Vrill stress build. Need suggestion.

By flaick, in X-Wing Squad Lists

Greetings guys, i need some suggestion about two builds i have in mind. The basic idea is to stress the enemy and have some fun. What to you think is better and complete them please:

Build 1 - 93 points

Eaden Vrill + Rec spec + APL = 37

Hobbie Klivian + R3-A2 = 27

Dagger + FCS + E2 + Tactician = 29

Build 2 - 95 points

Eaden Vrill + Rec spec + APL = 37

2x Dagger + FCS + E2 + Tactician = 58

I've run a couple of lists with Vrill before, had decent competitive success with both. By far though, the better of the two was:

Eaden Vrill: Tactician, Ion Cannon

Grey Squadron Pilot: R3-A2, BTL-A4 Y-Wing, Ion Cannon Turret

Bandit Squadron Pilot x3

My thoughts:

  • You need multiple sources for stress
  • Having Vrill be capable of inducing his own stress guarantees his ability never becomes useless
  • Throw all that stress around? Might as well throw out some ions to further hamper the enemy

I only lost one game with that list, and it was because I went against BBBBZ for the first time ever in my life and didn't figure out how I should've played em' until too late. It's one big downside is that the Y-Wing is always the first to get focused down, and there isn't much you can do about it. But stress+ions? Makes it easy so even the three Bandits can lay out some serious punishment on a crippled pilot.

With that said, I don't think either of your lists are bad. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact I just recently finally got some B-Wings I'd probably try to use Daggers as well. Might only suggestion would be to try and get some ion cannons on Vrill and/or the Bs. And, maybe, switch the RecSpec to another Tactician to keep the enemy as crippled as possible. Vrill needs a stressed enemy to deal out damage, and ioned enemies aren't clearing stress which means they're taking Vrill's extra die and they don't have actions to help defend against it. A nasty combo might be:

Eaden Vrill: Tactician, Ion Cannon, APL

Dagger x2: Tactician, Ion Cannon

Catch em' at a distance with the ions, then move in and murder the predictable, stressed, actionless, Vrill-vulnerable victims.

There are two ways to run Vrill:

1) Build a squad around him. Focus on triggering his ability and hammering opponents with stress.

2) Chuck him into a squad and run with it. Rely on debris and red maneuvers to cause stress.

The first option means you make the most out of Vrill's ability; however, it also paints a massive target on him. Not only will he be the most costly member of the squadron, he's also the linchpin. When he's dead . . . well, sure, you have a Rebel control list, but you could've had a better control list if you'd left Vrill out of it.

That's why I honestly prefer the second option. I've played against squads with Vrill in them with no way to cause stress, and he was surprisingly effective. Chuck an HLC on him so that he's always a threat, and be ready to punish your enemy when he stresses himself. His ability basically becomes insurance against PTL arc-dodgers, and that's fine.

My two cents.

Thanks all for your opinions, you helped me a lot.

Regarind the Vrill + 2x Dagger option, what kind of formation i have to fly? Keep Vrill behind Daggers? Or more open formation?

Thanks all for your opinions, you helped me a lot.

Regarind the Vrill + 2x Dagger option, what kind of formation i have to fly? Keep Vrill behind Daggers? Or more open formation?

I've always liked to flank with Vrill with the rest of the squad in their own formation and try to come in with a pincer attack. With a big base, BR, primary turret, and a solid dial, I've never found the YT-2400 to be a ship that performs super well trying to fly it in formation. And really no need for him to, as all he has to do is be in R3 of anyone within the Daggers' arcs... well, in R2 of the Dagger's arcs (which is why I loved using that Grey Squadron Pilot!) Still, I think similar would work for the Bs.

They'll probably go for Vrill to start with, so be wary of that. It's another good reason to have him flanking a bit off to the side, so he doesn't have to worry as much about his squadmates also getting in the way. And if they start chasing Vrill? Come from behind with the Bs and those Ion Cannons while Vrill fires back with his turret.

Thanks Comrade, i'll follow your suggestion. I have in mind to put the 2 Daggers in the middle of star field, and Vrill at the extremly left or right side (depending what opponent will does). So the Bwings will engaged the enemy before Vrill, then he'll come from sides fast.

I lost to a Vrill-build in my last tournament, which I found to be extremely difficult to fight against:

Miranda (39 pts)

- TLT

- Chewbacca

Eaden Vrill (34 points)

- Anti-pursuit lasers

Gold Squadron Pilot (26 pts)

- Title

- R3-A2
- TLT

He flew them all in a fat train of hull, shields and turrets. I lost 2 B-wings in two rounds of shooting.. Don't underestimate its firepower. It's crazy.. very scary, and who do you really focus?

- Eaden or the Y-wing? Miranda's regen is also a factor, and horrifying in the end-game..
The straightout dmg dealer, or the supporter?

I lost to a Vrill-build in my last tournament, which I found to be extremely difficult to fight against:

Miranda (39 pts)

- TLT

- Chewbacca

Eaden Vrill (34 points)

- Anti-pursuit lasers

Gold Squadron Pilot (26 pts)

- Title

- R3-A2

- TLT

He flew them all in a fat train of hull, shields and turrets. I lost 2 B-wings in two rounds of shooting.. Don't underestimate its firepower. It's crazy.. very scary, and who do you really focus?

- Eaden or the Y-wing? Miranda's regen is also a factor, and horrifying in the end-game..

The straightout dmg dealer, or the supporter?

I think offing the Y is the way to start. It's literally the only way to generate stress reliably in the build, meaning that as soon as he's dead Vrill's ability become a lot less useful. Heck, if you can put out the firepower to off the Y in the first turn of shooting, he'll never generate stress for Vrill to exploit. And he's using the title, so the low level Gold has to catch you in arc to get that stress. You must've tried to joust and got caught at a distance in the first turn of firing to lose Bs in back to back turns.

Still, an interesting approach. If I were him, I'd definitely want to try and upgrade that Gold to a Grey to generate stress in time for Vrill to shoot afterwards, but I can see that being a tough nut to crack.

The other day I read a Hobbie/Dutch combo that kept Hobbie very versatile.

Eaden Vrill (32)
Recon Specialist (3)
Ion Projector (2)
"Hobbie" Klivian (25)
R3-A2 (2)
Engine Upgrade (4)
"Dutch" Vander (23)
Twin Laser Turret (6)
R2 Astromech (1)
Total: 98
Hobbie can now K-turn, get a TL, lose the stress, gain a stress, use the TL, lose the stress.
Rinse, lather, repeat.