I really hope the PS2 generic is in fact 20 pts. My fear is it will be identical to a rookie pilot. A base Khiraxz at 20 pts seems downright superior to a mangler scyk: its got 2 more health at the expense of -1 agility and less actions on its bar. To justify a 20 point value, I think its dial would have to be noticeably worse than the x-wing's...

It wouldn't, though. The kihraxz already has slightly inferior stats to an xwing which is itself overpriced. If anything, the kihraxz should cost 19 points, but I believe it will be twenty so that if you take 5, you can't take upgrades. Man, it seriously just kills me that Cobra's ability is on a ship with no repositioning actions. Still a great ability though.

I really hope the PS2 generic is in fact 20 pts. My fear is it will be identical to a rookie pilot. A base Khiraxz at 20 pts seems downright superior to a mangler scyk: its got 2 more health at the expense of -1 agility and less actions on its bar. To justify a 20 point value, I think its dial would have to be noticeably worse than the x-wing's...

It wouldn't, though. The kihraxz already has slightly inferior stats to an xwing which is itself overpriced. If anything, the kihraxz should cost 19 points, but I believe it will be twenty so that if you take 5, you can't take upgrades. Man, it seriously just kills me that Cobra's ability is on a ship with no repositioning actions. Still a great ability though.

And it's easier to afford, since he's cheaper than an X-wing at the same PS.

I have a suspicion that the Kihraxz will be the unsung hero of this wave. It adds just a little more beef to Scum, and with the option of an Illicit option, a potentially toolboxy one.

Cobra is essentially the Scums Wedge. Convenient that they both have the same point cost. I don't think you'll want to load him up with a bunch of upgrades as he'll likely draw the most hate initially. Really you just want to get into range 1 and inflict as much damage with him before he goes down. I think Glitterstim is going to be all you want to throw on him. Get into range 1 TL, pop the Glitterstim and blast something with 5 dice TL + Focus. Then hopefully try to survive and bug out. If you got a point to spare VI or Adrenaline Rush might be a good choice.

I just want to run a Scum list with Talonbane as the lead elite and call it "Cobra Commander".

This is contingent on dials, but could Serissu be a good wingmate for Talonbane Cobra, or is that reroll not going to do enough?

I really hope the PS2 generic is in fact 20 pts. My fear is it will be identical to a rookie pilot. A base Khiraxz at 20 pts seems downright superior to a mangler scyk: its got 2 more health at the expense of -1 agility and less actions on its bar. To justify a 20 point value, I think its dial would have to be noticeably worse than the x-wing's...

It wouldn't, though. The kihraxz already has slightly inferior stats to an xwing which is itself overpriced. If anything, the kihraxz should cost 19 points, but I believe it will be twenty so that if you take 5, you can't take upgrades. Man, it seriously just kills me that Cobra's ability is on a ship with no repositioning actions. Still a great ability though.

And it's easier to afford, since he's cheaper than an X-wing at the same PS.

Yeah there's always EU. I'm hoping that the kihraxz has sufficient green maneuvers to justify putting EU and PTL on Cobra. If it doesn't, it might just be better to run him naked.

I'm having trouble getting my head around TBC, myself. His ability and PS scream engine upgrade, and Glitterstim seems like a shoo-in to boost his damage and keep him alive on close-range runs. That leaves the EPT as an unfilled slot. Depending on the rest of the squad, Lone Wolf seems amazing with his stuff. The problem is that all of this makes him 36 points, although it is a surprisingly tough 36 points because he can arc dodge, get Lone Wolf re-rolls, and he's got the Glitterstim round to protect him. He's very weak to HLC carriers because even if he's blocking 2 hits per turn, there's a good chance 2 hits are going through anyway, and he's only got 5 to spare. It might actually be worth guarding him with Bodyguard, but that makes Lone Wolf a tougher EPT to justify. I feel like once he's in close, the pilot ability and Engine Upgrade can do a lot to keep him safe, but an opening turn might be tough. Maybe you hold him back for a turn while you're other ships engage, then rush him forward with EU? He should be fun, regardless.

I just want to run a Scum list with Talonbane as the lead elite and call it "Cobra Commander".

if Blacksun Enforcers were properly priced at 23 points, you would have been able to run 3 with Cobra under the banner of an appropriately snake-themed squadron