The M3-A Syck interceptor has received its fair share of flack for its attendance (or the lack thereof) at championships across the country, and the world.

I'm here to offer a new use.

Tansarii Point veteran, crackshot, heavy syck title, HLC

With crackshot taking over the title of "best 1-point upgrade" you can turn this little fighter into a potent alpha strike machine, which can actually be sustained with a little luck on the opening volleys. It's pilot skill can mean that you end up destroying a Y-wing before the TLT attacks come raining down, which means if you've brought two of these guys, they can kill both in one turn. Not to mention whatever you fill the rest of the list with. Something that will draw the ire of the enemy and allow the TPV's to do their job, which is hit hard and fast, and then 5k behind them and keep up the pressure.

27 points for a one-shot, naked green dice fest? No, thank you

24 for Mangler is far more reasonable (as reasonable as 24 points for 3 health can be, anyway) and you can use crackshot to force a crit through

that's some heavy competition with the 26 point Blacksun Ace with Stims + crackshot, though

Sure, but let's say I've got a big nasty boba fett with VI, engine and glitterstim on the other side of those sycks.

What now?

Also, the thread title is literally "alternate options"

As in "stuff you would use that isn't the most obvious choice"

I think if you're going for the expensive HLC build, you're going for a better EPT. I think the promising "cheap" TPV build is Heavy Scyk + Ion Cannon + Crack Shot for 23 points. The Ion Cannon is a threat hanging over a lot of ships, and Crack Shot means they'll have to be super careful about how they spend tokens. If the Ion TPV fires last in your list, any other shots against someone like Corran or Soontir must be very carefully defended. An Ion token against either of those ships (or similar ones) is just about a killing shot. In contrast, if the Ion Cannon TPV is your first shot, you can really suck out the tokens early. They'll have to defend against an extra hit, because if they don't it's the end of their ace, and you can just keep holding onto Crack Shot because of this. I think it would have a similar overall game effect as the Stresshog Y-wing: It's an avoidable arc, but you will have to play around it because the bad things that can happen if it gets its shot off are pretty serious.

Edit: A couple Trandoshan slavers with Tactician and other stuff with the Scyk trailing would be pretty nasty. They provide a lot of beef, and if you arc dodge up to avoid the YV's mushroom arc, you get hit by a Crackshot Ion blast.

If i wanted ion boats though I'd use btl y-wings.

If i wanted ion boats though I'd use btl y-wings.

More points, worse pilot skill, no range 3 arc (a big deal), no Crack Shot. Certainly tougher, though.

I think if you're going for the expensive HLC build, you're going for a better EPT. I think the promising "cheap" TPV build is Heavy Scyk + Ion Cannon + Crack Shot for 23 points. The Ion Cannon is a threat hanging over a lot of ships, and Crack Shot means they'll have to be super careful about how they spend tokens. If the Ion TPV fires last in your list, any other shots against someone like Corran or Soontir must be very carefully defended. An Ion token against either of those ships (or similar ones) is just about a killing shot. In contrast, if the Ion Cannon TPV is your first shot, you can really suck out the tokens early. They'll have to defend against an extra hit, because if they don't it's the end of their ace, and you can just keep holding onto Crack Shot because of this. I think it would have a similar overall game effect as the Stresshog Y-wing: It's an avoidable arc, but you will have to play around it because the bad things that can happen if it gets its shot off are pretty serious.

Edit: A couple Trandoshan slavers with Tactician and other stuff with the Scyk trailing would be pretty nasty. They provide a lot of beef, and if you arc dodge up to avoid the YV's mushroom arc, you get hit by a Crackshot Ion blast.

I'm not sure that it's the best way to spend 47 points but this is a big no-go area for fragile Aces. Moralo has a big 180 degree Ion Cannon that if evaded gives him a second shot with focus and TL. If he's got you in range 2 that could end up giving double stress. Just to keep it topical, you can fit in a pair of Crackshot TPVs. If you drop the Tactical Jammer from Moralo you can give both of the TPVs Crackshot+HLC+Heavy Scyk instead.

3 black sun aces with crackshot and tansari with Mangler, crackshot, and shield upgrade.

Flew it once and lost but I think it has potential. More survivable with shield upgrade so it tends to get ignored in favor of the Black Suns

Sure, but let's say I've got a big nasty boba fett with VI, engine and glitterstim on the other side of those sycks.

What now?

now I'm left wondering even more why you didn't take the sturdier aces to help out your big ship instead of two even-glassier cannons

not to mention the points saved give Boba tactician to help out against enemy PS 9s

If i wanted ion boats though I'd use btl y-wings.

More points, worse pilot skill, no range 3 arc (a big deal), no Crack Shot. Certainly tougher, though.

Toss in an unhinged and the range 3 blind spot is a little less concerning. Meanwhile, the TVP can slow roll, and catch things out of arc thanks to banks and barrel rolls.

Sure, but let's say I've got a big nasty boba fett with VI, engine and glitterstim on the other side of those sycks.

What now?

now I'm left wondering even more why you didn't take the sturdier aces to help out your big ship instead of two even-glassier cannons

not to mention the points saved give Boba tactician to help out against enemy PS 9s

I will point out again, alternate options. They may be glassier, but they are also cannonier. The Khiraxz also can't deny range bonuses while pumping 4 dice.

Boba is just fine at PS10 with engine.

Tpv with stealth, hlc, ptl makes a sort of ghetto scum phantom. The only difference is 1 less shield and no decloak, but in return it has 4 evade all the time until it explodes. Still maybe not worth, especially with the disparity in how hard it punches at range 1 but it's interesting at least.

I think Scyks will get used more once tractor beam comes out. You may not want a 1pt canon slot upgrade on a defender, yv-666, 2400, etc since it doesn't do damage, but for 17 total points on a cartel spacer? That doesn't sound too bad regardless of what tractor beam does.

In an escalation Tourney I used that build + hull upgrade to finalize a Scum list.

I honestly thought it was one of the best 30 pt Scum options when I played it. HLC Syck's in general are going to be a bit better now, imo, since less highly accurate Turretted ships to murder them before shooting. Dual IG could still be a pain though

If you can find the right list to put it in, I'd say go for it.

3 X TLT Thugs

Tansarii + Crackshot + Title + HLC

Sounds like a blast. That little Syck will surely earn his money, imo.

On another note, N'Dru + Crackshot + Homing Missile is really solid too. I'd still root for LW + Cluster + Glitterstim in many situations, but if you can't afford Stims, then Crackshot + Homing comes in at a nice 2 pt cheaper option (and you still can add Glitterstim if you want it).

I like Crackshot on any ship that might not live very long, and still wants to earn its keep by dishing out damage.

Sure, but let's say I've got a big nasty boba fett with VI, engine and glitterstim on the other side of those sycks.

What now?

I'd still shoot the Sycks first. In that list they are both the easiest thing to remove from the table and the biggest threats if ignored (especially if they haven't popped Crackshot yet).

If all you hope to do is get your opponent to shoot at something other than Fett for 1-3 rounds and are cool with spending more than half your squad points to do so, then a pair of HLC TPVs fit the bill perfectly.

I tried something like this a couple weeks ago:

IG88-B w/ Autothrusters, FCS, HLC, VI

Cartel Spacer x2 w/ HST, HLC, Hull Upgrade

It wasn't terrible, but I haven't flown the Aggressor at all and I've had very little time with the M3A so I made more than a few mistakes. I spent too much time Barrell Rolling the Scyks to try and get better positioning which ended up with me having shots, but unmodified shots and my dice were decidedly average.

Since the M3As lack the 1 straight it can be difficult to slow roll them while still having an arc on your opponent if he decides to speed up and close the gap early, I used hard and soft 1 turns + barrel rolls to move as slowly as I could. I revised the list after that match and upgraded the Spacers to TPVs with Manglers and Crack Shot, then threw a couple more points on the IG88-B. I haven't tried it yet though.

I have tried a low PS scum list with a Cartel Spacer (HST, HLC) as long range fire support/flanker and it worked well enough. He was shot at out at range 3 and put some damage in on an X-Wing and a Z95 before he went down, it's hard to say if he made his points back though.

I've been thinking of trying one or two TPV with Predator mixed in to a list with scarier things. They may be able to arc dodge lower PS ships and the Pred re-rolls mean you don't have to choose between dealing damage with Focus or TL and mitigating damage with Barrel Roll, Evade, or Focus when choosing your actions. The problem is for the same cost I could have a Kihraxz.

I've been having decent success with a pair of HLC toting TPVs. I run them with hull or shield upgrades and predator so 32/33 pts. I back them up with Drea Renthal carrying a Twin laser turret, unhinged and engine. Everyone goes for the TPVs first, so Drea is free to plink away all game long. With her ability, both shots are usually target locked and so she rarely misses. Its amazing what 2 pred + focus HLCs + a twin laser turret can do to someone's face

Another option that might be worth considering is a naked TPV with crackshot. At 18 pts, its only 3 more than a black squadron TIE. Yes, its a bit of a difference, but its the cheapest crack the scum can do. Might be worth running a single or even a pair in certain lists...

Actually, Leachos is the cheapest Crackshot Scum can take. And you know what? I actually don't really hate that. Target Lock for your action, steal a Focus off a nearby friendly without a good shot, and drop a Homing Missile into someone. Even without Ordnance, it's not the worst build.

Actually, Leachos is the cheapest Crackshot Scum can take. And you know what? I actually don't really hate that. Target Lock for your action, steal a Focus off a nearby friendly without a good shot, and drop a Homing Missile into someone. Even without Ordnance, it's not the worst build.

I think people are turned off of Leachos so much because they hate the idea of stealing a focus from a friendly ship, and automatically write him off because of it... But when you think of his ability more as "You steal the focus ONLY when you are about to drop a freakin (figurative) bomb on the opponent", it sounds a lot better. Especially when you consider you're only paying TWO squad points over the black sun soldier for 2 PS AND the pilot ability. Too bad there is no way to get extra munitions on him. Only getting to pop off a nasty ordinance shot once keeps him still relatively underwhelming.

27 points for a one-shot, naked green dice fest? No, thank you

24 for Mangler is far more reasonable (as reasonable as 24 points for 3 health can be, anyway) and you can use crackshot to force a crit through

that's some heavy competition with the 26 point Blacksun Ace with Stims + crackshot, though

I find that the most successful build of the MA-3 Scyk is the Mangler Heavy. Mangler provides the most punch for its cost.The problem with Scyks is that they are so frail and despite being called interceptors doesn't have the maneuvering options to be called an Arc dodger nor can you really build one to be an arc dodger. Putting expensive upgrades like HLC is too much of a risk because it easily adds 7 more points to a ship that really can't be protected all that well. As for all the other cannons they just don't have the damage. As for not running the title 2 firepower even at range 1 is just not going to cut it.

The M3-A Syck interceptor has received its fair share of flack for its attendance (or the lack thereof) at championships across the country, and the world.

I'm here to offer a new use.

Tansarii Point veteran, crackshot, heavy syck title, HLC

With crackshot taking over the title of "best 1-point upgrade" you can turn this little fighter into a potent alpha strike machine, which can actually be sustained with a little luck on the opening volleys. It's pilot skill can mean that you end up destroying a Y-wing before the TLT attacks come raining down, which means if you've brought two of these guys, they can kill both in one turn. Not to mention whatever you fill the rest of the list with. Something that will draw the ire of the enemy and allow the TPV's to do their job, which is hit hard and fast, and then 5k behind them and keep up the pressure.

I really REALLY want to like this idea but 27 points! It's just too much for something that dies easier than a plane ol Tie

This list isnt good by any means, but it does have a syck focus:

Royal Guard Sycks

Tansarii - PTL HLC Hull Title 32

Tansarii - PTL HLC Hull Title 32

Torkil Mux ICT 24

Z 12

Do these things have Evade? You can actually evade focus... which is pretty good. Gods I wish there was 1 more point for TLT though.

Perhaps

-1 PTL for Lone Wolf

Torkil gains TLT

---

Or you can give both Sycks Predator, if you don't like PTL in sycks. I personally don't mind. They move slow and like to shoot from afar.

I think it is a safe assumption that the M3-A Scyk will be one of the ships in the upcoming Scum Aces expansion. Here are some ideas.

an Upgrade Idea

Light Scyk Interceptor

M3-A Interceptor only. Title

Your speed 2 maneuvers are green.

Title Cost 1

Lets face it as an interceptor this doesn't make the cut. Furthermore it compounds the problem by not giving Scum a viable arc-dodger. Rebels have arc-dodgers in the form of A-wing or slippery upgraded E-wings. The best Scum has is the brobots and lets face it it is hard to be an arc dodger with a large base. The dial will be opened up a little bit more allowing for PTL and EU builds to make it more on par with the TIE interceptors/A-wings but will still have a lesser dial than either. I was thinking of making all speed 1 maneuvers green but that might make for a dial that is too funny.

now for a pilot idea.

• Tansarii Point Ace

​7) 2 3 2 1

When making an attack you may spend 1 focus or evade token to increase your Primary Weapon firepower by 1.

Focus TL BR Evade

EPT 18 points

Okay, besides stealing naming practices from the TFA core set so I don't have to scour all of Wookiepedia 2 firepower is subpar and without the Heavy Scyk Interceptor title the M3-A Scyk would have not seen play. This is to make it a PTL interceptor with some glass cannon abilities. Spending a focus or evade token to make a 4 dice attack at range 1 is great especially if you take the target lock. With a little set up having a TL focus and Evade then get into range 1 will make this scyk have jsut as much of a punch as HLC and paired with the Light Scyk Interceptor title get more maneuverability too.

You could just run 7 of them, doesn't seem too bad.

When people talk about the Scyk being too expensive, they're incorrect. What you get for 14 points is an Academy Pilot with an extra PS, the Target Lock action, the ability to go slow without 1 hards, and a shield instead of a hull, which is better unless you face proton bombs or advanced homing missiles, which will be never. You also get a 3 and 5 K-turn, which gives you the option of a close K-turn and a guaranteed to make it long one. You get your 2 points worth of value, at worst it's a point off. Slap an HLC and a hull upgrade on a cartel spacer and toss it into a list, it's not that bad. It's costed in line with the Sigma Squadron Phantom at that point, which is a well balanced ship IMO.

The problem is how expensive a jump it is to the TPV. You pay 3 extra points to get the ability to pay extra points on an EPT. You get up to 5 PS which is meaningless in our Acewing meta.

As far as the two point tax on secondaries goes, still not a big problem IMO. Would have been cool if the 2 point tax was only for cannons that cost 4 or more. If you could get an ion cannon or flechette cannon without the tax that'd be great. Also it should just have torp and missile slots innately. What is this wave 1 bull where I have to pay extra to waste extra on ordnance doing on my wave 6 ship?

That gives me an idea. Splash a Mangler Cartel Spacer in with 3 TLT Y-Wings. The Y's strip tokens while the syck gets crits in on things.