What about a title that gives a free evade action at the beginning of combat, but the ship loses the token after shooting. Lower pilot skills would benefit greatly, with diminishing returns the higher the pilot skill.

This sounds neat.

What are people's thoughts about making it a free evade token instead of a free evade action? As an action, it means you can't double up on evade tokens and you can't use the ability if you're stressed. Basically, if they need a bigger boost, the token version is better, but I like the action one because the enemy can do something about it (control with stress).

Oh, go on then.

Who shot him? Did we ever find out?

It was Christine wasn't it? And that whole 'Bobby in the shower' thing really screwed up the lore for me....

(I think we're the only two who get this at all! Hurrah for growing old?)

QS =D

My suggestion is to make an E-wing Mark I title making any R7 Astromechs free and adding several new and expensive R7 Astromechs. The abilities of the new Astromechs could be designed not to work well with Corran's ability to avoid uber cheese.

Here my recommendations:

R7-D3: Points cost 4

When defending if you do not have a weapons disabled token you may convert 1 focus result to an evade result.

R7-W1: Points cost 3

When you perform a barrel roll you may perform a free action from your action bar.

R7-J2: Points 3

Do not discard evade tokens when defending if you have not yet attacked this round.

The first and third ones buff the defense of E-wings but aren't too useful on Corran. The second one boosts the ship's action economy a bit, but wouldn't be broken on Corran.

E wing Series 1 (Title, 0 points)

You must equip an (astro slot) R7.

When attacking, you may turn a blank result into a hit. If you do, reduce your attack value to 1 until the end of next turn.

Add a bunch of R7 droids to it.

E-Wing: What do we have to work with?

One of two Rebel ships with 3 agility. Other is A, which could also use a buff.

One of two Rebel small-ships with Barrel-Roll. Other is B, which is fine.

Highest agility of ships with Astromech.

Only ship with Astro + System (for now).

Only ship with Astro + Evade/Barrel-Roll

Only ship with Astro and 5 Forward / multiple Koiograns

Only Rebel ship with System + Evade (Phantom and Advanced on the Imperial side of things, but Adv. needs a damage system.)

Has PS 1-3 for generics, also shared with the A-Wing.

Empty Torpedo slot.

Empty Title slot.

Mostly empty Modification slot.

However, if we buff defense, then Corran Horn may become problematic.

Moreover, if we buff Offense, then the double-tap WILL be a problem.

And if we buff Mobility, turrets will still laugh.

What, then, do we buff?

How about you add an upgrade such as, I dunno

Title: "Intuitive controls" if as hip does not already have an EPT, gain an EPT slot with -2 to the cost of any equipped EPT.

E-Wing: What do we have to work with?

One of two Rebel ships with 3 agility. Other is A, which could also use a buff.

One of two Rebel small-ships with Barrel-Roll. Other is B, which is fine.

Highest agility of ships with Astromech.

Only ship with Astro + System (for now).

Only ship with Astro + Evade/Barrel-Roll

Only ship with Astro and 5 Forward / multiple Koiograns

Only Rebel ship with System + Evade (Phantom and Advanced on the Imperial side of things, but Adv. needs a damage system.)

Has PS 1-3 for generics, also shared with the A-Wing.

Empty Torpedo slot.

Empty Title slot.

Mostly empty Modification slot.

However, if we buff defense, then Corran Horn may become problematic.

Moreover, if we buff Offense, then the double-tap WILL be a problem.

And if we buff Mobility, turrets will still laugh.

What, then, do we buff?

Conditional buffs can be fine tuned to sidestep corran's abilities. Anything based around the Ewing Series 1 (with the artificial tibanna problems) can be set to make corran's double tap impractacle if not useless- Corran can keep flying a "normal" E wing if he wants to use his ability.

Anything based around the Series 1's R7 dependancy also kills corran's dependance on R2D2.

E-Wing: What do we have to work with?

One of two Rebel ships with 3 agility. Other is A, which could also use a buff.

One of two Rebel small-ships with Barrel-Roll. Other is B, which is fine.

Highest agility of ships with Astromech.

Only ship with Astro + System (for now).

Only ship with Astro + Evade/Barrel-Roll

Only ship with Astro and 5 Forward / multiple Koiograns

Only Rebel ship with System + Evade (Phantom and Advanced on the Imperial side of things, but Adv. needs a damage system.)

Has PS 1-3 for generics, also shared with the A-Wing.

Empty Torpedo slot.

Empty Title slot.

Mostly empty Modification slot.

However, if we buff defense, then Corran Horn may become problematic.

Moreover, if we buff Offense, then the double-tap WILL be a problem.

And if we buff Mobility, turrets will still laugh.

What, then, do we buff?

Conditional buffs can be fine tuned to sidestep corran's abilities. Anything based around the Ewing Series 1 (with the artificial tibanna problems) can be set to make corran's double tap impractacle if not useless- Corran can keep flying a "normal" E wing if he wants to use his ability.

Anything based around the Series 1's R7 dependancy also kills corran's dependance on R2D2.

It is actually fairly easy to sidestep Corran, for example:

"Some new Astromech"

E-Wing Only

You may only attack once per game round.

When attacking during the combat phase, you may change one focus to a crit.

The wording means he loses his double tap if he takes this but with VI he could become cheaper while still an effective killer.

you don't need to sidestep corran explicitly

if a "fix" arrives in an E-wing Only astromech, then Corran couldn't take it without forfeiting r2-d2 (basically at least 33% of his overall power, next to PTL w/evade and then his double tap)

How about you add an upgrade such as, I dunno

Title: "Intuitive controls" if as hip does not already have an EPT, gain an EPT slot with -2 to the cost of any equipped EPT.

you don't need to sidestep corran explicitly

if a "fix" arrives in an E-wing Only astromech, then Corran couldn't take it without forfeiting r2-d2 (basically at least 33% of his overall power, next to PTL w/evade and then his double tap)

Also, the best fixes are more open-ended. We shouldn't be looking for an upgrade that by itself makes the E-Wing viable, but a fix that unlocks several E-wing builds. So, more of an TIE adv x1 title, as opposed to a TLT.

An astromech slot upgrade that unlocks the E-wing in some way would be nice, as it doesn't necessarily overpower Corran. That could come as access to a discounted slot, (systems/tech/EPT).

I'd see 4-6 different R7 astromechs, each taking advantage of the Ewings evade, agility 3, barrel roll, or other unique features or feature combos.

Then I'd like to see a lore based "artificial tibbanna" buff that corran cant use effectively.

At 27 points, whatever the fix is... it needs to have a cost of ZERO. Honestly, A free 4 point or less System would do the trick. Then, so it's not a total rip off of the Advanced, come up with a E-wing only System.

FFG won't do this though. They will want something unique. Maybe a Rebel only mod that requires the barrel roll action to take it. Depending on the mod, it might not need to be Rebel only.

​Stabilizer System

1 point Modification

(Must have the Barrel Roll action to equip)

After performing a barrel roll, you may assign your ship an evade token.

At 27 points, whatever the fix is... it needs to have a cost of ZERO. Honestly, A free 4 point or less System would do the trick. Then, so it's not a total rip off of the Advanced, come up with a E-wing only System.

FFG won't do this though. They will want something unique. Maybe a Rebel only mod that requires the barrel roll action to take it. Depending on the mod, it might not need to be Rebel only.

​Stabilizer System

1 point Modification

(Must have the Barrel Roll action to equip)

After performing a barrel roll, you may assign your ship an evade token.

Black Squadron ties with juke do not need that kind of buff.

Or, what about

"Dynamic Power systems"

(mod)

after performing a primary weapons attack, gain 1 agility and you may treat your (1 bank) maneuvers as (1 hard turn). Then, receive 1 "weapons disabled" token.

(I love Shuttles and I think they'd do well with this)

I think it's intended to be rebel only, but that idea would make b wings better too. Probably better just to say e wing only but imagine bb 8 with PTL Corran w/ and EU, BR, evade, PTL, focus, stress, green Move, clear stress, TL or boost to range 1, shoot, TL, shoot.

At 27 points, whatever the fix is... it needs to have a cost of ZERO. Honestly, A free 4 point or less System would do the trick. Then, so it's not a total rip off of the Advanced, come up with a E-wing only System.

FFG won't do this though. They will want something unique. Maybe a Rebel only mod that requires the barrel roll action to take it. Depending on the mod, it might not need to be Rebel only.

​Stabilizer System

1 point Modification

(Must have the Barrel Roll action to equip)

After performing a barrel roll, you may assign your ship an evade token.

At 27 points, whatever the fix is... it needs to have a cost of ZERO. Honestly, A free 4 point or less System would do the trick. Then, so it's not a total rip off of the Advanced, come up with a E-wing only System.

FFG won't do this though. They will want something unique. Maybe a Rebel only mod that requires the barrel roll action to take it. Depending on the mod, it might not need to be Rebel only.

​Stabilizer System

1 point Modification

(Must have the Barrel Roll action to equip)

After performing a barrel roll, you may assign your ship an evade token.

25 point B-wings with FCS and this would invalidate it ever being considered for the E-wing. It's an interesting idea, but probably doesn't help the E-wing as much as it helps other ships. I know you said rebel only, but what is the justification, other than it making Soontir Fel cheaper and better? Also, why exactly do you have the must have barrel roll text, just to exclude BB-8 and Expert handling? On the bright side, Dash would have something to consider other than engine. Lots of issues to consider, first among them cost, it is almost certainly a 2 or likely 3 point upgrade.

On the other hand...

R7-X5 (2 points)

After you perform a barrel roll, you may take a free action from your action bar

It's an astro slot, so no overlap with BB8, and the only ships that can use it natively are Ewings. (T70s and Xwings can qualify with Expert Handling, too, but no rebel Ywing can use it)

At 27 points, whatever the fix is... it needs to have a cost of ZERO. Honestly, A free 4 point or less System would do the trick. Then, so it's not a total rip off of the Advanced, come up with a E-wing only System.

FFG won't do this though. They will want something unique. Maybe a Rebel only mod that requires the barrel roll action to take it. Depending on the mod, it might not need to be Rebel only.

​Stabilizer System1 point Modification(Must have the Barrel Roll action to equip)

After performing a barrel roll, you may assign your ship an evade token.

25 point B-wings with FCS and this would invalidate it ever being considered for the E-wing. It's an interesting idea, but probably doesn't help the E-wing as much as it helps other ships. I know you said rebel only, but what is the justification, other than it making Soontir Fel cheaper and better? Also, why exactly do you have the must have barrel roll text, just to exclude BB-8 and Expert handling? On the bright side, Dash would have something to consider other than engine. Lots of issues to consider, first among them cost, it is almost certainly a 2 or likely 3 point upgrade.

On the other hand...

R7-X5 (2 points)

After you perform a barrel roll, you may take a free action from your action bar

It's an astro slot, so no overlap with BB8, and the only ships that can use it natively are Ewings. (T70s and Xwings can qualify with Expert Handling, too, but no rebel Ywing can use it)

That's not bad, though it really doesn't increase the action efficiency in a way that they perhaps need. Most importantly E-wings need the ability to focus/evade mostly just to stay alive. That being said, with FCS they can get TLs for offense, Evade for defence and barrel roll for maneuvering. Pairing it with advanced sensors instead makes them very shifty indeed, at the expense of offense presumably.

At 27 points, whatever the fix is... it needs to have a cost of ZERO. Honestly, A free 4 point or less System would do the trick. Then, so it's not a total rip off of the Advanced, come up with a E-wing only System.

FFG won't do this though. They will want something unique. Maybe a Rebel only mod that requires the barrel roll action to take it. Depending on the mod, it might not need to be Rebel only.

​Stabilizer System1 point Modification(Must have the Barrel Roll action to equip)

After performing a barrel roll, you may assign your ship an evade token.

25 point B-wings with FCS and this would invalidate it ever being considered for the E-wing. It's an interesting idea, but probably doesn't help the E-wing as much as it helps other ships. I know you said rebel only, but what is the justification, other than it making Soontir Fel cheaper and better? Also, why exactly do you have the must have barrel roll text, just to exclude BB-8 and Expert handling? On the bright side, Dash would have something to consider other than engine. Lots of issues to consider, first among them cost, it is almost certainly a 2 or likely 3 point upgrade.

On the other hand...

R7-X5 (2 points)

After you perform a barrel roll, you may take a free action from your action bar

It's an astro slot, so no overlap with BB8, and the only ships that can use it natively are Ewings. (T70s and Xwings can qualify with Expert Handling, too, but no rebel Ywing can use it)

That's not bad, though it really doesn't increase the action efficiency in a way that they perhaps need. Most importantly E-wings need the ability to focus/evade mostly just to stay alive. That being said, with FCS they can get TLs for offense, Evade for defence and barrel roll for maneuvering. Pairing it with advanced sensors instead makes them very shifty indeed, at the expense of offense presumably.

That is, of course, just one of several R7 droids that would be included in the "fix" pack. As well as an actual fix card- I'm still a fan of the E-wing Series 1 having a built in Weapons Guidance at the cost of dropping to 1 attack die for a round- it plays to the old lore for the Ewing while keeping Corran under control, and opens up the Ewing's options rather than closes them off.

any cost reduction is great for Corran, so I suggest a competing option...

a systems ability that triggers on green maneuvers.

A title reducing the cost of equipping astromechs by 2.

Corran gets a little cheaper, the system has synergy with corrals R2d2, but... It has more synergy with r2. And Corran prefers fcs, so you give that up...

What should the systems ability be?

Probably something to do with action economy. After you perform a green maneuver, you may acquire a target lock... Synergy with r7, stacks with focus, combines with bb8...

So I've had an epiphany for how to fix the E-wing, this is really cool and helps it have a character no other ships has. Check this out.

E-wing MK I

Title, E-wing Only

0 pts

After using the ability of an equipped R7 astromech gain a free action.

Reactive Sensor Array

System Upgrade, E-wing Only

-4 points

The first time each round an enemy ship declares you as the target of their attack you may gain a Target Lock on that ship.

So these two cards would make the E-wing have a cool and unique aspect. The Reactive Sensor Array fixes the price of the E-wings if you take it with an ability that will make sense in a sec. It doesn't help Corran much as he can't take Fire Control System if you use it, so while he is cheaper he isn't as reliably beat stick.

Let's look at the synergies with the existing 2 R7 droids.

R7-T1s ability would now give you 3 actions with the title, which is pretty great. You could now be a miniature Soontir Fel and Boost-TL-Barrel Roll/Focus/Evade. And if you don't want to take Reactive Sensor Array you could combo that with advanced sensors for some very interesting maneuvers, you can literally turn this into a 3 segments loop with advanced sensors and a K-turn.

The basic R7 Astromechs synergy should be obvious. You take it with the title and reactive sensor array. RSA ensures that you WILL get to use the ability from the R7 droid. You then get a free action DURING THE COMBAT PHASE!!! Depending on what you took earlier in the turn this is huge. If you hadn't used your action to TL you can do so now, providing an interesting way to shoot torpedoes and up your offense. You could focus, evade, or even Barrel Roll to get a better shot. All of a sudden being PS 1 or PS3 isn't such a big deal!

Oh and this combo of cards makes the PS 1 E-wing 25 points (27-4+0+2=25) so you could theoretically take them in a squadron of 4.

This could come out in a second Rebel Aces kit with two new unique R7 Astromech Droids. The key thing would be to make the abilities of the new R7 droids work with TLs in some way. Examples would be:

When an enemy ship is defending if you have a Target Lock on it you may spend that Target Lock to force your opponent to reroll any or all of his defense dice.

When defending if you have a Target Lock on the attacking ship you may spend that Target Lock to convert all Crit results rolled into Hit Results.

Those are my thoughts, what do you guys think?

What I liked about the Defender lovers unite thread was that we also didn't just fix the Defender, cuz that's really annoying talk. Everyone wants their fix to be the fix. We also know FFG is going to make one soon.

What they did in that thread was give the very very best of their Defender builds, and we got to see them all. I got a serious kick out of playing one tonight. Can we do that??

Yes, please.

In response to your idea for the title I'd change the wording quite a bit

Once per turn when you use the ability of an equipped astromech upgrade card with R7 in the title you may perform a free action.

Once per turn pre-emptively limits the upgrade card in case of future R7 astromech releases that would allow the upgrade to be abused.

Stating equipped astromech upgrade card with R7 in the title is hopefully clearer to what the card actually applies to. Because R7 Astromech is a specific upgrade card you're open to people saying the upgrade doesn't apply to R7-T1. See the endless debates on what ships could take the Tie Advanced/X1 title for instance.

Changing "gain a free action" to "perform a free action" brings the wording in line with other such upgrades. Not sure if you want to limit that to actions in the ships action bar.

I don't fly the E-wing enough to say if the title you've proposed is a good idea or not but I have to confess I like the idea of putting this on Etahn A'baht with Push the Limit and Advanced Sensors.

With PtL and AS if you trigger off of R7-T1 you can:

if in arc and range trigger R7-T1

acquire a Target Lock <-- Not an action so you can still perform a target lock action

perform a Boost action

trigger E-wing title to Barrel Roll or Focus or Evade or Target Lock

trigger Push the Limit to Barrel Roll or Focus or Evade or Target Lock

reveal a green maneuver to clear stress

Barrel Roll or Focus or Evade or Target Lock

Admittedly triggering this would be highly situational and it's a 41 point ship. But man that'd be fun.

Including the R7-T1 text below to make it clear that it is not a Target Lock action so it doesn't prevent you performing another Target Lock action later (I hadn't realised this when I started typing my reply):

"ACTION: Choose an enemy ship at Range 1-2. If you are inside that ship's firing arc, you may acquire a target lock on that ship. Then, you may perform a free boost action."

The biggest problem I see with the title is that it relies on the equipped astromech having a triggerable ability. Currently that's not a problem as both the existing R7s have a thing that you do. But if we ever get an R7 with a constantly on ability (like the R2 Astromech or R2-D6) then the title won't work.

You could conceivably build the free action with equipped R7 title around receiving or removing a blue target lock token, but I think that considerably increases the scope of where the ability would apply.

Well, I'm now tempted to try playing around with Advanced Sensors and Push the Limit on Etahn A-Baht.