With the recent release of Scum & Villainy the X-Wing tournament meta is shifting. It's time to take your VT-49 Decimators to the next level. I'm going to cover a very effective build that can survive in this new world of X-Wing.

Autothrusters is quickly growing as a popular choice for both Tie Interceptors and A-Wings since it brings these ships back to a competitive level. This poses a problem for the turrets of the game and threatens their dominance of the old meta. Darth Vader Crew will shut down these elusive boosting threats equipped with Autothrusters. Engine Upgrade has always been a powerful modification for large base ships and I believe it's essential for the Decimators survival. Getting some movement out of the VT-49 will keep you out of some troubling situations. Veteran Instincts could make Rear Admiral Chiraneau a Pilot Skill 10 and that keeps you above the current new contenders in Tyco and Soontir. I would give Push The Limit more thought. Ysanne Isard provides some unique opportunities for the Admiral. Lets take a look:

Here we see the Admiral has set a trap for the B-Wing by appearing to be vulnerable. Making his green move to clear the previous use of Push The Limit has left him hung up on an Asteroid and the B-Wing has moved in for the kill, unaware of what is going to happen next.

Since Our Admiral has the important one face down damage card Ysanne Isard is active. Although Chiraneau lost his action due to hitting the rock it does not stop the free action of Isard. Here it allows you to use Push The Limit after the activation phase, with the benefit of seeing where everyone is positioned. So we boost to the right and get off the Asteroid allowing us to attack. Even more important getting out of that potential high damaging range one shot from the B-Wing. You now leave that B-Wing with no shot while returning a range one shot from the Admiral.

At 63 points this ship takes a vast majority of your squad points and every shot you can deny means your closer to victory.

To be honest I think the Decimator needs to worry more about N'dru Suhlak stripping half its health in one shot.

To be honest I think the Decimator needs to worry more about N'dru Suhlak stripping half its health in one shot.

Can you explain this?

To be honest I think the Decimator needs to worry more about N'dru Suhlak stripping half its health in one shot.

Well if it can shoot him at range 1, or possibly even 2 with a target lock + the mini focus, it might be able to finish him with vader without n'dru even firing. Especially since he may not have a focus, and may just have a TL to try to fire the missile. Or, you know, just arc dodge him like everything else.

To be honest I think the Decimator needs to worry more about N'dru Suhlak stripping half its health in one shot.

Can you explain this?

N'Dru equipped with Cluster Missiles rolls 2 attacks of 4 dice thanks to his ability. Slap Lone Wolf on him and he even has a way to modify those dice. Low-defense ships are going to take a LOT of damage from that combination.

cluster missles with Suhlak - two 3 dice attacks. Suhlak makes them 4 dice attacks. add in lone wolf, and you get a built in re-roll, and hopefully he's got a focus before hand. potentially 8 of your 16 hp gone in one attack.

edit: 30 seconds too slow

What's your reasoning behind Darth Vader and Rebel Captive?

What's your reasoning behind Darth Vader and Rebel Captive?

Darth Vader will be needed as you have a very low chance of getting hits in on a Autothruster ship. This is very costly to give up precious hits but is ultimately worth it.

Rebel Captive since for now the Phantom is still present in the Meta and limits the choices for Push The Limit Soontirs.

To be honest I think the Decimator needs to worry more about N'dru Suhlak stripping half its health in one shot.

N’Dru Suhlak + Cluster Missiles + Lone Wolf (23) This ship does have real damage potential but it will have one chance to get that missile off before it dies under the crushing weight of Fully Operational Decimator. This is not something that will sneak up on you like what I'm showing as it's on the table in front of you.

Here is what I've found to be the typical scenario for this exchange. Because of PTL the Rear will have Focus and TL wile the Z will be using the TL to fire the missile. This leaves him unable to focus the defense however he does have that preroll. N'dru is Pilot Skill 7 leaving The Admiral to fire first. More often then not he will get 3 hits one Crit from his ability. The Z has 2 defense and will eat 2 hits no matter what if he fails to get 2 evade, The Vader Crew will had him the killing blow at the cost of 2 hits. This is far from the Half life but you did manage to spend 23 points to cause 2 damage.