So, in this episode of discussion Time my mind came up with an option to limit XI7's.
So here is the idea. Engineering commands!
Now this seems to be the "duh" option but hear me out.
Instead of just repairing shields what a player can do is move shields.
So since you can only redirect 1 point of damage you can move shields from the side of an ISD/VSD to the HZ being attacked to continually present a strong zone.
You can move 2 points and repair a point and be good.
Thoughts?
I was having a similar thought except with wulf or tarkin giving you a constant 2 engineering
Isn't this like the whole idea about moving shields?
But you made a point.
I typically use Turn 5 with Garm as a super engineer turn. If I survive to 5, I'm absolutely putting that token on the ship and have planned my 5th round command to be engineering. Nearly dead things get a 2nd wind, and healthy things recover a few shields (although I'll usually select another token if I know that ship won't need the boost).
Isn't this like the whole idea about moving shields?
But you made a point.
That is how to tank XI-7's for a bit longer, yes. What were people doing before?
I mean, it's a good point but it feels a bit like saying "Counter Demolisher by staying out of black range or killing it first". It's true, but....yeah.
But a good public service announcement i guess!
See that still makes XI-7s work for you though. Anytime you dictate your opponent's dial, you're coming out ahead in my opinion.
XI-7s for president.
XI-7s for president.
Dictator.
I tend to set the dials for repair in the last 2, or 3 turns by default.
Before, X17s weren't that popular because AP nerfed them, but now it's the other way round, and hence the discussion.
If we're being honest, the only thing really limiting X17s is that they are only available in the Nebulon Frigate expansion pack, and most players do not want to buy more than one of those (with Imperial players not wanting to buy any).
But an X-17 + a single Accuracy result completely wrecks any medium or large ship, because the Accuracy takes out their Brace and the X17 effectively takes out their Redirect(s).
The fact that all big targets have Redirect tokens and usually at least 6+ shields that are candidates for redirection plus that the X17 is only 6 points plus that the X17 doesn't require a critical effect or other dice result to trigger (like lots of other weapon upgrades) makes it incredibly good. Since you just need one accuracy result on a roll to crush big targets (since nothing big has double brace and X17s equally well shut down double-redirect targets) means you don't have to worry about clogging up a roll with multiple accuracy results to be incredibly effective, so reroll effects can be used aggressively to reroll excess accuracy results and accuracy-conversion effects can be used sparingly.
The problem is there are lots of cool turbolaser cards. But nothing can compete with X17 except for Enhanced Armament, and even then EA is only better at dealing damage more efficiently if the target is without redirect tokens or without shields (which, to be fair, does mean that it has it's good uses). Which is kind of a shame, because with ships limited to only one turbolaser upgrade it means we're unlikely to ever see anything except X17 and EA at that spot, unless for some reason ships like VSD/ISD/AFII/MonCal become far less common in the meta.
I love my 2 Neb expansions. XI-7's AND Intel Agents in a single pack? Yes please!
I have not seen people doing this. They would instead just repair shields as normal not move shields.
I've bought a second Neb expansion, contemplating a third 
I've bought a second Neb expansion, contemplating a third
I already own 3. I dont always take them but they are kinda required when you take Akbar.
NOOB QUESTION TIME!
when you move shields can you exceed the maximum shield number as printed on the ship card for a given hull zone?
I never thought of this before and when moving shields I always assumed you were limited to the starting value.
NOOB QUESTION TIME!
when you move shields can you exceed the maximum shield number as printed on the ship card for a given hull zone?
I never thought of this before and when moving shields I always assumed you were limited to the starting value.
so far there are no rules that let you exceed the starting number of shields.
NOOB QUESTION TIME!
when you move shields can you exceed the maximum shield number as printed on the ship card for a given hull zone?
I never thought of this before and when moving shields I always assumed you were limited to the starting value.
No you can not. Your maximum is your maximum.
I can see a shield overload card in the future. It would be an interesting Defensive Retrofit. Being able to only have you maximum total value of shields (so 10 for a VSD) but being able to shift them to one side (likely no more than 6 on 1 side though)
I bought a 3rd pack from the CSI sale. Although, one of my Nebs will become a B2 and the donor becomes... I don't know, trade bait for anybody who wants to make debris? Those cards though...right into my plano.
For me lintel officer goes on home one with x17, home one of hen provides accuracies for x17s on your AFIIs
Lyraeus brings up a good strategy there. Im thinking in terms if those guppies out there that just stack engineering cmds can use it to transfer shields instead of regenerating.
I guess the problem there is taking multiple xi7 hits and/or taking those hits at medium range.
In my meta right now its a toss up between xi7s and heavy turbo lasers. In lieu of everyone getting ECM to protect their brace
I do kind of wonder why HTTs have the restriction of "if brace is spent with another token" and XI7 does not.
I do kind of wonder why HTTs have the restriction of "if brace is spent with another token" and XI7 does not.
It also will matter if a ship get 2 Turbolaser slots
I've bought a second Neb expansion, contemplating a third
I got my second Neb-B expansion for free, and made this:
The fact that the Neb-B has intel officer and X17 turbolasers in it makes it an absolutely killer combination... definitely worth buying a spare simply to turn Salvation into a Neb-B2
Because it is balanced that way. Who needs crits if they are limited to a single defense token.I do kind of wonder why HTTs have the restriction of "if brace is spent with another token" and XI7 does not.
It also will matter if a ship get 2 Turbolaser slots
It just seems to me the XI7 is a bit more potent with it not having that same additional stipulation HTT has. XI7 cripples redirect 100% of the time, HTT does not. Accuracy makes XI7 better, but are somewhat counter intuitive with HTTs. Again just seems odd to me.
Agreed on if they both worked 100% of the time on a ship with two slots.
People were not doing this already??