NOVA Squadron Radio – Episode 28 “List Tactica I w/Sable Gryphon!”

Welcome to NOVA Squadron Radio! This week we have an abbreviated show to help fill the gap of moving/Vacation time. We are joined by Special Guest Mark Fletcher, AKA SableGryphon! We discuss his Regionals winning IG-88 B Boba Fett build, and Bob’s Brobots build, how to fly them, and how to beat them!

NOVA Squadron Radio is:
Ed Horne – Host
Kris Soehnlin – Co-Host and NOVA Squadron founding member
Ronald Brannan – Co-Host and NOVA Squadron founding member
Chad Brown – Co-Host/Editor
Sean Dorcy – Co-host
Bob Randall – Co-host
Kris Sherriff – Co-host
Mark Fletcher – Special Guest

Here are the show notes from Episode 28:

[0:00 – 1:30] Show Opening

[1:30 – 29:10] Main Topic 1: IG-88B/Boba Fett

[29:10 – 1:10:45] Main Topic 2: BroBots

[1:10:45 – 1:13:10] Show Closing!


Musical Credits go out to the band ‘Insane Ride’ and their songs ‘Sound of Rock and Roll’ and ‘Wrong or Right’ found on the Free Music Archive at http://freemusicarchive.org/

Thanks for listening, and talk to you again in two weeks!

Here is the direct link: http://novasquadronradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/NOVA_Squadron_Radio_Episode_28_final.mp3

www.novasquadronradio.com

I think this is your best episode yet.

Enjoyable episode. I really like the concept of here's a list, here's how to fly it, here's how to beat things, here's how's it weak.

It really helps me even flying different lists think through the same match ups.

Interesting episode and it's fun to hear about Mark and Bob's thoughts on the Aggressor. However it's kind of weird how you spent over an hour discussing IG-88 builds and strategy without a single mention of the build that won the first Nationals of this year.

I'm not trying to toot my own horn, here. But Bob mentions how there are so many different ways to configure an Aggressor and these, along with how other players have had success competitively with IG-88, are not really explored or discussed. Not one mention of Push the Limit? Stay on Target? Bombs? Feels like a bit of a missed opportunity here, guys.

This episode does something very important that I think we all don't do enough. You discuss the game as a whole.

What you run, is important, but just as important is where you place obstacles, where you deploy, how you react to your opponents deployment, how you initiate engagement, who you target, how you create your opportunities, what you do to hinder your opponents retaliation.

As much as I enjoy your flight deck segment and your ongoing wave reviews, I get more from this sort of thing, as I don't play nearly as much X-Wing as I would like. I find Vassal still a bit daunting.

I'd love to see more of this sort of thing. Take a build and rip it apart, so to speak.

Interesting episode and it's fun to hear about Mark and Bob's thoughts on the Aggressor. However it's kind of weird how you spent over an hour discussing IG-88 builds and strategy without a single mention of the build that won the first Nationals of this year.

I'm not trying to toot my own horn, here. But Bob mentions how there are so many different ways to configure an Aggressor and these, along with how other players have had success competitively with IG-88, are not really explored or discussed. Not one mention of Push the Limit? Stay on Target? Bombs? Feels like a bit of a missed opportunity here, guys.

It's true - I had less time this recording (near zero actually) to do any homework and get notes together for myself on talking points, so there are lots of holes. There are many strategies on asteroid placement specifically for IG-88 as well, the view that I discussed is just one of several.

Room for improvement in future episodes.

A Boba + IG88B list beat my till then unbeaten Krassis with Mangler + 5 Academies list in a local tournament.

Those two combine pretty well, just like StableGryphon said.

I again pretty much enjoyed the show. Keep it up guys!

Good episode. Worth listening to.

It would be cool to have someone on who flies a different type list than normal. It might help spark creativity with list building and such.

Good episode. Worth listening to.

It would be cool to have someone on who flies a different type list than normal. It might help spark creativity with list building and such.

Bring Gersun and Biophysical on!

Good episode. Worth listening to.

It would be cool to have someone on who flies a different type list than normal. It might help spark creativity with list building and such.

Bring Gersun and Biophysical on!

Gersun ran the Z-95 Headshot swarm that got 2nd at a Regionals right?

What did Biophysical fly?

Biophysical was the Dual Defenders I think.

Biophysical was the Dual Defenders I think.

Yep, just checked the battle report section!

Yes! Double Defender talk would be really interesting. I'd love to see that on the show. It might help to turn the reputation of that ship around.

Thanks for another episode. I really like that new format. It'll take quite a few of those episodes to cover all the big lists, so get crackin'!

Good episode. Worth listening to.

It would be cool to have someone on who flies a different type list than normal. It might help spark creativity with list building and such.

To be fair, Sable's Boba/IG list was pretty uncommon until he won that Regional.

Nah it was already a pretty big deal...because he won a store champ and wrote it up.

heychadwick, on 08 Jul 2015 - 11:35 AM, said:

Good episode. Worth listening to.

It would be cool to have someone on who flies a different type list than normal. It might help spark creativity with list building and such.

To be fair, Sable's Boba/IG list was pretty uncommon until he won that Regional.

Nah it was already a pretty big deal...because he won a store champ and wrote it up.

I say.....until it entered the public consciousness. So, if they talk about the Dual Defender, maybe that becomes a thing? I'd love it.

heychadwick, on 08 Jul 2015 - 11:35 AM, said:

Good episode. Worth listening to.

It would be cool to have someone on who flies a different type list than normal. It might help spark creativity with list building and such.

To be fair, Sable's Boba/IG list was pretty uncommon until he won that Regional.

Nah it was already a pretty big deal...because he won a store champ and wrote it up.

I say.....until it entered the public consciousness. So, if they talk about the Dual Defender, maybe that becomes a thing? I'd love it.

Indeed, my round 4 matchup at MA Regionals was against an IG88/Fett. Can't help but wonder if he got the idea from you. Thankfully he didn't have Proton Bomb, which probably would have been really bad vs my dual IG88!

Interesting episode and it's fun to hear about Mark and Bob's thoughts on the Aggressor. However it's kind of weird how you spent over an hour discussing IG-88 builds and strategy without a single mention of the build that won the first Nationals of this year.

Oh, that one was a little unusual. An asymmetric (barely) brobots build. I like it.

All the talk in the episode still focused on the push to the high meta end, which is fine and dandy, but against similar two ship lists, I've found the following scum build to be giving ships like Boba + IG 88 fits along with Chirpy + Sontir, Chirpy Whisper, Fat han + 3Zs, etc.

Kath Scratch Fever (Scum):

Kath Scarlet + Predator + Tactician

Palob + Opportunist + Blaster Turrett + Moldy Crow

Torkil Mux + Blaster Turrett + Recon Specialist

100pts.

Torkil is the linch pin in the list keeping people from focusing down on Kath and Palob. On the high two pilot meta, it wreaks havoc, by having Palob be a pest to keep them from using focus or evade tokens as actions (he'll steal them), and Torkil making a particular target PS 0 during the combat phase. Causing that particular target to get focused fired upon. If the Target that is PS 0 has no focus or evade tokens (Palob took them or they just choose target lock) Palob uses opportunist to roll another attack die (4 attack dice instead of 3). It is pretty brutal.

I typically run the Hawks into the Asteroid/Debris fields to give them some extra cover for defensive purposes.

If you can position right, you can tear down a Decimator in one turn, and pretty much obliterate most other high pilot skill ships. All you need is Torkil to be within Range two, and make sure you take Initiative so you get the best chance to shoot first if you do match up Pilot skill wise with the remaing ships.

It does struggle with Swarms but it is designed to combat the high meta builds that are out there now.

So the push to the top isn't always the best strategy sometimes using your opponents push to the top against them works in your favor.

All the talk in the episode still focused on the push to the high meta end, which is fine and dandy, but against similar two ship lists, I've found the following scum build to be giving ships like Boba + IG 88 fits along with Chirpy + Sontir, Chirpy Whisper, Fat han + 3Zs, etc.

Kath Scratch Fever (Scum):

Kath Scarlet + Predator + Tactician

Palob + Opportunist + Blaster Turrett + Moldy Crow

Torkil Mux + Blaster Turrett + Recon Specialist

100pts.

Torkil is the linch pin in the list keeping people from focusing down on Kath and Palob. On the high two pilot meta, it wreaks havoc, by having Palob be a pest to keep them from using focus or evade tokens as actions (he'll steal them), and Torkil making a particular target PS 0 during the combat phase. Causing that particular target to get focused fired upon. If the Target that is PS 0 has no focus or evade tokens (Palob took them or they just choose target lock) Palob uses opportunist to roll another attack die (4 attack dice instead of 3). It is pretty brutal.

I typically run the Hawks into the Asteroid/Debris fields to give them some extra cover for defensive purposes.

If you can position right, you can tear down a Decimator in one turn, and pretty much obliterate most other high pilot skill ships. All you need is Torkil to be within Range two, and make sure you take Initiative so you get the best chance to shoot first if you do match up Pilot skill wise with the remaing ships.

It does struggle with Swarms but it is designed to combat the high meta builds that are out there now.

So the push to the top isn't always the best strategy sometimes using your opponents push to the top against them works in your favor.

I love how Torkil and Predator work together. Such a fun combo. I like this squad.

Interesting episode and it's fun to hear about Mark and Bob's thoughts on the Aggressor. However it's kind of weird how you spent over an hour discussing IG-88 builds and strategy without a single mention of the build that won the first Nationals of this year.

Oh, that one was a little unusual. An asymmetric (barely) brobots build. I like it.

48 IG-88B, PTL, AdvS, Auto, Title, Mangler

51 IG-88C, PTL, AdvS, Auto, Title, HLC

That's my favorite setup, but I run Predator instead of PTL and usually IG-88D. I just don't like running IGs without Advanced Sensors. I feel like I'm not getting the most out of the ships maneuverability.

Sable, would you consider putting Boba in his Slave 1 and running Extra Munitions when that is available?

You would have to clear up two points which mean Tactician would have to be dropped or maybe even going down to a Mangler on IG. But 2 Proton Bombs might be worth it...

That's my favorite setup, but I run Predator instead of PTL and usually IG-88D. I just don't like running IGs without Advanced Sensors. I feel like I'm not getting the most out of the ships maneuverability.

Sable, would you consider putting Boba in his Slave 1 and running Extra Munitions when that is available?

You would have to clear up two points which mean Tactician would have to be dropped or maybe even going down to a Mangler on IG. But 2 Proton Bombs might be worth it...

Tactician is too critical. I've considered other changes and the new bombs might be interesting to use instead. But I have other plans for this list with Wave 7. Nefarious plans. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA

It's getting a little off topic but I ran a similar concept as above but with IG-B (maybe I am on topic) instead of Kath.

24: Torkil w/ ITC

27: Palob w/ Blaster, Moldy Crow

49: IG-B w/ Mangler, Predator, Sensor Jammer, Autothrusters

Torkil powers up predator and Palob powers up the jammer. It really screws with target priority as ships are essentially forced to target the hawks first, and save the Aggressor for the endgame.

I played a couple of games with it last night and it worked out well. With 2 hawks covering B's blind spots and crippling debuffs in a wide radius, it's hard to approach this list safely.

Back on topic:

Tactician is too critical. I've considered other changes and the new bombs might be interesting to use instead. But I have other plans for this list with Wave 7. Nefarious plans. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA

See, I haven't had much luck with Tactician on Boba. I've tried it and found that not enough ships care about one extra stress. It's good for denying actions but I've noticed that whatever stessed ship just bugs out for a few turns, clears the stress, and comes back around.

Ultimately, I'd rather spend points on keeping him alive more directly whether through offensive output, or (my favorite) better arc-dodging. A single crew slot is a precious thing and one stress is, more often than not, a minor inconvenience.

Do you find it more useful when you're jousting or being chased?