I am looking to preorder some wave 2 ships and I wonder if 1 or 2 ISD would work in a game or is it going to be over reaching on points?

I have not seen anything on how much each ones base is but I can guess that it's more then the VSD simply by it being a bigger model. I have not heard much good about running two VSD. I did a quick check of lists on the section and I did not see any two VSD lists, Maybe I am wrong, so input would be welcome.

Also I see people running 3 smaller rebel ships would 3 Raiders be an option, or is that crazy talk. It looks like anything in a small pastic package can do 3 ships effective on the battle field, anything that cost between 20 to 30 would be effective at 2 ships, and anything above 30 retail would be 1

You get more points when Wave 2 comes in so I can see a 2 ISD list with a GSD and squadrons being perfectly playable.

A list composed of Raiders and GSD's would also be playable but it is not the way I am planning to go.

It just feels wrong somehow playing imps without big star destroyers.

Get one of each. You can always order more if you like specific ships.

I'd go with just 1 of the big ships for now unless you're looking to achieve a certain number for free shipping if ordering online.

The point total is going to 400 on the release of wave 2 I believe, so I'd imagine you can fit 2 big ships in your fleet, but it may not be worth the cost points. By getting just 1 per side, you won't big stuck with 2 big ships per side that you may end up rarely using.

At least that's how I'm going to purchase.

Order an ISD. Then order another ISD. Then another. Keep ordering until your rebel opponent realizes you're serious about this whole business and surrenders.

as awesome as the enthusiasm is, here's the realistic verdict:

no one has any idea given the level of current spoilers

I personally highly doubt you won't be able to field two ISDs + plenty of squadrons and not buying one after seeing the movies is ludicrous, but ito gameplay effectiveness we have absolutely no clue if it's a good idea and we also have no idea what other ships (if any) you'll be able to cram in a fleet with 2 ISDs

3 ISDs is most likely out of the question. I can barely cram 3 AFmk2 fatties with 6 x-wings in 400 points, and I can't imagine ISDs costing the same as them.

Fickle, your assumption is based off being able to still get fighters. What if a 3 ISD list was just like the 300 point 3xVSD list?

Currently it seems that the ISD will be around 100 points (I am thinking 92 will be the cheapest)

I do know I am buying 2 ISD's, 2 MC80's and likely 4 MC30's (I am guessing they will be about GSD's II point wise at minimum maybe even 70 points)

Cubanboy,

I think there's some information on your side which would allow us to better advise you. Where are you pre-ordering from and are there conditions to the size of your order (as in, over a certain amount and you get free shipping), or are you pre-ordering from an FLGS which will allow you to pre-order more when you get more understanding?

For my case, I pre-ordered from my FLGS in order to get a pre-order discount. There was no need for me to put my pre-order in so early other than to signal to my FLGS that this is the stuff that I (their loyal and 'big spenda' customer) am really interested in. But ('big spenda' nowithstanding), I do try to be somewhat judicious. So, I pre-ordered one ISD and two RCCs (Raider-class Corvettes).

I don't know if 2x ISD lists are going to be a thing, because we don't yet know their points values and can only speculate on their natural role within a fleet. I imagine that I'll probably end up getting another one, but I'll be reading threads like this one to help me make up my mind. But, for me, there's no incentive to plunk the money down right now. (If I can send multiple signals to my FLGS and keep the spending under the wife's radar somewhat, then I achieve two goals that I don't with a single purchase. YMMV)

Fickle, your assumption is based off being able to still get fighters. What if a 3 ISD list was just like the 300 point 3xVSD list?

then you're going to get murdered by squadrons

Fickle, your assumption is based off being able to still get fighters. What if a 3 ISD list was just like the 300 point 3xVSD list?

then you're going to get murdered by squadrons

I'm going to have to see the nav chart to say with an sort of certainty, but going by their armaments they're even more dependent on their front arc than victories (exact same long range damage for greater expense)

and, as such, they're going to be even more dependent on rhymer & co to get their long range licks in if the enemy just decides to hoof it and leave a cloud of bombers in their wake

Fickle, your assumption is based off being able to still get fighters. What if a 3 ISD list was just like the 300 point 3xVSD list?

then you're going to get murdered by squadrons

I will give you that as a valid point, BUT I will raise you the fact that if you have no ships, they would not need to worry about the squadrons anymore

Lyraeus might have a point. Also, with a blue and black dice in the AA, it might not need defensive squadron support quite as much.

At speed 3, I imagine the game would become the opponent's ability to outmaneuver the ISDs and not get crushed by the wall-o-turbolasers.

For my part, I think eventually a balanced list will be the more winning list, because it won't be as dependent on favorable matchups. But that's just my speculation.

2 dice anti squadron really isn't enough.

It works fine if you stack 2-3 against ties, but with an expected value of 1 you're going to spend the whole game plinking at anything tougher.

The black die is slightly better but it means you're far less likely to overlap in squadrons in multiple anti squadron bombardments (close range)

It works fine if you stack 2-3 against ties, but with an expected value of 1 you're going to spend the whole game plinking at anything tougher.

Fair enough.

But if you don't have squadron commands coming from somehwhere nearby, isn't it going to be tough for the squadrons to keep up, and have the opportunity to fire?

If the victory's going zoom it's probably going to be difficult to keep its front arc on things (unlike the fatties which have massive side arcs)

Need to see the chart to see how it turns. If it doesn't turn at least as well as the afmk2, then having it flee your bombers is a net gain for you

If the victory's going zoom it's probably going to be difficult to keep its front arc on things (unlike the fatties which have massive side arcs)

Need to see the chart to see how it turns. If it doesn't turn at least as well as the afmk2, then having it flee your bombers is a net gain for you

Yeah, it's probably going to turn fairly shabbily. It'll be interesting to see how it plays on a 3x6. Thus far I've only been playing 180s on 3x3. I could see an ISD being pretty deadly if it's going speed 3 from the flank.

But I think we're veering radically off topic. At 400 points, 2x ISD will probably be fairly common. I do think a 3x ISD list is going to be too unbalanced. The ISD enthusiast might get a big kick out of it (which is an argument in and of itself. This game is about fun, afterall), but I don't think it'll be too competitive.

I'm going to have to see the nav chart to say with an sort of certainty, but going by their armaments they're even more dependent on their front arc than victories (exact same long range damage for greater expense)

and, as such, they're going to be even more dependent on rhymer & co to get their long range licks in if the enemy just decides to hoof it and leave a cloud of bombers in their wake

This is true, except that the board size is still 3'x6' and the base is what 7" or so? It is wider as well. That means it can keep its front on target sooner and it will be there longer. Also getting around it will be a HUGE pain.

But it will be majestic.

The Imperial March shall be hummed when maneuvering.

I believe an ISD I is going to cost 92 points.

I think two fully loaded up ISD's with about 120 points of Squadrons will be valid at 400, even if the ISD II tops 100 points, which I doubt, it will probably be around 98-99 points.

So, you could put an average of about 120 points into each ship, buy Tarkin(38) or Vader(36), 120 points of Squadrons, and still have an initiative bid.

This is true, except that the board size is still 3'x6' and the base is what 7" or so? It is wider as well. That means it can keep its front on target sooner and it will be there longer. Also getting around it will be a HUGE pain.

But it will be majestic.

The Imperial March shall be hummed when maneuvering.

This is true, except that the board size is still 3'x6' and the base is what 7" or so? It is wider as well. That means it can keep its front on target sooner and it will be there longer. Also getting around it will be a HUGE pain.

But it will be majestic.

The Imperial March shall be hummed when maneuvering.

I will love hearing the Imperial March over the sound ISD's being destroyed

I'm sure that will give you a little respite...

...before you wake up again in the spice mines of Kessel.

Please NO PREORDERS!!!!!!!!

(caution: strong language below)

http://youtu.be/VymCZspMS-4?t=37s

I'm looking at running 1 ISD and 1 MC80

As for the MC 30 and Raider class, I might get 2 MC30 and potentially 3 Raiders but that's really pushing my wallet and space

Truth be told, I don't like the MC80 design but for the sake of parity, I'll have to get one

I'll be getting one ISD, because Star Wars, but then I shall wait and see what other Large ships turn up in Waves 3+.