The A-Wing may actually be a better all around fighter than the X-Wing. When it comes to anti ship dice, the black dice actually has a better chance of doing one damage than the X-Wing's Red dice with bomber (2 blanks and one accuracy on the red die, only two blanks on the black die, and crits don't exist without a hit icon on the black die so lack of bomber isn't really a detriment). Granted the X-Wing will give you better quality damage with critical effects but it is less likely to do damage in the first place.

Average damage output for Bomber Red vs non-Bomber Black is actually the same because of the Red die's HH result. Both have a total of 6 damage available to them on the die. The black die will be more consistent (only results are 0 or 1 damage) compared to the red die's expected output of 0, 1, or 2.

Math question...would the statistics really work that way since the X-Wing is less likely to land a hit in the first place?

-Edit - maybe I should rephrase that as the X-Wing is more likely to roll a blank (or accuracy)...

Expected damage of the X-Wing = [ 3 * (1 hit result ) + 1 * (2 hit result) + 2 * (1 crit result) ] / 8 = 0.75

Expected damage of an A-wing = [4 * (hit result) + 2 * (hit/crit result but we ignore the crit)] / 8 = 0.75

In this case it would. Granted, the X-wing has a 1 in 4 chance of dealing a critical effect as well.

Maybe I'm misremembering this, I don't actually have the dice in hand, but doesn't the Black die have 2x Hits 2x Crits 2x Hit+Crit and 2x Blank? Everyone here that is taking major exception to my A-wing bash keeps assuming the chance for a hit is equal at 75%, but if the A-wing's Black Die is actually =[2*(hit result)+2*(Hit+Crit)]/8=0.5

Again, I'm going by memory and pics off a Google search, but i clearly remember Black having the Crit only results.

RED: 2 Blanks, 1 Accuracy, 2 Hit, 1 Hit+Hit, 2 Critical

BLUE: 2 Accuracy, 4 Hit, 2 Critical

BLACK: 2 Blank, 4 Hit, 2 Hit+Critical

Well, this is about the only time I'll use the physical dice, but

Blue: 4 hits, 2 crits, 2 accuracy

Red: 2 hits, 2 crits, 1 HitHit, 1 accuracy, 2 blanks

Black: 4 hits, 2 HitCrit, 2 blanks

judging from the dice I received in the Core Set.

so Black is still slightly more reliable because the 1 accuracy result is worthless with the X-wing's single die. They have the same number of blanks, otherwise.

so its 5/8 sides (62.5%) resulting in at least one damage for the X-wing (3/8 possibly resulting in more than one, due to bomber and criticals)

and 6/8 sides (75%) result in one damage for the A-win (0 possibly resulting in more than one, due to lack of bomber)

Incidentally, the Black dice also mean Keyan is going to be a ******* beast (which he better be for dat price)

love the subject matter of the thread, but maybe a Dice Math thread would be in proper order so more people see it.

could be, but the numbers are relevant here considering how squadron mechanics get a little confusing when using the same dice as cap ships

Still, I doubt A-wings are going to straight replace X-wings. Rebel ships are nowhere near as specialized as imperial ships, but they do have more subtly defined niches.

The A-wing's speed 5 and counter makes it an Interceptor first and anything else second. They're unparallelled in their ability to engage enemy squadrons who just happen to be able to lay the smack down on capital ships if needed to (75% of the time, up from the Tie Int's 50%).

X-wings are the burly bouncers of Armada; big chunky bastards that can bulldoze through enemy squadrons (4 dice having a far better chance of one-shotting 3/2 health than 3 dice) and lay some incredible hurt on capital ships because of how devastating critical results are (albeit, less reliably than an A-wing). They'll be great escorts for your bombers because a.) the one-shot Tie thing to clear up room for your bombers to go through, b.) the escort ability gives them some utility, and c.) they're also bombers

I have a feeling preference is coming to come down far more to playstyle and specific fleet needs than any straight sense of superiority.

At a very primitive guess, low anti-squadron and/or higher speed fleets are going to prefer A-wings while Cap Ships with a decent anti-squadron battery will give X-wings a very easy time of smashing through tie screens and delivering bombers (X-wings included) into the faces of enemy capital ships.

Well, this is about the only time I'll use the physical dice, but

Blue: 4 hits, 2 crits, 2 accuracy

Red: 2 hits, 2 crits, 1 HitHit, 1 accuracy, 2 blanks

Black: 4 hits, 2 HitCrit, 2 blanks

judging from the dice I received in the Core Set.

so Black is still slightly more reliable because the 1 accuracy result is worthless with the X-wing's single die. They have the same number of blanks, otherwise.

so its 5/8 sides (62.5%) resulting in at least one damage for the X-wing (3/8 possibly resulting in more than one, due to bomber and criticals)

and 6/8 sides (75%) result in one damage for the A-win (0 possibly resulting in more than one, due to lack of bomber)

Incidentally, the Black dice also mean Keyan is going to be a ******* beast (which he better be for dat price)

Saw it on mine finally. Now I'm wondering if the A-wing will keep the Black die for anti-ship by the time it's actually released, because that does change the discussion some. A cheaper faster fighter that hits Capital Ships more often than an X-wing, and it's only downside right now is the reduced Hit points and Anti-squadron die.

Well, Wave 1 does seem to be delayed (according to one post on these forums, anyway) and I haven't seen Tycho's card at all so who knows what's subject to change

I do think we're under-estimating the differences between the ships, though.

For example, while the A-wing hits more reliably, it will never deal face-up damage to a capital ship. The X-wing is not reliable, but even a single face-up (especially with Big-D) represents a massive increase in damage done (not necessarily i.t.o cards dealt at that moment, it could easily set up for future attacks).

As for how they tackle fighters, I've found that the four anti-squadron dice is a massive advantage against Ties. One-shotting a Tie is unlikely but possible. One-shotting a Tie after a single round of anti-squadron fire is deadly likely. While A-wings should be very capable of dealing with 3-health ties, there are some very key distinctions.

a.) it is incredibly unlikely to one-shot at full health and not nearly as likely after 1 damage.

b.) While the initial attack + counter will more likely off a tie than not, counter occurs at the Tie's convenience and after the A-wing (possibly) takes damage.

It's an issue of timing that should vary the playstyle of these two ships considerably.

The X-wing currently represents that highest amount of anti-squadron dice (rivaled by base interceptor and by Vader but come on it's Vader) and a very chunky health total plus the ability to (unreliably) completely swing the condition of a capital ship with bomber crits. It seems to be a battering ram that can open up some very devastating rounds whether blowing through screens or bombing capital ships.

The A-wing is currently the fastest ship (tied with Interceptors, and I guess corrupter bombers but those don't do too well versus squadrons) with counter, slightly lower health and lower anti-squadron die. It will lead to slower, more consistent turns and far more consistent engagements (dat speed + counter) but won't have that same "spike" potential.

Ultimately, of course, it's going to come down to table experience, but I do think the seemingly subtle differences in their stat-lines are going to lead to far more wildly different ships than just the more reliable anti-ship die would suggest. These kinds of things happen when the difference between one and zero health is the difference between fully functional and dead