the rebels.

My prediction for the upcoming meta:

Turrets will take a hit, but they're here to stay. It'll be extremely hard to remove Falcon's with two guaranteed evades or 4 dice donut holes.

Autothrusters will be viable on Interceptors, but they are still only 3 hull ships, which people seem to be overlooking.

Dual IG's will become an archetype that will compete with Swarms and Turrets, but may suffer against builds running Phantoms.

Dual Mandalorian Bounty Hunters will have a better time against Phantoms, but will suffer against Swarms and Turrets.

Scum control with HWKs and Scyks will almost be a thing.

5 Mangler Scyk-Swarm will make an appearance in some top cuts.

We will now have more than the 3 defining archetypes we have currently. In addition to Turrets, Swarms and Phantoms, we'll have Dual IGs, Dual Mandalorians, Autothruster Empire and maybe 4-5 Ship Mangler (Rebels/Scum).

Oh, absolutely. PTL Interceptors and A-Wings will be nearly unhittable by standard 3-dice turrets at range 3. Phantoms have a surprising challenge against Z95s with Feedback Array creating a range 1 autohit bubble. Mux is hilarious when on a team with Predators (PS0 is definitely lower than PS3).

Not a huge fan of the Aggressor, though. The more I play with it, the more I think I like the Firespray or even the StarViper better for the price.

Really? What did you run with the aggressor?

I'm still in the air about it really

I've done well, but haven't seen how it'll fair against the dash, phantom and decimator and fat hans etc etc

I think I had the best luck with this build:

IG88C with Predator, Advanced Sensors, Autothrusters (44)

Torkil Mux with Blaster Turret, Recon Specialist (26)

Black Sun Enforcer with Feedback Array (15) x2

Mux reduces targets to PS0, allowing IG88 to reroll two dice against that target. IG takes focus as much as possible, with boost just there when he really needs it.

I did manage to beat a Whisper list with this build, thanks in part to absurdly strong evade rolls from Mux (he got down to 1 hull and proceeded to avoid every further shot for the next five rounds) as well as the Feedback Array, but IG88 is tough to actually line up shots with due to the size of his base. He moves as fast as a TIE Fighter, but seemed far easier to block and tougher to line up shots with due to his size.

Yes, just not to the extent people want.

Dash and a Mangler Canon everywhere!

Honestly this all depends on how often we see Sontir. Autothrusters will make a monster out of Sontir and combined with stealth device 3 attack turrets will have a hard time landing hits.

The only consistent threat to a Fel35 is going to be a Vader Crew on ships. Decimators with Vader will continue to rise in stock and the new face of the Turret Terror will be cloaked in gray paint.

it **** well ******* better

this wave has been my least favorite by miles, and I would never have before believed this excellent game could have gotten so stale

Luckily, the local scene is finally getting bored of 2 ship no-partial-score abusing nonsense and getting some more variety back on our tables. Wave 6 should do nothing but further that.

In terms of dislodging the current meta, just the fact that the empire is finally getting 2 viable options (Advance and Interceptor) in the 20-30 point range is going to shove out at least a few VTs and Phantoms.

Scum as a faction looks down-right fascinating and will hopefully get people out of the high PS or bust kick. The emphasis on lower PS pilots and just sheer movement-related craziness such as Virago and the Aggressor gives me hope that players will focus on predicting and out-thinking the opponent instead of just reaction boosting all day long.

Wave 6 will change the meta, not so much for introducing dedicated counters but for re-introducing viable variety into the game.

I can't wait to see this list:

Binarye Pirate x5 (60 points total)

Black Sun Enforcer x2 (26 points)

7 Feedback Arrays (14 points)

28 health points, and a total of 7 ships that can ping out a single point of damage to each ship unfortunate enough to find themselves in Range 1, regardless of Autothrusters or Cloak status. You know that giant net of ships that the Nova Corps created in Guardians of the Galaxy? Same thing here.

Unfortunately, the four boxes each of Most Wanted and Aggressor expansion packs required to build this squad means it'll cost over $300 in my home state to assemble this build.

Edited by PhantomFO

I can't wait to see this list:

Binarye Pirate x5 (60 points total)

Black Sun Enforcer x2 (26 points)

7 Feedback Arrays (14 points)

Fixed it for ya.

Oh, absolutely. PTL Interceptors and A-Wings will be nearly unhittable by standard 3-dice turrets at range 3. Phantoms have a surprising challenge against Z95s with Feedback Array creating a range 1 autohit bubble. Mux is hilarious when on a team with Predators (PS0 is definitely lower than PS3).

Not a huge fan of the Aggressor, though. The more I play with it, the more I think I like the Firespray or even the StarViper better for the price.

Really? What did you run with the aggressor?

I'm still in the air about it really

I've done well, but haven't seen how it'll fair against the dash, phantom and decimator and fat hans etc etc

I think I had the best luck with this build:

IG88C with Predator, Advanced Sensors, Autothrusters (44)

Torkil Mux with Blaster Turret, Recon Specialist (26)

Black Sun Enforcer with Feedback Array (15) x2

Mux reduces targets to PS0, allowing IG88 to reroll two dice against that target. IG takes focus as much as possible, with boost just there when he really needs it.

I did manage to beat a Whisper list with this build, thanks in part to absurdly strong evade rolls from Mux (he got down to 1 hull and proceeded to avoid every further shot for the next five rounds) as well as the Feedback Array, but IG88 is tough to actually line up shots with due to the size of his base. He moves as fast as a TIE Fighter, but seemed far easier to block and tougher to line up shots with due to his size.

Ig88 B/C

Ptl

Hlc

Title

Fire control systems

Autothrusters

Has done well so far but haven't tried against Phantoms or turrets yet

But so far haven't lost yet

I found boosting or just focus and evade, and just save it for defense

Has made it real hard to dmg them.

I try to let Ig88 B ability kick in so I can get the target lock and use the hlc again

Plus range three shots or out of arc autothrusters kicks in

I can't wait to see this list:

Binarye Pirate x5 (60 points total)

Black Sun Enforcer x2 (26 points)

7 Feedback Arrays (14 points)

Fixed it for ya.

I can't wait to see this list:

Binarye Pirate x5 (60 points total)

Black Sun Enforcer x2 (26 points)

7 Feedback Arrays (14 points)

You can only put Feedback Array on the either Guri or Xizor with the Virago title (ps 3 and less cant take it), but otherwise I like this list. How about Autothrusters for the StatViper?

Edited by Radarman5

I can't wait to see this list:

Binarye Pirate x5 (60 points total)

Black Sun Enforcer x2 (26 points)

7 Feedback Arrays (14 points)

You can only put Feedback Array on the either Guri or Xizor with the Virago title (ps 3 and less cant take it), but otherwise I like this list. How about Autothrusters for the StatVipers?

Pretty sure with those point totals he meant Black Sun Soldiers.

Wave 6, if nothing else, will EXPLODE a bunch of new builds, so we will at least see variety. Variety SHOULD lead to less focus upon countering a tiny handful of common builds and shift back into more "all comer" and balanced lists. Right now, you plan for Fat Falcons, you plan for Phantoms, you plan for Swarms, and you take your chances against everything else. I am hoping Wave 6 encourages the idea of building what you are good at (and have fun with) playing, and you learn how to adapt to your list's challenges (see Hothie and the Swarm vs Phantom as an example of what to do). The absolute worst case scenario is that after a month of excitement, it dies down and it's back to Falcon/Phantom/Swarm as the predominant lists. If this large addition, an entire new faction with an entire new way of playing, doesn't shake it up, the game can be legitimately labeled as in trouble. I don't believe that will happen, but that is seriously at stake with Wave 6.

I can't wait to see this list:

Binarye Pirate x5 (60 points total)

Black Sun SOLDIER x2 (26 points)

7 Feedback Arrays (14 points)

Fixed it for ya.

I have no idea what you're talking about. >_>

Black Sun Soldier....and now fixed lol.

I can't wait to see this list:

Binarye Pirate x5 (60 points total)

Black Sun Enforcer x2 (26 points)

7 Feedback Arrays (14 points)

You can only put Feedback Array on the either Guri or Xizor with the Virago title (ps 3 and less cant take it), but otherwise I like this list. How about Autothrusters for the StatVipers?

Pretty sure with those point totals he meant Black Sun Soldiers.

SONUVA

I'M GOING TO FEEDBACK THE LOT OF YOU.

I can't wait to see this list:

Binarye Pirate x5 (60 points total)

Black Sun Enforcer x2 (26 points)

7 Feedback Arrays (14 points)

You can only put Feedback Array on the either Guri or Xizor with the Virago title (ps 3 and less cant take it), but otherwise I like this list. How about Autothrusters for the StatVipers?

Pretty sure with those point totals he meant Black Sun Soldiers.

Yep, Black Sun Soldiers. Just a basic Z95 swarm with Feedback Arrays for their Illicit slot.

So far my favorite Scum list has been:

Guri + Autothrusters, Virago, Inertial Dampeners, Advanced Sensors, and PTL or Predator (haven't decided on that yet)

4x Black Sun Soldier + Feedback Array

  • Soontir Fel + Push the Limit + Stealth Device + Autothrusters will appear in 30-50% of Imperial lists.

That's what I think makes me sad about wave 6 and Autothrusters because I fear you are right.

I really really love running Fel and do so whenever I can. Autothrusters is like a gift from heaven for him because that's all he was missing to be really competitive. But on the other hand, there is nothing I hate the most than flying a ship that we see in every list.

So, just when I get his alternative pilot card, I guess I won't be flying him as much as I used to.... unless I just accept it and make him the exception that prove the rule. Does it still count if I don't take Stealth Device?

Edited by Red Castle