So, after playing the odd game of X-Wing over the past months, I'd like to participate in a few tournaments in the near future - not so much for the winning (I'll be realistic) or the loot (although shiney), but mostly to get some more games in againt different people.

Currently leaning towards a Scum list, although I've almost exclusively flown Imperials so far. Do you think the following would stand up to currently popular lists?

Kath Scarlet

-Calculation

-Recon Specialist

N'Dru Suhlak

-Lone Wolf

-Cluster Missiles

Black Sun Soldier

-'Hot Shot' Blaster

-Munitions Failsafe

Black Sun Soldier

-'Hot Shot' Blaster

-Munitions Failsafe

(99pts)

Recon Specialist either for some offense and defense, or to 'Calculate' the first eyeball and have the rest as regular hits. N'Dru can put some hurt on a single target blasting 2x4 attack dice with a re-roll. The Black Suns have a single shot at arc-dodging Interceptors, Phantoms or other elusive ships, and if they prove too elusive, well, the Failsafe kicks in and gives them another (hot) shot. Given the prevalence of the Predator talent, the Pilot Skill upgrade for the Z95s seemed like a good investment. Not set on any upgrades though, so some points to play around with.

Alternatively, variations on Imperial lists I've piloted in the past are an option, like the Imperial Red Squadron:

Kath Scarlet (yes, she'll be included whatever the faction...)

-Calculation

-Rebel Captive

-Engine Upgrade

Royal Guard Pilot

-Push the Limit

-Autothrusters

Royal Guard Pilot

-Push the Limit

-Autothrusters

(100pts)

Kath Scarlet (i think this list has potential)

-Calculation

-Rebel Captive

-Engine Upgrade

Royal Guard Pilot

-Push the Limit

-Autothrusters

Royal Guard Pilot

-Push the Limit

-Autothrusters

(100pts)

i wonder if calculation is worth it here. Vet. Instincts might be better imo. Have you considered switching recon specialist for rebel captive?

id do that if i were going with calculation so i could use one focus for attack and once for defense.

Autothusters is fast going to be the must have upgrade on intercepters. Good choice here. ur intercepters are going to stand a much better chance versus everything out there, esp turret weapons.

For the imperial Kath list, since you clearly have some scum, toss a Mangler Cannon on Kath instead of the engine upgrade and watch the crits fly in. Often you'll get her ability to trigger and still land a crit using Mangler + Calculation

I like it alot. But I'd drop the Munitions Failsafes and the Calculation. VI for Kath I think. Esp Scum Kath. Or Expert Handling or something.

Also, I'd honestly just use Feedback Array instead of Hotshot. That 3 dice F for a single shot isn't going to land you more than 1 hit difference anyway. Feedback is much more potent and costs less.

If you're afraid of Phantoms, you can give Kath or Ndru Hotshot.

Or Kath a Feedback array is great too.

Thanks for the replies people.

i wonder if calculation is worth it here. Vet. Instincts might be better imo. Have you considered switching recon specialist for rebel captive?

id do that if i were going with calculation so i could use one focus for attack and once for defense.

Autothusters is fast going to be the must have upgrade on intercepters. Good choice here. ur intercepters are going to stand a much better chance versus everything out there, esp turret weapons.

Considered Recon specialist for Rebel captive? Of course I have! I hop from the one to the other about twice every minute. The Firespray is massive, why can't it just have two crew slots? Recon and Rebel for Imperial, Recon and K4 Droid for Scum... Gods, that would be nice.

Anyhow, I do agree that Recon is great, especially when taking Calculation. Rebel captive truly never lets me down, however. Phantoms won't like shooting at you. High PS aces with PtL are reluctant to take that shot (or won't Push, also good). Everybody (bar Tycho) hates it really. Calculation may be a bit wasted without extra focus tokens though...

For the imperial Kath list, since you clearly have some scum, toss a Mangler Cannon on Kath instead of the engine upgrade and watch the crits fly in. Often you'll get her ability to trigger and still land a crit using Mangler + Calculation

Yup, got plenty of Scum cards and upgrades.. or I will, when the mailman comes around in a few days. Am not sold on the Engine Upgrade, so that's certainly an option. Also not sold on cannons for Firesprays though.. I tend to feel that you're either ensuring the use of the Cannon (making the auxiliary arc pointless), or using your auxiliary arc, thus not making use of the equipped cannon. Two crits a turn though.. that does sound pleasant (for me).

I like it alot. But I'd drop the Munitions Failsafes and the Calculation. VI for Kath I think. Esp Scum Kath. Or Expert Handling or something.

Also, I'd honestly just use Feedback Array instead of Hotshot. That 3 dice F for a single shot isn't going to land you more than 1 hit difference anyway. Feedback is much more potent and costs less.

Aside from the whole 'damaging myself' aspect, my main gripe with the Feedback array is that it only works at range 1 - and with all the barrel rolls, boosts and decloak options, the main targets for both those weapons are unlikely to get that close. Would save four points though (compared to Hot Shot+Failsafe), so certainly worth considering. Especially on Kath, where the first ion doesn't matter.

So, my first foray will have to be without the actually designed lists, as it will be in two days time, and I only have a subset of all my ships around. Not sure what will be going on in between, but the big one to attend in two months time will be regionals - and I want to go prepared for that. Having witnessed the mind-blowing amazingness that are Autothrusters (and having some nice ideas for repaints), I'm very much leaning towards a variation of the second list. Pretty much set on:

Kath Scarlet

-Rebel Captive

Royal Guard Pilot

-Push the Limit

-Autothrusters

Royal Guard Pilot

-Pust the Limit

-Autothrusters

(And Royal Guard TIEs on the Royal Guard, just because.. that's what they fly in. Even if not using the second modification slot.)

So that's 95 points. Up to 5 points left. I feel less and less for Engine Upgrade on Kath here, as she will be left without actions or comparative effects. As it stands, she adds little more than a higher PS Bounty Hunter, so ideally I should make use of that special rule. Calculation is cheapest, costs a focus, but if only a single eyeball is rolled, that's fine. Works in both arcs too. Mangler Cannon has a 'free' effect, but is limited to the front arc. Added bonus (or actually: no bonus for opponent) at range 3 - put less attractive at range 1. Veteran Instincts for PS9 could be important, especially with more Vaders appearing once the Raider arrives, and Whisper or Soontir being present in many lists too. Something like Predator also rarely disappoints though.

More importantly, another issue was bothering me. Initiative. IG88s seem to be pretty popular, at least at the moment. Rarely taken with VI from what I've seen. Is it worthwhile to spend no more than 3 points (so no Mangler I guess) and try to get the choice? VI on Kath perhaps, to potentially target uncloaked Phantoms. Or perhaps Lone Wolf? Some offensive and defensive re-rolls, and the Royal Guard won't have to be arround anyway. Any other options to consider (please, not too many..) or additional thoughts on these?

Thanks for the replies people.

i wonder if calculation is worth it here. Vet. Instincts might be better imo. Have you considered switching recon specialist for rebel captive?

id do that if i were going with calculation so i could use one focus for attack and once for defense.

Autothusters is fast going to be the must have upgrade on intercepters. Good choice here. ur intercepters are going to stand a much better chance versus everything out there, esp turret weapons.

Considered Recon specialist for Rebel captive? Of course I have! I hop from the one to the other about twice every minute. The Firespray is massive, why can't it just have two crew slots? Recon and Rebel for Imperial, Recon and K4 Droid for Scum... Gods, that would be nice.

Anyhow, I do agree that Recon is great, especially when taking Calculation. Rebel captive truly never lets me down, however. Phantoms won't like shooting at you. High PS aces with PtL are reluctant to take that shot (or won't Push, also good). Everybody (bar Tycho) hates it really. Calculation may be a bit wasted without extra focus tokens though...

For the imperial Kath list, since you clearly have some scum, toss a Mangler Cannon on Kath instead of the engine upgrade and watch the crits fly in. Often you'll get her ability to trigger and still land a crit using Mangler + Calculation

Yup, got plenty of Scum cards and upgrades.. or I will, when the mailman comes around in a few days. Am not sold on the Engine Upgrade, so that's certainly an option. Also not sold on cannons for Firesprays though.. I tend to feel that you're either ensuring the use of the Cannon (making the auxiliary arc pointless), or using your auxiliary arc, thus not making use of the equipped cannon. Two crits a turn though.. that does sound pleasant (for me).

I like it alot. But I'd drop the Munitions Failsafes and the Calculation. VI for Kath I think. Esp Scum Kath. Or Expert Handling or something.

Also, I'd honestly just use Feedback Array instead of Hotshot. That 3 dice F for a single shot isn't going to land you more than 1 hit difference anyway. Feedback is much more potent and costs less.

Aside from the whole 'damaging myself' aspect, my main gripe with the Feedback array is that it only works at range 1 - and with all the barrel rolls, boosts and decloak options, the main targets for both those weapons are unlikely to get that close. Would save four points though (compared to Hot Shot+Failsafe), so certainly worth considering. Especially on Kath, where the first ion doesn't matter.

Trust me: The range of Feedback is not a problem. It happens a lot, esp if you can deny other areas based on standard attack arcs and turrets, rocks, etc.

The damage to yourself is more the problem. Also putting feedback on a Z sometimes just donates 2 more points if they focus it down. But that's usaully a good thing, because that means they aren't focusing something else more valuable.