What in the heck is the point of this thing?

For 6 points less you lose an anti-starfighter die (which is huge!) and a squadron point. Unless you severely need to shave 6 points from your fleet, I see no reason to ever take it over the Escort frigate. What upgrade for 6 points makes it a better ship than the Escort?

Neither Redemption nor Salvation need extra squadron point. I would prefer to equip my Salvation with XX9 Turbolasers rather than upgrade it to Escort Frigate.

Hmm... I think its more about the flexibility to specialize a ship how you want than better or worse. If squadrons aren't your priority, you can get a real ship for... 64(?) points with Neb B support, Salvation and the XI7 turbolasers. Yavaris and Adar Tallon could go on a second escort frigate if the goal is a flexible Nebulon-B compliment in your fleet. I think it's just about possibilities and priorities. I'll admit though, I don't like to see that extra anti-squadron die go.

The support version will probably come into its own when Wave 2 comes out. Having 400-point fleets will allow for more specialization.

Yeah... With 1 blue die, you really don't do much even against Ties. The extra one really helps put damage on enemy fighters.

I can see why taking the AF MK II B over the A especially if you are going to go fighter heavy, but the Support Frigate doesn't give you much when you downgrade...

As pointed out elsewhere in this forum, the previews can be different that what is actually issued without FFG making a notification. For instance, the game effects and points of the Gen. Dodonna card has changed. Its quite possible that the title cards for one or both of these ships will change. I am wondering some title cards will have some red dies changed to blue in addition or just new changes. Or the squadron command will be raised to two. Look at the Gladiator. You get a die change moving up - already getting 2 squadron command (it does cost more than a Neb)

Uh... the Neb Support refit came with the core... Besides losing the Anti-fighter die and the squadron point, everything is exactly the same as the Escort.

Jo Jo, he is saying that titles/upgrades specific or applicable to the Nebulon-B may have changed from previews (as Dondonna did) making the Support Class more attractive then currently speculated.

Also since we now can't be sure of the cost or effect of many upgrades we can't know how big of deal those saved points will be.

Though I have no idea what he is talking about in regards to the Squadron value.

Support is a cheap gunship that can joust and tank the initial volleys from VSDs rather well.

The problem is that if you need to fill an anti squadron role, the Escort is better fitted. You have to remember that to take advantadge of Squadron command you have to spend points on those squadrons, so it's not really like the support is overpriced.

Also, remember that a Squadron Value 2 is not that amazing, since it would only add you 2 dice against capital ships, instead of 1 from focusing fire, except if you stack a token, allowing you for a better alpha, still in comparison:

- Escort + Xwings 5/6 (if you stacked squadron token or not) red dice for 96 points.

- 2 Supports 8 red dice for 102 points.

As you can see, points wise Escorts are a better option against squadrons, but because of the Xwing squadrons, not because of the 2 dice, while Supports are much better against capital ships, but somewhat equal on the AntiSquadron dice department since they are two ships.

So it largely depends on what you need, but there is really a point for supports, and it is anticapital ships weaponry, which rebels are lacking right now.

Nonetheless, squadrons are very useful for big capital ships, which can activate 4-5 squadrons on one turn, allowing to strip shields fairly easilly, and once bombers hit the table, ships like the Bwing could potentially one shot small ships in one activation, and even cripple a medium like the VSD, so squadrons will become more important, but right now, you don't really need much AA fire or squadrons on the table.

Cheers!

2 Supports + 2 CR90B with overload pulse can actually focus fire decently the VSDs, while you have the points to use in some squadrons to tank the Ties, or even some upgrades upgrades (216 points, with dodonna).

Most likely to be used against capital ships rather than as a varied craft

Use the saved points to add a foward firing die (if such an upgrade exists) and focus entirely on ship to ship

It's been suggested if you are using the Neb with redemption or as a long range sniper the Suport Refit fits those better. Slow march em forward at speed 1 firing all the while... Get close use a banked nav token and comand to shoot through and past oncoming forces.