Also posted here...
http://teamcovenant.com/salacious/2015/07/27/a-first-timers-chicago-regional-report/
This past Saturday was my first regional, located at Pastimes (Chicago area). I picked up the game about this time last year, so organized play was limited to my FLGS until I felt like I had a better handle on the game. Due to location and timing, this was the only regional I could attend (maybe next year). My list was:
IGGY AND THE STOOGES
Torkil Mux
- Autoblaster Turret
Palob Godahli
- Opportunist
- Blaster Turret
- Recon Specialist
- Moldy Crow
IG88-B
- Veteran Instincts
- Mangler Cannon
- Fire Control System
- Autothrusters
The list started out as a way to try to include Dace Bonearm in a list. After a few test runs, Palob with Opportunist seemed to be way more effective. I had a list with Palob and some warthogs with varying turret weapons. I switched out one of those for Torkil to discourage people from focusing just on Palob. I liked the two Hawks together, but my damage output was really limited to Palob. I tried the warthogs with control elements and with Autoblasters, but nothing was as effective as I wanted. Replacing the hogs with 88-B solves the damage output problem and really gives the opponent a target priority issue. In the six matches, each ship was the primary target at least once. Obviously that depends on what the match-up dictates, but I liked the fact that each component was a potential pain in the butt.
*Please note: I am old and my memory is fuzzy. These lists may or may not be complete and or correct. They are pretty close however.
Round 1
Soontir Fel
- Push The Limit
- Royal Guard Tie
- Autothrusters
- Stealth Device
Rear Admiral Chiraneau
- Ysanne Isard
- Rebel Captive
- Engine Upgrade
At least I got all of the disasters out of the way in the first round! My initial plan was to burn down RAC first, but a shot on Soontir became opportune early on. My initial approach with Iggy was a disaster. I misjudged the turn into the asteroids and landed on them back to back. I didn’t take damage, but I also was not getting shots. The only good opportunity I could manage was a Palob shot on Soontir that stripped two hull. The defining moment of the match was when I had Soontir caught in a killbox. Torkil made Soontir a PS 0. RAC either took out Palob that round or the round before, but I had a range 3 Mangler shot from Iggy and a autoblaster shot from Torkil to finish off the Baron. Iggy rolled two hits and a crit, but Soontir rolled two naturals and got autothrusters for the third. Torkil came with his two autoblaster dice and a focus token to finish the job and… rolled two blanks. I doubt that I would have won if I took out Soontir, but I might have a least had a chance. That said, my opponent flew well and didn’t make the mistakes that I did.
Loss 0-100
Round 2
Kavil
- Blaster Turret
Guri
- Autothrusters
Palob Godahli
- Blaster Turret
- Recon Specialist
- Moldy Crow
This was a tough one for my opponent, as everything that made his list work seemed to play into my list. Guri wants range one, but not around Torkil. Kavil needs the focus token to shoot the blaster turret, but couldn’t within range of my Palob. I was able to burn down Kavil pretty quick and the other two ships after that.
Win 100-21
Round 3
Torkil Mux
- Ion Cannon Turret
Mandalorian Mercenary (X2)
- Predator
I was very worried about this match. Torkil was giving the mercs extra re-rolls on Iggy and I was concerned about chewing through the Firesprays hull and shields. I focused on Torkil and was able to take him down and chew through most of the first merc pretty quickly. Finally we were down to one merc and the two Hawks. I chased him down with the Hawks (I still can’t believe I was able to do that) and cornered him to finish the job.
Win 100-45
Round 4
IG88-B
- Autothrusters
- Ion Cannon
- Mangler Cannon
- Veteran Instincts
- Fire Control System
IG88-C
- Autothrusters
- Heavy Laser Cannon
- Veteran Instincts
- Fire Control System
This was a strange match. I was extremely nervous about the potential of the brobots hitting hard. He focused on Palob and brought C in, so I worked on him. I would have prefered to burn down B first, but I took what was presented to me. He took down Palob and had two hull left on C. I was headed towards my lower right corner and he was in the lower center. He had an opportunity to turn out with C and regroup, but he brought him in for the kill on Torkil. I positioned myself with Torkil for potential blocking. He came in and I was able to take out C but gave Torkil no position to get out of the corner and I flew off the board next turn. That left us both with fully healthy IG88Bs (and my opponent with the point advantage). I did have the positional advantage though and started to chase him around the right side of the board. He got antsy and tried to sloop to get shots in and caught the edge of the board with the corner of his ship. An odd end to the game, but it was one of the most entertaining (nerve wracking) games of the day.
Win 100-55
Round 5
Biggs Darklighter
Corran Horn
- R2-D2
- Fire Control System
- Push The Limit
Jake Farrell
- Chardaan Refit
- Push The Limit
- A-Wing Test Pilot
I recognized my opponent, Nathan, from the worlds video and figured I was in for a tough match. I made the mistake of trying to go after Jake first, since he was set up away from the others. I was able to take out Biggs fairly quickly, but by then Corran was exactly where he wanted to be. This match was a bit of a blur and I wish I could see myself play this again to see if I could have done anything different. Nathan made the final table that night, and deservedly so.
Loss 25-100
Round 6
Soontir Fel
- Push The Limit
- Royal Guard Tie
- Autothrusters
- Targeting Computer
Carnor Jax
- Push The Limit
- Royal Guard Tie
- Autothrusters
- Targeting Computer
Omicron Group Pilot
- Tactician
- Tactician
- Ion Cannon
At this point, I was 3-2 and sitting in 41st place. My initial goal for the day was 3-3, so I knew I would achieve that mark. Obviously though, if I could go 4-2 and possibly put myself in position for top 25 (and win a playmat), that would be fantastic. Plus ending the day on a win would be a nice touch. Carnor was the obvious target, as I didn’t want him preventing Palob from firing the Blaster Turret. He set the shuttle up in the center and Carnor and Soontir on my left. I set up the Hawks in the center as well and jousted Iggy with the Interceptors. The plan was to slow play Iggy and see if I could connect with a range 3 Mangler shot. Since the TIEs had Targeting Computer and not Stealth Device, I could throw red dice equal to or above their greens. I was able to connect on Carnor and took him out the following round. The shuttle double-stressed/ioned Torkil, but the Hawks were able to start burning it down. I K-turned Iggy and lit up Soontir and Palob was able to finish off the Baron. I was very lucky with positioning and boosted Iggy into range one of the shuttle, avoiding the double stress. At that point the shuttle was quick work. This was the shortest match of the day at only 20 minutes long. My opponent didn’t fly poorly, but it was a perfect storm of hot red dice for me and tough green dice rolls for him.
Win 100-00
With final results posted, I launched myself into 25th place with a 704 MOV! I was really excited to not only surpass my goal, but also to win a playmat. Even still, it would have been nice to see how things would have worked out with smarter play in the first match. The list is fun to fly and I wish I could have more organized play opportunities this year with it, as I won’t be able to attend either Nats or Worlds. Pastimes in Chicago were great hosts and Ron, Andrea, and company worked really hard to run a great tournament.
Finally, one of the best parts of the day was meeting people and chatting with them. Each of my opponents showed great sportsmanship and were eager to make small talk before and after the match. There were even times where we would see each other later and check in on how the other was doing. X-Wing is my first tournament gaming experience and even though I’ve heard horror stories about other gaming events, X-Wing has held up as a fantastic community.
Edited by Salacious