Hey guys,

I'm new to the game. I'm not a tournament player and don't ever plan on it. My FLGS doesn't support any game that isn't M:TG. :-/

I don't know why, but I'm not a big fan of the assault frigate. It's cool looking, but maybe because it wasn't in the movies, it just feel like Star Wars? (I know it's being fickle) If I refuse to buy the AF, would I even be able to construct a halfway decent fleet without it? What sorts of builds are viable without it?

Quick answers would be a Corvette/Neb B swarm. Realistically, 2 Nebs 2 CR90's is a good place to start at 300 points. Expect to get beaten up without the extra tanky-ness that the AF brings to the table, but expect to be quick enough to match the GSD and beat the VSD in positioning.

You'll have to play with the strengths of both the Corvettes and the Neb B, which is : speed and maneuvrability for the Corvette and long range dakka for the Neb Bs.

Like Stasy said, you can afford a 2 Vettes, 2 Neb list with some squadrons to defend them but you're going to have to be smart about the upgrades and the placement. In both cases, you're going to need a bait and it really depends on what types of Corvette yo'ure playing. If you go with the A's, you're going to want the Neb Bs to tank at lower speed (1) and pump shots in destroyers, while the As flank to avoid the big arc shots. Surprisingly enough, you want the Vettes to be close due to having blue dice that really help with the firepower and mitigate the blanks on the red dice.

Alternatively, if you're playing with Vette Bs, they can tank 3 to 4 dice with ECM but not more than that, so they'll be the bait then slip away from harm's way after disabling the enemy's defenses thanks to their Ion Cannons upgrades, in preparation for strong damage from the Neb Bs that will come in a wide flanking maneuver.

With the Vette Bs, you'll have one pass per ship, so make it count (angling to get both the front and side arcs and a Concentrate Fire).

You could always play with the Assault Frigate Mark II card, but substitute a Mark I miniature, which looks a lot more Star Wars-y:

You can get these from Mel Miniatures or Utar Ships.

What would you recommend for initial placement? Keep them all clustered together or spread them out and then converge on different firing arcs of the IMP ships? Or something else?

Easy answer is you're going to have a very high learning curve, unless you're a genius. By this I mean, other players are going to pound the crap out of your for a few games. The Assault Frigate (for dummy players like me) gives you the plain jane muscle you need to pound it out with Imperials.

Post Wave 2 - It is very possible Home 1 ships (whatever they are) will change the nature of rebel fighting and could mean you don't need the Assault Frigates. In my own opinion though, if you're an average to semi-good player you're going to want the Frigate however much you might not like it.

Just my two cents. It can work without. Just way tougher.

Try clustering 3 Nebs together so they can focus down 1 target at long range. Then have 1-2 corvettes for objective grabbing or being distractions.

Or surround them in a protective bubble of B's (with 1-2 x's for support).

the easy answer is yes

the more complex answer is that the Afmkii is simply the easiest ship to learn the game with. It's chuncky, relatively quick, and it has two wide, dominant arc that makes it the easiest ship to aim its main batteries with (and because they're on the sides, you can run like a chicken singing cluckcluckcluck merrily home while still flinging out fistfuls of red dice)

it's potent and very forgiving, whereas the titled Neb is very potent and extremely unforgiving

I'm not so competitive that I don't mind losing several matches to get the hang of maneuvering the smaller ships if it makes me a better player. What's the best way to start the match to be able to maneuver behind a Glad or VSD?

What would you recommend for initial placement? Keep them all clustered together or spread them out and then converge on different firing arcs of the IMP ships? Or something else?

I would say clustered, but not necessarily too close (range 3 is good for leaving enough space for maneuvers). When clustered, you can focus fire more easily due to range, especially the Neb Bs with such a small front arc.

I'm going to try and run the CR90Bs one behind the other, i'll report on how it went

In terms of firing arcs, unless they have Gunnery Team, you want to have multiple ships in a single firing arc rather than spread out. But sometimes it's unavoidable due to how activations work. For example, activating first and having 2 Corvettes in the front arc of a VSD at long range, you will have to activate and move one of your Corvettes first. Even if you aren't in that arc at medium range right now, you will be after you activate if you go straight forward and you're likely to lose a ship rather than spreading damage on 2.

So, in that case it might actually be better just moving into the side arcs. Sure, you'll be taking as many shots, but they'll be spread onto two ships

As others have said, it's certainly viable, I'm running a 3 Neb + squadron list in the Vassal tourney right now, However, it's an extremely fragile list - I tend to either win big or lose big, and for the most part I've been losing big.

Deployment will really be depending on your opponent- but I'd suggest keeping your nebs together and advancing at speed 1, while the corvettes flank, either one on each side or together. Keep some squadrons handy for your Nebs to work with.

Important point - focus your firepower to take down opponent ships as quickly as possible. You need to hurt them early if your ships want to survive.

I have had the most fun running the fighterless corvette swarm with or without enhanced armaments. You just fly cirlces aound people and poke them to death. If you ever get into close range, just be aware that you will die. It lives on evade tokens, speed, and Mon Mothma.

As others have said, it's certainly viable, I'm running a 3 Neb + squadron list in the Vassal tourney right now, However, it's an extremely fragile list - I tend to either win big or lose big, and for the most part I've been losing big.

Deployment will really be depending on your opponent- but I'd suggest keeping your nebs together and advancing at speed 1, while the corvettes flank, either one on each side or together. Keep some squadrons handy for your Nebs to work with.

Important point - focus your firepower to take down opponent ships as quickly as possible. You need to hurt them early if your ships want to survive.

Unless you're running debuff Corvette Bs, in which case you want to be flying in and getting out before the enemy can shoot at full effect. I agree with your Neb's deployment !

I will say that my 6 CR90 list does extremely well (and, obviously, not an AF to be seen). You have to be smart about your objectives, however, and likewise, I think you have to accept you will not always table the other guy (and it sometimes should not even be your goal).

But as a starting point, 6xCR90A + Mon Mothma alone is a strong fleet for the rebels with the right objectives.