Theory:

the "Freer" the ept slot is, the more viable Crackshot becomes

What's a free EPT slot?:

if you don't benefit from the must-have predator or PTL, your ept slot is "free"

How do you free your ept slot?:

You replicate the Predator/PTL benefit using another upgrade slot or a pilot ability

Which ships have a "free" ept slot?

Sadly, not many.

1.) A-wing Test Pilot is literally a free (0 point) ept slot, so there's one

2.) Col. Vessery is flying a Tie Defender (not much point to PTL without evades, also those horrid greens) and his ability, when enabled, gives him re-rolls in lieu of predator. A fully modded HLC with crackshot? that **** smarts.

3.) Palob doesn't need his ept really; his ability is far too badass and his ship far too fragile to pour too many points into him. Shooting a blaster turret at a defenseless enemy and then stripping away his only lucky evade? That'll hurt

4.) [speculative] Targeting Astromech is not yet fully spoiled, but its wording is identical to K4 Security Droid (after from "you execute" versus "executing) with only the type of the trigger maneuver being unknown.

If it proves to be a flexible upgrade, you can actually use Crackshot with any T-70 pilot not rocking BB-8 (PTL shenanigans) or a defensive astromech that you might want to augment with Predator or Lone Wolf.

In regards to K4, Firesprays have evade and often EU (so PTL is awesome) and only Bossk has epts for the YV-666.

Speaking of scum, maybe Aggressors could rock it, but they seem the be suckling from the V.I teet atm

4.) [speculative] Tech Slots a completely new upgrade slot with a ton of potential, currently only containing two upgrades that sadly do not filly in the role of either predator or PTL (though there is an argument to be made in the case of comms, potentially). Maybe in the future we'll get something to supplement the two big epts

after all, Cool Hands is coming out with the T-70, so maybe a future release will make it actually viable (unless my wild speculation/dream is correct and the PS 7 has an ability that lets you keep one shot epts pleaseohpleaseohplease)

that's all I got off the top of my head

vader has a free ept. he likes predator, but from the games ive played its not 100% necessary,

someone beat me to it.... fkn Piznit <3

Xizor with FCS doesn't need Predator and hasn't the greens for PTL. You're probably rocking VI on him, but Crackshot is a nice alternative.

Xizor with FCS doesn't need Predator and hasn't the greens for PTL. You're probably rocking VI on him, but Crackshot is a nice alternative.

V.I too good

Guri? problem is lower PS and FCS don't gel super well

Crack Shot is a good choice for a cheap X-wing with the EPT-bot and Integrated Astromech. Once Crack Shot is used you can discard the 'mech without sacrificing anything.

Green Squadron Pilot is a great spot for Crackshot.

I think I like using it on any low hp ship with an EPT slot, that you don't get expect to get more than a couple shots off per game, thereby needing each shot to actually matter, and where they don't really require a different EPT to function. N'Dru, Leechos, Howlrunner, Mauler Mithel are pretty neat spots. I bet Airen Cracken is a pretty good spot too. Alozen and Strom are good spots for it in a Tie Advanced + ATC. I have a few other applications I enjoy too!

sometimes - crackshot is a lot like a mini outmaneuver - sometimes they're very different

To be honest unless it is a 1 point filler you won't see it as the slot will be filled by other EPTs like VI.

I disagree with you there - VI is often wasted in our squad, with the return of the low P.S., VI bid is pointless - the only ships taking VI are the ones that want to make sure they win the P.S. war. There aren't a whole lot of ships that need to do that anymore, especially with the phantom ruleset change - whisper perhaps being one of the few.

Crackshot has always never failed to earn a damage - and a damage for 1 point is really good - consider seismics at 2 points for 1 damage (potentially more or less).

Well written again Dracon, thank you!

I think it can be a pretty potent talent, i would run it on elite Scyks, Black Squadron or Greens. You basically gain one guaranteed damage per ship unless your dice are really horrible. So the more ships with it you get the better.

The question for me is how it conpares to the new juke talent on ships that have no evade which is not quite as powerful but is not discarded and costs only 1 point more...

Secondly: Crack Shot's trigger is after all dice results are known: the Cancelation step of the attack

I was under the impression that the new rulebook has introduced some ambiguity on the timing of Crackshot by removing the bit about when game effects that cancel dice happen.

Secondly: Crack Shot's trigger is after all dice results are known: the Cancelation step of the attack

Has there been a rule clarification on this?

I was under the impression that

For the time being - The original Rulebook on Pg. 12 states "All abilities that allow players to cancel dice must be resolved at the start of the "Compare Results" step

(which is the only rulebook I have - though looking at the new PDF it's omitted, but I'd say it's good enough for the time being as a guide)

Just played a game with 3 GSP with PTL and Crackshot, and they're amazing. The sheer level of mindf**kery that happens with them on the table is amazing. Like playing Cosmic Encounter with the Gambler and Magician.

It's almost a defensive upgrade, as my opponent was constantly unsure whether to spend his focus to push damage through (especially when he rolled triple focus), because spending the token for offense means you're gonna be vulnerable to being Craskshotted.

Hmmm.

Green Squadron Pilot - A-Wing Test Pilot, Proton Rockets, Push The Limit, Crackshot

Green Squadron Pilot - A-Wing Test Pilot, Proton Rockets, Push The Limit, Crackshot

Blue Squadron Pilot - Fire Control System

Blue Squadron Pilot - Fire Control System

...or switch the Blues for Daggers if you fear Predator. Or drop the FCS and one Blue to add a third Procketwing.

Identify your priority target, race in, evaporate it.

sometimes - crackshot is a lot like a mini outmaneuver - sometimes they're very different

Well Outmaneuver is like a mini Wedge. So it makes sense if Crackshot is a mini mini Wedge. And what Pilot wouldn't want to be Wedge Antilles for a turn?

Crackshot is to Outmaneuver like Calculation is to Marksmanship.

Would pair nicely with ordnance carriers with "must hit" triggers like IPM, ITs or AMs, and the new Tracers.

I just realized that you could have a Tech upgrade that either lets you keep 1 use cards, or gives extra uses for them (as in Extra Munitions).

In those cases, the one use EPTs become worth a lot more. And T-70 X-Wings might well take Torpedoes.

Haven't tested yet, but Maarek Stele could use this to ensure a early critical hit from a Advanced Homing Missile.

Stele (if given Homing) is better off with PTL over crackshot.

that way you dont have to wait 2 turns to fire it 'effectively' with TL and Focus

PTL would allow you to switch targets on a whim and slam em with a missle in the face bits.

Speaking of Stele and his TIE/Adv...what if there was another pilot, some guy who could naturally do 2 actions per turn already, and likes to fly in a TIE/Adv. Lets give him a higher PS, 3rd degree burns over a large percentage of his body, and in some cases not even bother with a EPT. That guy could definitely be a candidate for Crackshot!

Blount is basically a 1 shot pilot. So giving him Crackshot will either help maximize that one shot (like when using Assault Missiles), or make a second shot better (like if he's using tracer missiles and so don't care about maximizing chance to hit for that shot [because Blount]).

Also: as a one trick pilot, keeping him cheap is a great idea.