Want to counter Decimators? Use E'tahn and a swarm of z-95s. I won two SC last weekend with E'tahn, VI Cracken, and 4 Bandits. Didn't lose a match in either tournament, and took out 6 Decimators in one tournament, including two double Decimator lists. The finals was against a double Decimator list, I almost felt sorry for the guy. He actually said "It's pointless for me to fly against your list" after I ripped through the first decimator on the first pass. Only lost one z-95 the whole match. I would have felt sorry for the guy if it wasn't for the fact he chose to get lazy and fly a double turret.

Yeah, I'd expect to see more Decimators, especially with Vader, and maybe fewer YT-2400s and Falcons. Rebels will probably go a bit heavier into BBBBZ, or perhaps Ten Numb with Mangler backed by a Z-swarm or Warthogs.

Not sure what really hard-counters BBBBZ. I don't think it'd be Fel. Maybe a XXBZZZ, or a few heavy hitters with Predator?

Super Dash counters that list pretty hard actually, if you fly smart. Although you still probably won't kill every ship if there's only 60 minutes.

phantoms counter swarm lists. remember? acd eats low ps alive. in fact, you dont even need VI in the new rebel swarm era. you can take predator. or lone wolf.

I'm 50% done with X-wing as it stands - I do not blame anyone or anything for the meta but I've just grown weary of it. Perhaps it will change after Store Championship season, but I didn't buy into this game to play the same, unimaginative 2 ship lists.

I came in 4th at a local SC last weekend - Capt. Oicunn and Col. Vessery. I felt ridiculous - there were so many creative non-meta lists and here I was, hamfisting my way through a tournament with only a minor variant of the uninspired meta BS.

I'm going to try the RPG inspired campaign at the weekly drop-in after SC season is done. FML I hope Scum inspires some variety.

I totally get what you mean. It can be hard to balance the desire to place well in a tourney, (One that you have to pay an entry fee for) vs just playing a fun list. I'd usually rather play a fun day of multiple lists and multiple players, but lately it seems like tourney lists are all that you see. This isn't always the case, and I'm sure it'll calm down within a month or two... but for now it is a bummer. I'd love to fly a thematic list, or just a silly build like HWKs with no turret! (JK I'd never fly that, but you get my point). The really cool part is that when the Raider hits, there will be a whole new type of game to play. Epic format should be casual and I'm guessing it'll be amazing! There will BE NO 2 SHIP LISTS IN EPIC!

On a side note, have you tried Imperial Assault? It's amazing and can certainly reclaim some of the awesome-ness that X-Wings meta craziness might have lost.

People in Orlando tend to fly Decimators - ALOT. Like more than half of the people at any given tournament will have at least one Decimator on the table.

More than once I have forgotten that you're in FL as well. I'm likely heading to my first tournament game of X-Wing (Woo!) in Sarasota. The Dark Side is having their SC on March 7th.

That's perfectly understandable: when I was in central Florida, I tried very hard to forget that I lived there.

Oh Cmon dude! I suppose it depends where exactly you were, but I can honestly say that I've never been happier than living in Orlando. I'm in a good part of town that isn't touristy, not too expensive, not run down... got some amazing places to eat, and a bakery called Sweet a block away from my house, run by a lady who won Cupcake Wars THREE TIMES!

Don't see how you can hate decimators yet they haven't had nearly as long as the falcon to build resentment.

Totally see how the turret domination could get to you but hopefully that will fall out of favour.

I'm 50% done with X-wing as it stands - I do not blame anyone or anything for the meta but I've just grown weary of it. Perhaps it will change after Store Championship season, but I didn't buy into this game to play the same, unimaginative 2 ship lists.

I came in 4th at a local SC last weekend - Capt. Oicunn and Col. Vessery. I felt ridiculous - there were so many creative non-meta lists and here I was, hamfisting my way through a tournament with only a minor variant of the uninspired meta BS.

I'm going to try the RPG inspired campaign at the weekly drop-in after SC season is done. FML I hope Scum inspires some variety.

I totally get what you mean. It can be hard to balance the desire to place well in a tourney, (One that you have to pay an entry fee for) vs just playing a fun list. I'd usually rather play a fun day of multiple lists and multiple players, but lately it seems like tourney lists are all that you see. This isn't always the case, and I'm sure it'll calm down within a month or two... but for now it is a bummer. I'd love to fly a thematic list, or just a silly build like HWKs with no turret! (JK I'd never fly that, but you get my point). The really cool part is that when the Raider hits, there will be a whole new type of game to play. Epic format should be casual and I'm guessing it'll be amazing! There will BE NO 2 SHIP LISTS IN EPIC!

On a side note, have you tried Imperial Assault? It's amazing and can certainly reclaim some of the awesome-ness that X-Wings meta craziness might have lost.

I have! I enjoy the game - even though I lost 75% of the missions I played. I look forward to additional character expansions.

I dunn

I'm 50% done with X-wing as it stands - I do not blame anyone or anything for the meta but I've just grown weary of it. Perhaps it will change after Store Championship season, but I didn't buy into this game to play the same, unimaginative 2 ship lists.

I came in 4th at a local SC last weekend - Capt. Oicunn and Col. Vessery. I felt ridiculous - there were so many creative non-meta lists and here I was, hamfisting my way through a tournament with only a minor variant of the uninspired meta BS.

I'm going to try the RPG inspired campaign at the weekly drop-in after SC season is done. FML I hope Scum inspires some variety.

I totally get what you mean. It can be hard to balance the desire to place well in a tourney, (One that you have to pay an entry fee for) vs just playing a fun list. I'd usually rather play a fun day of multiple lists and multiple players, but lately it seems like tourney lists are all that you see. This isn't always the case, and I'm sure it'll calm down within a month or two... but for now it is a bummer. I'd love to fly a thematic list, or just a silly build like HWKs with no turret! (JK I'd never fly that, but you get my point). The really cool part is that when the Raider hits, there will be a whole new type of game to play. Epic format should be casual and I'm guessing it'll be amazing! There will BE NO 2 SHIP LISTS IN EPIC!

On a side note, have you tried Imperial Assault? It's amazing and can certainly reclaim some of the awesome-ness that X-Wings meta craziness might have lost.

I have! I enjoy the game - even though I lost 75% of the missions I played. I look forward to additional character expansions.

I dunno, but I think we live in exciting times. Huge numbers of ships are now returned to viable! Ints, Adv, A-wings. Even some fringe pilots too. I learned just how good Jan, Ibtisam, Capt Kagi, and Chiraneau were recently. its been so much fun! And my flying and listing is starting to become good enough to give A-lists a run for their money.

What a wonderful world.

I'm in my last week of really playing hard to win. These last few weeks have been devoted to just getting good with the list I want to fly at Store Champs. After this week, I'm looking forward to going back to flying stupid, brutish lists like three X-Wings, maybe double Aggressors, maybe Scum Z swarm, maybe HWKs, maybe mix A-Wings and Y-Wings. I won't give two cares about the meta. It will bee glorious.

...when I was in central Florida, I tried very hard to forget that I lived there.

Oh Cmon dude! I suppose it depends where exactly you were...

Metro Tampa. I miss Cuban food, Ybor City, and the occasional jaunt to Atlantic beaches. I don't miss my 1.5 hour commute, the crackers, the cranky retirees, the Baptists, the jaw-droppingly corrupt state politics, or the climate*.

At least marginally back on topic... I just want to underline again that we're once again entering my favorite period in the game, where everyone is madly brainstorming combos and experimenting madly to find out what works and what doesn't. I have no idea what will happen at the next tourney I attend! When was the last time a reasonably well-informed player could say that?

*Worth pointing out that I have whatever the polar opposite of seasonal affective disorder is: I'm only really happy in fall and winter.

Don't see how you can hate decimators yet they haven't had nearly as long as the falcon to build resentment.

Totally see how the turret domination could get to you but hopefully that will fall out of favour.

because "**** Han" threads are and have been such a rarity on these forums

let's let the new guy take some of the hate for a bit

and yeah, fingers crossed that they fall out of favor (if only for being so ******* boring)

Want to counter Decimators? Use E'tahn and a swarm of z-95s. I won two SC last weekend with E'tahn, VI Cracken, and 4 Bandits. Didn't lose a match in either tournament, and took out 6 Decimators in one tournament, including two double Decimator lists. The finals was against a double Decimator list, I almost felt sorry for the guy. He actually said "It's pointless for me to fly against your list" after I ripped through the first decimator on the first pass. Only lost one z-95 the whole match. I would have felt sorry for the guy if it wasn't for the fact he chose to get lazy and fly a double turret.

I've thought about this, but don't have this many Z, moreover Deci with skill 10 and boost often will escape you (also some guys use Navigator). How many those defeated Decimators had EU?

...when I was in central Florida, I tried very hard to forget that I lived there.

Oh Cmon dude! I suppose it depends where exactly you were...

Metro Tampa. I miss Cuban food, Ybor City, and the occasional jaunt to Atlantic beaches. I don't miss my 1.5 hour commute, the crackers, the cranky retirees, the Baptists, the jaw-droppingly corrupt state politics, or the climate*.

At least marginally back on topic... I just want to underline again that we're once again entering my favorite period in the game, where everyone is madly brainstorming combos and experimenting madly to find out what works and what doesn't. I have no idea what will happen at the next tourney I attend! When was the last time a reasonably well-informed player could say that?

*Worth pointing out that I have whatever the polar opposite of seasonal affective disorder is: I'm only really happy in fall and winter.

I hope by cracker you mean the food.

Want to counter Decimators? Use E'tahn and a swarm of z-95s. I won two SC last weekend with E'tahn, VI Cracken, and 4 Bandits. Didn't lose a match in either tournament, and took out 6 Decimators in one tournament, including two double Decimator lists. The finals was against a double Decimator list, I almost felt sorry for the guy. He actually said "It's pointless for me to fly against your list" after I ripped through the first decimator on the first pass. Only lost one z-95 the whole match. I would have felt sorry for the guy if it wasn't for the fact he chose to get lazy and fly a double turret.

I've thought about this, but don't have this many Z, moreover Deci with skill 10 and boost often will escape you (also some guys use Navigator). How many those defeated Decimators had EU?

aye, ran into this same problem running E'athn and four Zs (1 cracken)

E'athn's just hilariously tanky but the poor Zs don't really compete on their own with the idiocy of fat turrets. You first have to drag them down to more reasonable levels, generally through the application of stress

It's the big reason I moved from E-wing to Stres Wing. The X-wing is a far less frightening ship on its own, but it multiplies the efficiency of your entire squad by severely debilitating the enemy. Of the three pilots (Wes, Luke, Porkins), Wes is the most "**** you, Wave 5" of them all because his ability to slap tokens off of high priority ships really cuts down on the damage they can deal (luck excluded of course, as it always is with turrets). Even the humble bandit can be as hard to pin down as whisper when your 4 dice monster is flying around double-stressed and completely cut-off from free target-locks and the like.

fickle, man... the Decimator is a cool ship. People paid 40 bucks for it. Just let them play without griping so much about it. It's not like your BBBBZ list is super creative. Not to mention, they lose to other builds all the time... you know why? Because people have learned to focus down the Deci first... it doesn't take an awesome list to take one out. You just have to stay focused on it.

Sorry if I'm coming off rude, but it's like every post... we get that you don't like Decimators or any other turrets.

I like going against Decimators because 0 green dice is fine with me!

fickle, man... the Decimator is a cool ship. People paid 40 bucks for it. Just let them play without griping so much about it. It's not like your BBBBZ list is super creative. Not to mention, they lose to other builds all the time... you know why? Because people have learned to focus down the Deci first... it doesn't take an awesome list to take one out. You just have to stay focused on it.

Sorry if I'm coming off rude, but it's like every post... we get that you don't like Decimators or any other turrets.

BBBBZ is not mine. The only thing I coined as "mine" is the stress wing, which probably wasn't even mine to begin with since I'm sure someone figured it out long before I started looking at every single expansion set for a solution to Wave 5.

Sorry if I come as being repetitive, I'm afraid I might've caught something from the Wave 5 lists

Anyway, feel free to disregard the turret hate, because it's not going away until Wave 6 takes a firm hold. Feel free to focus instead on the pilot/upgrade recommendations and push for the exploration of mechanics (such as stress) that aren't just stat-spam as a solution to an incredibly prevalent and common problem.

Cool. Again, I apologize for my moment of frustration. There's been so much posted about it that it just gets to me after a while... and I happen to like the Decimator. And I suffer regularly for it - zero green dice is a pretty big weakness. Even with upgrades I feel it's still very beatable, and it's starting to show in tournaments. I also don't feel like it's an easy button... it does need to be flown almost perfectly to be effective in the tournament scene, and flying any ship perfectly is not an easy task.

I don't hate Decimators, Falcons, Outriders, E-Wings, or Phantoms. I just dislike paying to be bored. I have limited free time and limited money and if all I'm going to fly against is Admiral Whisper, Dash Corran, and insert Fat Falcon list here then what is the actual point?

Variety. That's what I pray Wave 6 brings us. Sure we have more ships but we already had plenty of ships. Is this going to do much of anything aside from add IG x2 to the list above?

I'm so tired. I'm going to bed.

I'm in my last week of really playing hard to win. These last few weeks have been devoted to just getting good with the list I want to fly at Store Champs. After this week, I'm looking forward to going back to flying stupid, brutish lists like three X-Wings, maybe double Aggressors, maybe Scum Z swarm, maybe HWKs, maybe mix A-Wings and Y-Wings. I won't give two cares about the meta. It will bee glorious.

I hear that.

I've brought Chewie/Leebo to three SCs. Some of the regulars have been getting progressively saltier every time they see me unpack it. It achieved what I hoped it would, though, and I have 30 focus tokens and a regional bye.

But it's coming up on Scum Time. I might still have to endure some whining, because Kavil, HWKs and Firesprays are all things I'm excited to try (ie. turrets and auxiliary arcs) but it will be refreshing to get away from the all-seeing pancakes.

Variety. That's what I pray Wave 6 brings us. Sure we have more ships but we already had plenty of ships. Is this going to do much of anything aside from add IG x2 to the list above?

After practicing that list a few times, I'm not convinced it will become a mindless competitive mainstay. It's one of the most difficult lists I've ever flown (at least against other "hard" lists), and I think anyone who does well with it will be earning it.

those double Aggressors are going to be about as brutish as a paper-mache scholar wielding a glass scalpel

Yeah, aggressors can't get to PS9+. Good luck against a Phantom.

If ACD wasn't in this game the meta wouldn't be so god **** stale. The whole meta revolves around that stupid card. People could run things that counter fat turrets and they wouldn't be in every list.

Yeah, aggressors can't get to PS9+. Good luck against a Phantom.

If ACD wasn't in this game the meta wouldn't be so god **** stale. The whole meta revolves around that stupid card. People could run things that counter fat turrets and they wouldn't be in every list.

even at PS 8 in a world without phantoms, the Aggressors aren't overly terrifying. They're hilariously maneuverable with their pre-move boost, no doubt, but they won't have the means to abuse both their maneuverability and their ability to get some amazing action efficiency out of their loaded bar.

Imo, it's when you start stacking PTL, advanced sensors, and cannons that those buggers are starting to get truly terrifying, but then they're capped at PS 6 and will require quite a bit of foresight to play (and to pilot those large, single-arc bases)

The primary reason turret ships became popular is to counter phantoms (at least in my area). Last year every other imperial build I saw in competitive play was Whisper or Echo. So blame that ship for the "turret mania" that continues to be the flavor of the month in organized play.

Anyways, nice job on the vids Crabbok! I'm surprised and disappointed to learn Most Wanted comes with only one Hotshot Blaster and zero Deadman Switch upgrade cards. Ah well...

The primary reason turret ships became popular is to counter phantoms (at least in my area). Last year every other imperial build I saw in competitive play was Whisper or Echo. So blame that ship for the "turret mania" that continues to be the flavor of the month in organized play.

Anyways, nice job on the vids Crabbok! I'm surprised and disappointed to learn Most Wanted comes with only one Hotshot Blaster and zero Deadman Switch upgrade cards. Ah well...

I think the hype of Phantoms was more prevalent than actual Phantoms. 360 ships are an easy way to ensure you get shots on net each round. Super Dash and Fat Han were going to be prevalent regardless of whether TIE Phantom existed or not.

Well I don't know about you guys but...

(MUSIC)I'm Bringing Krasis back!(MUSIC)

(see what I did there huh ,huh, nudge)