I like this card, it's interesting. It's also nice to have an Astromech that fits well with Y-Wings. On T-70's it's even better with Talon Rolls.

And how exactly is the Y-wing going to clear that stress it just got? Going 1 forward? No, your opponent will be expecting that! Let's do a 2 Forward instead, that'll fox him!

R5, R2-D2, R3, R7, astro and now targetting are all strong unique upgrades to qualify your ship for your extra free shield. There were 5 mechs in the world final. Will the X-salt never stop?

Lol, you think R5 and R7 are 'strong astromechs'. Do you even fly X-wings? Also, there were 4 Astromechs at the final table, half of them being R2D2, and one being R3-A2. Truly, what a powerful and diverse slot the Astromech slot is.

Once Integrated Astromech is officially out, you'll start to see more astromech. It is what a lot of players requested as a fix: one more shield. The great part is that you can use anytime, you even get to look at the crit before discarding it, in case you prefer to keep IA for another crit. You then get to pick your secondary ability:

-R2: turn all 1 and 2 speed maneuver green. Might be useful in the current control meta that we are.

-R2-D6: Giving an EPT to one pilot. If you think about it, giving Veteran Instinct and 1 more shield to Garven for 2 points doesn't sound that bad, or Crack Shot to an X-Wing of your choice (one time use, so it won't break your heart when you'll have to ditch the astromech to discard the damage)

-R4-D6: On Biggs to help him survive a little longer

-BB-8: People wanted some repositionning for their X-Wing, well here you have it, and it pairs particularily well with PtL. 1 Shield and a pre-maneuver barrel roll, not too bad for 2 points.

-R3-A2: No need for presentation... this droid is one of the best use of 2 points... even better now that you can discard it to save one more damage

-R7: Tarn with R7 was already a good use of 25pts, he now have one more shield.

-Targetting Computer: This thread have shown that there is situation where this droid might be handy. Players are of course free to ignore it. But 2 points to change Hobbie K-turn white (and one more shield) is in my book very good.

-R5-P9 and R2-D2: Regen droids, just like R3-A2, don't need more introduction, they're great.

My opinion is that the X-Wing already have a good lineup of astromech. Some of them are more situational than others, but they can actually make their pilot work, complement their ability. Most of them are unique, but that's also part of their charm and personality, it also limits the spam list; Could you imagine 4 X-Wing with R3-A2? Every X-Wing pilot have at least one Astromech that complement their ability. Of course, if all you do is Net listing and consider only the upgrades used at Nationals or Worlds, there is not much to be said: continue to wear your blinders, there's quite a few players with those these days.

Considering my quad R7, quad X-Wing list was already decent, IA just hands it an extra 4 health (potentially more if I cancel direct hits) for free. In a meta dominated by 2 and 3 ship lists, with usually at least one PS 2 ship which I meet or exceed, it should do alright.

Tarn Mison - R7

Biggs -R7

Red Squadron -R7

Rookie Pilot - R7

I hate to be that annoying, "Hey, Defenders aren't sh*tty!" guy, but R7 is genuinely useful on non-Tarn ships.

There is also 3x Blackmoon Squadron, 3x FCS, 3x R7 which I can't tell if it's viable or not, lol.

Considering my quad R7, quad X-Wing list was already decent, IA just hands it an extra 4 health (potentially more if I cancel direct hits) for free. In a meta dominated by 2 and 3 ship lists, with usually at least one PS 2 ship which I meet or exceed, it should do alright.

Tarn Mison - R7

Biggs -R7

Red Squadron -R7

Rookie Pilot - R7

I hate to be that annoying, "Hey, Defenders aren't sh*tty!" guy, but R7 is genuinely useful on non-Tarn ships.

There is also 3x Blackmoon Squadron, 3x FCS, 3x R7 which I can't tell if it's viable or not, lol.

Don't get me wrong, I love Integrated Astromech. It's an extremely thematic upgrade that straight up buffs the X-wing. My point is Targeting Astromech falls in the middle of the bell curve of Astromechs, and that bell curve was lagging behind most other upgrade slots, as a lot of the cards were designed in wave 1.

If you want the free health, take a one point droid. If you want a powerful ability with the health as icing on the cake, take one of the few good Astromechs. Targeting Astromech doesn't really fit anywhere, apart from maybe TLT Y-wings, who don't need to worry about outmaneuvering, and so can make do with their crap green moves.

Also, to all the people who think the X-wing needs a boost or barrel roll: NO. X-wings are supposed to overcome problems by flying well and working together, not by being hypermaneuverable dogfighters. If IA proves to not be enough, an ability that improves X-wing synergy would be much nicer.

You're right, there were four not five - R2-A2, R5-P9 and R2-D2 x2. My point stands, even if you choose to refuse to acknowledge it.

Do I even fly X-wings? Lol indeed. As for R5-P9 not being a good card, what the Vader are you on about? R7 is great too, but more specialised. In fact nearly every X-pilot now has a mech that suits their pilots skills perfectly. If you don't like jousting ships, fine, but just stop pretending that X-wings aren't one of the best jousters in the game now, it's silly. because of superior points efficiency, mech synergy, pilot skills, etc., they are now ahead of the B-wing, the previous king, and I'm guessing we'll see a hell of a lot more of them in 2016. Dial down the saline levels, that's all I'm saying.

You're right, there were four not five - R2-A2, R5-P9 and R2-D2 x2. My point stands, even if you choose to refuse to acknowledge it.

Do I even fly X-wings? Lol indeed. As for R5-P9 not being a good card, what the Vader are you on about? R7 is great too, but more specialised. In fact nearly every X-pilot now has a mech that suits their pilots skills perfectly. If you don't like jousting ships, fine, but just stop pretending that X-wings aren't one of the best jousters in the game now, it's silly. because of superior points efficiency, mech synergy, pilot skills, etc., they are now ahead of the B-wing, the previous king, and I'm guessing we'll see a hell of a lot more of them in 2016. Dial down the saline levels, that's all I'm saying.

So your point is that because R2D2 and R3A2 made it into the finals the Astromech is a good slot? While you're at it, why not say the Crew slot is garbage because of Flight Instructor? Or how about global warming isn't a thing because it was cold one time?

Pardon me if I do 'refuse to acknowledge' your point.

There is also 3x Blackmoon Squadron, 3x FCS, 3x R7 which I can't tell if it's viable or not, lol.

Tried that one before. Didn't work in Phat Turret meta, doesn't seem to get bumped now.

There's hardly a way to fix E-wing. "High-end fighter" cost problems

You're right, there were four not five - R2-A2, R5-P9 and R2-D2 x2. My point stands, even if you choose to refuse to acknowledge it.

Do I even fly X-wings? Lol indeed. As for R5-P9 not being a good card, what the Vader are you on about? R7 is great too, but more specialised. In fact nearly every X-pilot now has a mech that suits their pilots skills perfectly. If you don't like jousting ships, fine, but just stop pretending that X-wings aren't one of the best jousters in the game now, it's silly. because of superior points efficiency, mech synergy, pilot skills, etc., they are now ahead of the B-wing, the previous king, and I'm guessing we'll see a hell of a lot more of them in 2016. Dial down the saline levels, that's all I'm saying.

So your point is that because R2D2 and R3A2 made it into the finals the Astromech is a good slot? While you're at it, why not say the Crew slot is garbage because of Flight Instructor? Or how about global warming isn't a thing because it was cold one time?

Pardon me if I do 'refuse to acknowledge' your point.

You're not making any sense. Yes, I'm saying that astromech is a good slot. The rest of your post... I don't actually know how to respond to.

You're not making any sense. Yes, I'm saying that astromech is a good slot. The rest of your post... I don't actually know how to respond to.

I'd start by reading it. That tends to help with this sort of thing.

Let's not make it personal. Okay?

... So come on FFG! Give us poor schmucks (the ones that play your game and bankroll your company), a couple of really good astro mechs to tie IA to, instead of hobbling the T-65 'fix' (and I say fix through gritted teeth) to the mostly useless range we have now. ...

What are a bunch of Netrunner players going to do with some Astromech cards?

In other news, I like to take ships that have only one "correct" way to play them, according to the all powerful Meta-god and torches & pitchfork crowd on here, and throw a different build on them. It tends to entirely screw up my opponent when they see something that isn't "correct" on the field. To which end, I think I'll take out something like:

Poe + Targeting Astromech + Stay on Target + Integrated Astromech

and see what shenanigans I can get up to with him. Maybe some Red Squadron Vets with him. I'm still fiddling with the rest of the build.

In other news, I like to take ships that have only one "correct" way to play them, according to the all powerful Meta-god and torches & pitchfork crowd on here, and throw a different build on them. It tends to entirely screw up my opponent when they see something that isn't "correct" on the field. To which end, I think I'll take out something like:

Poe + Targeting Astromech + Stay on Target + Integrated Astromech

and see what shenanigans I can get up to with him. Maybe some Red Squadron Vets with him. I'm still fiddling with the rest of the build.

It might be better on poe to not use stay on target and keep the targeting astro for incidental value more than anythhing.

The important thing on poe is having a focus I think.

In other news, I like to take ships that have only one "correct" way to play them, according to the all powerful Meta-god and torches & pitchfork crowd on here, and throw a different build on them. It tends to entirely screw up my opponent when they see something that isn't "correct" on the field. To which end, I think I'll take out something like:

Poe + Targeting Astromech + Stay on Target + Integrated Astromech

and see what shenanigans I can get up to with him. Maybe some Red Squadron Vets with him. I'm still fiddling with the rest of the build.

Well, with that attitude, of course you'd take a Rebel. .

In other news, I like to take ships that have only one "correct" way to play them, according to the all powerful Meta-god and torches & pitchfork crowd on here, and throw a different build on them.

It might be better on poe to not use stay on target and keep the targeting astro for incidental value more than anythhing.

The important thing on poe is having a focus I think.

Psst, try reading the first line of his post again. .

In other news, I like to take ships that have only one "correct" way to play them, according to the all powerful Meta-god and torches & pitchfork crowd on here, and throw a different build on them. It tends to entirely screw up my opponent when they see something that isn't "correct" on the field. To which end, I think I'll take out something like:

Poe + Targeting Astromech + Stay on Target + Integrated Astromech

and see what shenanigans I can get up to with him. Maybe some Red Squadron Vets with him. I'm still fiddling with the rest of the build.

Well, with that attitude, of course you'd take a Rebel. .

Lately, I've been using far more S&V - mostly due to their ability to be ultra-annoying (they fit me so well).

In other news, I like to take ships that have only one "correct" way to play them, according to the all powerful Meta-god and torches & pitchfork crowd on here, and throw a different build on them. It tends to entirely screw up my opponent when they see something that isn't "correct" on the field. To which end, I think I'll take out something like:

Poe + Targeting Astromech + Stay on Target + Integrated Astromech

and see what shenanigans I can get up to with him. Maybe some Red Squadron Vets with him. I'm still fiddling with the rest of the build.

It might be better on poe to not use stay on target and keep the targeting astro for incidental value more than anythhing.

The important thing on poe is having a focus I think.

Right, which is what most people, especially those that follow and worship the All-Powerful Meta^TM would do. However, just to sow some chaos on the battlefield, I'd bring something like this maybe... (which, granted, I came up with in the time from the post above to now... so it could probably use some polishing yet)

Poe Dameron — T-70 X-Wing 31

Stay On Target 2

Targeting Astromech 2

Integrated Astromech 0

Ship Total: 35

Red Squadron Veteran — T-70 X-Wing 26

Wingman 2

R2 Astromech 1

Ship Total: 29

Esege Tuketu — K-Wing 28

Ion Cannon Turret 5

Recon Specialist 3

Ship Total: 36

Squad Total: 100

In other news, I like to take ships that have only one "correct" way to play them, according to the all powerful Meta-god and torches & pitchfork crowd on here, and throw a different build on them.

It might be better on poe to not use stay on target and keep the targeting astro for incidental value more than anythhing.

The important thing on poe is having a focus I think.

Psst, try reading the first line of his post again. .

I did. I did not mean to dismiss the idea of using targeting astromech and poe together, merely saying that the idea allows has room for iteration and improvement

When I hear "the problem with X is that it's situational" what I hear is "the problem with X is that I have to plan to use it instead of just do it every time". Decisions and choices and trade offs are what make games fun and interestimg.

When I hear "the problem with X is that it's situational" what I hear is "the problem with X is that I have to plan to use it instead of just do it every time". Decisions and choices and trade offs are what make games fun and interestimg.

Everything in the game is situational. That's the joy of the game. It just shouldn't be the phrase used to automatically dismiss an idea that someone disagrees with.

In this context where everything is technically situational, targeting astromech's "situational" is more accurately described as "unnecessarily limited'

There's a difference between making choices and only having one option to trigger a 2 point upgrade.

We can pull the special snowflake card all we like with TA, it's still just not a great upgrade

Should've been 1 point, like other more limited astromechs (r2, r4-d6, r 5 etc)

But because it's overpriced and so limited, it's going to end up in next to no builds except ones that can uniquely utilize it

For example, if the PS 7 T-70 does something with stress, you will only see TA on him w/SoT.

When I hear "the problem with X is that it's situational" what I hear is "the problem with X is that I have to plan to use it instead of just do it every time". Decisions and choices and trade offs are what make games fun and interestimg.

Nobody complains that 'X is situational'. They complain that 'X is situational and also Y does it better for the same cost'.

Crackshot is a 'situational' upgrade, but it's cheap as chips and pretty decent. If Crackshot was 2 or 3 points people would complain about it.

When I hear "the problem with X is that it's situational" what I hear is "the problem with X is that I have to plan to use it instead of just do it every time". Decisions and choices and trade offs are what make games fun and interestimg.

Agreed in principle: However the problem with something being situational is that the situation it applies to has to arise for it to be useful, which may or may not happen despite your best planning, because the enemy has a vote. The more situational an upgrade is (i.e. the harder it is to successfully use) the less people are willing to gamble on it. The less reliable it is, why take it when you can get something - as fickle says above - which is more reliable or cheaper for similar effect?

PS. TA still blows

I think some players were just expecting too much from this astromech. Remember that Integrated Astromech also come in the pack. Combined with it, it's not just allowing you to take a TL when doing a red maneuver, but it's also giving you one more shield; that's a pretty good value for 2 points. It's not an auto-include upgrade, but for some pilots, it will work.

-If all you want is the free IA shield, go with the R2 unit. But for one more point, you can now continue to be a threat even when you k-turn. If what you are looking for is a jouster, that's a really good upgrade. You are paying 2 points for something that will serve you 2-3 times (including the damage soaked by IA) per game.

-As it has been pointed out several time in this thread, for 2 points, you are giving a white k-turn to Hobbie... even better, not only is it white (only exception is that he can't pull it off when already stressed), but it allows him to do a F+TL attack, or still have a focus for defense while k-turning. That's a luxury few ship can have. You are also giving him one more shield. Even better than a shield, because you can actually keep it to cancel a crit AND look at the crit before discarting it.

-With Luke, Stay on Target and IA, you now have a ship that can change direction at PS8 (will be useful against Dash+Kanan), take a TL and still have his ability to help in defense. You just have to take into consideration that next turn you'll probably have to make a green... but then again, with Luke natural ability, doing a white while stressed is not the end of the world.

-Blue Squadron Novice with TA and IA should be a nice combo to exploit that wonderful Talon Roll maneuver, you just can't spam 4 in the same list.

Targeting Astromech has a place, it's just not the Auto-include Astromech that some players seems to think it would be. It will not shake the meta, but it's a fun addition to the astromech list.