BB8 has become part of the IA debate, which i think can be a little misleading. BB8 (does it stand for BeachBall??) is great because he brings an awesome mobility package to the X which it doesnt have anywhere else. He would be amazing without IA. With BR from BB8 an EU is less attractive (you have mobility) which makes IA potentially better as a combination. IA therefore becomes a free upgrade which you could take if there was no compelling reason to fill the mod slot.

Problem is if there were more droids of BB8 caliber IA would perhaps be more of a no brainer attachment. As it stands there are only a handful of droids which are really hands down worth taking which dont really want something else too (R2-D2 wants shield upgrade for example). More good droids would make IA more attractive. A great generic droid would make IA auto include.

BB8 has become part of the IA debate, which i think can be a little misleading. BB8 (does it stand for BeachBall??) is great because he brings an awesome mobility package to the X which it doesnt have anywhere else. He would be amazing without IA. With BR from BB8 an EU is less attractive (you have mobility) which makes IA potentially better as a combination. IA therefore becomes a free upgrade which you could take if there was no compelling reason to fill the mod slot.

Problem is if there were more droids of BB8 caliber IA would perhaps be more of a no brainer attachment. As it stands there are only a handful of droids which are really hands down worth taking which dont really want something else too (R2-D2 wants shield upgrade for example). More good droids would make IA more attractive. A great generic droid would make IA auto include.

Therefore i'd say taking IA is better if you take BB-8 on Wedge. It makes him a little less of a target.

The real problem i see is that the T-70 aces already have boost and are even better with BB-8.

So the question is if i really prefer Wedge (or another T-65) over a T-70

(R2-D2 wants shield upgrade for example)

Does he? Usually an R2-D2 carrier, once they hit the fight, is taking enough damage that they usually have a lost shield available to regenerate.

Problem is if there were more droids of BB8 caliber IA would perhaps be more of a no brainer attachment. As it stands there are only a handful of droids which are really hands down worth taking which dont really want something else too (R2-D2 wants shield upgrade for example). More good droids would make IA more attractive. A great generic droid would make IA auto include.

IA already is. IA and a 1pt astromech that did nothing, by MathWing, is enough to solve the X-wing's jousting woes.

(R2-D2 wants shield upgrade for example)

Does he? Usually an R2-D2 carrier, once they hit the fight, is taking enough damage that they usually have a lost shield available to regenerate.

Problem is if there were more droids of BB8 caliber IA would perhaps be more of a no brainer attachment. As it stands there are only a handful of droids which are really hands down worth taking which dont really want something else too (R2-D2 wants shield upgrade for example). More good droids would make IA more attractive. A great generic droid would make IA auto include.

IA already is. IA and a 1pt astromech that did nothing, by MathWing, is enough to solve the X-wing's jousting woes.

Mathwing initially argued that the T65 needed a free hull point to break even in terms of efficiency. IA is not the same as a free hull point, nor is it as attractive as that. Its a discounted pseudo shield which robs your ship of capability on the way out of the door and takes up 2 upgrades slots as well as costing at least 1 point. Its kinda meh at the moment. With good generic droids it could be great though. I will agree there.

(Edit). At least with the new damage decks R5 generics become slightly better, though both R2 and R5 have greater effect on the Y Wing (more hull and less greens). The T65 is begging for a top tier generic droid to lift it up to being a primary choice in combination with IA. Here's lookin' at you targeting trashcan!