Question came up in the game today about upgrades with command symbols on the front of the description.

First on in Question was engine tech, does the command symbol in the description indicate that you can only use the engine tech with using a maneuver dial/token? Or does it mean that you have to us a token and give up the normal effect to activate the engine techs, much like you can only trigger 1 critical effect?

If the latter is the case, then how does Admiral Chiraneua work out since he has the same setup.

I ask only because I though this allowed the Gladiator a lot of freedom to repositioning. The ability getting limited to a dial/token might not make it worth the 8pts. Though I did have my opponent in a hard pincer attack from both sides and was starting the engage them on turn 2.

It is the former. In the RRG it is under Effect and Timing section.

So, I could use the effect with either a token or dial of the same command?

I guess that is not totally horrible, but is does greatly reduce the freedom of movement I though I was going to be able to give the Gladiator. I might have to put Wulfe on one of them so I can always execute a maneuver command to get the boost.

I faced a gladiator today that was heavily upgraded. Extra 2 black dice in the front + gunner. She fired on my Neb up close and did major damage. Then moved, then moved again with engine tech. Got her close enough to release a 2nd front volley on my CR90 and one shot it. I won, but it was close. Thank goodness for Y-Wings.

But I have a similar question if I were to run something like what I faced. Let's say I have a navigate token and my favorite addon, mr Wulfe. But the token reads that is increases or decreases speed by one. So can I spend the token to active nav tech? If I'm going speed3, do I HAVE to go down to speed2 b/c I spent the token, or can I just spend it to active the engine techs?

Check the faq, I believe there is an entry about spending tokens or dials to activate upgrades despite not being used for any other effect (ie speed change)

Isn't the effect of the nav command that you MAY change your speed? That right there should answer the question.

For that matter, is there any doubt that a player who planned poorly and set a dial to nav and then doesn't need it when it comes up can just toss it for no effect? I've already done that several times with my VSDs, thought I was going to need to speed up or slow down in 3 turns and then decided I didn't, but was already full up on tokens, so the command just gets wasted. The fact that you might be able to trigger an upgrade effect in those circumstances really doesn't have any bearing on the basic mechanic.

Check the faq, I believe there is an entry about spending tokens or dials to activate upgrades despite not being used for any other effect (ie speed change)

That's correct, you can spend command and defense tokens but opt to not use their effect (in order to trigger other abilities).