Xizor - What Would You Change?

By FisherSpassky, in X-Wing Squad Lists

Flying this today:

Xizor

- Virago title

- Push The Limit

- Stealth Device

- Glitterstim

Talonbane Cobra

- Lone Wolf

- Engine Upgrade

- Glitterstim

Binayre Pirate (2X)

Intend on flying the StarViper and the Zs in a loose formation, and Cobra as a flanker, if that's not obvious.

I don't love using the title just to run Glitterstim, for starters. But do I drop PTL and run Accuracy Corrector for some red-dice modification? I also considered Swarm Tactics here, but that seemed counter to the idea of making the Z-95s Xizor's meat shields.

What would you change?

Push the limit on Xizor is good, but ONLY if you have advanced sensors!

Before revealing your dial (which is a green move, because that's all you really need in the early part of the game), you take an action, then push the limit for a 2nd action, then reveal the green move and immediately clear the stress. Keep doing this until all of your other ships are dead. At that point, you may not be able to continue the shenanigans, because you will have to fly more reactively, but its still a good combo.

Personally I would rather have a flechette torpedo instead of glitterstim. That extra stress gives Xizor the edge over higher PS aces (fire it only if they are already stressed so they become double stressed).

Push the limit on Xizor is good, but ONLY if you have advanced sensors!

Before revealing your dial (which is a green move, because that's all you really need in the early part of the game), you take an action, then push the limit for a 2nd action, then reveal the green move and immediately clear the stress. Keep doing this until all of your other ships are dead. At that point, you may not be able to continue the shenanigans, because you will have to fly more reactively, but its still a good combo.

Personally I would rather have a flechette torpedo instead of glitterstim. That extra stress gives Xizor the edge over higher PS aces (fire it only if they are already stressed so they become double stressed).

I know, I know. No Lambda and no E-Wing in my collection, so no Advanced Sensors.

Still, with boost and barrel roll, how can PTL only be good with AS? Seems like an awful lot of places you can end up, even if you're moving in traditional order.

I think for a one-shot card, Glitterstim's offense + defense value is hard to beat. I'm also notoriously unreliable at getting my munitions off, but that's pilot error rather than card weakness :)

Edited by FisherSpassky

Need VI on the prince if you dont have Adv Sensors. THat way he can deal with other aces

Then I would suggest Veteran instincts + FCS

Or failing that, just predator.

I echo blade_mercurial's advice. Also, PTL plus Glitterstim seems like a real good way to double stress yourself at a bad time (since you would likely be using glitterstim on a turn you think you will be shot at a lot). If you are intent on running PTL, i'd drop the glitters and pick up FCS if you have it. Nothing wrong with an effective 3 actions a turn.

Flying this today:

Xizor

- Virago title

- Push The Limit

- Stealth Device

- Glitterstim

Talonbane Cobra

- Lone Wolf

- Engine Upgrade

- Glitterstim

Binayre Pirate (2X)

Intend on flying the StarViper and the Zs in a loose formation, and Cobra as a flanker, if that's not obvious.

I don't love using the title just to run Glitterstim, for starters. But do I drop PTL and run Accuracy Corrector for some red-dice modification? I also considered Swarm Tactics here, but that seemed counter to the idea of making the Z-95s Xizor's meat shields.

What would you change?

Listening to the general advice, swapped out PTL and Stealth for FCS and VI. Kept Glitter (I love it) and added Autothrusters. Playing on a long 'lunch break' this afternoon, so we'll see how she does. Thanks!

Just responding to the thread title here... I would change his pilot ability. I don't like it. Oh and probably make him PS 8 or 9!

Your list however seems to lack Autothrusters and probably also Sensor Jammers on Xizor. Forget about Stealth device, it's just for ships that don't have boost, or can take both!

I mean you REALLY want to discourage people from shooting Xizor...

Edited by ForceM

Listening to the general advice, swapped out PTL and Stealth for FCS and VI. Kept Glitter (I love it) and added Autothrusters. Playing on a long 'lunch break' this afternoon, so we'll see how she does. Thanks!

With those changes, it looks like a good list that should be fun to fly. I would personally struggle with Lone Wolf in a four ship list, but if flown right it is well worth the points. Let us know how the battle went.

Apparently the changes worked for the best, as I won the match in a route. My opponent was flying something like:

Deathrain

- Cluster Mines

- Cluster Missiles

- Extra Munitions

Turr Phennir

Kir Kanos

Night Beast

I flew Xizor and the Zs in formation as promised, with Cobra flanking.

The Imperials flew in a box formation at the center of the board, and while I was still around range three with the Xizor crew, Deathrain dropped a cluster between a few rocks to clog things up.

Cobra went to the right and came in shooting at range 3 from behind (avoiding the mines), and the other three were able to focus fire on the Punisher. Hot dice for me had the Deathrain off the board in two turns of firing, and Kir off in the next two, with Turr escaping to the edge with his last remaining hull point.

Meanwhile I escaped the first four rounds of shooting with just two shield gone from one of the naked Zs. That turned to mop up, but the game was basically over in the first 20 minutes. (I eventually lost on Z to repositioning and dumb flying, but still 100-12 win).

What I learned:

- Autothrusters seems as cool as advertised. I didn't actually use it more than once or twice, because the game was so one-sided, but I get the idea.

- Didn't miss PTL on Xizor. I think a base StarViper with PTL could be a great strike-then-reposition fighter, but to use the Prince's ability you can't really juke around that much.

- The Zs as shields for Xixor is hard to maintain after the first pass with the enemy. Easy enough to keep them boxed together before you hit the rocks and enemy ships, but the two ships are obviously in two totally different classes when it comes to turning for a second attack/arc dodging.

- Talonbane is a rad flanker with Engine Upgrade, if you can get the other guy to go after someone else. Duh.

I've recently taken Xizor to a tournament. Here is the writeup, might be worth checking out.

I've recently taken Xizor to a tournament. Here is the writeup, might be worth checking out.

In fact, that post convinced me to pick up a StarViper last week. Nice work!