In my first local league, good times had but no wins so far. Still newish, trying to learn.

One caveat for this particular case is that for the league, players reveal pilots simultaneously and then choose their upgrades, so I can do some tailoring to fit at the meet.

Been thinking of doing a BBBA list with an ace but I haven't decided on the ace yet.

Option 1: Keyan Farlander for stress-focus shenannigans, likely with Advanced Sensors, Stay on Target, Intelligence agent. (List remainder are FCS Blues & a Refit Prototype w/ Autothrusters for flanking).

Option 2: Tycho as the flanker--thinking PtL, Expert Handling or Outmaneuver, Autothrusters. 3 naked Blues fill out the rest.

Option 3: Jake Farrel as the flanker, 3 Blues. Not sure on upgrades here.

I was leaning towards Option 1 (Keyan) but it leaves me low on PS in case of PS9 Whisper.

Tycho appeals to me because he can be PS10 if needed and can take other EPTs if not--also, it seems more symmetrical to me to have the one-off ship be the ace. Expert Handling & PtL also both take advantage of his ability.

I added Jake because he seems to be the popular A-wing ace, but I haven't played him (or any) of these aces yet. He does have a cool ability and he leaves a little more points that could be used by the 3 Blues.

Any advice welcomed.

I would consider one other choice.

Nera Daniels Bwing FCS extra munitions

Roark Hwk-290

Blue Bwing

Prototype Awing chaardan refit.

You have 14 points to spread around.

Against lowers PS squads, Swarm Tactics, Plasma Torp on Nera and a TLT on Roark (11 of your points)

Higher PS Deadeye on Nera with Proton Torp and a Twin Linked Turret on Roark (also 11 points)

Against a Phantom. Give Nera Swarm Tactics and Flechettes. and Roark an Ion. (even if you miss the phantom is stressed and a stressed phantom is predictable and you can dog pile it with the help from Ion turret)

Last few points 3 can be moldy crow on Roark, or if you can shave a point you can FIre Control on the blue and then Autothrusters on the Prototype.

That having been said I used to fly
B, Fire control
B, Fire Control
B
A
A

and have fun.

So As much as I push Nera + Roark who seem like a match made in either heaven or hell,

Generally a B wing ace is as easy to kill as a Blue squad but you lose far more.

An A wing ace though can be far more annoying and dangerous than a basic A. Personally I prefer Jake to Tycho for his improved action economy.

What about

Blue squad 22pts

Blue squad 22pts

Jake

PTL

AT

Test pilot. 29pts

Green Squad

AT

Refit. 19pts

Base squad total 92

Leaves you 8pts to tailor the squad (or 10 if your refit Jake).

My general preference would be to add prockets and VI to Jake to make him an ace hunter at 33pts. PTL the green for manouvering and turtling making him 22pts of hard to kill blocking pain in the ass and a total squad value of 99pts. EDIT... Ooh spend that 1 pt to get test pilot and wired on the green maybe. Depends what your facing. If PS9 Jake needs the initiative bid then don't, also If PS 7 is enough on Jake, switch VI for wired on him maybe.

I think Jake Green Blue Blue gives you a lot of room to adjust on the fly when squad building in your leagues format.

Doh misread the title, thought it was BBAA

blue x3 66pt

Basic Jake 29pts

95 pt base. Still leaves prockets VI/Wired as an option for Jake coming in at 99pts total. Jake can be easily tailored to your opponents list.

I prefer the 2 B 2 A.. ABBA list though

this type of list is basically always

Jake (ptl, test pilot, veteran instincts, thrusters, proton rockets) [33]

3 Blue Squadron Pilots [66]

total: 99

B-wings are impeccable jousters but tend to struggle against fast, high PS pilots. Jake's entire reason for being is to kill said fast, high PS pilots.

if you're willing to risk expensive B-wings, the most fun you'll ever have in this game is

Keyan (Stay on target, b/e mod, int agent, sensors) [36]

2 Blue Squadron Pilots (fire control system) [48]

Prototype Pilot (refit) [15]

total: 99

so much blocking, so much maneuverability

This is along the lines of what I suspected but I don't get the lack of love for Tycho. He's more expensive but with Expert Handling and PtL it seems like he is more resourceful than Jake. Is it the cost that puts folks off him?

Jake is more maneuverable, higher PS (vi, no need to waste points on EH), and cheaper

Basically no reason to use Tycho outside of PS 10, PS 8 with crackshot, or stress heavy meta. Jake is otherwise strictly superior

I really love Keyan's ability but I have never won a match with him.

I usually use Opportunist, the crew mod and Kyle Katarn. Gain a stress token to roll an extra attack die then immeadiately remove it with pilot ability to improve the attack roll and gain a free focus off Kyle, but I never really managed to manuever him where I wanted and that single agility dice usually meant he would die pretty quick. Then I had lost nearly half of my squad points in one go!

Jake is absolutey the best A-Wing pilot, and defintely worth PTL for move, barrel roll, boost shenanigans! And Prockets for the kill

This is along the lines of what I suspected but I don't get the lack of love for Tycho. He's more expensive but with Expert Handling and PtL it seems like he is more resourceful than Jake. Is it the cost that puts folks off him?

Presuming PTL, Tycho gets two actions. Ok he always gets them unless blocked but is capped at 2. Doesn't have access to BR without spending points on Expert Handling. If he EH rolls and then boosts he is tokenless.

Jake is slightly lower PS but gets three actions thanks to the focus triggered boost/roll. He can turtle (focus and evade) whilst still getting 1 reposition action. His vulnerability is that unlike Tycho he is tied to greens to remove stress each turn but an A wing has such an amazing dial it's rarely an issue.

This is along the lines of what I suspected but I don't get the lack of love for Tycho. He's more expensive but with Expert Handling and PtL it seems like he is more resourceful than Jake. Is it the cost that puts folks off him?

Presuming PTL, Tycho gets two actions. Ok he always gets them unless blocked but is capped at 2. Doesn't have access to BR without spending points on Expert Handling. If he EH rolls and then boosts he is tokenless.

Jake is slightly lower PS but gets three actions thanks to the focus triggered boost/roll. He can turtle (focus and evade) whilst still getting 1 reposition action. His vulnerability is that unlike Tycho he is tied to greens to remove stress each turn but an A wing has such an amazing dial it's rarely an issue.

Okay, I understand now.

Thanks for all the help guys, had a good game with the Jake/3x Blues today.

I've taken the following list to Store Champions / Regionals:

Blue Squadron Pilot x3, FCS x3

Jake Farrell, Chardaan, Test Pilot, VI, PTL, Autothrusters.

I've noticed that putting prockets on Jake limits the Blues. The Blues should get in range three, focus then get a target lock off of their FCS When they move the next round they murder stuff at range 1 with TL/Focus the next turn. Jake just dances around and hampers the rest.

I've had a lot of success with this list.

I've taken the following list to Store Champions / Regionals:

Blue Squadron Pilot x3, FCS x3

Jake Farrell, Chardaan, Test Pilot, VI, PTL, Autothrusters.

I've noticed that putting prockets on Jake limits the Blues. The Blues should get in range three, focus then get a target lock off of their FCS When they move the next round they murder stuff at range 1 with TL/Focus the next turn. Jake just dances around and hampers the rest.

I've had a lot of success with this list.

I was pondering something very similar but I wondered how much damage Jake can do with 2 red dice vs something like Soontir.

Most Soontir builds will have a better initiative bid than BBBA so even with VI he is probably moving after you dictating range and arcs.

My experience is Jake struggles against Soontir so the plan would be to not end up 1vs1 as unless you somehow have initiative, Fel holds all the aces and you will be relying on surprising your opponent or luck.

2die does hurt that matchup but not as much as him moving after you. If a B or 2 can make it to end game though that of course changes things.

Most Soontir builds will have a better initiative bid than BBBA so even with VI he is probably moving after you dictating range and arcs.

My experience is Jake struggles against Soontir so the plan would be to not end up 1vs1 as unless you somehow have initiative, Fel holds all the aces and you will be relying on surprising your opponent or luck.

2die does hurt that matchup but not as much as him moving after you. If a B or 2 can make it to end game though that of course changes things.

Sorry, I phrased that poorly. I didn't mean directly vs Soontir in a game, I meant I don't know how much damage Jake can deliver in a build as a flanker vs how much Soontir can do in the same role. With Proton Rockets he has an ace up his sleeve and would seem more threatening.

The way my league is built I can shave one of B-wings of his FCS to make a better initiative bid if I know I'm facing Soontir.