I once built several lists centered around the WSF without Outrider, but quickly put it aside after learning how easy it is to fly with turrets.
However, after all the recent talk about this craft without the title, I decided to give it a go. I generally favor lists with as many ships as possible, so I decided to place this guy in a swarm, but since I only have 3 Z-95s, I had to make a change. So, in turn, I came up with this list:
WSF (40)
-HLC
-Recon Specialist
Blue Squadron Pilot (24)
-FCS
Bandit Squadron Pilot x3 (36)
I was able to play this list twice. First match was against triple interceptor with Soontir Fel, Carnor Jax, and Turr Phennir and their usual loadout, only oddity being Turr had SD instead of AT. Second match was against a Rebel 3 ship featuring Etahn with stressbot and Ion torp, Jake with outmaneuver but no PTL, and Arvel with outmaneuver. Both A's using AT.
Game 1:
I deployed the asteroids with the main cluster on my board edge generally to one side. I then proceeded to deploy there so that when we crossed paths, he would be hurt by the obstacles more than myself (that was the idea anyway). he then deployed in the opposite corner. He came in fast and I limbered up into the rocks. When the shooting began, I was able to get plenty of close range shots proceeded by a couple good HLC shots onto Turr, turning off his SD. Once the fur ball appeared, I was then able to wrangle his interceptors into firing arcs of my Z-95s with the help of the asteroids, while my WSF after a K-turn sat at distance pelting targets. I felt as though my opponent's main mistake was sticking in the fur ball for range 1 shots instead of speeding out and making another pass.
Game 2:
Generally the same setup as before, however this time, I deployed 2 Z-95s several inches toward the board edge to attempt to fly around an asteroid and hit my opponent from the side/back. This isolated them and they had no shots. Then when they turned in, I was in a clump, and the ion torpedo made it's entrance, hitting all but my WSF. He arc dodged well, so my damage was spread out on all 3 ships and over time, all Z-95s went down. The Green dice were a little cold, but Etahns criticals were more a culprit of their quick demise. After a short while it was Etahn and Arvel giving chase to a pitiful 2 dice turret as my WSF couldn't K-turn thanks to stressbot.
Changes and mistakes:
I made quite a few mistakes that are easily noticeable. First was that I should have taken Kyle Katarn instead of Rec Spec. When K-turning, which I did a lot of second game, I had no action, so my HLC felt like a pea shooter. Second, FCS on the Blue felt useless. Aside from the fact that every time I used I missed anyway (focuses came up >:[), I didn't use it much second game, and predator made quick work of my B-Wing. Also, having a single B-Wing made for an easy target decision. I would consider replacing it with 2 more Zs. Last is that in the second game, I failed to put emphasis on focus fire. I tended to try to setup for the easiest range 1 shot possible, which wouldn't wind up happening with all the arc dodging, so I feel I might fair better with just selecting a target and focusing on getting arc on it period.
Outriderless WSF Thoughts:
I really enjoyed it. The biggest gripe is dice modification. The best I can think of is Kyle Katarn. With the WSF, I feel it needs as many companion ships as possible, so any other upgrade seems like a bad option. However, I like this in the list much more than 3 Zs or a B with upgrades. It being a generic YT seemed to encourage the opponent to fire on the smaller ships first, ensuring my HLC got some game time.
How would you guys run an Outriderless YT-2400? Thoughts?
