I've been working hard on my own dual Aggressor build over the past month; I appreciate you sharing your trials and attempts at various support card build-outs. Finding a combination that works for how you want to fly them (or just how you play) is half the challenge. I love how these ships fly and move and I hope folks are able to make them competitive at the top tables during regional season and beyond. Great write-up of the game with Sable.

I've been working hard on my own dual Aggressor build over the past month; I appreciate you sharing your trials and attempts at various support card build-outs. Finding a combination that works for how you want to fly them (or just how you play) is half the challenge. I love how these ships fly and move and I hope folks are able to make them competitive at the top tables during regional season and beyond. Great write-up of the game with Sable.

You perfectly sum up my feelings on the Aggressors - I've found them incredibly rewarding. After some initial faffing with various upgrades I have found a real sweet spot with them. I'm confident they are competitive against every build and if I do badly at the regionals it'll down to me playing badly or my opponent outflying me.

I'm 11 - 3 competitively with them so far. I won the Spring tournament and runner up (due to some poor, tired flying on my part) in my local store tournament. My list:

IG88B

Stay on Target

Mangler cannon

Advanced sensors

Inertial dampeners

Autothrusters

IG2000

IG88C

Stay on target

HLC

Advanced sensors

Inertial dampeners

Autothrusters

IG2000

This falls in at 99 points. Stay on target, advanced sensor boost and inertial dampeners give them so many post dial movement options that provide a he amount of control. Intertial dampeners makes high PS arc dodgers a lot more manageable. Once they're in arc the gunner takes care of the rest.

Really enjoying reading your progress & list building process Hothie. I hope you stick with your list and I look forward to reading how it gets on at the regionals.

I've been working hard on my own dual Aggressor build over the past month; I appreciate you sharing your trials and attempts at various support card build-outs. Finding a combination that works for how you want to fly them (or just how you play) is half the challenge. I love how these ships fly and move and I hope folks are able to make them competitive at the top tables during regional season and beyond. Great write-up of the game with Sable.

You perfectly sum up my feelings on the Aggressors - I've found them incredibly rewarding. After some initial faffing with various upgrades I have found a real sweet spot with them. I'm confident they are competitive against every build and if I do badly at the regionals it'll down to me playing badly or my opponent outflying me.

I'm 11 - 3 competitively with them so far. I won the Spring tournament and runner up (due to some poor, tired flying on my part) in my local store tournament. My list:

IG88B

Stay on Target

Mangler cannon

Advanced sensors

Inertial dampeners

Autothrusters

IG2000

IG88C

Stay on target

HLC

Advanced sensors

Inertial dampeners

Autothrusters

IG2000

This falls in at 99 points. Stay on target, advanced sensor boost and inertial dampeners give them so many post dial movement options that provide a he amount of control. Intertial dampeners makes high PS arc dodgers a lot more manageable. Once they're in arc the gunner takes care of the rest.

Really enjoying reading your progress & list building process Hothie. I hope you stick with your list and I look forward to reading how it gets on at the regionals.

With advanced sensors, stay on target, and dampenets, I would recommend D over C for the added maneuvering options. Ds ability is just so nice to have available.

With advanced sensors, stay on target, and dampeners, I would recommend D over C for the added maneuvering options. Ds ability is just so nice to have available.

Agreed. I started off running B and C, because action economy is so powerful. I ended up swapping C for D, however, because I found that the free evade wasn't frequently of use. I was generally boosting to re-position for the following round or to get completely out of someone's arc; C's ability was wasted, more often-than-not. D's ability - particularly combined with an Advanced Sensors boost or other dial-altering tricks - is simply disgusting. There's just no way for your opponent to predict quite where you will be. Even you may change your mind on which template to use for your S-loop and whether or not to try an Advanced Sensors boost as the board develops and lower PS pilots move in front of you.

I think I'm going to make one change tonight. Stay on target only is useful against lower ps builds. In games where I move first, SoT is usually wasted points. So instead I think I'm going to try expert handling tonight. Both epts give stress, so that is a wash. But against builds that move after I do, I think eh could be good, so ill try that tonight.

Played a game vs Major Juggler last night, and again his Terminators got me. That one was kind of a weird game, though, because vassal was very laggy, so we had to restart the game a few times. It's tough to get into a flow of the game like that. Plus we had some weird rolls and crits. But, he out damaged me in the end, so he got me again. He was doing the ranges better than I was, i think, even though I was pulling off some good blocks. (I took init to put myself at a disadvantage, although with the blocking, I'm not convinced that it is.)

Then tonight, on the table, I switched out Stay on Target for Expert handling, which I think I will stay with for a while.

First game was against Simonsays running a 4 ship Rebel build: Biggs, Tarn, Graven, and Gold with stressbot. The stressbot did his thing early, but second round of combat I collided with him, and he didn't get another shot in the game. The Expert Handling came up big there, letting D arc dodge better, and get rid of a few TLs. Won that one 100-0.

Then played against a 4 ship Scum build: Kavil, Torkil, Ndru, and a Hired gun with blaster turrets. Sensor Jammer was big here against the Agromechs. I went after Ndru early, then killed Torkil, then the hired gun, and finally Kavil. I did better about using Lone Wolf while having both IGs on the board. Won that one 100-0 as well.

So, even though I think the squad has too many weaknesses, I think I will stick with them at least through the Omaha Regional, because I have been very successful with them on the table.

And to make it easier to find, here is my current version of Yin and Yang.

http://xwing-builder.co.uk/view/227400/yin-and-yang

Kath-outmaneuver, engine, tactician, ID, hlc

Merc-Intimidation, k4, seismic, ID, apl

Merc plays battering ram, reducing agility while Kath can reduce agility as well.

of course, I've also been thinking about the 5AP with 2 Alphas with autothrusters list. I may do my own variant of it. Something like

AP

X3 obsidian

Stabber

Alpha with AT

cool! i miss the old tie swarms, they have virtually died out in my area.

Kath-outmaneuver, engine, tactician, ID, hlc

Merc-Intimidation, k4, seismic, ID, apl

Merc plays battering ram, reducing agility while Kath can reduce agility as well.

of course, I've also been thinking about the 5AP with 2 Alphas with autothrusters list. I may do my own variant of it. Something like

AP

X3 obsidian

Stabber

Alpha with AT

cool! i miss the old tie swarms, they have virtually died out in my area.

One of the players from a store championship had Torkil+ Ion and Merc + Predator x 2. Drop target to PS 0 and get free rerolls. Made it to final table.

In my game on Monday, I stayed at long range and took out torkil early. He only got to use his ability once.

Hey Hothie.

Going back to your "defensive" B & C build inspired by Aaron I think, with sensor jammer, lone wolf, seismics, etc. With Manglers instead of HLC what would your plan be against a Fat Han list such Paul's Worlds list. Focus on the Z's then take out Han with defensive safety riding you to a timed victory if needed? Or chance getting through Han with B's ability pushing the canons?

Honestly, the z's shouldn't be able to touch you if you can keep them at range. Try going after Han, just be sure you can get arcs on something. Engine Han is a pain. If he gives you z's early pull them off the board. Paul's list doesn't have gunner on Han, so he only gets one shot per round. You should be able to outlast him.

Personally, I prefer D over C though, for the greater maneuverability options.

Honestly, the z's shouldn't be able to touch you if you can keep them at range. Try going after Han, just be sure you can get arcs on something. Engine Han is a pain. If he gives you z's early pull them off the board. Paul's list doesn't have gunner on Han, so he only gets one shot per round. You should be able to outlast him.

Personally, I prefer D over C though, for the greater maneuverability options.

I haven't tried D yet as B and C have been working wonderful for me so far as a super defensive build. I haven't matched up against a Han/Zs list yet so that just got me thinking. I have taken down a defensive Han and Fringer list though, took down the Fringer first with some great positioning and then IRL would've won on time but on Vassal I ended up taking out Han after getting a couple of stress crits on him after he used PTL. I just know that with my two manglers it was just a pain to get damage through as he had PTL, title, C3p0, Lone wolf and R2D2

My list as of now:

B w/mangler, ID, AT, seismic, Adrenaline Rush and Sensor Jammer

C w/mangler, ID, AT, Adrenaline Rush and Sensor Jammer

98pts for the mirror match possibility

My list as of now:

B w/mangler, ID, AT, seismic, Adrenaline Rush and Sensor Jammer

C w/mangler, ID, AT, Adrenaline Rush and Sensor Jammer

98pts for the mirror match possibility

B is the obvious target here. This is why I like HLC on D in Yin/Yang. Because if my opponent wants to go after B early, then he is ignoring HLC shots throughout the game. It makes for a tough choice. Your C doesn't really punish your opponent for going after B here.

My list as of now:

B w/mangler, ID, AT, seismic, Adrenaline Rush and Sensor Jammer

C w/mangler, ID, AT, Adrenaline Rush and Sensor Jammer

98pts for the mirror match possibility

B is the obvious target here. This is why I like HLC on D in Yin/Yang. Because if my opponent wants to go after B early, then he is ignoring HLC shots throughout the game. It makes for a tough choice. Your C doesn't really punish your opponent for going after B here.

Having choice of initiative is just critical in the mirror in my experience. I know that it probably single handedly won me the game against MajorJuggler and his Terminators.

Just finished a vassal game against Krynn. He was flying Fel decked out, a Sigma with Jammer and Intel Agent, and a Shuttle with Captive, Tactician, Ion, and ADvS.

I got some key dice rolls when I needed them, but that may have been the best that I have flown this list so far. I was loving Expert Handling with Advanced Sensors. I used it at least 3 times that game, and it made a difference in my positioning for sure. I won that game taking only 5 shields off between my ships. I took out his Sigma, then focused on Fel, then he conceded when it was his 6 health shuttle vs my double IGs. His shuttle only got 1 shot in the game, a range 1 shot so that tactician didn't kick in (3 hits, 3 natural evades when I was tokenless, key roll there.) I felt good flying in that game, and it gives me more confidence going into the Omaha Regional.

Played a vassal game last night vs a list very similar to the only list that I have lost to on the table while flying yin/yang. He was running Turr/jax/ Fel. I played this one better, but we both had some weird dice swings. I took out carnor and Turr, and his soontir had 2 hull left when vassal got to be real laggy again. It might be my computer, so a new one may be in the works soon. I still had both of my ships on the board, although B had 1h and D had 2h. But I was in position to get a shot on a tokenless soontir with B while D blocked him and he didn't have a shot on me. So I played that one better and got the shots I needed. Again expert handling was big, so I will stick with that over stay on target (sorry, Paul. I tried.)

Local tourney tomorrow, and then the craziness starts next weekend in Omaha. I can't wait!!

Local tourney tomorrow, and then the craziness starts next weekend in Omaha. I can't wait!!

Gotta say: I am jealous of how many regionals you are planning to make it to. I've only got 3 on my slate (Tulsa, Raleigh, and Plano), though I am debating a 4th (Kansas City). Best of luck and hope we cross paths!

Thanks for writing this journal Hothie. I've learned a lot from it. I borrowed your idea for a heavy laser on Kath and I loved it!

Local tourney tomorrow, and then the craziness starts next weekend in Omaha. I can't wait!!

Gotta say: I am jealous of how many regionals you are planning to make it to. I've only got 3 on my slate (Tulsa, Raleigh, and Plano), though I am debating a 4th (Kansas City). Best of luck and hope we cross paths!

Look for me in Tulsa, and I hope you can make it to the KC regional. The best of the Midwest will be there.

Two more vassal games tonight.

The first game was against a Chirpy/Fel list that is similar to the list that Paul beat me with, so I am glad to get more practice against lists like this. My goal was to focus down Chirpy, then try and get some shots on Fel. He brought Fel into the fray, though, and I managed to get shots on Fel without tokens for 2 consecutive rounds, though (hit himself first, then I blocked him next turn), and Fel without tokens goe3s down quickly, so then it was a matter of chasing down Chirpy and finishing him off. W 100-0

Next game was against a Whisper/Vessery/AP combo that I knew was going to hit me hard. I had some wicked hot attack dice, though, and got some key defensive rolls when I needed them. I was able to one-shot the AP, then took Whisper out, so it was down to a very damaged D and a full B vs his Vessery. He did manage to finish off D, but B then won it for me. The Sensor Jammer and Lone Wolf was working well for me, as B still had shields at the end. W 100-51.

Those were two squads that definitely had firepower and a PS advantage over me, and I was able to pull out the win in both cases. So I'm really feeling good about this squad. We will see what I can do on the table tomorrow, though.

Two more vassal games tonight.

The first game was against a Chirpy/Fel list that is similar to the list that Paul beat me with, so I am glad to get more practice against lists like this. My goal was to focus down Chirpy, then try and get some shots on Fel. He brought Fel into the fray, though, and I managed to get shots on Fel without tokens for 2 consecutive rounds, though (hit himself first, then I blocked him next turn), and Fel without tokens goe3s down quickly, so then it was a matter of chasing down Chirpy and finishing him off. W 100-0

Next game was against a Whisper/Vessery/AP combo that I knew was going to hit me hard. I had some wicked hot attack dice, though, and got some key defensive rolls when I needed them. I was able to one-shot the AP, then took Whisper out, so it was down to a very damaged D and a full B vs his Vessery. He did manage to finish off D, but B then won it for me. The Sensor Jammer and Lone Wolf was working well for me, as B still had shields at the end. W 100-51.

Those were two squads that definitely had firepower and a PS advantage over me, and I was able to pull out the win in both cases. So I'm really feeling good about this squad. We will see what I can do on the table tomorrow, though.

Hothie is your list still the same as previously or are both IG-88s using Stay of Target?

I switched out Stay on Target on D for Expert Handling. The current list is here:

http://xwing-builder.co.uk/view/227400/yin-and-yang

I just looked back through this thread, and I'm 6-0 since switching to Expert Handling, and most of them have been against higher PS builds, where SoT would not have mattered. I've got time for 2 games on the table today, one of which should be a squad that counters mine well. So we'll see how it works today.

You are tempting me to try IG with EH instead of Predator... that would allow me to switch Tactician for Recon Specialist on Boba.... hmmmm.... tempting indeed....

I've been running some test games against myself with a Chiraneau-Fel list, and it is tough. I'm thinking it might be one of the lists to beat in the upcoming Regionals.