What's better for 22 points?

By Razgriz25thinf, in X-Wing Squad Lists

Immediately you guys see 22 points and think "Boom. Naked BSP."

But hold on a second there, friend. TLTs are a thing! And B-Wings are very vulnerable to them!

So whats better, in general, for 22 points? A Green Squadron Pilot with PTL, Refit, and Autothrusters, a Rookie Pilot w/ R2 astro, or a naked B-Wing?

Context is important, so here you go:

I like Poe Dameron. I like Corran Horn. So i put them together with the barest of required upgrades to make them effective(In my opinion, anyways.)

So it's Poe Dameron, PTL, BB-8

Corran Horn, PTL, R2-D2, and 22 free points.

20 if i give Poe AT or give Corran FCS. 18 if i do both.

Poe and Corran are powerhouses in their own right. But i'm having trouble finding a ship to fill the space. Don't have the points for 2 Z-95s. A-Wings are weak with their attack but against Y-Wings, this might not become an issue, and it'll get PTL. Then again, TLTs aren't going to be the only thing i face. Rookie pilots are Rookie pilots. I dislike flying generic X-Wings. We all know what B-Wings are good at.

Perhaps if i went for a Prototype pilot with Prockets? It would give me enough points to put AT on Poe, since i'm more worried about his durability than Corran cause Corran's got R2-D2.

I need brainstorming, dudes.

IMO, Coran needs FCS to be the monster that he can be. Also Engion ould help alot, to you are at 20. I would say add a Prototype, Refit, Autotrusters, is only 17 points, leaves you with 3 points, to either AT poe or something else. Just my thoughts.

I'd spend the points for AT and FCS. Both of those upgrades will help you get more value out of your two expensive pilots.

That leaves you with 18 points, I think your two best options for those points will be either a Protoype A-Wing w/Autothrusters and Refit or and Engine Upgrade for Corran and a Tala Squad.

Edited by WWHSD

Bs vulnerable to TLTs? Take a B and play against any tlt. You will see that the B smokes the tlt faster than it can take half the b's health away. BBBB variants are probably the most viable counter to tlt spam.

For 22 points, all I can think of instead of a B is an X with integrated astromech. Almost as durable, with a faster dial.

Edited by mtrein

Bs vulnerable to TLTs? Take a B and play against any tlt. You will see that the B smokes the tlt faster than it can take half the b's health away. BBBB variants are probably the most viable counter to tlt spam.

For 22 points, all I can think of instead of a B is an X with integrated astromech. Almost as durable, with a faster dial.

You're assuming that it's 1 B against 1 TLT. This will very obviously not be the case in this scenario. There will be 1 B, and if the Ys roll 2 or more hits per shot, that B could feasibly be dead in the first round of shooting.

As for the rest of you, i like the suggestions. I know that FCS is very important to Corran, but i was trying to save points where i can. Corran can feasibly live without a FCS, but he cant live without R2-D2 and at least 2 actions a turn. Putting AT on Poe and FCS on Corran isn't a bad idea, it'll make them last long, but I'm simply worried that if Poe or Corran goes down, its just the other one and a PS1 A-Wing with no EPTs to win the match. Those two will be the number one targets on the battlefield, not the A-Wing.

This whole squad idea might just be flawed from the beginning. The ships and pilots involved are great, but it pays with a restrictive cost. I'll need to pick one or the other.

I picked Poe Dameron.

100 pts

Poe Dameron

-PTL

-R2-D2(I had the points, might as well not have to worry about not spending my focus if i dont have to)

-AT

40 pts

Green Squadron Pilot

-PTL

-Prockets

-AT

-Test Pilot

-Wired

28 pts

Blue Squadron Pilot

-Ion Cannon

-Advanced Sensors

-E2

-Recon Specialist

32 pts

OR

99 pts

Poe Dameron

-PTL

-BB-8

-AT

38 pts

Green Squadron Pilot

-PTL

-Prockets

-AT

-Test Pilot

-Wired

28 pts

Blue Squadron Pilot

-Heavy Laser Cannon

-E2

-Recon Specialist

33 pts

I like to think in either list there isn't anyone you can ignore. The B-Wing is powerful and when it focuses it gets two tokens, one for offense and one for defense, and both cannons are really good. Poe Dameron in either list is a force to be reckoned with. I like his regen ability in the first list, especially against lists that rely on damage more than it's maneuverability, but PTL BB-8 has repositioning ability you simply cannot ignore. And the A-Wing is going to have so many actions and modifications. It'll be fast, lethal, hard to hit, and even on red maneuvers it'll have cheap, easy modification.

I simply worry about these lists ability to maintain concentrated fire on the enemy. Poe and the A-Wing want to go off and arc-dodge, and get into range 1, but that'll leave the B-Wing exposed. Who knows, i'll find out soon enough if it's viable.

RecSpec on a B-wing is a waste. The 2nd focus token doesn't get you much on the defensive end. You're better off taking Intel Agent, especially if you're taking AdvSen. Alternatively, Tactician is good value.

I'd keep HLCs off of generic B-wings as well. FCS again holds better value here.

Re: the original 22, 20 or 18 point gap, if you're nervous about TLTs, consider Blount with Advanced Homing Missiles. 20 points, and you can deal an unevadable crit to any ship on the board, even through shields. That's potentially devastating with the right crit - Munitions failure in particular, but there are plenty that will inconvenience TLTs, and of course, there's the possibility of one shotting A-Wings and Z-95s with a Direct hit.

Alternatively, drop down to a Tala with Munitions failsafe for just 17 points, get all your upgrades and a 1 point initiative bid and you still get to fire before typical PS2 TLT carriers.

Edited by MacchuWA

Why push the limit on Corran? Without the engine upgrade it's not much use in my opinion. If you eant to keep him "cheap", try this build:

Corran Horn, Crackshot, FCS, R2D2 (or the focus to shields bot)

I would also add thrusters to Poe

This should leave you with 20 points. That could be a prototype pilot with prockets.

Ptl Corran is a beast, just ask anyone who played at the Milwaukee or chicago regional, but you still want fcs. It's definitely hard to get the most out of him and poe as you're essentially committed to a 2 ship list. A refit a with thrusters is probably your best choice, especially if you are comfortable/good at bumping.

Bs vulnerable to TLTs? Take a B and play against any tlt. You will see that the B smokes the tlt faster than it can take half the b's health away. BBBB variants are probably the most viable counter to tlt spam.

For 22 points, all I can think of instead of a B is an X with integrated astromech. Almost as durable, with a faster dial.

You're assuming that it's 1 B against 1 TLT. This will very obviously not be the case in this scenario. There will be 1 B, and if the Ys roll 2 or more hits per shot, that B could feasibly be dead in the first round of shooting.

No, I am not assuming it is 1v1 (even though what I said holds true for that scenario, too).

Picture 4 Ys tlt and 4 Bs. If you consider that ALL tlt shots will hit, on the first exchange you would drop 1 B exactly. But since it is the same PS as your ships, you will have return fire from that B which you dropped. Will one of your Ys survive? I bet that one will drop and another will take a few hits. Then next round it will be 3 tlts against 3 full Bs. You will not be able to drop a second B, but you might lose another Y. And so on. And if it is BBBBZ, then it will likely be even worse.

But don't take my word for it. Take a tlt spam and play against a B swarm. Or don't, if you like surprises.

Edited by mtrein

Bs vulnerable to TLTs? Take a B and play against any tlt. You will see that the B smokes the tlt faster than it can take half the b's health away. BBBB variants are probably the most viable counter to tlt spam.

For 22 points, all I can think of instead of a B is an X with integrated astromech. Almost as durable, with a faster dial.

You're assuming that it's 1 B against 1 TLT. This will very obviously not be the case in this scenario. There will be 1 B, and if the Ys roll 2 or more hits per shot, that B could feasibly be dead in the first round of shooting.

No, I am not assuming it is 1v1 (even though what I said holds true for that scenario, too).

Picture 4 Ys tlt and 4 Bs. If you consider that ALL tlt shots will hit, on the first exchange you would drop 1 B exactly. But since it is the same PS as your ships, you will have return fire from that B which you dropped. Will one of your Ys survive? I bet that one will drop and another will take a few hits. Then next round it will be 3 tlts against 3 full Bs. You will not be able to drop a second B, but you might lose another Y. And so on. And if it is BBBBZ, then it will likely be even worse.

But don't take my word for it. Take a tlt spam and play against a B swarm. Or don't, if you like surprises.

Or buy them up to Daggers and drop one TLT Y-Wing before it gets a chance to shoot.