I got to attend another Michigan Store Championship this weekend, this one at:

RIW Hobbies in Livonia, 24 players, 4 rounds, cut to Top 4

1st Place Phillip H. (Me) (4-0 in Swiss)

Dash Rendar + Lone Wolf + R2D2 crew + Outrider + HLC

Miranda + TLT + Conner Net + Seismic Charge + Extra Munitions + Bombardier + Advanced Slam

100 pts

2nd Place Tommy G. (4-0 in Swiss)

Han Solo + Predator + Gunner + C3P0 + MF Title + Engine

Poe + VI + R2D2 + Autothrusters

100 pts

Top 4 Jeff B. (Khyros) (Lost to 1st)

Poe + VI + R5P8 + Autothrusters

Corran Horn + PTL + R2D2 + FCS + Engine

Prototype + Refit

100 pts

Top 4 Michael O. (Lost to 2nd)

Dash + PTL + Kyle Katarn + Outrider + HLC + Engine

Miranda + TLT + C3PO + Advanced Slam

98 pts

I have finally reached a point with Imperials in Wave 7 where I've played just about every good combination I can think of, so Ive finally gotten to explore some Rebel stuff. I must say, having Regen amd Turrets was a nice change of pace. I just cant wait for Wave 8 to hit the shelves.

Thanks to all players today, lots of cool matches, I hope everyone had a good time!

Way to go Phil!! #Rooksquad

Redcap's Corner (Lancaster Ave location) in Philadelphia, PA had their event yesterday, 23 players, 4 swiss, cut to Top 4:

Top 4

Chris D.

Red Squadron Veteran (PS4)
-Predator
-R2 Astromech
-Integrated Astromech
-Weapons Guidance

2x Guardian Squadron Pilot (PS4)
-Twin Laser Turret
-Recon Specialist

Mike T
Epsilon Squadron Pilot (PS1)
-Comm Relay

Colonel Vessery (PS6)
-Crackshot
-Heavy Laser Cannon

Darth Vader (PS9)
-Veteran Instincts
-Engine Upgrade
-Proton Rockets
-TIE Advanced X1
-Advanced Targeting Computer

2nd

Riggs M.
Jake Farrell (PS7)
-Push the Limit
-Proton Rockets
-Autothrusters

Kyle Katarn (PS6)
-Recon Specialist
-Twin Laser Turret

Poe Dameron (PS8)
-Veteran Instincts
-R2D2
-Autothrusters

Winner

Phil AKA Cooper M.
Jake Farrell (PS7)
-Push the Limit
-A-wing Test Pilot
-Outmaneuver
-Autothrusters
-Chardaan Refit

Poe Dameron (PS8)
-Veteran Instincts
-R5-P9
-Autothrusters

Kyle Katarn (PS6)
-Twin Laser Turret
-Recon Specialist
-Moldy Crow

God, what even beats the quad Autoblaster, quad Warden list? Obviously things can beat it, but nothing that's prevalent in the meta. Against almost everything in the meta right now it can either just peck to death with its primaries or autokill with its autoblaster death ball if it gets close. God ****, it's so brutal lol.

Tempted to fly it tomorrow at an SC but I'd rather try and enjoy myself lol. I can imagine 6 FO's or an 8 ship swarm could give it trouble as could quad (BTL-A4) TLT's and quad Cluster Missile AC Tempests, but not enough people are flying those, and even then the wardens arguably have the advantage vs. Quad TLT because they can attack at range 1 and have more health.

Apparently Bossk with two TLT Ys?

The TLT Y's cancel out the wardens, and Bossk cancels out 2 wardens.

I'm not necessarily saying it's unbeatable, just that nothing in the current meta has a good matchup against it. I'd call the Bossk and 2 TLTs even with it. At best it's only evenly matched against some stuff while having good matchups against a bunch of stuff.

Face 2 Face Games, Toronto, ON

Feb. 27

24 players, 4 rounds Swiss, Top 4 cut

_______

Winner: Michael

100pts

Serissu + Squad Leader

Kavil + Opportunist + Blaster Turret + R4 Agromech

Palob + Bodyguard + Blaster Turret + Recon Specialist + Moldy Crow

Binayre Pirate

Runner-up: Peter

100pts

Poe + VI + R2-D2 + Weapons Guidance + Autothrusters

Wedge + PTL + BB-8 + Integrated Astromech

Gold + R3-A2 + TLT + BTL-A4

Top 4: Lucas (me; lost to winner)

100pts

IG-88B + Predator + Advanced Sensors + HLC + Inertial Dampeners + Autothrusters

Thug + TLT [x2]

Top 4: Joe (lost to runner-up)

100pts

Poe + VI + R5-P9 + Autothrusters

Miranda Doni + TLT + Tactician

Gold + R3-A2 + TLT + BTL-A4

______

Yes, you are not seeing things...an M3-a, Blaster Turrets, and these 3 epts, Squad Leader, Bodyguard, and Opportunist, beat IG and TLTs, and Rebel-regen to take the cake. Well flown Michael!

Edit: had an error in Runner-up's list.

Yesterday at Dreamer's in Minneapolis (32 players):

1st: IG88 A+B: Crackshot, Glitterstim, FCS, HLC, ATs

2nd: IG B+D (same as above)

Top 4: Soontir Fel: PTL+AT+HU+RGT, Carnor Jax: PTL+AT+SU+RGT, Omega Leader: Juke+Comms+Hull Upgrade

Top 4: Han Solo (90% sure of the upgrades): VI+3PO+Gunner+EU+Title , Standard Stressbot, Bandit

Side note: We've had 7 store championships in the area. 2 have been won by Yorr w/Palp, Whisper, Omega Leader (two different players). 4 have been won by 2xIG88 (three different players), and one has been won by Poe, Stresshog, 3xbandits.

The y wings being flown outside of thug life/the near non existence of tlt.

here in Melbourne there is no real meta (copy what everyone else does). most fly what they want and fly it well. there was maybe no K Wings not a lot of TLT but there was 3 Guri's 4 Palob's and a high number of Blaster Turret. I wasn't the only crazy one. Its always fun at tournaments across Melbourne you don't often see the same list twice. except for a small group that still hang onto BroBots.

What an enlightened attitude!

Face 2 Face Games, Toronto, ON

Feb. 27

24 players, 4 rounds Swiss, Top 4 cut

_______

Winner: Michael

100pts

Serissu + Squad Leader

Kavil + Opportunist + Blaster Turret + R4 Agromech

Palob + Bodyguard + Blaster Turret + Recon Specialist + Moldy Crow

Binayre Pirate

______

Yes, you are not seeing things...an M3-a, Blaster Turrets, and these 3 epts, Squad Leader, Bodyguard, and Opportunist, beat IG and TLTs, and Rebel-regen to take the cake. Well flown Michael!

Edit: had an error in Runner-up's list.

M3-A WINS A 24-PLAYER STORE CHAMPIONSHIP! This is just fantastic. I can't get over that list. Well done.

Face 2 Face Games, Toronto, ON

Feb. 27

24 players, 4 rounds Swiss, Top 4 cut

_______

Winner: Michael

100pts

Serissu + Squad Leader

Kavil + Opportunist + Blaster Turret + R4 Agromech

Palob + Bodyguard + Blaster Turret + Recon Specialist + Moldy Crow

Binayre Pirate

______

Yes, you are not seeing things...an M3-a, Blaster Turrets, and these 3 epts, Squad Leader, Bodyguard, and Opportunist, beat IG and TLTs, and Rebel-regen to take the cake. Well flown Michael!

Edit: had an error in Runner-up's list.

That is a beautifully designed squad. Just looking over it and checking out the upgrade cards...it just makes me happy. So awesome to see it win!

Face 2 Face Games, Toronto, ON

Feb. 27

24 players, 4 rounds Swiss, Top 4 cut

_______

Winner: Michael

100pts

Serissu + Squad Leader

Kavil + Opportunist + Blaster Turret + R4 Agromech

Palob + Bodyguard + Blaster Turret + Recon Specialist + Moldy Crow

Binayre Pirate

______

Yes, you are not seeing things...an M3-a, Blaster Turrets, and these 3 epts, Squad Leader, Bodyguard, and Opportunist, beat IG and TLTs, and Rebel-regen to take the cake. Well flown Michael!

Edit: had an error in Runner-up's list.

M3-A WINS A 24-PLAYER STORE CHAMPIONSHIP! This is just fantastic. I can't get over that list. Well done.

Ya, don't think there is any doubt about who the top player that day was. That's awesome.

Never saw anything posted for epic loot Springfield store championship 3 weeks ago. 30 players I believe.

1st place (myself)

Kyle katarn- tlt, moldy crow (bad ass who killed fel, whisper and a poe that day plus he's my favorite star wars character.

Jake-wired, push, autos, and pockets

Poe-vi, r5p9, autos.

2nd. Bobby C aka goon leader (lol love ya bobby)

Fel-push, stealth, autos.

Generic decimator-vader, Palpatine

Wanna

3rd. Matt G

Torkil mux-tlt

3 thugs-unhinged, tlt.

4th. Can't remember the guys name or his squad exactly sorry

Gold squad pilot-tlt, r3a2

2 blue squad b wings

A hwk with tlt.

Good tournament, good players there including north American champ Jeff Berling. Hoping to repeat it this coming Saturday #rooksquadron

Ultimate Comics & Games at Hanson, KY. 14 players total.

1st Place: Deroche (4-0)

4x Thugs w/TLT and Unhinged.

2nd Place: (3-1)

Gold Y-Wing w/TLT, R3-A2, BTL Title.

2x Wardens w/TLT and Tactian

Bandit Z-95

3rd Place: (3-1)

Poe w/VI, R5-P9, Autothrusters

Red Ace w/R2-D2, Comm Relay, Autothrusters

2x Bandits

4th Place: (3-1) Lost to 1st Place on 4th Round.

4x Storm Advanced w/Accuracy Corrector, X1 Title, and MK II Engines.

EDIT: I tested out Intel Agents instead of Damps on my Triple Slaver list and did terrible... (1-3) Faced 3 Imperial Ace lists as well, two of which were Palp w/ 3 Aces. Missed my Damps a couple games....

Ettin Games SC in Humble, TX.

18 Players, standard four Rounds of Swiss & Top 4 cut.

Top 4

4th Place - Wes. B

Vader + VI + EU + X1+ ATC + Prockets

Black SP x4 + Crack Shot

3rd Place - Matt. G

Blue SP + Acc Corrector

Gold SP + R3-A2 + TLT

Gold SP + TLT

Bandit x2

2nd Place - David. L

Syndicate Thug x4 + TLT + Unhinged Astro

1st Place - Darph Nader

Tala x4

Bandit x4

TO to post up on the Juggler.

Thanks to everyone who made it out on the double SC weekend, thanks for all of the great matches this weekend!

Woohoo, yet another Z-95 swarm FTW!

I will say, once the Tracers comes out, my new Z-95 list is going to be 7 Talas w/Tracers and Guidance Chips. A bump to their damage output, similar to what happened with normal Ties to Crack Ties!

(Posting it here now to claim credit! )

Face 2 Face Games, Toronto, ON

Feb. 27

24 players, 4 rounds Swiss, Top 4 cut

_______

Winner: Michael

100pts

Serissu + Squad Leader

Kavil + Opportunist + Blaster Turret + R4 Agromech

Palob + Bodyguard + Blaster Turret + Recon Specialist + Moldy Crow

Binayre Pirate

______

Yes, you are not seeing things...an M3-a, Blaster Turrets, and these 3 epts, Squad Leader, Bodyguard, and Opportunist, beat IG and TLTs, and Rebel-regen to take the cake. Well flown Michael!

It's seeing things like this that make me believe that not all "viable" or "competitive" squads have been attempted by the world's leading X-wing players. People always say things like, "Well, if it was a decent list, we would've seen it win tournaments by now". This is clearly an example to prove otherwise. All of these ships have been out for a while now and someone wins with it. I'm sure there are other surprise lists out there that can win that would be dismissed by the majority of X-wing players.

This is a complex game, with complex list-player interaction. Even if a squad had been tried and found wanting, that doesn't mean another player couldn't try it and find something good about it.

I agree, but I've heard all the arguments before. If Tie Defenders were good, we would see them. I would point out your luck with them, but would be told that you are an "outlier". Now we start to see people placing in Store Champs with Tie Defenders even before the awesome fix for them comes.

It is my humble opinion that too many people dismiss ships and builds as "non-competitive" when they haven't been explored much. People tend to become slaves to the meta and only fly what other people win with. Whenever I point out ways to use a ship or card, I'm constantly told that it's not good as no one places in tournaments with them. I'm glad to see that some buck the trend.

Irresistable Force, Tanah Merah, QLD, Australia. 35 players, 5 rounds, no cut.

Rest of the Top 8:

5 - Whisper, Omega Leader, PalpShuttle

6 - Trandoshan Slaver x3

7 - Howlrunner + PtL + Hull, Black Squad + Crack Shot x5

8 - Whisper, Omega Leader, PalpShuttle

So, was that TezzasGames who flew that Triple Slaver list? What was his loadout?

I see this a lot when I put down the Bombers - ran the Doomshuttle + 4 Proximity Mines list at a game night. At the end of that a few of them commented that "that combo looks a bit op", mainly because I thrashed everthing thrown my way, including the local boogeyman, Brobots, an imperial ace list and a list that teamed Dash with something I can't remember.

I do get the attitude, though. X-Wing, while in the context of a miniatures game affordable, is an expensive luxury good and if you have a limited budget and want to win tournaments it is natural to go for what you have seen has done well. Exploring options is the greatest fun you can have with the game in my opinion, but it is pricy.

Goblin Traders; Ironton, OH

February 26th

8 Players, 3 rounds

Top 4

1st place - Joseph F.

Howlrunner - Crackshot

Zeta Leader - Wired

4 x Black Squadron - Crackshot

2nd place - Bryan G.

Poe Dameron - PTL, BB-8, Autothrusters

Corran Horn - Marksmanship, R2-D2, EI, Accuracy Corrector

Tala Squad

3rd place - Tyler E .

Blue Squadron B-Wing - FCS, B-Wing/E2 title, Tactician

3x Blue Squadron B-Wing - FCS

4th place - Paul R.

Dutch Vander - Ion Cannon, R2 astromech, shield upgrade

Horton Salm - Ion Cannon, R2 astromech, shield upgrade

Dagger Squadron - Mangler Cannon, Marksmanship

1st place at both Critiical Hit Games in St.Pete and Armada Games in Tampa was won by Brian Zeno flying

Corran Horn

VI

Engine upgrade

R2D2

FCS

Dash

lone wolf

recon specialist

Outrider

HLC

After my in extremis success back in the 19-players Feb 7th SC win ( http://lists.starwarsclubhouse.com/get_tourney_details?tourney_id=1128 ) with a "competitive", but "wave 5 + palp" list that isn't supposed to fare well against TLT, I wanted to bring something purely fun oriented and untried for my next SC which unfolded yesterday, at 20 players (our local record, smashing the previous 19 player record!).

I brought a list (suggested by theorist) that was shenanigan oriented and which gave me hope for a 2-2, or maybe even 3-1 record in the swiss rounds, but enough opportunities to mess with my friends and spend a good time seeing their reactions.

Let's just preface the list juggler data by saying there were 14 bombs on the final table, 10 of them mine...

No one seemed to be prepared to play against bombs, they created all sorts of havoc on my opponents and the runner-up's opponents.

http://lists.starwarsclubhouse.com/get_tourney_details?tourney_id=1249

Winner (1st in swiss, me):

Warden Squadron Pilot + Twin Laser Turret + Extra Munitions + Seismic Charges + Ion Bombs
Warden Squadron Pilot + Twin Laser Turret + Extra Munitions + Seismic Charges + Ion Bombs
Gold Squadron Pilot + Twin Laser Turret + Extra Munitions + Bomb Loadout + Seismic Charges + R3-A2
(100)

runner-up (3rd in swiss):

Miranda Doni + Twin Laser Turret + Extra Munitions + Advanced SLAM + Conner Net + Proton Bombs + C-3PO

Esege Tuketu + Twin Laser Turret + Extra Munitions + Advanced SLAM + Conner Net + Proton Bombs + Tactician
(100)

top 4 (2nd in swiss):

IG-88B + IG-2000 + Heavy Laser Cannon + Wired + Fire-Control System + Inertial Dampeners + Autothrusters

IG-88D + Seismic Charges + IG-2000 + Heavy Laser Cannon + Wired + Fire-Control System + Inertial Dampeners + Autothrusters
(100)

top 4 (4th in swiss):

Blue Squadron Pilot

Blue Squadron Pilot
Blue Squadron Pilot
Blue Squadron Pilot
Bandit Squadron Pilot
(100)

BBBBZ is perpetually a thing in our local meta, 2 players heavily favor it, due to our special store time constraints that force us to play 60 minute rounds. We'll try to bump this up next year (special accomodations in a rented room) for our SCs, and definitely this year if we get a regionals.

Bombs aren't used enough. I find that a lot of people will either forget you have them altogether (until its too late) or will go to great lengths to trying to avoid them. Which usually puts them into poor positions.

No one seemed to be prepared to play against bombs, they created all sorts of havoc on my opponents and the runner-up's opponents.

http://lists.starwarsclubhouse.com/get_tourney_details?tourney_id=1249

Winner (1st in swiss, me):

Warden Squadron Pilot + Twin Laser Turret + Extra Munitions + Seismic Charges + Ion Bombs

Warden Squadron Pilot + Twin Laser Turret + Extra Munitions + Seismic Charges + Ion Bombs

Gold Squadron Pilot + Twin Laser Turret + Extra Munitions + Bomb Loadout + Seismic Charges + R3-A2

(100)

Ha! I'd love to hear any stories from this event with your list.

Bombs aren't used enough. I find that a lot of people will either forget you have them altogether (until its too late) or will go to great lengths to trying to avoid them. Which usually puts them into poor positions.

I agree. Even if you hit them once or twice with them, they still forget about them later on.