ok. so I've been fooling around a lot with scum firesprays. There was a thread about best load outs for boba and believe me; its rec spec, ptl, EU. This is a fantastic build being able boost in to r1 and turtle up with 3 more or less guaranteed evades and still have rerolls in the offensive too is just huge. Its a lean load out but its still pricey.

So, i tried to see if i can get the same mileage out of the merc who's 4 points cheaper.

one thing i always wanted to do is 2 enforcers and the above mentioned boba but the problem is, then you lack 4 points for twin autothrusters for the vipers which is a big thing to not have on them. Guess what? with the merc you can and i think this could prove to be very strong indeed. Will test tomorrow.

also, i have been working on a list with an even more stripped down version of the merc that allows for a nasty 5 pirate escort. Lone Wolf, recspec. Thats it. the boost is missed, but you can't get it all and 30 hp behind 2-3 green is really nasty. Block potential is off the hook and the list hasn't lost a game yet.

any experiences with the merc? different load outs, builds, tips, comments whatever is welcomed. i feel this ship is very efficient for its cost and might be something really worth looking further into.

So you have to look at what you want the merc to do. Having an EPT is no joke and ps5 starting is great.

Right now the most useful EPT I have seen on him is either Predator or Expert Handling. Crew, either Tactician or Gunner. The issue is for about the same cost, Xizor is better, Higher PS, can take those AT and pass off damage. So the point range you want to be in is better filled by other ships. If you are absolutely set on it you could try Opportunist with HLC and k4 Security Droid, Palob and try to get that 5 dice shot with a TL/Focus

thing is i come from the xisor swarm, and exchanging his highness for the mando was an experiment at first. Now i really feel this list packs more power. Xisor is super good, no doubt, and ps 9 with him is so strong. he is a strong finisher. Im just not sure its better than the mando. have you tried it? against hi ps lists you can block with the mando as well as the pirates and i just all ways seem to overwhelm the opponent in a way xiswarm doesn't. if you have flown a lot of xi swarm you know it sometimes feels a bit fragile and delicate. I'm not dead set on this being better but it feels very good after 5 games.

Predator feedback recspec (HLC optional)

That's very effective for the price.

iv played about with various 'best' loadouts on boba and kath and have come to the following conclusions,

1) it really depends HOW you fly the firespray

2) Engine Upgrade is a must include (arc dodging, range control, hit-and-run tactics anyone?)

3) Tactician, Rebel Captive (imperials), K4 Security Droid and Recon Specialist are imo the strongest crew options you have

4) Veteran Instincts is a strong choice right now in the current meta esp on Boba as you can move after Fel and Corran Horn, even a PS10 Corran can be trumped by a 99pt squad list

5) Push the Limit adds versatility but it comes at a cost. The firespray's movement dial does not have much green meaning that shedding stress is going to reduce your movement options. Even with Engine Upgrade you are sacrificing a fair amount of speed. If you face a rebel captive (a common foil for PTL) you are not going to get maximum value from PTL. If you dont face rebel captive then you will be ok but the shedding stress after PTL will slow your firespray down.

6) K4 Security Droid is another strong option but to maximize it you need to do a green (sound familiar?) so using the droid hurts your speed similar to PTL... to use it you need to fly slower.

You are always going to use upgrades that suit your style of play. For me personally I prefer maximizing my movement options. Scum Boba and Scum Kath allow you to play Inertial Dampeners which are simply amazing. To use it stresses your ship but how many times have you wanted to NOT move anywhere and stall with a firespray? The threat of being able to do a stall is not dissimilar to carrying a seismic charge or proton bomb, they are going to 'expect' you to do it and will need to plan accordingly.

For my money tactician is the crew of choice right now because he is a decent counter to PTL. Soontir Fel is afraid of getting double stressed. IG88's are not fond of getting double stressed either. Tactician is difficult to maximize and its better vs certain lists but its worth it imo. Once you master range2 shots its deadly.

I think Glitterstim will breathe new life into Firesprays. 1 turn of "Don't bother shooting me" as well as "I do 3-4 auto-damage" is pretty **** nice, even for the generics.

A friend loves a Dual Merc Build Predator and Rec Spec on them, and then he tosses in a Flechette Cannon Scyk he has done pretty well with it, although I Personally feel dropping the Scyk for a pair of HLCs and I think there is room for Seismics too

Predator feedback recspec (HLC optional)

That's very effective for the price.

Beat me to it, giving him Predator makes him two points more than Krassis, but the reroll is much less situational.

I love RecSpec on Firesprays, and if you've already got the reroll you should be Focusing anyway.

Never considered Feedback. With the HLC I'd probably take Inertial Dampeners.

Overall the MandoMerc is the kind of big ship I like, can hang back and allow mini swarmies to get dirty with the enemy.

I guess that is the same as my old Krassis+TIEs strat from wave 2...

Feedback makes even one of these a serious threat for Fel. It can be activated when he bumps or when the merc is on a rock. It's really good on large base ships that can stomach losing a couple health to kill Fel or whisper.

Mando Mercs have a nice upgrade option. For three extra points you can increase your pilot skill by 2 points and fire an unconditional extra dice out of your rear arc. Amazing.

Mando Mercs have a nice upgrade option. For three extra points you can increase your pilot skill by 2 points and fire an unconditional extra dice out of your rear arc. Amazing.

Maybe after Kath learns a new maneuver called Skunking in which she moves butt first towards the enemy.

This is old news to some on here, but I'm a huge firespray fan, and have been playing with various dual firesprays builds for over a year now.

I recently started trying out the mando mercs as I wanted to see what adding a third ship could do. As much as I love dual firesprays, their biggest weakness is 20 hit points at 2 agility with not many abilities to help with damage mitigation like the fat turrets means you can go down fast sometimes.

Adding a cheap third ship gives you a meat shield/blocker/extra attack dice.

My most recent list has done well so far, I'm 11-1 with it at the moment.

Mando Merc 1

Predator

Tactician

Feedback Array

Mando Merc 2

Predator

Tactician

Feedback Array

Ion Cannon

Black Sun Pirate

Predator, tactician, and feedback array have become must haves for me on scum firesprays. Gives you great offense, while also helping control the arc dodgers who can exploit you otherwise. The ion cannon isn't used much, but can be useful, especially against corran with r2-d2. I had a game this weekend where because of a ton of stress tokens and my ion cannon I slowly but eventually killed him.

Maybe after Kath learns a new maneuver called Skunking in which she moves butt first towards the enemy.

Well that's the real trick, isn't it?