So I've decided to take a little break from my preferred Rebel Swarms and give the Scum Firesprays some love.

So what do you think about Recon Specialist vs. K4 Security Droid as crew? Or other crew recommendations?

Last night I went 2-1 with the following list:

Boba + Kath

99 points

Pilots

------

Boba Fett (49)

Firespray-31 (39), Veteran Instincts (1), Seismic Charges (2), Tactician (2), Engine Upgrade (4), Inertial Dampeners (1)

Kath Scarlet (50)

Firespray-31 (38), Calculation (1), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), K4 Security Droid (3), Inertial Dampeners (1)

I'm still figuring out how to reliably maneuver big ships. I lost Kath every game (and the total loss was 100-0 vs four X-wings w/R7, where mistakes were made). While I felt that K4 plus a focus action worked really well offensively particularly with the HLC, I was generally disappointed with both 'sprays defensively. Is RecSpec the better choice, or is boosting offense the better defense.

K4 is golden on Scum Firesprays. Use it and never look back.

It depends on what I'm flying

At times I like to have K4, with ptl and Engine upgrade

This allows me to grab a target lock for free, and focus/evade for possible Def/offense and or if needed boost.

But sometimes I just use Recon specialist

For example if I'm using kath I like the K4 and ptl

If I'm flying two mandolorian mercs and two Binayre pilots I put Recon specialist on the mercs.

Granted I don't alway put ptl on kath, but I usually do have K4 on her

I feel like it depends on playstyle and what you want that particular firespray to do in the game. If im running the two that you are I would be using Boba as the bait and letting Kath inch in behind. If you can do that and hit 1 of the 4 greens on the dial K4 is amazing. If you think you will need to be more mobile and move faster then you will want recspec since K4 doesn't activate much at that point.

I tried K4 a bit. It's nice when it works, but there will be many turns where it won't since your green moves are so limited, you either make yourself very predictable in order to keep activating it, or don't use it that often.

I think tactician is the best firespray crew personally, as it can be used out of both firing arcs.

I haven't used recon spec in quite awhile on a firespray. It is nice as well, but often I find myself only using one focus a round anyways.

I've used both in two different lists I've used and I have to say that RecSpec is more consistant and that you can usually get a better outcome when paired with PTL. Focus (2 tokens) push TL/Boost/Dodge.

Is gunner not a popular option for a 2 firespray list? I've been considering it since it feels like you have to get all you can offensively out of a 2 ship list.

Thanks for the input thus far.

So my basic concept is to lead with Boba, and have him have the maneuverability from EU to get in close and knife fight at range 1, while also providing some control at range 2 via Tactician. Kath I want to move slower and hang back inflicting damage via long range front- or rear-arc shots with the HLC.

I also think there's value in VI to be able to get ahead of other high-PS ships and do some arc-dodging, which is why I haven't tried the PTL route (yet). But that may be a good choice, since it's also a way to do Focus/Evade, Focus/TL, or Focus/Boost, and with K4 could Focus/TL/Boost or Evade in one turn.

Alternately there's Predator for a mini-TL, which could pair well with RecSpec. And I've also considered the crazier option of putting RecSpec and a Stealth Device on Kath.

So for example, here's two more variations I'm considering:

I tried K4 a bit. It's nice when it works, but there will be many turns where it won't since your green moves are so limited, you either make yourself very predictable in order to keep activating it, or don't use it that often.

I think tactician is the best firespray crew personally, as it can be used out of both firing arcs.

I haven't used recon spec in quite awhile on a firespray. It is nice as well, but often I find myself only using one focus a round anyways.

Recon specialist is great imo to have a focus for both offense and defense.

If flying low ps could be really nice

May not leave you with much for offense, but if you used both for D then that's X amount of dmg prevented. Making it hard to kill

Thanks for the input thus far.

So my basic concept is to lead with Boba, and have him have the maneuverability from EU to get in close and knife fight at range 1, while also providing some control at range 2 via Tactician. Kath I want to move slower and hang back inflicting damage via long range front- or rear-arc shots with the HLC.

I also think there's value in VI to be able to get ahead of other high-PS ships and do some arc-dodging, which is why I haven't tried the PTL route (yet). But that may be a good choice, since it's also a way to do Focus/Evade, Focus/TL, or Focus/Boost, and with K4 could Focus/TL/Boost or Evade in one turn.

Alternately there's Predator for a mini-TL, which could pair well with RecSpec. And I've also considered the crazier option of putting RecSpec and a Stealth Device on Kath.

So for example, here's two more variations I'm considering:

===============

Dual Firesprays 2

===============

100 points

Boba Fett (50)

Firespray-31 (39), Push the Limit (3), Recon Specialist (3), Engine Upgrade (4), Inertial Dampeners (1)

Kath Scarlet (50)

Firespray-31 (38), Veteran Instincts (1), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), K4 Security Droid (3), Inertial Dampeners (1)

=================

Dual Firesprays 3

=================

100 points

Boba Fett (47)

Firespray-31 (39), Veteran Instincts (1), Tactician (2), Inertial Dampeners (1), Engine Upgrade (4)

Kath Scarlet (53)

Firespray-31 (38), Veteran Instincts (1), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Recon Specialist (3), Inertial Dampeners (1), Stealth Device (3)

This is a big mistake I see people do with boba fett.

While his ability is nice, it's not something you want to rush into.

Flying into a furball is still going to end very badly.

The way I see him, is like I've always did. It's just that when ships do get into range one that reroll is helpful, but I see people think it's going to do better than what it does

I think if your going to fly fett in front, you'll want Recon specialist on him.

With the rerolls you'll increase your chances by rerolling your blank results and hopefully roll focus/evades and having two focus for that is the way to go.

Tactician would be better on kath since she is hanging back and not flying right into the furball

If you intend on getting fett into range 1 of a bunch of ships, he'll still likely die a horrible death

I think if your going to fly fett in front, you'll want Recon specialist on him.

With the rerolls you'll increase your chances by rerolling your blank results and hopefully roll focus/evades and having two focus for that is the way to go.

Tactician would be better on kath since she is hanging back and not flying right into the furball

Good points. So what about this:

Not bad. I'd say with some practice be a solid list.

Just watch you don't get caught in a bad spot when ptl.

If you did get swarms at range 1 with fett, two focus and an Evade along with his rerolls would be really nice

It's the next round, getting out of there without collision that could be the hard part.

Kath isn't anything to be ignored at either though.

In my experience I find that hlc you don't get to use it much when equipped on a firespray. Usually you get two shots and then your using your rear arc so your trying to kturn

However this kath is different. If you have the points yo spare which you do, this kath will always roll 4 dice. 5 if you can get range 1 from the auxiliary arc

I say try it and tweak as needed

After a game or two you'll see if something is needed or not, and may opt to switch something out

But overall, I like it.

Just don't ptl with fett if you feel next round your going to be very limited.

Also don't be afraid to do a white maneuver while stress.

There's a good chance you'll surprise your opponent and maybe have a better position and avoid more fire.

Then next round you'll be more in the clear to clear that stress.

If it means less things shooting at you that is

Being unpredictable is a good way to win

A lot of people when stress seems like they feel they have to-do a green maneuver, when actually doing a white is the better choice.

Your a lot more predictable when you have 3-4 maneuvers to choose from so this is a good time opponent will try to block

But being unpredictable and doing that 4 straight may fly you right past his

his ships, leaving you with a shot from the auxiliary arc and possibly no shot for him

Is gunner not a popular option for a 2 firespray list? I've been considering it since it feels like you have to get all you can offensively out of a 2 ship

Gunner is a very viable use of the crew slot. I fly in a very high agility meta and brought gunner to counter that. Won a regional for me so I cant complain. If you tend to face only bbbbz or pancakes you probably don't want to waste the points though.

I prefer K4 on Firesprays that have Engine Upgrade. I find that I'm frequently making green maneuvers when I'm boosting and K4 let's you still modify your shots in turns that you boost.

I like more "passive" crew on my Firesprays since I seem to always be short actions when I fly them... Tactician has been quite useful for me, the K4 Security Droid is not bad at all either...

Both are good. Recon Specialist is a defensive upgrade for high skill pilots, or an offensive upgrade for generics. A K4 security droid is a flat-out offensive upgrade.

The K4 puts less limits on action economy, but limits your dial - it's good for a Firespray slow-rolling in with a cannon, or if you plan on using push the limit or opportunist (and hence will be using green dice to clear stress).

Gunner - as noted, it depends. It's good for medium-agility ships. Against something like an autothruster interceptor at range 3, you're probably just going to miss twice. Against a decimator.....you're not going to miss once. It's most useful against 2-3 dice defenders or someone whose defense is based on a stack of tokens.

It pairs up well with Marksmanship, too, as that benefits both attacks. An especially nasty pairing is a gunner and marksmanship on the Imperial version of Kath, because even if your target dodges both attacks, you've got a 75%+ chance of tagging them with stress each time, regardless of range, existing stress tokens, etc.

Gunner - as noted, it depends. It's good for medium-agility ships. Against something like an autothruster interceptor at range 3, you're probably just going to miss twice. Against a decimator.....you're not going to miss once. It's most useful against 2-3 dice defenders or someone whose defense is based on a stack of tokens.

I find its best on VI Boba, lets you boost to get inside that R3 band or into a R1 band. Totally play style dependent. And I agree throwing 3 dice at soontir twice will most likely result in him throwing 5 dice twice with three tokens to back them up. I don't think its something I would take on Kath or a Merc as they cant control that ranging as well.

Update: as I continue to mess around, I've since gone 1-2 with this list:

PTL + RecSpec definitely helped the defense and I got a lot of dice mods with K4 (though I didn't face any other PS 9 builds with the list).

So maybe the answer to the original question is BOTH.

Predator --> Recspec

PTL --> K4

Ok i'll get burned for this but here I go,

Have you tried Auto-blaster on boba with VI and engine upgrade? I have started using it with mixed results.

Pros: You have the option to fire 3D plus +1 or more rerolls with no defense dice for Hits or

Fire 4D plus rerolls with dice for low agility no tokens ships.

Given the extra mobility with Engine Upgrade Its easier to control and decide when to get to Range 1.

Cons: Circunstancial (range 1) sometimes best to fire 4D for potential crits or larger damage output

Range 1 means more damage to you so you will die faster.

Would you try it?

I think a common mistake is to try to use it early. I think its best to avoid using it unless a great opportunity arises. Later in game its a great finisher.

Please share your experiences.

Ok i'll get burned for this but here I go,

Have you tried Auto-blaster on boba with VI and engine upgrade? I have started using it with mixed results.

Pros: You have the option to fire 3D plus +1 or more rerolls with no defense dice for Hits or

Fire 4D plus rerolls with dice for low agility no tokens ships.

Given the extra mobility with Engine Upgrade Its easier to control and decide when to get to Range 1.

Cons: Circunstancial (range 1) sometimes best to fire 4D for potential crits or larger damage output

Range 1 means more damage to you so you will die faster.

Would you try it?

I think a common mistake is to try to use it early. I think its best to avoid using it unless a great opportunity arises. Later in game its a great finisher.

Please share your experiences.

autoblaster on PS10 Boba is not a bad idea thanks to his ability. However, its really only good against things with high Agility. Anything with 1 or 2 green dice is not worth using the autoblaster (because rolling 4 red dice is often going to get you as much if not more damage anyway).

So its situational at best. Even better is a proton bomb. Its not situational (effs anything it catches) but requires a little more skill to use effectively (not a bad thing though, because you learn more about the game by trying to make it work).

Ok i'll get burned for this but here I go,

Have you tried Auto-blaster on boba with VI and engine upgrade? I have started using it with mixed results.

Pros: You have the option to fire 3D plus +1 or more rerolls with no defense dice for Hits or

Fire 4D plus rerolls with dice for low agility no tokens ships.

Given the extra mobility with Engine Upgrade Its easier to control and decide when to get to Range 1.

Cons: Circunstancial (range 1) sometimes best to fire 4D for potential crits or larger damage output

Range 1 means more damage to you so you will die faster.

Would you try it?

I think a common mistake is to try to use it early. I think its best to avoid using it unless a great opportunity arises. Later in game its a great finisher.

Please share your experiences.

Scum Boba is the closest thing to a good Autoblaster vector in the game thus far, I'll grant you that.

Still not certain its worth 5 points on him, though.