It was common knowledge for a while that the ol' T-65's just weren't making the cut. However, with the new "Integrated Astromech" mod, I was curious if the generics are capable of pulling their weight, and if so... when?

T-65's seem like they would be good jousters now, having 2 defense dice with 6 HP is comparable to the 1 defense die and 8 HP of the B-Wing. Not sure when you'd take it over the B-Wing, though.

T-70's I hear unanimously are better than T-65's, but I still don't see people use them.

T-70s get less use mainly 'cuz they're so expensive (3 max in a list isn't great). That being said I'm in love with PtL/R2/Integrated Red Vets... may not be the best but they're fun to fly.

Depends. If you can learn to fly them and compensate for their weaknesses generic Xs can be pretty dangerous. They need (and can use) space to fight, far more than slower Bs, which are better knifefighters. IA adds a bit of toughess, but they need to be guns on to make their points back and with their average to good dial and no boost/BR natively, that means you often K-turn rather than turn, losing the precious actions that make the difference to dice. If you can manage setup and approach to maximize your shots you should be fine. Generic Xs are probably most similar to generic Khyycxvhtycxs, which can do fine on their own, though at a lower point cost.

Here's a new rookie pilot list that I think has potential, although I doubt many people will want to run it because everyone these days feels 'inadequate' without Pilot Skill up the wazoo...

4 rookies w/ targeting astro, integrated astro & flechette torpedoes = 25 x 4

100

So its a pretty straightforward jousting list. Except you have a big edge over other jousting lists thanks to targeting astro and the flechette torps. You also have a nice bit of control against arc-dodgers (well, you still have to get them in arc, of course!); as long as you can establish a target lock and hit them with a flechette torp. Don't use your flechettes unless you can guarantee double stress (or even triple, or quadruple!). For example, if someone performs a red move, fire a flechette torp! Someone uses push the limit, show them the error of their ways!

Obviously, flechette torps are no good against anything with 5 or more hull, but fortunately that's rare these days since fat large-based ships are in the minority (the Ghost might change that, I suppose). But even if a big ship makes an appearance, its usually escorted by little ships that you can stress. Except y-wing lists. You might be a sad panda against them, but fortunately your 12 base attack dice can make short work of them if you can focus fire...

T-70s get less use mainly 'cuz they're so expensive (3 max in a list isn't great). That being said I'm in love with PtL/R2/Integrated Red Vets... may not be the best but they're fun to fly.

4 Max in a list: Blue Squadron Novice with R2 unit and Integrated Astromech x4.

I personally love the T-70. Red Veterans with Integrated R2 and Crack Shot are great. I personally consider the Blue Squadron Novice a good addition to any list that can add a resilient body. I also like to equip one (or a Rookie Pilot) with R3-A2 and Integrated Astromech. It might not double stress like the Stresshog, but it is more maneuvrable and still a nuisance, but not so much to draw all aggro.

This might be crazy but I've been toying around with the idea of a 4X list that I call Astromech All-Stars... Basically Garven (possibly Hobbie) and 3 Rookies, all outfitted with IA and R2-D2, RF-P9, R3-A2, and maybe BB-8.

Sort of just a weird idea in my head right now, haven't looked at it in depth, but two regen T-65s plus R3-A2 would be really annoying to fly against, and that gives you 4 3 dice attacks.

When to use generic T-65's and T-70's?

Every chance I get. Not helpful I know, but run what ya brung and all that.

Played a game against 4x Blue Squadron Novice with R2 and Integrated the other day. That is a nasty list. Tough, lots of fire power, and plenty of maneuvering options.

For the Rookie T-65s, I really want to try XXBBZ with R5s and Integrated on the X's.