The A-wing Test Pilot title card is cool, it does as much to improve the A-wing as Chardaan Refit if not more. But every now and then it bugs me that so many of my combat pilots also just happen to be A-wing Test Pilots. I'd love to have one or two alternatives, but how do you compete with a 0 point title that gives you access to an additional Elite Upgrade?

Ideas for titles are easy enough.

A-wing Ace - Generic title, fits to any pilot but should probably be restricted to PS 5 or more.

Phoenix Squadron Pilot - A title to convert existing pilots to Phoenix Squadron, though it might be better to have a new set of generic pilots in this case. Maybe for PS 4 and under so it doesn't overlap the current named pilots.

Green Squadron Veteran - All the named pilots are Green Squadron (I think) so a veteran title would make sense.

Personally I prefer generic titles so if other named pilots are released the title still makes sense, not that another release with A-wings is likely anytime soon.

The problem comes in with what the title does to compete with A-wing Test Pilot, I guess either providing more action economy or duplicating the A-wing Test Pilot card with a twist.

For example:

A-wing Ace

0 points

A-wing only.

Your upgrade bar gains 1 [ Elite ] upgrade icon if it does not already have one.

Reduce the cost of an equipped Elite upgrade card to 0 if the squad point cost is "2" or lower.

You cannot equip this card if your pilot skill value is "4" or lower.

The card provides an Elite upgrade icon to ships that don't already have it (Gemmer Sojan and Arvel Crynyd). 1 and 2 point elite upgrades can be equipped for free; useful if you're trying to fit an A-wing in on a points budget. Basically trading the flexibility of A-wing Test Pilot for an Elite discount.

Downsides are it's a somewhat unimaginative alternative, on Gemmer and Arvel it outright replaces A-wing Test Pilot rather than being a choice, I don't know if a free 1 or 2 point Elite upgrade on an A-wing is horribly unbalanced.

So does anyone have ideas for alternatives to the A-wing Test Pilot title, both in terms of mechanics and title name?

Phoenix Squadron

A-wing only. Title.

Increase your Attack value by 1. You cannot equip any Modification upgrades.

0 Points.

so for 0 points it becomes better than an interceptor except without barrel roll but is cheaper by 3 points?

Phoenix Squadron

A-wing only. Title.

Increase your Attack value by 1. You cannot equip any Modification upgrades.

0 Points.

This would make Awings... Awesome.

so for 0 points it becomes better than an interceptor except without barrel roll but is cheaper by 3 points?

OK, 1 point.

Mk II A-Wing

Title

2 points

You may make primary weapon attacks against targets outside your fire arc as long as they are within the front 180 degrees, measured from the front of your base.

Represents the pivoting laser cannons some later A-Wings had. Hounds tooth measures from the center, but it has the aux fire arc marked on the base, so measuring from the front of the base allows you to draw an easy line.

so for 0 points it becomes better than an interceptor except without barrel roll but is cheaper by 3 points?

OK, 1 point.

so swaps br for tl and is better for 2 points less? I don't think you can give it an extra attack die for anything like that cheap it would probably have to be something like 5. 3 attack die ships with the cannon slot pay 7 for 1 more die.

Mk 2 Laser mounts - ?pts

You may make primary weapon attacks against ships that you attacked last turn if they are at range 1-2. Even if they are out of your firing arc. You can not attack next round.

Just a thought I had.

The problem is that the test pilot title is just so good (and for 0 points). The example the OP gave didn't really make any new options, just a more powerful version for Gemmer Sojan and Arvel Crynyd.

Personally if I was to design another card, I would try to make it so it promotes a different gameplay mechanic then the current test pilot title (which is hard becasue it is so versatile). Most A-Wings though do get PTL and function as arc dodges and flankers, so I'm thinking towards a title that improves straight up jousting and formation flying.

Perhaps something like:

Flying V: A-Wing Only. Title. While within range 1 of another pilot with this title, you may use its EPT as if it were your own. 0 points.

This adds a nice alternative to test pilot for Gemmer Sojan or Arvel Crynyd who could be paired with a couple of Green's. Or even a couple prototypes with a green for a cheap flight group. Note the heavy range restriction will require good flying to make proper use out of the ability. It can be somewhat countered by focusing the PTL pilot in the group (or by blocking to break them up).

Compared directly to Test Pilot this offers an alternative playstyle with each pilot individually weaker but together much stronger.

so for 0 points it becomes better than an interceptor except without barrel roll but is cheaper by 3 points?

OK, 1 point.

so swaps br for tl and is better for 2 points less? I don't think you can give it an extra attack die for anything like that cheap it would probably have to be something like 5. 3 attack die ships with the cannon slot pay 7 for 1 more die.

I think I can.

so for 0 points it becomes better than an interceptor except without barrel roll but is cheaper by 3 points?

OK, 1 point.

Question - the T-65 X Wing is pretty crummy for now, but it at least has attack 3 going for it.

If the A could get attack 3, then why take the T-65 at all, even with Integrated Astro?

so for 0 points it becomes better than an interceptor except without barrel roll but is cheaper by 3 points?

OK, 1 point.

so swaps br for tl and is better for 2 points less? I don't think you can give it an extra attack die for anything like that cheap it would probably have to be something like 5. 3 attack die ships with the cannon slot pay 7 for 1 more die.

I think you could do this for less than 5 because you're also giving up your modification, which means no Autothrusters/stealth/hull. I'd say cost 1(ish) and no mod is fair. Lock out the missile slot as well or increase the cost by more than 2 and it tips back into the Interceptor's favor.

so for 0 points it becomes better than an interceptor except without barrel roll but is cheaper by 3 points?

OK, 1 point.

Question - the T-65 X Wing is pretty crummy for now, but it at least has attack 3 going for it.

If the A could get attack 3, then why take the T-65 at all, even with Integrated Astro?

Because if you have IA, you have an Astromech with an ability. You did notice I took away the Mod right? Plus I wasn't trying to fix the T-65. FFG will do that. I'm tossing out an idea based on the OP , a choice alt to the original title... what's YOUR idea?

Because if you have IA, you have an Astromech with an ability. You did notice I took away the Mod right? Plus I wasn't trying to fix the T-65. FFG will do that. I'm tossing out an idea based on the OP , a choice alt to the original title... what's YOUR idea?

Good question! Let's take a look at the description that the official Star Wars blurb

"As the Empire ramped up production of both standard TIE fighters and experimental models, the Alliance responded by seeking a starfighter that could outfly them all. Alliance techs turned to the A-wing, which had proved capable in early battles against Imperial forces. Refinements made by rebel techs stripped away the A-wing's shields, armor and heavy weapons in favor of raw speed, resulting in a fighter that was tough to maintain and fly, but could outrun even a TIE interceptor. These reworked A-wings played a large role in the Battle of Endor, the rebels' greatest victory over the Empire."

So the older As are supposed to be tougher but slower. We can work with that. Giving it +1 structure and +1 shields seems ridiculous as it'd make it tougher than an X-Wing, and changing the dial is more difficult, so how about...

+ 1 Att

- 1 Agi

- Lose boost action, missile slot, so no Chaardan Refit or Autothrusters

Text: If you are not stressed, you may flip a blank to a focus on the attack

Maybe make that title something like +1 point. I'm just throwing out ideas, but I'm hoping that whatever this title would be that it would strongly encourage people to not take Push the Limit, which is why I added the text.

I'm going to say we could call it the Triangle-Wing? Or maybe the Engine-wing? Oh you meant in game titles

The problem is that the test pilot title is just so good (and for 0 points). The example the OP gave didn't really make any new options, just a more powerful version for Gemmer Sojan and Arvel Crynyd.

Personally if I was to design another card, I would try to make it so it promotes a different gameplay mechanic then the current test pilot title (which is hard becasue it is so versatile). Most A-Wings though do get PTL and function as arc dodges and flankers, so I'm thinking towards a title that improves straight up jousting and formation flying.

Perhaps something like:

Flying V: A-Wing Only. Title. While within range 1 of another pilot with this title, you may use its EPT as if it were your own. 0 points.

This adds a nice alternative to test pilot for Gemmer Sojan or Arvel Crynyd who could be paired with a couple of Green's. Or even a couple prototypes with a green for a cheap flight group. Note the heavy range restriction will require good flying to make proper use out of the ability. It can be somewhat countered by focusing the PTL pilot in the group (or by blocking to break them up).

Compared directly to Test Pilot this offers an alternative playstyle with each pilot individually weaker but together much stronger.

Yeah, my suggestion was unimaginative, I like this idea though. There might be some weird interactions out of it like one shot abilities buffs such as Veteran Instincts, but if they could be worked out then yeah, it'd be cool.

I'm going to say we could call it the Triangle-Wing? Or maybe the Engine-wing? Oh you meant in game titles

Given the shape, why not the Wedge? Then we can get some yellow repaints.