Of all the new S&V ships, the poor Starviper seems to be overlooked the most. It is a well balanced ship, but doesn't seem to excel at any one particular task. How have you been using them and what has (or has not) worked and why?

I'll start with what has not worked for me... Attempting to run Xizor as a PS9 arc dodger. Not having a consistent means of manipulating dice hurts this ship. Its best deffense is often a good offense.

So I played the other extreme and ran two PS1s only equipped with autothrusters. Success! They make great blockers and tear up ships without tokens at range one. Then they can switch to long ball. Good luck hitting one at range 3 and they will stay unstressed and keep you in their crosshairs. The moment an opponent makes a mistake, they move in for the kill. Give them a tanky support ship, like a Firespray, and these ships shine.

What have been your experiences?

I've been using Guri as an anchor/flanker for a Feedback Z mini swarm. I haven't lost a match yet.

I've been flying them off the board or shooting them down!

Haha, sorry. They're my least favorite scum ship, so far, anyway. I see them as being sleepers...great supplements to a strong list, but not so great on their own.

Xizor is a mad man, and I do mean it. You have to play him almost suicidally, because his ability means he will almost never get shot when there's another target presented. This gives you free range to do stupid **** and set up crazy range 1 shots that would otherwise have him blown off the table. Predator and Advanced Sensors (expect to bump a lot) make him a lot of fun to play and he's amazingly effective within a feedback Z mini-swarm (Except against the Aggressors, because while he's still effective the rest of the squadron is effectively useless). Basically, his defensive ability gives him free reign to be used very aggressively.

Guri I want to try without Virago. Between just Predator, thrusters, and her ability I think she will make for a solid, flexible ship

I like them way more than I anticipated. I've only flown Guru so far but she's been great. I took PtL, adv sensors, autothrusters, and inertial dampeners. But I think I'd like to switch to predator instead. PtL is good, but with a free focus anyway, it's not always necessary, and it doesn't work if she's slooping.

Unfortunately I've been on a Kath kick lately and fitting them both in seems very difficult.

Target practice.

Target practice.

given that wing-span, it's not much practice

I have been flying Xizor, PTL, Autothrusters and the important one Accuracy corrector, with great success flying him just like any other tie interceptor. Accuracy corrector allows him to use his actions for pure defense/Arc dodging which for me has turned out to be surprisingly effective.

Of all the new S&V ships, the poor Starviper seems to be overlooked the most. It is a well balanced ship, but doesn't seem to excel at any one particular task. How have you been using them and what has (or has not) worked and why?

I'll start with what has not worked for me... Attempting to run Xizor as a PS9 arc dodger. Not having a consistent means of manipulating dice hurts this ship. Its best defense is often a good offense.

I'm not sure what you're talking about; is focus and target lock not good enough to modify dice? Or is the problem that he can't have double actions at PS9 b/c you have to leave PtL at home? I usually take autothrusters for some extra defense and shunt hits away to friendlies as much as possible; that greatly improves his defensive characteristics.

I wrote an article about how I see His Highness Prince Xizor used well. There's a lot of insightful comments below that, as well.

Someone also used him to good effect to win a store championship, and place in the top 4 of another.

Basically, in my opinion you should be loading him up with lots of upgrades to make him a really dangerous ship, and flying him with some ships that you won't mind shunting damage to. He can be a really potent closer, and he has the right ability to make it to the late game.

So far, I've only used them to pull off one really cute S-Turn, then end up being blown up. I think my strategy needs a bit of work, unless the subtext of my plan is to lure my opponent into a sense of victory when we're just setting up the table.

Xizor is a mad man, and I do mean it. You have to play him almost suicidally, because his ability means he will almost never get shot when there's another target presented. This gives you free range to do stupid **** and set up crazy range 1 shots that would otherwise have him blown off the table. Predator and Advanced Sensors (expect to bump a lot) make him a lot of fun to play and he's amazingly effective within a feedback Z mini-swarm (Except against the Aggressors, because while he's still effective the rest of the squadron is effectively useless). Basically, his defensive ability gives him free reign to be used very aggressively.

Guri I want to try without Virago. Between just Predator, thrusters, and her ability I think she will make for a solid, flexible ship

That bit about the Feedback Zs vs IG-2000 isn't true, I've done it and it wasn't that hard. Honestly, the Zs tend to be the MVPs in that list.

Xizor is a mad man, and I do mean it. You have to play him almost suicidally, because his ability means he will almost never get shot when there's another target presented. This gives you free range to do stupid **** and set up crazy range 1 shots that would otherwise have him blown off the table. Predator and Advanced Sensors (expect to bump a lot) make him a lot of fun to play and he's amazingly effective within a feedback Z mini-swarm (Except against the Aggressors, because while he's still effective the rest of the squadron is effectively useless). Basically, his defensive ability gives him free reign to be used very aggressively.

Guri I want to try without Virago. Between just Predator, thrusters, and her ability I think she will make for a solid, flexible ship

That bit about the Feedback Zs vs IG-2000 isn't true, I've done it and it wasn't that hard. Honestly, the Zs tend to be the MVPs in that list.

It is true, in my experience

It isn't true, in yours*

Xizor is a mad man, and I do mean it. You have to play him almost suicidally, because his ability means he will almost never get shot when there's another target presented. This gives you free range to do stupid **** and set up crazy range 1 shots that would otherwise have him blown off the table. Predator and Advanced Sensors (expect to bump a lot) make him a lot of fun to play and he's amazingly effective within a feedback Z mini-swarm (Except against the Aggressors, because while he's still effective the rest of the squadron is effectively useless). Basically, his defensive ability gives him free reign to be used very aggressively.

Guri I want to try without Virago. Between just Predator, thrusters, and her ability I think she will make for a solid, flexible ship

That bit about the Feedback Zs vs IG-2000 isn't true, I've done it and it wasn't that hard. Honestly, the Zs tend to be the MVPs in that list.

It is true, in my experience

It isn't true, in yours*

What he said was true, from a certain point of view.

Xizor is a mad man, and I do mean it. You have to play him almost suicidally, because his ability means he will almost never get shot when there's another target presented. This gives you free range to do stupid **** and set up crazy range 1 shots that would otherwise have him blown off the table. Predator and Advanced Sensors (expect to bump a lot) make him a lot of fun to play and he's amazingly effective within a feedback Z mini-swarm (Except against the Aggressors, because while he's still effective the rest of the squadron is effectively useless). Basically, his defensive ability gives him free reign to be used very aggressively.

Guri I want to try without Virago. Between just Predator, thrusters, and her ability I think she will make for a solid, flexible ship

That bit about the Feedback Zs vs IG-2000 isn't true, I've done it and it wasn't that hard. Honestly, the Zs tend to be the MVPs in that list.

It is true, in my experience

It isn't true, in yours*

What he said was true, from a certain point of view.

"...and he was a good friend."

Of all the new S&V ships, the poor Starviper seems to be overlooked the most. It is a well balanced ship, but doesn't seem to excel at any one particular task. How have you been using them and what has (or has not) worked and why?

I'll start with what has not worked for me... Attempting to run Xizor as a PS9 arc dodger. Not having a consistent means of manipulating dice hurts this ship. Its best defense is often a good offense.

I'm not sure what you're talking about; is focus and target lock not good enough to modify dice? Or is the problem that he can't have double actions at PS9 b/c you have to leave PtL at home? I usually take autothrusters for some extra defense and shunt hits away to friendlies as much as possible; that greatly improves his defensive characteristics.

I wrote an article about how I see His Highness Prince Xizor used well. There's a lot of insightful comments below that, as well.

Someone also used him to good effect to win a store championship, and place in the top 4 of another.

Basically, in my opinion you should be loading him up with lots of upgrades to make him a really dangerous ship, and flying him with some ships that you won't mind shunting damage to. He can be a really potent closer, and he has the right ability to make it to the late game.

I need more games with them. So far I've only played a trickef out Guri. The game ended with Guri with two hull left vs. ChiChi with full hull and no shields. It was an absolute walk for Guri, didn't break a sweat.

Of all the new S&V ships, the poor Starviper seems to be overlooked the most. It is a well balanced ship, but doesn't seem to excel at any one particular task. How have you been using them and what has (or has not) worked and why?

I'll start with what has not worked for me... Attempting to run Xizor as a PS9 arc dodger. Not having a consistent means of manipulating dice hurts this ship. Its best defense is often a good offense.

I'm not sure what you're talking about; is focus and target lock not good enough to modify dice? Or is the problem that he can't have double actions at PS9 b/c you have to leave PtL at home? I usually take autothrusters for some extra defense and shunt hits away to friendlies as much as possible; that greatly improves his defensive characteristics.

I wrote an article about how I see His Highness Prince Xizor used well. There's a lot of insightful comments below that, as well.

Someone also used him to good effect to win a store championship, and place in the top 4 of another.

Basically, in my opinion you should be loading him up with lots of upgrades to make him a really dangerous ship, and flying him with some ships that you won't mind shunting damage to. He can be a really potent closer, and he has the right ability to make it to the late game.

That's the issue I've had with a VI loaded Xizor. He needs Preditor I think. I've been running him with Y wings. I might have to give the Zs a run.

agreed with predator being the absolute **** on Xizor, but FCS is a poor man's replacement if you want PS 9 (and PS 9 is pretty useful). I wouldn't discount the possibility of V.I Xizor when he's one of very few scum ships capable of hitting that level and capable of catching a phantom. Apart from him, you got PS 10 Boba (needs EU), PS 10 Seri (not very efficiently priced, but again she's an option), and then the PS 9 turrets in Kavil and Dace. Of those ships, only Xizor and Boba can really keep pace with Dash, soontir, and aggressors

Regardless of opinions; 12 points of ship for 4 wounds, 2 attack and 2 agility is great value as far as X-wing is concerned. Spending a extra two points for feedback array allows them to effectively stick on damage to crippled or kitted out agility 3 vessels. Needless to say a 14 point ship will preform as well as a 14 point ship is expected to preform, a few of them will die but not before doing 14 points of work. Be it taking hits for Xzior, pinging a few hits on a ship or tanking hits. Against elite lists, often the best situation is ensure that the numbers do the talking; E.g. don't let them eat your army piece meat and your fleet will probably win through sheer weight in numbers over quaility. Of course, if it were that simple, it wouldn't be a game though! XD

As much as pred is desireable; the need for PS9 is also very driving. Pretty much you have to decide what it is he will be doing when you take this.

Xizor is a mad man, and I do mean it. You have to play him almost suicidally, because his ability means he will almost never get shot when there's another target presented. This gives you free range to do stupid **** and set up crazy range 1 shots that would otherwise have him blown off the table. Predator and Advanced Sensors (expect to bump a lot) make him a lot of fun to play and he's amazingly effective within a feedback Z mini-swarm (Except against the Aggressors, because while he's still effective the rest of the squadron is effectively useless). Basically, his defensive ability gives him free reign to be used very aggressively.

Guri I want to try without Virago. Between just Predator, thrusters, and her ability I think she will make for a solid, flexible ship

That bit about the Feedback Zs vs IG-2000 isn't true, I've done it and it wasn't that hard. Honestly, the Zs tend to be the MVPs in that list.

It is true, in my experience

It isn't true, in yours*

Ok. The way you worded it sounded like you meant it in general, not just for you.

Xizor is a mad man, and I do mean it. You have to play him almost suicidally, because his ability means he will almost never get shot when there's another target presented. This gives you free range to do stupid **** and set up crazy range 1 shots that would otherwise have him blown off the table. Predator and Advanced Sensors (expect to bump a lot) make him a lot of fun to play and he's amazingly effective within a feedback Z mini-swarm (Except against the Aggressors, because while he's still effective the rest of the squadron is effectively useless). Basically, his defensive ability gives him free reign to be used very aggressively.

Guri I want to try without Virago. Between just Predator, thrusters, and her ability I think she will make for a solid, flexible ship

That bit about the Feedback Zs vs IG-2000 isn't true, I've done it and it wasn't that hard. Honestly, the Zs tend to be the MVPs in that list.

It is true, in my experience

It isn't true, in yours*

Ok. The way you worded it sounded like you meant it in general, not just for you.

Sorry.

I try my best to add all the "personally" and "imo" in my posts, but sometimes I forget I don't mean to claim to be an absolute authority in this game, and I don't believe anyone who claims that they are. It's just a lot of work to keep putting in the extra qualifiers.

So, personally, I have not been able to crack 3 agility with head-hunters 2 dice. nor have I been to able to control their speed with their stiff dial, nor has feedback been useful against 8 health. Aggressors are their perfect counter, imo.

My Feedback Zs have a much easier time against Soontir and Whisper because those ships can't get around feedback so easily. They may be more flightly, but there's not much in the game that can match the Aggressors' raw speed and at 3/4 health feedbacks will quickly mount very significant damage on the interceptor/phantom, more than enough to finish whatever work Xizor starts on them.

I'm not sure how much PS 9 is worth it for Xizor. Fly him right and it is dam hard to keep out of his arc. That s-turn is brutal.

VI eats an important upgrade slot for the Starviper. Lose the initiative war and it's all for naught. Advanced sensors keeps Xizor from losing his action, which is more valuable than what FCS provides. Or so it has seemed in my games.

As long as there is a meta driven by high ps phantoms and turreted ships with barrel roll and engine upgrade, PS9 is going to be the most important Asset a maneuverable ship can have. If that changes, then I'd consider other EPTs.

For me, the Starviper is the current gem of the Scum.

I tried two generic with Autothrusters, their survivability was impressive. I tried a fully equiped Guri (Autothrusters, Advanced Sensors, Predator) and the maneuvers she could pull off was great. I tried a 4 Generic team in a 3 players game and it was funny as hell. As of now, although still limited experience, I was never disappointed with their performance.

There is too many ship/pilots that I want to try in the scum faction to allow me to play more with the Starviper, but I can definetly see it becoming my go to ship that I want to master and use to have some fun.

I use Xizor with Veteran Instincts, Virago, Advanced Sensors and Autothrusters.

The other ships in the squad are 2 Z-95 Black sun soldiers and a Firespray, Mandalorian Merc with Draw their fire.

Normally the first one (or two, depending on how moves the enemy ships) rounds of fire I keep My formation tight and focusing fire if possible in one enemy ship. After that I break the formation with Xizor, using segnor loop and before that with adv sensors, using focus, barrel roll or Impulse if neccesary, trying to move last and catch enemy ships from behind or a flank. The z-95 to block and the Firespray firing at close range. I have tested this 2 times (I know, it´s not too much) with good results.

A standard Xizor + 2 fishers + Z list: