Seems like a pretty potent combination no? If you get a crit, you get to look at it before deciding to use Integrated Astromech, so you stand a chance to ignore multiple crits this way. Even in the same hit - suppose you get 2 crits and if either one of them is pilot you can ignore both.

Luke + R2D2 + Integrated Astromech + Determination = 33 points but pretty impressive survivability. Is 33 points too much for an x-wing in this case though?

In the case of Luke, I'd rather add another point to slot Lone Wolf in there. It pairs a bit better with his ability.

Could be fun for Porkins, Red Squadron Pilot or Garven, though, with R2-D6 in the latter cases to give them the EPT slot.

Only when you face crit generating upgrades (mangler, Calc, ATC, etc.). Otherwise your 3 Hull will probably be gone due to normal hits before your opponent rolls 2 crits.

Biggs + R2D6 + Determination + Integrated Astromech is looking like a pretty tempting 27 points to me. It's relatively situational if Determination will come up, but it seems worth it for a point in terms of the potential added survivability.

And there's the possibility that discarding R2-D6 doesn't discard the Elite Talent.

(I don't agree with that particular rules interpretation, but there ain't no rule yet written that a dog can't play basketball discarding an upgrade that gives you an upgrade slot requires you to discard anything in that slot as well...)

Biggs + R2D6 + Determination + Integrated Astromech is looking like a pretty tempting 27 points to me. It's relatively situational if Determination will come up, but it seems worth it for a point in terms of the potential added survivability.

I'd rather have Biggs + R4-D6 + IA. You save a point, and I think it is more likely to take a 3 damage hit on 6 HP then 2 crits with the first being pilot on 4 hull.

I want to try Biggs with Elusiveness though.

I really dislike Determination. The only place where I can see it kind of working is RecSpec Leebo. Most ships just don't have the hull points to support it, more often than not I'd rather have Wired, VI, Crack Shot, Lightning Reflexes, Adrenalin Rush, or Calculating, not to mention higher point value Elite upgrades. Integrated Astro doesn't change that greatly. You can discard the Astro for Pilot crits as well, so Determination has no increased value from IA.

You can discard the Astro for Pilot crits as well, so Determination has no increased value from IA.

But Determination discards any and all Pilot crits you take, so can act as a buffer before you need to use IA. There's no doubt it's quite situational, but those times it works will be pretty satisfying.

I thought up this combination as soon as Integrated Astromech was spoilt, but In hindsight I agree that Luke (and X-Wing's in general) don't have enough Hull to make it worthwhile. Expert Handling may be a better option as it adds the Barrel Roll option to the X-Wings actions, removes a target lock on you (thus ensuring you receive less damaging fire and less/no ordnance) and you'll want to be doing Green moves to trigger R2-D2 anyway, thus clearing the stress from last rounds Expert Handling.

BB-8 dodging an X-wing out of firing arcs may help you live longer than regenerating a single shield each turn. Depending on the circumstance.

BB-8 + Determination OR R2-D2 + Expert Handling, both with Integrated Astromech - for similar end results. Which is cheaper?

And there's the possibility that discarding R2-D6 doesn't discard the Elite Talent.

(I don't agree with that particular rules interpretation, but there ain't no rule yet written that a dog can't play basketball discarding an upgrade that gives you an upgrade slot requires you to discard anything in that slot as well...)

When I first read through it my gut feeling was that any card legally added to your ship at the start of the game should remain.

Then I considered the precedent set with the Injured Pilot critical (as well as Munitions Failure) from a game mechanic standpoint.

Then you factor in that FFG just essentially eliminated those specific crits from the game. From that perspective it seems they really don't want you to lose your Elite upgrade (or pilot ability or secondary weapon).

In short, at first I thought you should keep your Elite upgrade, then I thought you shouldn't and now I think you should keep it again. We will get an official ruling soon enough but for now that's how I would argue it.