Hey guys, I just bought the starter set last week, bought a few additional expansions. I was fooling around with some of the ships last night, just trying to get the feel. Ended up going 0-3, but hey, a lot of lessons were learned. Anyway, I am going to participate in the store tournament next Saturday May 2nd. Probably need a little more experience, but it is what it is. Last night I came up with a couple lists from the things that I have. Let me know what you guys think, and feel free to post any suggestions or comments.

Nera Daniels - B-wing

Expert Handling

Enhanced Scopes

Heavy Laser Cannon

Biggs Darklighter - X-wing

Proton Torpedoes

R2-Dr

Rookie Pilot

Proton Torpedoes

R5 Astromech

There was a second build that I came up with that included an A-wing.

Nera Daniels - B-wing

Expert Handling

Proton Torpedoes

Heavy Laser Cannon

Enhanced Scopes

Jake Ferrell

Stay on Target

Proton Rockets

Rookie Pilot

Proton Torpedoes

R2-DR

I am actually leaning more toward the first build. Keep in mind, if you guys can imagine a better build with that I have currently, feel free to fill me in. I have the Starter Set, X-wing Expansion, Rebel Aces, and YT-2400 Freighter. I would probably be willing to buy another expansion or two if it was necessary.

Nera's strength are her ability to carry and EPT and her ability to fire Torpedoes outside of her firing arc. In that first build I see nothing good being done for her. Expert Handling is pretty much a complete waste; she already has BR which is why other ships would take it and dropping TLs probably isn't going to matter especially if she acts before the locking ship. Enhanced Scopes is a COMPLETE waste unless you desperately need to block PS 1 ships; it may be the only system upgrade you own but it is actually worse than nothing. I guess the HLC may not be a complete waste but it doesn't utilize her talents and makes her a big threat.

With the X-Wings you should know that Proton Torpedoes are generally considered to be very inefficient especially for the points they cost. Also know that Biggs is a BIG target who is almost certain to go down quickly so putting too many points on him is rarely a good idea; R2D2 may seem like an idea to recharge shields but Biggs often will not live long enough to see more than one shield returned and often times not even that long.

In the next squad the problem with Stay On Target with Jake is that it completely shuts down his pilot ability due to Stress.

I'm thinking that an E-Wing expansion could help you with a number of upgrade cards that could be used with your current ships. Until then here is something I think you could try.

Keyan + HLC + Stay on Target + Title/Jan Ors (41)

Luke + R2D2 + Lone Wolf (34)

Biggs (25)

The idea here is that Keyan can use Stay on Target to pick up Stress and aim the HLC which he uses the Stress token to modify. Jan is there to allow Biggs to convert his Focus into an Evade token and later to allow Keyan to convert his Focus token (which doesn't do much good when attacking when he can use Stress for the same effect) into an Evade letting him live longer. Luke is a scary threat especially in the later game where Lone Wolf can allow him to reroll Blanks and R2D2 can recharge his shields to help keep him alive. In this list Biggs is still the sacrificial lamb (although Jan helps) to keep some of the pressure off of the two aces while they do their work.

There are also things that could be done with that YT-2400.

If you were to buy only one additional expansion, I'd recommend an E-wing. It pairs nicely with the YT-2400, plus it has two upgrades that pair very nicely with B-wings (and Nera especially): Advanced Sensors and Flechette Torpedoes.

You might consider an A-, B-, YT-2400 list, too, using lower PS A- and B- pilots as escorts and flankers for the YT. You could also run an ABXX list (again, using lower PS pilots; take Biggs as one X).

Here's a good one for the ships you have. You'll need a second B-wing.

Garven

Biggs

Blue+FCS

Blue+title+Jan Ors

The idea is Biggs will have an evade and a focus every round. Keeps him around much longer if you fly it right. Won a tournament with that list. Only lost Biggs in 2 of the 6 games.

I got some good feedback this weekend at my local gaming store. I also took some advice from you guys and from some others around the forum.

I went a little different direction and wanted to see what the thoughts were on this build instead.

Dash + Lone Wolf + Lando

Nera Dantels + Heavy Lazer Cannon + Experimental Interface

Blue Squadron Pilot

Total Points: 99

Dash + Lone Wolf + Lando

Nera Dantels + Heavy Lazer Cannon + Experimental Interface

Blue Squadron Pilot

EI on Nera isn't buying you anything as it only triggers actions from upgrade cards with the "Action" header and you haven't equipped her with any. Plus her pilot ability is a 360 ordnance turret and you aren't making use of that -- if you have an appropriate card I'd trade EI for a torpedo (two Flechette torps would be ideal but I don't think you have one of those). Instead you could also put those points toward an Ion Cannon on the Blue or Fire Control Systems on both B-wings.

I went a little different direction and wanted to see what the thoughts were on this build instead.

Dash + Lone Wolf + Lando

Nera Dantels + Heavy Lazer Cannon + Experimental Interface

Blue Squadron Pilot

Total Points: 99

Nera leaves me scratching my head. As mentioned Experimental Interface does nothing without an upgrade card that takes an Action to use. Maybe you are thinking you can use the EI to fire the HLC but that would be incorrect. Now if you put EI on that version of Dash then it could be used to active Lando; moving Lando to the EI B-Wing could also work.

Did you pick up a 2nd B-Wing which this squadron indicates? If so that can give you more options.

I am seeing the insignificance of having EI on Nera Dantels. I haven't gotten another B-wing yet, but plan to this week. Not really sure what upgrade cards would be in that expansion that would be beneficial. Nevertheless, I may drop EI totally, or move it to Dash. Thoughts?

What? No other B-Wings to choose from? I thought I read you have RebelAces and that should also contain Keyan, who is probably the best B-Wing pilot, as well as the two generics.

For EI to do any good it needs to have something it can act on an most likely you want a way to deal with the Stress it causes. It can be interesting on any ship with Lando as crew (which can include the B-Wing with the title) as that upgrade requires an action to use.

I think I've seen a couple votes for an E-Wing being a useful next shp for you as you'll also be getting things you can use with your current ships.

Ok, He knows about EI already now. No need to keep hashing on it.

Ok, He knows about EI already now. No need to keep hashing on it.

Are you sure about that? I'm just saying because he starts with a squad that has EI but nothing to use it on and gets called on that; then then next time he posts he again mentions a list that has EI on a ship with nothing to do. Finally does "get it" the third time but is asking about it so the post after that was trying to explain how it could work with some of what it posted provided it is put in the right place.

StevenO, thanks for your comments. I have actually gotten rid of EI for now. I don't know why I was thinking that would be useful not having an Action card equipped. Still working on trying to perfect this list with what I have. I have some extra B-wing pilots, but not another ship. I will probably end up taking the advice from many on this thread and snag an E-wing.