Btw Drea Renthal works well with another ship that has thread tracers.

Cool combo! I'll keep that in mind next time I try a Drea build.

Emon Azzameen (Firespray)

Against higher PS: If you haven't seen what Conner Nets or Proximity Mines can do to an arc-dodging ace, you haven't seen what Emon can do. He's one of the best bomb ordnance delivery systems in the game.

Against lower PS: If swarms are more your opponent's speed, Seismic Charges, Ion Bombs, and Proton Bombs will be equally as devastating.

Other reasons to fly: Flying his own ship, the Andrasta, Emon can mix and match bombs unlike anyone else. Stealing the Slave I, he can double up on something on the cheap (i.e. Proximity Mines and Extra Munitions for just 5 points). He also has a Crew slot for Bombardier in case you need more than 4 locations to drop your bombs.

Oh, this. So much this.

"Oh hai Soontir! You're PS9, huh? Autothrusters, Stealth Device, Boost, Barrel Roll, Evade, Free Focus... wow, that's really neat. You're gonna get into my side arc, ain't cha? Or just turtle up and pretend you're untouchable, that right?"

"That's cool... that's cool bro... only..."

"...I know where you are. And I move first. So here's a Proximity Mine. Evade that!"

Yeah, only Ten Nunb does that for cheaper and Wampa can do it for a lot cheaper. And as far as bombs go, Deathrain and a Bombardier or Intel Agent K-Wing would be my choices.

Yeah, only Ten Nunb does that for cheaper and Wampa can do it for a lot cheaper. And as far as bombs go, Deathrain and a Bombardier or Intel Agent K-Wing would be my choices.

Ten Numb can drop Proximity Mines in multiple different directions for cheaper than Emon Azzameen? Now that I'd love to see. As for Wampa, does he have a way of dealing critical hits reliably? Or are you relying on blind luck?

Both of those ships would also need to get Fel (or Whisper, or Poe, or whoever) in line of sight to do this. Emon does not, so I guess you must have missed the point of Emon's ability.

Nothing, or no-one, is an autoinclude.

Boostless PWTs, PTL-less Interceptors, non-VI+Advstealth Whispers... should I continue?

Some things feel made for a ship and\or pilot.

Others, like IG-88B are meant to take some upgrades.

There are auto-includes. That's the competitive gaming.

Agreed. And there are now auto-includes in competitive Epic Play as well. e.g. If my Corvette/Cruiser (read: non transport/carrier) has "Optimized Generators" and yours doesn't. You're not going to keep pace.

"Optimized Generators" is definitely auto-include for all Corvettes/Cruisers.

"Optimized Generators" is definitely auto-include for all Corvettes/Cruisers.

...tell that to my CR-90 with Ordnance Tubes, Weapons Engineer and Homing Missile hardpoints.

Alright guys, I think it is time we all put our money where our mouths are. I challenge you guys to play at least one game with a mid-PS ship (or more, if you have the stones for it) in the next week and post your results. If you have a magnificent victory, share your triumph and your strategy, if you suffer a crushing defeat, hopefully we can all learn valuable lessons from the game.

Who's in? I feel Nera Dantels, Krassix Trellix, or perhaps some funky interceptors in my future this week...

I'm gonna cheat and use my list from a couple months ago.

Serissu (Stealth Device + Mangler Cannon)

Laetin (Stealth Device + Mangler)

Graz the Hunter (Stealth Device + Glitterstim)

Binayre Pirate (Stealth Device)

I got a 100-0 victory against 4 Accuracy Corrector Tempest Squadron Pilots. You don't want to joust this kind of scum!

Alright guys, I think it is time we all put our money where our mouths are. I challenge you guys to play at least one game with a mid-PS ship (or more, if you have the stones for it) in the next week and post your results. If you have a magnificent victory, share your triumph and your strategy, if you suffer a crushing defeat, hopefully we can all learn valuable lessons from the game.

Who's in? I feel Nera Dantels, Krassix Trellix, or perhaps some funky interceptors in my future this week...

I'm gonna cheat and use my list from a couple months ago.

Serissu (Stealth Device + Mangler Cannon)

Laetin (Stealth Device + Mangler)

Graz the Hunter (Stealth Device + Glitterstim)

Binayre Pirate (Stealth Device)

I got a 100-0 victory against 4 Accuracy Corrector Tempest Squadron Pilots. You don't want to joust this kind of scum!

Hah, hilarious list. Wouldn't be caught dead bringing it to a store championship in my area, but looks fun to fly.

And reminds me that I have a tournament coming up in a small town with a far more casual playerbase, and I've strongly considered bringing Graz to it just for kicks.

Especially if Cloaking Device is out by then (should be, if the mid-January predictions are on point). I love the idea of Graz with a cloak. Cheap re-positioning to keep that arc lined up? Two extra green dice on top of your extra green dice? Again, I wouldn't bring it any place where there's super-stiff competition, but my non-super-silly lists have me on something like a five game winning streak against the guy who has won the last two tournaments at this place.

Something like...

Graz the Hunter

Cloaking Device

Tansarii Point Veteran

Crack Shot

"Heavy Scyk" Interceptor

"Mangler" Cannon

Tansarii Point Veteran

Crack Shot

"Heavy Scyk" Interceptor

"Mangler" Cannon

And then I still have 25 points to play with. Part of me is leaning towards Kaa'to Leeachos with Homing Missiles, Crack Shot, and Chimps, then give Chimps and IPMs or Conc Missiles to Graz. Heavy on Crack Shot, sure, but it also uses a slew of pilots who otherwise never see the light of day.

Of course, that's reliant on Wave 8 being out, and it'd be hard to resist flying Valen Rudor if that's the case.

If it's not out... Graz gets Glitter instead of a cloak, and the 25 points go to get N'Dru on the field with Clusters, Lone Wolf, and Glitter of his own.

I'd also love to mention I enjoy the idea of Crack Shot TPVs with Manglers. Sure, they'll die if someone looks at them wrong, but CSing a crit through is a sexy X-Wing thought.

Yeah, only Ten Nunb does that for cheaper and Wampa can do it for a lot cheaper. And as far as bombs go, Deathrain and a Bombardier or Intel Agent K-Wing would be my choices.

Ten Numb can drop Proximity Mines in multiple different directions for cheaper than Emon Azzameen? Now that I'd love to see. As for Wampa, does he have a way of dealing critical hits reliably? Or are you relying on blind luck?

Both of those ships would also need to get Fel (or Whisper, or Poe, or whoever) in line of sight to do this. Emon does not, so I guess you must have missed the point of Emon's ability.

It is difficult to get Fel at a reasonable distance so you can damage him. And damaging him through all his defensive actions was the whole point of his post.

While it is pretty impossible to get Soontir in Range 1 of any modified shot so you have difficulties actually dealing damage to him. What is not really that hard is getting any shot on him. Especially with Ten Nunb if he happens to have VI. Add Mangler to that and you pretty much have your crit guaranteed (and then it doesnt matter if its range 3 through an asteroid or whatever, he will eat it!)

With Wampa it is more difficult, and you are also not that sure of your crit, but you can enhance your chances somewhat with Targeting Computer, howlrunner, Youngster, or you just take Palpy! But again any shot you get can do... no matter range or obstruction.

I am also pretty convinced that it is just as easy getting a shot on soontir than to get Emon Azameen into bombing range. I even think that it's more difficult for Emon, because Soontir will want to dodge Firespray rear arcs anyway, and if he is at it, he can also dodge some range 3 templates...

Now Emon is a pretty useless ship, and while Ten Nunb is not exactly the Pinnacle of competitiveness (hey he was in worlds top 32, no joke XD), he is probably still the much better Soontir counter if you give him VI. and he is not lost in other fights either, while Emon really is a one-trick-pony and you are very likely to spend even more points on him then on Ten. Thankfully he is more durable, but if you stuff him with Bombs he has a huge pricetag and a target on his forehead while at the same time he doesn't excel at fighting a lot except for the bomb shenanigans...

I will give Emon that he probably is one of the better Soontir counters in Scum, but i have flown Ten Nunb against the Baron, and he is really really scary good at handling Soonts, probably even the best counter to him there is.

It was long ago that i played that, but i still know It ended once with Ten deleting Soontirs pilot skill and EPT on the first shot, and the second game my adversary tried holding Soontir back for the endgame (so Ten completely neutralized his offense for the game by just being present). The result was that my Fat Han and Ten killed his RAC pretty **** fast, and when he had to commit Soontir, i managed to give him some minor crit and kill the stealth device, before he got Ten. But Han was very healthy still and knocked off the last two points the turn after or so...

Edit: I know we are not supposed to bash PS5-6 pilots in this thread, but if i have to accept the challenge, i would never pick Emon. Sure he is fun to fly, but i have faced him twice and i really never had to fear his bombs nor anything else he did, so i have little respect of Emon if he shows up on the other side of the table. My pick for a PS5-6 would probably be a souped up Guri. And if i really had to go with an underdog, it would be this here:

"Red Ace" (29)

R2-D2 (4)

Comm Relay (3)

Autothrusters (2)

Total: 38

With Wampa it is more difficult, and you are also not that sure of your crit, but you can enhance your chances somewhat with Targeting Computer, howlrunner, Youngster, or you just take Palpy! But again any shot you get can do... no matter range or obstruction.

OK, so if you're taking extra ships, upgrades, crew to guarantee Wampa his one face down damage per turn - essentially building a list around him - then he's not really "a lot" cheaper than Emon, is he?

As for Ten Numb - OK, Manglers, Advanced Sensors and especially VI help him (a lot), but the B-Wing is still one of the slowest ships in the game, and the Interceptor one of the fastest. You're paying upwards of 35 points for a slow, low agility 8 hit point ship and if Soontir doesn't want you to catch him, you won't catch him. And, of course, he's not the mid-range PS solution people are discussing in this thread.

Emon with Proximity Mines on the other hand, is absolutely ACE against high PS/high agility/low health pilots. They're his bread and butter. Once you get used to the Firespray's dial and the mine positioning, you can drop them like a hat on ships with ridiculous accuracy, and there's not a thing they can do about it. The best part? ALL the damage rolled goes right through all of their defensive upgrades and tokens. Every single bit of it. Autothrusters? Nope. Stealth Device? Nope. Focus or Evade tokens? Nope, won't help. Palpatine... OK, I'll give you that one, but if the shrivelled old wizard is being used on a Proximity Mine roll, he's not being used to modify an attack or defense roll, is he?

Plus the Firespray still gets to shoot afterwards.

Emon knows where the Ace is when he sets his dial. So, you know where Emon's finishing position needs to be to drop a mine right on top of them. Proximity Mines are dropped as an action (after you move) with either the one straight template, 3 straight or 3 turns. That means it's VERY difficult to hide from them. Opponent straight in front of you? Hard turn, then slingshot the mine with a hard 3 turn. Off to on side? Bank, then slingshot. Can't get it right on top of them? Right in front will do nicely.

I've seen a fully-loaded, fully turtled up Soontir Fel get thwomped by an Emon Proximity Mine on turn two, before he even had a chance to roll a dice in anger. Once that happens, you start treating the guy with respect. "Pretty useless ship"? LOL.

Emon knows where the Ace is when he sets his dial.

This is absolutely the key. Now the ace not only has to worry about getting shot this round, but bombs next round. So on top of the Firespray's dual arcs, it has 14 non-red maneuvers after which you can drop a bomb. Emon has 4 drop locations. 14x4 is FIFTY-SIX possible places you can hit an ace next turn. Add Bombardier and it's 70!

Alright, I have a list featuring Nera Dantels using Advanced Proton Torps and opportunist, and I wanted to get some feedback on what would be the best way to make a ship enter her range 1 death bubble. I could only think of two ways to do it:

Nera: Opportunist, APT, EM, FCS (40)

I have 60 points to play with, and this is what I am thinking of.

Blocking:

Outer Rim Smuggler: APL, Intel Agent (30)

Prototype Pilot: Chardaan refit (15) x2

Ion+Stress:

Dutch Vander: Flechette torps, EM, MFS, R5K6 (30)

Bandit: Ion Pulse Missile, GC (15) x2

Which do you think is better to take? I did some playtesting yesterday and came to the conclusion that I am not going to try to get Soontir into the death bubble with either list because if he has half of a brain he should be able to arc dodge at least three of your ships. He will never push the limit if he will get shot by the flechette torp, so I can either take another flechette torp Y wing, or something like that. I'm not going to take the stressbot because I'm stubborn. I should be able to get Corran, Poe will be easy, and even IGs will be easy, especially PTL ones, but Soontir is just too slippery. Any other suggestions?

I messed around with a list once that used Lieutenant Blount with Deadeye and Ion Pulse Missiles to set up Nera's APT's. I think I also had Horton firing a couple Proton Torpedoes for maximum damage spikes. Perhaps I'll revisit it now that there are new ordnance tools! Thanks for reminding me.

Oooh, I forgot about Blount! I'm going to switch a Z for him, and change Dutch to a Gray with R4D6 and deadeye. I could then upgrade the bandit to a Tala, or upgrade to a homing missile.... Cheers!

With Wampa it is more difficult, and you are also not that sure of your crit, but you can enhance your chances somewhat with Targeting Computer, howlrunner, Youngster, or you just take Palpy! But again any shot you get can do... no matter range or obstruction.

OK, so if you're taking extra ships, upgrades, crew to guarantee Wampa his one face down damage per turn - essentially building a list around him - then he's not really "a lot" cheaper than Emon, is he?

As for Ten Numb - OK, Manglers, Advanced Sensors and especially VI help him (a lot), but the B-Wing is still one of the slowest ships in the game, and the Interceptor one of the fastest. You're paying upwards of 35 points for a slow, low agility 8 hit point ship and if Soontir doesn't want you to catch him, you won't catch him. And, of course, he's not the mid-range PS solution people are discussing in this thread.

Emon with Proximity Mines on the other hand, is absolutely ACE against high PS/high agility/low health pilots. They're his bread and butter. Once you get used to the Firespray's dial and the mine positioning, you can drop them like a hat on ships with ridiculous accuracy, and there's not a thing they can do about it. The best part? ALL the damage rolled goes right through all of their defensive upgrades and tokens. Every single bit of it. Autothrusters? Nope. Stealth Device? Nope. Focus or Evade tokens? Nope, won't help. Palpatine... OK, I'll give you that one, but if the shrivelled old wizard is being used on a Proximity Mine roll, he's not being used to modify an attack or defense roll, is he?

Plus the Firespray still gets to shoot afterwards.

Emon knows where the Ace is when he sets his dial. So, you know where Emon's finishing position needs to be to drop a mine right on top of them. Proximity Mines are dropped as an action (after you move) with either the one straight template, 3 straight or 3 turns. That means it's VERY difficult to hide from them. Opponent straight in front of you? Hard turn, then slingshot the mine with a hard 3 turn. Off to on side? Bank, then slingshot. Can't get it right on top of them? Right in front will do nicely.

I've seen a fully-loaded, fully turtled up Soontir Fel get thwomped by an Emon Proximity Mine on turn two, before he even had a chance to roll a dice in anger. Once that happens, you start treating the guy with respect. "Pretty useless ship"? LOL.

And if you would manage to drop a mine on Soontir, should he decide to not just avoid you like you suggest he does with Ten. He has what? 3 bombs with Andrasta that are probably all needed to deal with Soontir, and you pay a ridiculous amount of points for them. Best would be what? Conner Net, Prox Mine, Prox Mine/Proton Bomb? Well if you drop all 3 on Soontir that's probably a dead Soontir, or it's 1 damage... You can't modify Prox mines, nor any mine, so it's an overpriced gamble. Slave allows for a cheaper Emon, but only one mine or bomb twice. And you're still well above 40 points!

Also play this against anything but a low HP ace, they're going to laugh so hard When you strip 2 shields off a Y-Wing and get obliterated in return.

There are good 6 PS ships, but Emon is most definitely not one of those. And even against Soontir, he is at best a soft counter as far as i see.

Emon knows where the Ace is when he sets his dial.

This is absolutely the key. Now the ace not only has to worry about getting shot this round, but bombs next round. So on top of the Firespray's dual arcs, it has 14 non-red maneuvers after which you can drop a bomb. Emon has 4 drop locations. 14x4 is FIFTY-SIX possible places you can hit an ace next turn. Add Bombardier and it's 70!

Yep, and the Proximity Mine template isn't small either - between the Firespray's dial, Emon's pilot ability and the template itself, you can cover a hell of a lot ot the board. Emon's mines are insanely accurate.

Plus of course, a Firespray is absolutely no slouch when it comes to shooting, either, especially with both a crew and an illicit slot available. K4, Gunner, Glitterstim (or if you really like annoying people with unavoidable damage) Feedback Array. As mentioned in the Firespray thread, I'm not one for overloading Firespray's, but Emon's an exception.

If someone doesn't see the threat this guy possess, they clearly have zero experience of playing against him.

Also play this against anything but a low HP ace, they're going to laugh so hard When you strip 2 shields off a Y-Wing and get obliterated in return.

There are good 6 HP ships, but Emon is most definitely not one of those. And even against Soontir, he is at best a soft counter as far as i see.

Now you're trying too hard. Again, the Firespray's damage doesn't stop with Proximity Mines, they can actually shoot as well, you know.

And a Firespray is a 10 HP ship, not 6.

Also play this against anything but a low HP ace, they're going to laugh so hard When you strip 2 shields off a Y-Wing and get obliterated in return.

There are good 6 HP ships, but Emon is most definitely not one of those. And even against Soontir, he is at best a soft counter as far as i see.

Now you're trying too hard. Again, the Firespray's damage doesn't stop with Proximity Mines, they can actually shoot as well, you know.

And a Firespray is a 10 HP ship, not 6.

It was meant to be 6PS.

And how hard will it shoot? at 45+ points? You use your action to drop a bomb in many cases, and unless you dump even more in this ship and get a K4, you will be actionless after that. Which makes 10 HP X-Wings melt like ice in the sunshine!

I would argue that the Mandalorian Mercenary geared out for maneuvering and shooting is a much better pick than Emon. So if you need a PS5-6 Firespray, i would suggest that guy. He won't cost a lot more but cause sustained damage and Problems for you adversary.

For me, Emon is the weakest Scum Firespray out there. Just my opinion, but his skill needs too much investment in equipment to be good! And then he does not have an EPT...

Or just take Boba or Scarlet for one bomb's cost more, because they are awesomesauce!

Edit:

Emon Azzameen (36)

Conner Net (4)

K4 Security Droid (3)

Inertial Dampeners (1)

Proximity Mines (3)

Seismic Charges (2)

Andrasta (0)

vs.

Mandalorian Mercenary (35)

Predator (3)

"Mangler" Cannon (4)

K4 Security Droid (3)

Engine Upgrade (4)

At least for me, It's going to be the Merc every time if at all i would give out nearly 50 points for a Firespray!

Also play this against anything but a low HP ace, they're going to laugh so hard When you strip 2 shields off a Y-Wing and get obliterated in return.

There are good 6 HP ships, but Emon is most definitely not one of those. And even against Soontir, he is at best a soft counter as far as i see.

Now you're trying too hard. Again, the Firespray's damage doesn't stop with Proximity Mines, they can actually shoot as well, you know.

And a Firespray is a 10 HP ship, not 6.

It was meant to be 6PS.

And how hard will it shoot? at 45+ points? You use your action to drop a bomb in many cases, and unless you dump even more in this ship and get a K4, you will be actionless after that. Which makes 10 HP X-Wings melt like ice in the sunshine!

I would argue that the Mandalorian Mercenary geared out for maneuvering and shooting is a much better pick than Emon. So if you need a PS5-6 Firespray, i would suggest that guy. He won't cost a lot more but cause sustained damage and Problems for you adversary.

For me, Emon is the weakest Scum Firespray out there. Just my opinion, but his skill needs too much investment in equipment to be good! And then he does not have an EPT...

Or just take Boba or Scarlet for one bomb's cost more, because they are awesomesauce!

Edit:

Emon Azzameen (36)

Conner Net (4)

K4 Security Droid (3)

Inertial Dampeners (1)

Proximity Mines (3)

Seismic Charges (2)

Andrasta (0)

vs.

Mandalorian Mercenary (35)

Predator (3)

"Mangler" Cannon (4)

K4 Security Droid (3)

Engine Upgrade (4)

At least for me, It's going to be the Merc every time if at all i would give out nearly 50 points for a Firespray!

You should try flying a pair of Mandalorian Mercs sometime. Jolly good fun.

There are good 6 PS ships, but Emon is most definitely not one of those. And even against Soontir, he is at best a soft counter as far as i see.

Emon w/ conner net is a pretty good counter for Soontir. You can use him to control Soontir's movement, and if your opponent makes a mistake, a conner net on his ass is a death sentence.

I played against this a few days ago and it was pretty good:

Emon w/ K4 droid, slave-1, extra munitions, concussion missile, conner net & guidance chimps = 49

A bit expensive at 49, but 2 concussion shots out the front arc with TL + focus (thanks to K4) and monkeys adding a bonus crit is pretty nasty. And if Emon gets an opportunity to drop a conner net on something, its likely in big trouble next turn...

Compare that to the 'standard' scum boba: VI, tactician, engine & glitterstim = 48. Similar cost. Boba has way better PS and deals more damage at R1, but Emon trumps boba in damage at R2/3 (even when the concussions are gone thanks to K4 droid). They both offer some control, but conner net is nastier (but limited twice per game). Overall I don't think Emon is really worse off. Although Boba is probably slightly easier to use and has an obviously powerful combo (rush R1, evade and pop glitter). Whereas Emon you have to set up your attack and plan a bit in advance to put the conner net to good use, so I'm not surprised Boba is more popular.