I still never got to play with N'Dru Suhlak, there was so many new toys to try when wave 6 came out that I skiped him to experiment with the Starviper, Aggressor, Firespray, etc... my experience with the scum Z-95 was still only with the generics. But a recent discussion got me to explore a little more this pilot. One of my favorite EPT that I often use is Lonewolf, so I'm used to staying over range 2 of my allies. So maybe I should finally take N'Dru for a ride.

But first, the Black Sun paint job didn't fit, so I decided to make N'Dru my first X-Wing Miniatures repaint just in time for the next game:

Now that it is taken care of, here's a couple of way that I thought I could equip him:

-Crack Shot, Homing Missile, Glitterstim (25pts) : The Sniper. Once per game, you'll be able to shoot a 5 attack dice missiles with Target Lock and Focus (thanks to Homing Missiles keeping the Lock and Glitterstim) against a target that you'll be able to remove 1 Evade result (thanks to Crack Shot) and deny the use of Evade tokens (Homing Missiles again). Pair him with Latts Razzi to piss even more those high agility ships (I'll shoot 5 dice F+TL at your IG that will defend with 2 dice without Evade... oh, and I'll remove one of those Evade you might roll) That can't be good for anybody. The hard part is getting a lock on higher PS arc-dodging ship, so choose your target wisely, but don't take too long before firing those missiles because there is good odds that N'Dru will be a priority target! Thanks to Glitterstim, he should be able to survive long enough to fire those missiles.

-Deadeye, Cluster Missiles, Glitterstim (24pts) : The Saboteur. Two 4 attack dice with Focus, that should be enough to scare any high health low agility ship, like a Decimator, Falcon or the current TLT Y-Wings. Thanks to deadeye, this trick should not be too hard to pull, just wait for the enemy to come in range and pull the trigger.

With those two builds, I should expect my opponent to go for Suhlak first, so I must make him pay for it by flanking on the other side with the rest. I'll have to time my approach so that I can get on his flank before, or by the time he reach Suhlak.

-Lonewolf, ''Hot shot'' Blaster (22pts) : The Loner. Lonewolf is a no brainer on N'Dru. As long as you keep your distance for his ability, you are also keeping it for the EPT. Just with the EPT, at 19 pts, I think that N'Dru is starting to be cheap enough so that even if you lose him early, he'll probably have done his part. Still 1 point cheaper than a Cartel Marauder, but you are switching 2 Hull for a Shield, a reroll on all roll and still PS7. That's fair. The Hot Shot Blaster for 3 points could allow you, if you survive the first pass, to shoot your opponent one more time with a 4 attack dice turret.

-Vanilla (17pts) : At 17 pts, he seems to be a very good filler. Z-95 are surprisingly resilient and without any upgrade, I would not be surprise that your opponent focus elsewhere, allowing him to flank. This way, he's kinda like the Backstabber of the scum. Cheap enough, but with an ability that will make your opponent pay for ignoring him.

One thing is for sure, N'Dru Suhlak, just like lone wolf EPT, should only be taken in a low ship count team. The more teamates you have, the less likely it is to trigger the ability. I would aim for a 3-4 ship build.

Any other way you thought about running him. Those were the obvious one, but I'm sure some of you found other combinations.

...bless you.

(one of my friends told me N'dru Suhlak sounds more like someone sneezing than it does a name)

Moving on

a: that's an awesome repaint and

b: I love the sniper build. N'Dru, Homing Missile, Glitterstim & Crack Shot makes for a mean old combo which can potentially one-shot a large proportion of the snubfighters in the game.

c: You're half right about low squad counts with N'Dru - he needs space to operate in ("stay out of my space! You're in my personal space!") but he also can carry enough of a threat at low cost to make him a useful distraction tool. Run him on his own as a flanker, with a group of ships (Like Xizor & Escort) on the other flank. Does your opponent split his forces to engage both, or ignore one to engage the other?

d: That said, I usually run N'dru alongside Kath and Kavil myself. Even in a three ship, outside of the opening volley it can be difficult to get his ability (and Lone Wolf) to kick in all that often.

e: Cluster Missiles is also a decent option, especially combined with Lone Wolf and Glitterstim.

Personally, I don't think I'd ever run him without Lone Wolf, even if that's his only upgrade.

Moving on

a: that's an awesome repaint and

b: I love the sniper build. N'Dru, Homing Missile, Glitterstim & Crack Shot makes for a mean old combo which can potentially one-shot a large proportion of the snubfighters in the game.

c: You're half right about low squad counts with N'Dru - he needs space to operate in ("stay out of my space! You're in my personal space!") but he also can carry enough of a threat at low cost to make him a useful distraction tool. Run him on his own as a flanker, with a group of ships (Like Xizor & Escort) on the other flank. Does your opponent split his forces to engage both, or ignore one to engage the other?

d: That said, I usually run N'dru alongside Kath and Kavil myself. Even in a three ship, outside of the opening volley it can be difficult to get his ability (and Lone Wolf) to kick in all that often.

e: Cluster Missiles is also a decent option, especially combined with Lone Wolf and Glitterstim.

First of all, thanks!

Second of all, my experience with lonewolf is that it works much better when playing with ships that can reposition after moving to keep the distance, like Turr or Guri. That can works with a swarm on the other side, but it will only be useful during the initial approach and at the end of the game if the loner survived. But if you take lonewolf with a swarm, you have to accept that during the middle of the fight, your EPT will be useless. That's why in those kind of build, I will always favor Predator over Lonewolf. I suspect it is the same with N'Dru. I could take him with a swarm and flank, but in that case he must be really deadly so that your opponent go against him instead of the swarm, or you'll have paid 17pts for a PS7 Z-95. So while it is true that it could work, I think you should be best to invest those points elsewhere with a swarm. 3-4 seems to be the sweet spot. And like you said, even with a low number of ship, there will be time when his ability still won't kick in.

Third, I think for my first try with him, I will fly him as a Sniper with Kavil and Cobra, and go for a deadly alpha strike strategy. Something like this:

N'Dru with Crack Shot, Homing Missiles, Glitterstim

Kavil with Deadeye, Extra munitions, Proton Torpedoes, Blaster Turret, R4 Aggromech. (Shoot the Torpedoes with a Focus thanks to deadeye that become a TL thanks to R4 for a 4 dice TL+1 focus to a crit attack)

Talonbane Cobra with Lonewolf, Glitterstim and either Homing Missiles (to keep with the team) or Engine Upgrade (to dodge arc or boost into range 1, or 3 for defense)

1-2 points left for initiative (useful for Bane at PS9 against Soontir, Vader, etc, and N'Dru and Kavil if going against Dash or other PS7 pilots)

LW + Cluster + Glitterstim on the lowest Agi target yields nasty results, I usually hit a B or Y with it for 7-8 hits/crits.

Nice ideas on N'dru! I have ran him twice with decent results, both times: N'dru w/ Lonewolf for 19 pts. I kept him cheap and had him flank/harass as a distraction. If the enemy targets him it is shots not directed at the rest of that list which was Kavil and Kath.

I have been trying to fit him into a list lately and can't quite do it. For 20 points I can have a Khiraxz which is a little tougher, plays well with others, and has a 1 hard turn. I like N'dru for his ability and awesome card art and I really want to find more ways to fit him in lists but I haven't figured it out yet.

First off N'Dru is my favorite pilot in the entire game. No better value for the points. I recently saw an article about running a third ship with two Aggressors. After thinking on that I came up with this:

IG-88A-

Autothrusters

(38)

IG-88C-

Autothrusters

(38)

N'Dru-

Crackshot

Glitterstim

Cluster Missiles

(24)

It's my favorite list I've ever run. I tend to view N'Dru in this list as a trade ship. That is to say, I pick one of your ships and trade my 24 pt N'Dru for it. In my first two games I 1shotted an HWK both times. It's even deadly vs high AG ships as CS eliminates the Evade of your choice and GS gives you that first round of offensive and defensive focus. It's also nice because the IGs are maneuverable enough to stay out of the way most of the time to give him that extra die if he needs it and can get it. That's my favorite build with N'Dru.

Nice ideas on N'dru! I have ran him twice with decent results, both times: N'dru w/ Lonewolf for 19 pts. I kept him cheap and had him flank/harass as a distraction. If the enemy targets him it is shots not directed at the rest of that list which was Kavil and Kath.

I have been trying to fit him into a list lately and can't quite do it. For 20 points I can have a Khiraxz which is a little tougher, plays well with others, and has a 1 hard turn. I like N'dru for his ability and awesome card art and I really want to find more ways to fit him in lists but I haven't figured it out yet.

So long as you can maintain range, N'dru hits harder with mini-predator and is almost as tough (That Lone Wolf defensive reroll can be huge).

Kithraxz fights better alongside his buddies, and can choose not to be run as a flanker.

I've constantly tried to find a thirty, fourty-something point ship that's worth its salt so I can fly Ace+2K+N'dru for quite the nasty little squad. Possibly Kavil, though I'd prefer something more jinky or jousty... we'll see, of course. I'm sure FFG'll get a small Scum ship right eventually.

I'm pretty hopeful for the G-1A. There are some sweet builds for that, so long as the price is right and the dial sufficiently B-wing-ish.

LW + Cluster + Glitterstim on the lowest Agi target yields nasty results, I usually hit a B or Y with it for 7-8 hits/crits.

That's definetly something I will also try.

It should help level the game when going against 4 TLT or BBBBZ for an early kill before the target even got the chance to fire: Cripple the Y or B with N'Dru and then finish it with one of his teamates, unless you got lucky and scored 4 hits vs 0 evade for both attack, in that case your teamates can even start to damage a second ship.

I tend to view N'Dru in this list as a trade ship. That is to say, I pick one of your ships and trade my 24 pt N'Dru for it. In my first two games I 1shotted an HWK both times. It's even deadly vs high AG ships as CS eliminates the Evade of your choice and GS gives you that first round of offensive and defensive focus. It's also nice because the IGs are maneuverable enough to stay out of the way most of the time to give him that extra die if he needs it and can get it. That's my favorite build with N'Dru.

That's also my impression. Loaded with a Homing or Cluster Missiles and Glitterstim, he should be able to trade his value, especially now that large ship give half their value when they hit half health. What he brings after that is a bonus.

I've constantly tried to find a thirty, fourty-something point ship that's worth its salt so I can fly Ace+2K+N'dru for quite the nasty little squad. Possibly Kavil, though I'd prefer something more jinky or jousty... we'll see, of course. I'm sure FFG'll get a small Scum ship right eventually.

I think Xizor with Autothrusters, Sensor Jammer or Fire Control, and EPT of choice (maybe VI) could do the job. The Starviper dial is pretty close to the Kirhaxz, so he could fly in formation with them and pass them the damage if your opponent decide to go for him, then once/if the Kirhaxz are destroyed, he can start to arc dodge: Xizor, especially with FCS and VI, is pretty good during the end game.

I've constantly tried to find a thirty, fourty-something point ship that's worth its salt so I can fly Ace+2K+N'dru for quite the nasty little squad. Possibly Kavil, though I'd prefer something more jinky or jousty... we'll see, of course. I'm sure FFG'll get a small Scum ship right eventually.

I think Xizor with Autothrusters, Sensor Jammer or Fire Control, and EPT of choice (maybe VI) could do the job. The Starviper dial is pretty close to the Kirhaxz, so he could fly in formation with them and pass them the damage if your opponent decide to go for him, then once/if the Kirhaxz are destroyed, he can start to arc dodge: Xizor, especially with FCS and VI, is pretty good during the end game.

... hm.

Probably wouldn't win Worlds, but it's certainly solid.

Opportunist and Ndru with clusters and insane luck will let you one shot a decimator.

If you're feeling a little gutsy, maybe drop Autothrusters on Xizor and both Binayre for one Cartel to give Cluster Missiles and Glitterstim to N'Dru.

Xizor with Veteran Instinct, Virago, Fire Control System

N'Dru Suhlak with Lonewolf, Cluster Missiles, Glitterstim

Cartel Marauder

Cartel Marauder

100 pts

N'Dru should draw attention at first while you close in with Xizor and both Cartel. Real question is, how much is Autothrusters really important on Xizor?

Opportunist and Ndru with clusters and insane luck will let you one shot a decimator.

Hehe, I thought about that one. But if there is something I learned in this game, it's to never rely on luck: it will bite you.

Nice paintjob

N'dru has been great for me with LW and Hot Shot. I prefer this load out because it doesn't matter what your opponent flys whereas Cluster vs. ACE or IGGY is pretty worthless and other missiles still require range and arc...HOT shot doesn't and 4 dice fully modified with a reroll should lay down some damage while the LW defensive reroll keeps him alive. At 22pts it's hard to beat as long as you have at least one other threat to your list to draw some attention.

N'dru has been great for me with LW and Hot Shot. I prefer this load out because it doesn't matter what your opponent flys whereas Cluster vs. ACE or IGGY is pretty worthless and other missiles still require range and arc...HOT shot doesn't and 4 dice fully modified with a reroll should lay down some damage while the LW defensive reroll keeps him alive. At 22pts it's hard to beat as long as you have at least one other threat to your list to draw some attention.

Yeah, Hot Shot is pretty awesome, especially for that turn where he's out of arc. Stiff ship? No problem, shoot sideways!

N'dru has been great for me with LW and Hot Shot. I prefer this load out because it doesn't matter what your opponent flys whereas Cluster vs. ACE or IGGY is pretty worthless and other missiles still require range and arc...HOT shot doesn't and 4 dice fully modified with a reroll should lay down some damage while the LW defensive reroll keeps him alive. At 22pts it's hard to beat as long as you have at least one other threat to your list to draw some attention.

I would not say that LW+Cluster Missiles+Glitterstim is useless against IG. That's still 2 attack at 4 dice with Focus and 1 reroll, and since it is range 1-2, IG won't benefit from Autothrusters. Unless IG took VI (meta dependant, around here Predator is favored), N'Dru move after, so IG will have more trouble dodging the arc.

But yeah, LW+Hotshot sounds like a good combo, that's why I included it in my original post. Cheap and dirty, just like the scum should be.

N'dru has been great for me with LW and Hot Shot. I prefer this load out because it doesn't matter what your opponent flys whereas Cluster vs. ACE or IGGY is pretty worthless and other missiles still require range and arc...HOT shot doesn't and 4 dice fully modified with a reroll should lay down some damage while the LW defensive reroll keeps him alive. At 22pts it's hard to beat as long as you have at least one other threat to your list to draw some attention.

I would not say that LW+Cluster Missiles+Glitterstim is useless against IG. That's still 2 attack at 4 dice with Focus and 1 reroll, and since it is range 1-2, IG won't benefit from Autothrusters. Unless IG took VI (meta dependant, around here Predator is favored), N'Dru move after, so IG will have more trouble dodging the arc.

But yeah, LW+Hotshot sounds like a good combo, that's why I included it in my original post. Cheap and dirty, just like the scum should be.

I didn't test him with Glimmerstim proxied and I've been trying to get the **** Scyk to work lately in that spot so I havn't had the time...yet. I imagine glimmerstim does give him the right amount of punch on clusters (if you can afford the 3more points) and enough to weather some return fire. I see VI brobots all day long so I'd been shying away from missiles vs. them.

I didn't test him with Glimmerstim proxied and I've been trying to get the **** Scyk to work lately in that spot so I havn't had the time...yet. I imagine glimmerstim does give him the right amount of punch on clusters (if you can afford the 3more points) and enough to weather some return fire. I see VI brobots all day long so I'd been shying away from missiles vs. them.

Yeah, that's why I'm starting to play with deadeye here and there while experimenting with ordnance, it helps a lot versus high PS arc dodgers. You still need to find a way to modify your attack though, and that's where R4 Aggromech and glimmerstims help.

LW + Cluster + Glitterstim on the lowest Agi target yields nasty results, I usually hit a B or Y with it for 7-8 hits/crits.

This is the setup I like too, it's a hell of an opening shot, especially on a fat target. I've killed or crippled some really beefy ships with it right out of the gate, and N'dru with all his tech working is really hard to kill the turn he pops his Glitterstim.

N'dru's one of my favorite pilots at the moment, nothing in the game spikes damage as hard as he can.

Very Nice paint job!

Very Nice paint job!

Thanks! I'm glad how it turned out. Could have been worst since I rushed it and didn't really bother with blending the highlights, but it's good enough for a tabletop game.

I can't wait to take it for its first flight tonight.

Nice ideas on N'dru! I have ran him twice with decent results, both times: N'dru w/ Lonewolf for 19 pts. I kept him cheap and had him flank/harass as a distraction. If the enemy targets him it is shots not directed at the rest of that list which was Kavil and Kath.

I have been trying to fit him into a list lately and can't quite do it. For 20 points I can have a Khiraxz which is a little tougher, plays well with others, and has a 1 hard turn. I like N'dru for his ability and awesome card art and I really want to find more ways to fit him in lists but I haven't figured it out yet.

So long as you can maintain range, N'dru hits harder with mini-predator and is almost as tough (That Lone Wolf defensive reroll can be huge).

Kithraxz fights better alongside his buddies, and can choose not to be run as a flanker.

I've constantly tried to find a thirty, fourty-something point ship that's worth its salt so I can fly Ace+2K+N'dru for quite the nasty little squad. Possibly Kavil, though I'd prefer something more jinky or jousty... we'll see, of course. I'm sure FFG'll get a small Scum ship right eventually.

I'm pretty hopeful for the G-1A. There are some sweet builds for that, so long as the price is right and the dial sufficiently B-wing-ish.

I was planning on trying a list with a similar idea tonight!

• Kavil w/ Pred, Autoblaster, Engine Upgrade, Unhinged
• N'dru w/ Glitter, Lonewolf, Homing Missile
• Cartel Marauder x2

A couple things I'm not sure about. First, VI vs Pred on Kavil for PS9 at the expense of the Pred re-roll since I'll probably be spending my action boosting into range 1 or out of arc. Another question is Lonewolf vs Crackshot on N'dru to really make that Homing Missile stick vs re-rolls for the entire span of his potentially very short life.

Lastly, maybe I just ditch Kavil for someone else? But who? I have 34 points in Kavil, for that I could get Talonbane but he isn't very dodgy without Engine Upgrade and that leaves just two points for EPT and Illicits(also I need to buy a third Khiraxz.) I could trim down N'dru, give him Cluster Missiles instead and then give Talon Predator. Wow. Well I just talked myself into it, just need to see if the store has another Khiraxz tonight and maybe I'll give it a try.