Poe - When attacking or defending, if you have a focus token, you may change 1 of your [Focus] results to a [Hit] or [Evade] result.

R5-P9 - At the end of the Combat phase, you may spend 1 of your focus tokens to recover 1 shield (up to your shield value).

I've seen lots of R2-D2 paired with Poe, but IMHO that severely limits his shiny new (to us) T-70 and its maneuverability. Since Poe never spends his focus token, why not get a free shield back at the end of the combat round, and be able to make better use of his dial? What makes R2-D2 a better option when you become more predictable and it still costs a point more? This seems like the best combo to me for Poe, just above PTL and R2.

Thoughts?

ancient news

I consider r2d2 superior becase r5-p9 Poe is made to block and die; also popularity of r3-a2 (blame heaver)

You're right in your assessment.

It seems that the game is, over time, creating a droid that is fun with each pilot. And this is awesome!

• Tarn Mison + R7
• "Hobbie" Kilvian + Targeting Astromech
• Poe + R5-P9

Makes for great scenario building.

ancient news

I consider r2d2 superior becase r5-p9 Poe is made to block and die; also popularity of r3-a2 (blame heaver)

let's not blame paul for that. the stresshog existed before and was literally re-born the SECOND tlts were spoiled.

r2dpoe was born the very first time r5-ppoe got a bloody nose from hog 2.0

Poe - When attacking or defending, if you have a focus token, you may change 1 of your [Focus] results to a [Hit] or [Evade] result.

R5-P9 - At the end of the Combat phase, you may spend 1 of your focus tokens to recover 1 shield (up to your shield value).

I've seen lots of R2-D2 paired with Poe, but IMHO that severely limits his shiny new (to us) T-70 and its maneuverability. Since Poe never spends his focus token, why not get a free shield back at the end of the combat round, and be able to make better use of his dial? What makes R2-D2 a better option when you become more predictable and it still costs a point more? This seems like the best combo to me for Poe, just above PTL and R2.

Thoughts?

it is way better. always was, from the start (see ancient news).

you too will see the value of r2d2 once you have 2+ stress on your poe, though.

ancient news

That was ... dismissive. I think the grand majority of people here understand that it is "ancient news," but good on derekstanggt for figuring it out on his own. Can we at least pretend to be cordial and inviting of relatively new* folk?

*judging by the post counts

September. If that's ancient then I'm Methuselah.

I prefer R2-D2 because you can still get your regen when you're stressed or really need to boost instead of focus. However, R5-P9 is great for a dual regen list (Poe+R5-P9 and Corran or Red Ace with R2-D2 are my current favorites).

Poe - When attacking or defending, if you have a focus token, you may change 1 of your [Focus] results to a [Hit] or [Evade] result.

R5-P9 - At the end of the Combat phase, you may spend 1 of your focus tokens to recover 1 shield (up to your shield value).

I've seen lots of R2-D2 paired with Poe, but IMHO that severely limits his shiny new (to us) T-70 and its maneuverability. Since Poe never spends his focus token, why not get a free shield back at the end of the combat round, and be able to make better use of his dial? What makes R2-D2 a better option when you become more predictable and it still costs a point more? This seems like the best combo to me for Poe, just above PTL and R2.

Thoughts?

Never? You sure? Nevermind that R2-D2 is better, as has been called out already, since he's not action dependent, regardless of restricting movement, you aren't always going to have a Focus to regen with R5-P9. Often I'll Target Lock with Poe if he won't be getting shot(and sometimes even if he is if I've got full shields), or I'll need to spend the focus on defense if I get multiple eyes, or I decided to boost for whatever reason.

That said R5-P9 is a perfectly reasonable sub if you're using R2-D2 on another pilot in your list already, but R2-D2 is still definitely better.

Poe+vi+bb8 is also pretty dang fun, especially if you're using r2d2 on someone else. Honestly all 3 have different use cases but all seem viable in certain situations.

To the Op I say this...

I love Poe, I love him and you are correct that the droid R5P9 seems perfect.

Now go fly it and realize as you play you really want to talon roll, boost or do something other than focus with Poe about every other turn. Go ahead fly it yourself, I tried it as well thinking the same, IMHO I believe R2d2 is superior because I can make that green move at least every other turn and net much more regeneration with him in the end.

I would recommend trying it but I think you will find the same.

Ok, I can see why R2D2 is more popular since the stresshog meta is big. In my locale though, i.e. in my circle, stress lists are rarely, if ever played. I play strictly casual though.

Forgive me also for drudging up an apparently "ancient" topic. I try to skim the boards a few times a week and must have missed this topic the first few times.

Well all that said in defense of r5p9 its a point cheaper and activates 1 turn earlier which can matter since it doesn't limit the next turns choices. I like both can never decide which I prefer but they both have merits.

I have used r5p9 to good effect with lists that include garven dreis. Keep him near the ship with R5P9 (wich should have higher pilot skill) and if he spends his focus you immediately get a focus for shield regen.

I have used it in this list:

wedge with VI and R5P9

luke with VI and R2D2

garven dreis with R2D6/wingman and shield upgrade

Worked ok and gave a fun to fly 3 X list.

Might work with Poe's talon roll stress too IF you can keep up with him.

Can get the same effect with Kyle Katarn and moldy crow title, but you are better off with garven...

Poe+vi+r3a2.

An anti-ace monster, durable jouster and capable flanker.

Clocks in at 34 points. Cheaper than soontir, more capable of different roles and almost as good as fel as just a flanker. Demolishes fel head to head.

My favourite ship + card combination in the game so far. Gotta think of a list with him and my old buddy tarn Mison.

Love R5-P9, really goes well with Garven Dreis. Throw the Hawk in there with a TLR, Kyle and Recon Specialist and you could take and dish focus all day long. Opens up the Poe w/ Weapons Guidance Tech for some real nastiness.

You're right in your assessment.

It seems that the game is, over time, creating a droid that is fun with each pilot. And this is awesome!

• Tarn Mison + R7
• "Hobbie" Kilvian + Targeting Astromech
• Poe + R5-P9

Makes for great scenario building.

Hobbie is also pretty sweet with R3-A2 since he ditches the stress from using R3-A2 when he spends a Target Lock to modify his shot.

Porkins and R5-D8 also work well together. The droid lets him ditch the damage cards he gets from ditching stress (he may want EI with that combo).

Blue Ace gets some situational action economy from R7-T1 while getting to use his ability.

You're right in your assessment.

It seems that the game is, over time, creating a droid that is fun with each pilot. And this is awesome!

• Tarn Mison + R7
• "Hobbie" Kilvian + Targeting Astromech
• Poe + R5-P9

Makes for great scenario building.

I've now got a couple more games under my belt with IA. The quality of life improvement for the X-Wing is extremely noticeable. You can now pair up Tarn + R7, Biggs + R4-D6, Hobbie + Targetting Astro, and a rookie with an R2. Each droid synergizes nicely with their pilot. 3 of them will shoot before a TLT Y-Wing, and hell, if there's a stress hog out there, throw the rookie at him.

I generally prefer R5-P9 to R2-D2 on most ships anyway. Mr. Always-focused is definitely a better candidate than most, though

Particularly if you go with Veteran's Instinct over Push the Limit on him....

I prefer R5-P9 to R2. I like to be unpredictable. With r2 if you re in need of shields you kind of know the limits. Plus by the time you run out you can start collecting focus to regenerate your shields.

Unless I've got a way to get spare tokens I find it hard to take R5-P9 over R2-D2. If I've got a focus token I want to spend it on causing damage or preventing damage. Still having the ability to regen when stressed or getting blocked is nice. R5-P9 is nice on paper for Poe but I think puts too many eggs in one basket.

R2-D2 is rather completely better (regens when blocked or stressed and doesn't lock you into a Focus), but if he is already taken by Corran or Miranda, or you absolutely must have that spare point to spend somewhere else, then R5-P9 is an acceptable fall back.

It's superior to R2D2 if the enemy isn't a blocker horde or stress-inductors

it's better than R2D2 also because X-wings awful greens (it seems only Tie Adv and Y-wings have worse greens?)

it's better than R2D2 also because X-wings awful greens (it seems only Tie Adv and Y-wings have worse greens?)

The T-70 is perfectly fine for green moves: 5 in total, all at useful speeds. It's no A-wing or Squint but it's far from awful. In fact, it and the E-wing are probably the best dials you could give an astromech-capable Rebel ship without starting to risk overpowering it.

it's better than R2D2 also because X-wings awful greens (it seems only Tie Adv and Y-wings have worse greens?)

The T-70 is perfectly fine for green moves: 5 in total, all at useful speeds. It's no A-wing or Squint but it's far from awful. In fact, it and the E-wing are probably the best dials you could give an astromech-capable Rebel ship without starting to risk overpowering it.

Indeed so, but 1-bank is a lackluster when you have to catch fast-going targets.

2-hard and focus is one of the most frequent maneuvers the R5-P9 Poe does for me