I really like Kavil's ability, it is neat and fun and strong and with VI, Kavil can be a good PS 9 tool. I've played him a few times kitted out with Blaster Turret + R4 Aggromech, and I have some lists where I think he excels, but the only problem I have with him is not much mobility play, which is fun and allows for much more out playing in game.

Therefore, I've decided to give Kavil + ABT + Engine + VI some time.And so far, I am quite impressed. The adventure is, however, finding him the right support.

Has anyone else tried out this Kavil? And how did it go?

At 31 pts, we get 69 pts to work with. I started off building him in a jousting squad, Kavil as the flanker/end game ship:

3 x Thug + Ion Turret + BTL-A4

69 pts

2 x Thug + Ion Turret + BTL-A4

Cartel + Title + Mangler + Hull

These were nice options, but boy, those rounds where my support was getting pummeled and Kavil had no ABT shot, it wasn't very fun. Also, the BTL-A4 Thugs are just way more fun with an R4 Aggromech. Therefore, I think Kavil with an Engine could be put in a better list. With an Engine, I guess a fast/more arc dodging list makes more sense. An Engine Firespray makes sense here, with the rear arc opening up the playing field. Also, Kavil already acts as my Interceptor deterrent, so I can take Predator/PTL for added damage, and if running Predator, don't really need Boba's rerolls.

So a good place to start is:

Kath + Predator + Engine + Tactician

47 pts

Tactician is a staple for Firesprays, imo, unless I can get Gunner.

This leaves 22 pts. I'm partial to the Syck+Mangler, but I also want an Astromech for Kavil, and an Init bid will help fight Soontir. I'm not also sure what is better for 22 pts anyways. The Syck will also work pretty well as a flanker/bait. He is obviously the easiest to predict and kill.

So end with this:

Kavil + VI + Autoblaster + Engine + Unhinged

Kath + Predator + Engine + Tactician

Cartel + Title + Mangler

This list certainly feels more appropriate and manageable. I think cases can be made for Boba + VI too.

First few experiences:

1. The list is great vs small ship lists. BBBBZ is actually manageable with Kath providing heavy shots and Kavil zipping through the slow B Wings who are incapable of getting away from the ABT. The Syck isn't horrid in the list, might help vs 2 dice gun swarms more than anything. Just gotta avoid the traps and engine ships can carry those games vs swarms and small ships. And as I expected, Kavil is a pain for Soontir if Soontir is stuck with Init. It is obviously different if I have Init. Also, the Tactician on Kath helps corral people so Kavil can stick to them.

2. This list can have it rough vs Large Ship turret lists. Kavil pretty much stinks in that matchup, relegated as a support killer since the ABT won't be a match for Range 1 shots from the opposing turret, and Kavil won't be able to follow up with shots very well. Kath is okay here, but the Syck gets eaten up pretty quick when they start looking at him.

Anyone else have some in depth analysis of that Kavil setup?

I haven't played Kavil with VI, but it seems unnecessary with him. I can see it as a defensive measure--to kill off a ship before it kills him, but otherwise, what does he care? ACD? Go for it, I'll blast ya anyway.

It's why I've gone with predator instead. It allows for consistent damage output and doesn't put you in that terrible "should I boost or focus?" situation.

VI does give you a little extra reaction with the boost, but most of the time I've got a pretty good idea where I should be anyway.

As for support, I actually started in a similar place, but went with a generic firespray first. That left me points for 2 Zs. 4 ships with both a firespray and a fast-riding, gun-slinging maniac?! Sounds good to me.

But I do like mangler Scyks...

An ABT Kavil without VI had a low chance of actually doiing what I wanted it to do, take out Soontir Fel or Whisper. Predator makes sense though and it was a hard fought battle on my head to NOT take it.

The 2 list types that we came up with are just different types of lists. A jousting setup vs a chase around the map setup.

The second Variation I am using is:

IG88B + Adrenaline Rush + HLC + FCS + Autothrusters (or Predator in place if FCS and AR)

Kavil + VI + Engine + ABT + Unhinged

Cartel + Title + Mangler

I think I like Kath a bit more, but HLC shots are great.

without damage mods, you're in for a bad time

I have, however, seen PTL + EU + unhinged + auto-blaster

didn't work super well, but it was scary

My version of this list is:

Kavil + Blaster turret + R4 Agromech

Kath + Predator + HLC + Recon Specialist

Cartel Spacer + Heavy Scyk + Ion Cannon.

Kavil gets to shoot 4 dice with free target lock every turn with some careful flying, Kath shoots at least 4 dice out of either end at all ranges, with double focus usually, and the Scyk skirts combat and provides control where useful.

If you are using unhinged on Kavil, do you plan to use debris fields instead of asteroids as your obstacles? Do you plan to K-Turn joust it? Or is that just a deterrance against panic attack? Unhinged helps you unlock that dial, but I would only take it if you plan on using something like PTL or opportunist. And believe me, I have considered Kavil Opportunist with someone like Palob. I mean, if you've played a lot with that setup and use unhinged all the time, then that's cool. I just don't see myself needing it and can use a different droid or the point elsewhere (initiative)

Right now my Kavil just has VI, ABT and R4 Agromech. I've considered Predator instead, but based on how the ABT works on the Y-Wing, I figure I could do a primary weapon shot at range 2-3 that first round, spend my focus to gain a TL and next turn set up for the range one focus/TL shot at PS 9. My thinking behind VI over Predator comes down to not wanting to get blown out of the sky by the PS 8 and 9 ships that I'm there to counter. I want to at least get a shot back, if not before I could potentially go down. I also mitigate this slightly with the R4, so it triggers after the first turn, hopefully every turn if I have shots.

If you want to use engine I would recommend VI for the positional advantage. If you just use Predator I would keep Engine off. A Focus + Mini Reroll each turn is just devastating. I would hate to get that golden range one shot only to have a partial modifier.

I could see engine helping to get your range one shot or your shot out of arc in some cases, but I fly my Kavil differently. Essentially I use ABT Kavil as a guardsman to my two Heavy HLC Scyk Interceptors that have hull upgrades. I fly them in a V Formation with Kavil leading the way slightly. Depending on when you need to turn in, he basically protects your Scyks by punishing enemy ships that get too close. Flown well you should get at least one turn of range 3 shots with HLC, maybe a second turn of range 2 shots, depending on what's going on. At that point is when you strike with Kavil, positioning him to finish off the target the Scyks softened up the previous turn.

Doesn't always work as planned, but that is the general idea. You have this range one bubble you can put between your opponent's ships and your HLC carrying 3-agility beasts. The opponent can either go for Kavil to start from a distance and let the Scyks do their work, or they can try to get some longer range shots against your Scyks and their high agility.

The last piece of the puzzle for this list is the remaining 19 points. I was thinking of a Suhlak with Lone wolf, but I really do love a Cluster Missile Loner...

Part of that last piece will be testing out different Kavil loadouts and maybe even tweaking my snipers a bit...perhaps downgrade to manglers and fit in Palob.

without damage mods, you're in for a bad time

I have, however, seen PTL + EU + unhinged + auto-blaster

didn't work super well, but it was scary

Of course, damage modifiers help a lot. I'm actually not convinced it is a perfect ship setup, for that reason AND its weakness to boosting turrets and/or weakness to PS 9 Soontir when Kavil doesn't have VI and a better Init bid. Predator + Unhinged + ABT + Engine is the better(best) setup, but is risky when one barrel roll takes you 2 ship bases away.

However, the 6 or so games I've played, the ship has been a very strong performer, rolling good red dice even without a modifier, and doing its job as a PS 9 Soontir Hunter. The only time it utterly failed was when getting the stupid Munitions Failsafe crit asap. It really made me contemplate Salvaged Astromech.

My version of this list is:

Kavil + Blaster turret + R4 Agromech

Kath + Predator + HLC + Recon Specialist

Cartel Spacer + Heavy Scyk + Ion Cannon.

Kavil gets to shoot 4 dice with free target lock every turn with some careful flying, Kath shoots at least 4 dice out of either end at all ranges, with double focus usually, and the Scyk skirts combat and provides control where useful.

Looks good to me! I certainly enjoy Kavil built that way. Kath is also quite the monster with 4 dice out of 2 arcs.

I think I've run:

Kavil + Blaster + R4 Aggromech + VI

Kath + Predator + Gunner + Engine

Cartel + Tifle + Mangler

And I liked it.