Another 33-point Aces tournament

By CaptainSebastian, in X-Wing Battle Reports

I also attended the Ace's tournament that @Micanthropyre did. https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/178657-33-point-aces-tournament/

You pick one small base pilot that could total up to 33 points (including upgrades) with 40 minute rounds. Depending on the faction your ace is you also bring 2 tie fighters, 2 bandits, or 2 M83 Cartel Spacer. Sadly...I couldn't bring my lambda (a change in what size ship you could bring was a more recent thing that I missed).

I was one of four people that brought Wedge. Where as the others brought predator and R2 astromech, I brought opportunist and R2 astromech. The thought here is that it could help me take out the escorts easily or potentially get some reliable damage. Outside this format I don't know if I would of brought opportunist. The part of the format that made opportunist interesting is MOV. MOV was based on how many ships you killed (each one worth one point) vs how many you still had alive. If I could burn down their escorts quickly then I could either 'runaway' or swarm the Ace. Not a sound plan but it was a fun tourny anyway.

Round one:

vs. Wedge - predator, R2 Astromech

I said one of four Wedges right? We joked before hand saying that the differences in our lists may be minimal and will be a dice game. We were both hoping for a Soontir Fel or one of the phantoms but not a mirror match.

Set up looked liked this:

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He had initiative (gave it to him). We both charged each other. I figured my wedge would take out his (more like hoped) and had planned on using bandits to target his. There wasn't much to say I rolled well. First pass my bandits took 1 shield to him almost losing his. Wedges brought each other down to 2 hull (then died the next round). I managed to get another bandit while only loosing another shield (rolled double evades). It ended with me leading him with one bandit while the other snuck in from behind. The lead bandit K-turned and the concentrated fire got me the win.

3 to 1 (Win)

Round two:

vs. Horton - Munition Failsafe, R2 Astromech, Proton Torpedos, Autoblaster.

In this one I wanted to send Horton burning. That autoblaster could do some serious damage. I set up similarly to how I did round two. At this point I began questioning why I took opportunist if I don't deploy like this. I gave him initiative and this was our deployment.

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My plan here became giving a soft flank threat while doing heavy damage to the escorts on the first pass. Then zoom in as quick as possible and point blank Horton with range 1. Not always the best idea with a blaster but I felt that could surprise him enough to catch him off guard and take a few hits in exchange for killing or heavily damaging Horton.

It didn't work. Horton managed to do two damage at range 3 to one bandit who then died during the next turn. I brought him down to three hull but lost the bandit.

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At this point I become trapped in the corner (his corner on my left side) and forced be to blast my way out (if I tried to run he'd have multiple rounds of shots on me.) It turned to me loosing Wedge but he also lost Horton. At this point it was my 2 hull bandit verses his 2 hull 1 shield bandit. He had the impression we would dance around each other but I bolted. There was only four minutes left and I would need at least 2 rounds of shooting where he could one shot me. On the last 10 seconds of the final round for some reason I chose a two green forward to clear stress (from a k-turn 3 turns earlier). I had it I could survive a range three shot where in reality if I would of even did a 3 forward the game would of ended in a draw. However, it is what it is and I lost. It should be pointed out opportunist helped take out a bandit :D

MOV

2-3 (Loss)

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Round Three

Vs. Wedge - Predator, R2 Astromech

I said I was 1 of 4 Wedges? Well...I got to face the other two. Our set up was odd. I set up as if I had predator and he set up as if he had opportunist

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He had won initiative and took it. Again I went second on initiative but I was happy every time. I could counter deploy and, in this case, I knew if I rushed forward I could do serious damage before his wedge could do some. That happened to be the case. Our first joust saw his bandits heavily damaged. Both of our bandits K-turn but my Wedge moved a 1-forward giving me rear shots. With opportunist 1 bandit died. His wedge did a shield to mine.

We have a weird back and forth. His positioning on Wedge allowed him to deal lots of damage before I could re-position or cause an effective counter. He takes out a bandit in the process and I take out his. This was where my dice saved me. I managed to keep my Wedge at range 3 or behind a rock somehow while he shot me. Twp times in a row rolling 2 evade (Wedge negating Range 3 or rock bonus) I got 2 evades. It gave me enough time to lead his Wedge with mine while my last bandit comes behind him. My Wedge dies but he has 1 hull left...but so does my bandit. He K-turns and we face off. His Wedge range three verse my 2 evading bandit. 2 hits....roll...2 evades (AGAIN!). He stares in disbelief as I roll two hits and he rolls blank, blank, and eyeball. WIN!

3 vs 2 win.

Overall I did ok! It was my third tournament (2nd in the last year) and I came out positive with 2 wins and 1 loss. I ranked 8th out of 17 which achieves any tournament goal I go to: Beat half of the people there. I ended up getting a Soontir Fel and a Push the Limit alternative card.

Very cool idea. Going to have to remember that one.

Congrats!

Yea I also love that idea for a tourney. I'll have to bring it up at my locals