Posted this in another thread about the M3-A Scyk, HWK and Starviper, decided to move it here since I think it may have some merit as a squad list:

So what's the problem with Xizor?

Gotta build your list around him, not enough action economy and too low a pilot skill to be a super ace (especially with PS11 Vader and PS10 Poe in the meta. If you're lucky and have a good bid, you MIGHT catch Soontir), blah blah. Well what about this then?

[boba and Xizor]

100 points

PILOTS

Binayre Pirate (12)

Prince Xizor (40)
StarViper (31), Predator (3), Virago (1), Autothrusters (2), Advanced Sensors (3)

Boba Fett (48)
Firespray-31 (39), Veteran Instincts (1), Tactician (2), Glitterstim (2), Engine Upgrade (4)

Just treat this list like two big ships in the opening. Have them approach from different angles and both close in on the enemy.

If they point towards Boba, he can fly into their swarm and activate Glitterstim for a VERY tanky first turn, or like, evade and glitterstim from R3. If they point at Xizor, odds are they're only going to come away with a dead Z-95. Additionally, Advanced Sensors means that Xizor can Focus+Predator for double modified attacks on the initial joust, then make funky, pre-S-Loop maneuvers in later turns to gain distance and widen his arcs against higher PS Aces, then still get the benefit of Predator when it comes down to shooting. Lots of options for maneuverability.

After the initial pincer movement, it's likely that Xizor and Boba will both be in a dogpile with enemy ships, which is fine, 'cause Xizor didn't lose his action to bumping thanks to Advanced Sensors, Boba has his R1 ability, and if the Z-95 died, Xizor can now pass damage to Boba! The weakness of Xizor is PS7 which we used to try in futility to bump to PS9, but PS10 Boba can kind of cover that blind spot for his royal majesty. Additionally, Boba's Tactician will limit the maneuver options of enemy ships, allowing Xizor to pick up arcs on them more easily, even with his PS7

I feel like this list is kind of decent, and Boba and Xizor could kind of be a real team. Dunno if it's super top tier, but also pretty sure it's not utter nonsense. Could be an effective list, if practiced with and flown properly.

What do you think? Your input is appreciated.

Nice idea. I never considered running Boba and Xizor together, because I've always wanted more ships for Xizor to spread damage around from his ability.

But having used him a bunch now, I actually rarely use his ability (since he hardly gets shot at until the end).

The big question is, does Xizor + binayre pirate equal the relative value you can get from another big base ship? Because normally we see Boba in a 2-ship build (Bossk & IG88 being the most common partners I've seen). I think for it to be truly worth it, you'd have to get some value out of the lowly pirate. More than just a gimp to pass damage off to. If he can get in a block, he can perhaps stop enemies from blocking your more important ships, and a target with no actions might be in serious trouble from Boba + Xizor's combined fire. I think its worth trying out...

Nice idea.

The big question is, does Xizor + binayre pirate equal the relative value you can get from another big base ship? Because normally we see Boba in a 2-ship build (Bossk & IG88 being the most common partners I've seen).

This exact thought had occurred to me. Here's what you have to compare it to, if we're doing apples to apples:

51 points

PILOTS

IG88-B (51)

Aggressor (36), Predator (3), Advanced Sensors (3), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Autothrusters (2)

For 1pt less, you could just have IG-88B. What're the major differences between this big fella, and Xizor + Pirate?

Well ....IG-88B has 8HP, but Xizor+Pirate have 9HP...but the Pirate has 2 green dice not 3, and no autothrusters, but on the plus side, he'll get a defensive focus action separate from Xizor's action. Let's call the HP pool roughly equivalent.

Long range shots definitely favor IG-88B, since your attack at R3 yields no bonus defense dice and you're rolling 4 reds. R1 fighting tends to favor Xizor and the Pirate. Even if only one of these guys has R1, that's 6 red dice vs. 4 from IG-88B.

The pirate being a separate, PS1 entity gives it the opportunity to block independent of Xizor, potentially denying actions or jamming up swarms. Also, if/when the pirate dies, Xizor functions like a BroBot, but takes up much less space. This makes it easier to maneuver Xizor, and easier for Boba to Manuever around Xizor, but also takes away the big base blocking potential of a BroBot.

The one big trick that an IG-88 can't pull is the pre-Sloop barrel roll.

I think at the end of the day, Xizor is more maneuverable in tight quarters and has more options for dogfighting than the bigger, clunkier ship, but the trade off is a fourth red die at R2 and R3 after the pirate is gone, and loss of the gunner effect. The upside, is that Xizor is still a pretty tough hombre to take down once the Pirate is gone, because of the potential to split damage with Boba as well. This is an option that a BroBot does not have.

IG-88B + Boba is probably easier to fly, but I think there are benefits to list that make it worth talking about. A half dead BroBot is worth 25 or, in this example, 26 points to your opponent. A Xizor at 1HP with a dead Pirate is worth only 12.

I fly both ships and they are each solid. The main issue I've found is with the 3rd ship. It's better in pairs which leads to the dual large base instead.

I say fly it I think you'll have a blast and its got some solid tools. Ps10 fett is a badass. I do feel like without the fleahunter swarm you'd be better off with sensor jammer. Not to mention now you can get ps8 for free.