Nah, would be salvaged mech. Not a buzz droid, someone "modifying" an astromech to be full of dakka.

It's strong in the current meta, which has been squeezed quite a bit by TLT. But with stress-resistant lists on the horizon, at least for Imps (Defenders; and Bombers via alpha strike), stressbot should become a less desirable piece that is chosen for strategic need rather than tactical power. It's having a good moment.

I think the main problem is that it limits the fun for players a lot. I see player buy ship like interceptor and others and paint them and get all excited to play them. Then they only come to the store once a month. Because the have to take two buses. Then they get there and face a stress hog list. They get shot at and are missed, but gain two stress and don't get to use the ship the way the game intended. I mean these are aces and have been in numerous combats and battles. Do someone with a ywing and r2 mech really intimidate them when they miss. I think not. I would make it you must hit the enemy for it to gain a stress and once per turn

This is limiting but allows players to use ships the way the were intended. All it requires team work to multiple stress a ship. Team work is a good thing

Same can be said for Ion cannons and Tractor beams surely? I mean, you purchase your K wing because its a small base ship with a 360 arc, six hull and four regenerating shields which is stat line reserved for most large base ships.

Then, at range 3, the defender fires an ion cannon and barely makes two hits, you pick up your green dice but stop yourself from rolling them, "what is the point. . " you say to yourself as you cannot evade it anyway. Now you are Ionised. The next turn the Defender white k turns behind you, double taps you at range 1 and again. . . you are ionised and slowly dying.

At the start of the next turn, you put your K wing dial back in the box, you won't be needing that any more.

Whilst I admit, being stressed is not ideal, I wouldn't say its not fun, its just part of the game. Like in SW Battlefront, I hate being on a kill streak just to have someone spawn, lock me with homing shot then TROLOLOLOL themselves away, doesn't mean I want the game changed. Just means I stick to cover a bit more than normal after the first 8 times it happens.

I am of the opinion that these kind of abilities need to be reduced to once per round. Same as tactician on Miranda with a TLT or Vader on a Shuttle with a gunner.

Putting 2 stress on an opponent ace in one round is death. It should require a coordinated effort to achieve.

As soon as anything becomes an auto include or a 'hard-to-exclude' option then it needs to feel the nerf bat.

The developers just need to restrict benefits to once per round.

by that logic, Soontir Fel should have been nerfed a long long time ago. Once, one thing gets nerfed due to public outcry the next difficult mechanic will get public outcry to be nerfed as well until it gets hit by the bat as well. I've seen it destroy Legend of the Five Rings the game died so hard that AEG sold it off to FFG. L5R was the cash cow of AEG and their listening to public outcry killed it (well that and outsourcing playtesting to groups who refused to actually report back on their findings so they could gain a competitive advantage at regionals/worlds).

No, a well designed mechanic such as stresshog shouldn't be nerfed just because it's commonly seen or even often seen. It should be nerfed when the meta has to horribly deform itself to defeat it. The Phantom nerf was such an instance. Once the nerfbat starts swinging at things that upset people because they can't play how they want to play and stay competitive then the game will die.

***PLEASE KEEP IN MIND***

- This isn't my actual opinion.

I think the Stresshog is fine. It's powerful, but not broken and not in need of a nerf. But I was having a discussion with someone who felt otherwise, and I'm interested in what people here think.

My views are that:

- The Stresshog costs you around 25% of your points

- Can't take actions, or turn around very easily

- Doesn't have a turret arc

- Has 1 agility and 'only' 8HP, which goes fast under concentrated fire

- Is a necessary control piece in the game, acting as a 'safety valve', providing an answer to strong action dependent aces

- Therefore it needs to be able to deal 2 stress to the same target, otherwise you don't really deny them their actions, you only 'force' them into greens

- It's unique and not spammable

- It's powerful, but fairly equal to other support ships of the same cost (29pt Palpmobile) and it's certainly not the most unfair/unfun/broken thing in the game

The general view of the other people were that:

- It's generally too powerful

- There's no trade-offs to putting it in your list

- It's broken that you 'merely' have to attack, you don't even need to hit to deal the stress

- It should be nerfed to 'once per round'

- It creates the game's worse negative play experience

What do you think?

People that don't like the stress hog are just mad that their ~40 point ace won't autowin them games against squads of generics if the stress hog is there. That they'll have to actually put thought into playing their Acewing ship and not just PtL + 2 hard green every single turn, or the rebel regen equivalent.

When Super Corran or Super Dash or Soontir are banned from the game, then we can talk about nerfing the stresshog.

Hang on hang on

Worst negative play experience?

Wasn't that TLTs and PWTs? Stresshog really demands title, so arc is a must.

Most of the people that complain about it the hardest, don't think enough about how to avoid it and/or lock it down.

I keeps acewing in check, which is reason enough to keep it around. If you really hate this guy so much, stop flying 40 point small ships.

So the Stress Hog does not have a turret now? The BTL-A4 is the go to thing?

It never had a turret. It was always about using the double tap on the A4 to stress twice. Before that was a thing R3-A2 was usually found on X-wings.

Actually stress should be an empire thing

You know, Tarkin approves of stressing whole sectors into submission

When I think scum, I think kicking sand into someones eye in a fight, or deploying countermeasure/chaff point blank into a following ships cockpit. I think dirty, and underhanded fighting. Rebels and Imperials traditionally use ion cannons to capture ships, but scum need to be dirty. Hence my thoughts on scum/stress.

I almost want to see a scum R2 unit that is ejected forcibly from the back of a y-wing and causes ion, a stress AND A crit for like 5 points as a one user.

It's dickish, evil, horrible to the droid but beautifully scummy and nasty.

scum needs to get scummy, weird, junkyard space mad max pirate mercenaries

with double-edge sword type upgrades.

stresses, ions, direct damage

anything.

the good examples are Genius droid, feedback arrays, glitterstims, inertial dampeners

but it seems we're 5 waves late

we get B-wings when b-wings are almost extinct

we get PWT a wave after PWTs stopped being a menace

**** rebels taking our niches xD

It helps keep the number of Soontir Fels off the table.

It falls to alpha strikes. I played against it last night and messed up my approach. It took me 2 rounds to blast it with missiles to death. It should've been one. The nub on my base hit the debris field for one ship and I couldn't TL.

It only works in arc, so....don't approach it head on! Or...do so and kill it fast.

People always talk about how Ordnance isn't worth it, but with all the fixes, you can really use the alpha strike in the current meta. Heck, it works before LRS and Guidance chip right now.

So the Stress Hog does not have a turret now? The BTL-A4 is the go to thing?

It never had a turret. It was always about using the double tap on the A4 to stress twice. Before that was a thing R3-A2 was usually found on X-wings.

That is a weird way to spell ICT Y-Wing...

I agree,with the OP totally. It's powerful, but only excessively powerful against one slice of the game's ships. That's balance.

Stop fortressing points. Loaded up Corrans, Fels, Vaders may not be large ships but they are point fortresses. Save some points in your list for something that can deal with a Stresshog.

It worked so well for Heaver because, well, he's Heaver, but also because none of the lists in the Meta had anything to scare it away. He basically turned it into some weird super Biggs and it freaked everyone out.

If you are a rebel player against a StressHog 22 points for a rookie with a green astromech will take out a StressHog solo. That means the opposing player can't just focus on your ace. Rookie = 22 points, Hog = 26. Hell, a 23 point Green Squadron with PtL, Wired, and auto thrusters is more than a match. Throw it at the Hog and make them react to you. You still have between 77 and 78 points for the rest of your list. Put 24 points into 2 bandits and have them go Hog Wild.

If you are an Imp player an avenger squad pilot is only 22 points autothrusters. It's dial is more than capable of dealing with that Y-Wing. Toss a pair of academys at it, or obsidians if you simply must shoot first. Either way you've spent the same or less points than the stress hog.

Scum can toss a Wired black sun ace at it, throw a pair of pirates at it.

Bottom line, every faction has multiple options to deal with a StressHog. Fly a 4 ship list and you'll never worry about it again.

Does someone with a ywing and r2 mech really intimidate them when they miss. I think not.

Here's the thing. I always read it as physical stress on the ship, same as hard turns being stressful on the ship itself.

And Mara Jade is just evil, so that's stressful on the person.

Hang on hang on

Worst negative play experience?

Wasn't that TLTs and PWTs? Stresshog really demands title, so arc is a must.

Arc was already a must. R3-A2 doesn't work out of arc, title or not.

Hang on hang on

Worst negative play experience?

Wasn't that TLTs and PWTs? Stresshog really demands title, so arc is a must.

Arc was already a must. R3-A2 doesn't work out of arc, title or not.

That's why it demands the title

Stop fortressing points. Loaded up Corrans, Fels, Vaders may not be large ships but they are point fortresses. Save some points in your list for something that can deal with a Stresshog.

It worked so well for Heaver because, well, he's Heaver, but also because none of the lists in the Meta had anything to scare it away. He basically turned it into some weird super Biggs and it freaked everyone out.

If you are a rebel player against a StressHog 22 points for a rookie with a green astromech will take out a StressHog solo. That means the opposing player can't just focus on your ace. Rookie = 22 points, Hog = 26. Hell, a 23 point Green Squadron with PtL, Wired, and auto thrusters is more than a match. Throw it at the Hog and make them react to you. You still have between 77 and 78 points for the rest of your list. Put 24 points into 2 bandits and have them go Hog Wild.

If you are an Imp player an avenger squad pilot is only 22 points autothrusters. It's dial is more than capable of dealing with that Y-Wing. Toss a pair of academys at it, or obsidians if you simply must shoot first. Either way you've spent the same or less points than the stress hog.

Scum can toss a Wired black sun ace at it, throw a pair of pirates at it.

Bottom line, every faction has multiple options to deal with a StressHog. Fly a 4 ship list and you'll never worry about it again.

da hell I just read?!

the funniest part is

Throw it at the Hog and make them react to you.

sure thing, it'll be tied, won't work as enemy intends and will never think about doing it's job-flying at your "anything more expensive than a TIE" and DERPing it.

against a joust-list it'a also funny, because it has the jousting efficiency no lower than that of a "green droid X"

the green-droid X being a solution made me smile.

how many stresses does X clear in a turn?

1.

you guessed, right? poor dude...

Wired kihraxz? also known as "expensive jouster with overpriced ability that's not going to help it justify it's 1\4 list cost"

and yeah, it definitely NOT losing the direct firepower exchange with BTL-Y.

and definitely locks Y-wing in place

you're hell of a comedian...

no, really.

Hang on hang on

Worst negative play experience?

Wasn't that TLTs and PWTs? Stresshog really demands title, so arc is a must.

Arc was already a must. R3-A2 doesn't work out of arc, title or not.

That's why it demands the title

Nah, Hobbie can keep him quiet as well. Flechette Hobbie once, for a double stress, then keep the prey stressed.

People tend to not like control. They same complaints are already starting to pop up with Tractor Beam. And there were a few in the games beginning when people used Ion Turrets a bit more. When you lose the ability to fully control your ship, it is going to be an NPE to some players.

Stop fortressing points. Loaded up Corrans, Fels, Vaders may not be large ships but they are point fortresses. Save some points in your list for something that can deal with a Stresshog.

It worked so well for Heaver because, well, he's Heaver, but also because none of the lists in the Meta had anything to scare it away. He basically turned it into some weird super Biggs and it freaked everyone out.

If you are a rebel player against a StressHog 22 points for a rookie with a green astromech will take out a StressHog solo. That means the opposing player can't just focus on your ace. Rookie = 22 points, Hog = 26. Hell, a 23 point Green Squadron with PtL, Wired, and auto thrusters is more than a match. Throw it at the Hog and make them react to you. You still have between 77 and 78 points for the rest of your list. Put 24 points into 2 bandits and have them go Hog Wild.

If you are an Imp player an avenger squad pilot is only 22 points autothrusters. It's dial is more than capable of dealing with that Y-Wing. Toss a pair of academys at it, or obsidians if you simply must shoot first. Either way you've spent the same or less points than the stress hog.

Scum can toss a Wired black sun ace at it, throw a pair of pirates at it.

Bottom line, every faction has multiple options to deal with a StressHog. Fly a 4 ship list and you'll never worry about it again.

da hell I just read?!

the funniest part is

Throw it at the Hog and make them react to you.

sure thing, it'll be tied, won't work as enemy intends and will never think about doing it's job-flying at your "anything more expensive than a TIE" and DERPing it.

against a joust-list it'a also funny, because it has the jousting efficiency no lower than that of a "green droid X"

the green-droid X being a solution made me smile.

how many stresses does X clear in a turn?

1.

you guessed, right? poor dude...

Wired kihraxz? also known as "expensive jouster with overpriced ability that's not going to help it justify it's 1\4 list cost"

and yeah, it definitely NOT losing the direct firepower exchange with BTL-Y.

and definitely locks Y-wing in place

you're hell of a comedian...

no, really.

You realize the Y-Wing has to take a stress back, yes? You realize after the first pass your Rookie has all green 1 and 2 speed maneuvers, and is out of the hog's arc, yes? You realize after 2 turns it is very likely your rookie is carrying 0 stress and the hog is still carrying 2, yes? No, No, you are right. 1 agility dice Y-Wings just loooooove having 4 red dice shot into it's butt at range 1. No really, it will last a long time.

Stop fortressing points. Loaded up Corrans, Fels, Vaders may not be large ships but they are point fortresses. Save some points in your list for something that can deal with a Stresshog.

It worked so well for Heaver because, well, he's Heaver, but also because none of the lists in the Meta had anything to scare it away. He basically turned it into some weird super Biggs and it freaked everyone out.

If you are a rebel player against a StressHog 22 points for a rookie with a green astromech will take out a StressHog solo. That means the opposing player can't just focus on your ace. Rookie = 22 points, Hog = 26. Hell, a 23 point Green Squadron with PtL, Wired, and auto thrusters is more than a match. Throw it at the Hog and make them react to you. You still have between 77 and 78 points for the rest of your list. Put 24 points into 2 bandits and have them go Hog Wild.

If you are an Imp player an avenger squad pilot is only 22 points autothrusters. It's dial is more than capable of dealing with that Y-Wing. Toss a pair of academys at it, or obsidians if you simply must shoot first. Either way you've spent the same or less points than the stress hog.

Scum can toss a Wired black sun ace at it, throw a pair of pirates at it.

Bottom line, every faction has multiple options to deal with a StressHog. Fly a 4 ship list and you'll never worry about it again.

da hell I just read?!

the funniest part is

Throw it at the Hog and make them react to you.

sure thing, it'll be tied, won't work as enemy intends and will never think about doing it's job-flying at your "anything more expensive than a TIE" and DERPing it.

against a joust-list it'a also funny, because it has the jousting efficiency no lower than that of a "green droid X"

the green-droid X being a solution made me smile.

how many stresses does X clear in a turn?

1.

you guessed, right? poor dude...

Wired kihraxz? also known as "expensive jouster with overpriced ability that's not going to help it justify it's 1\4 list cost"

and yeah, it definitely NOT losing the direct firepower exchange with BTL-Y.

and definitely locks Y-wing in place

you're hell of a comedian...

no, really.

You realize the Y-Wing has to take a stress back, yes? You realize after the first pass your Rookie has all green 1 and 2 speed maneuvers, and is out of the hog's arc, yes? You realize after 2 turns it is very likely your rookie is carrying 0 stress and the hog is still carrying 2, yes? No, No, you are right. 1 agility dice Y-Wings just loooooove having 4 red dice shot into it's butt at range 1. No really, it will last a long time.

I realize hog cares not about stress

I realize it has hard turns that are white

I realize that hog will simply IGNORE the rookie. and head for intended target

I realize that while the hog's enemy gives a goose chase, splits his forces and is horribly terrified, hog's owner packs his forces together and simply overpowers you, without even requiring the stress. Rookie? Come here/ little piggy. just free frag.

You're not downing a Y in a volley, not downing it in two.

Maybe three, if you're lucky.

In three turns your rookie rambo is toast. because only a fool deploys astresshog alone in the corner of the map.

Is the stresshog an obvious choice over more expensive ships even if you disregard points cost? Like R3-A2 Hobbie, or Stres Wes? If so, that could be a sign that it needs to be toned down a little.

I realize hog cares not about stress

I realize it has hard turns that are white

I realize that hog will simply IGNORE the rookie. and head for intended target

I realize that while the hog's enemy gives a goose chase, splits his forces and is horribly terrified, hog's owner packs his forces together and simply overpowers you, without even requiring the stress. Rookie? Come here/ little piggy. just free frag.

You're not downing a Y in a volley, not downing it in two.

Maybe three, if you're lucky.

In three turns your rookie rambo is toast. because only a fool deploys astresshog alone in the corner of the map.

The point isn't whether or not it takes 2 or 3 volleys. The point is that it can rip apart the hog if left to it's own devices. That means your opponent needs to commit resources to support the hog.

And no, I don't expect him to deploy the hog solo. That isn't the point. If he has to commit even 1 extra resource to something besides hunting your ace then you have at least for the moment made him change his game plan.

But your rookie rambo, and a couple other strafing shots from your squad? C'mon dude, I know you fly scum Y-wings, you know it is in big trouble.

Soontir is already in over half my games. Without stressbot around that will get worse. It's fine.

Absolutely, there are other ships that are played at least as much as the stresshog, and nobody complains.

Soontir, Poe, Vader, Corran, Miranda, Palpmobile, BlackCracks, normal TLTs etc.

Should we now nerf all these ships because they make up the meta? Clearly not!

I constantly see these threads here... Nerf the Falcon, Nerf Brobots, nerf this, nerf that.

The Stresshog is strong, but 25% of your list are a lot when it's constantly stressed and can't do actions nor red maneuvers for the rest of the game. Keep in mind it has its drawbacks, so i think it's totally fine as it is.

I am in favor of actively balancing the game, when it's necessary, and only then!

Phantoms broke the game, and a huge portion of the community was noticing that, so they got nerfed. That is a case where i agree entirely with it! Also the MoV nerf of large ships or their barrel roll nerf are good examples of necessary nerfs and well executed at that.

FFG always makes only minimal adjustments and never took anything away from ships afaik. Large ships can still barrel roll, just not as far. The only time they are at a disadvantage in MoV is when they run away at low health, robbing the other player of a sure victory. And Phantoms still can decloak and even Advanced Cloak still works the exact same, just the decloak moment has been changed. You can hardly even call these nerfs, but the effects on the meta were always huge...

Because people like cookie cutter lists, and when a tiny thing changes, they throw it all over board to play the new presumed OP stuff. I played a lot of Phantom lately, and i can tell you they are still absolutely good ships, and a Fat Han or IG can still really compete well. Just through those tiny nerfs, people think they are suddenly unplayable. And that's the real nerf that takes place!