Dusting off x wing. Are older lists still competitive?

By oddeye, in X-Wing

Are older lists still viable these days?Haven't played x wing in over a year, mostly due to armada. I have multiples of everything up to the wave with the defender and phantom, nothing after that wave (was it 4 cant remember) .

Thinking of running luke, biggs and wedge with predators and r2d2 OR luke and 3 b wings.

Is there hope with older stuff? Anything in the newer waves that is a must have?

Appreciate any help provided. Im going back through trying to catch up on the new waves.

Luke Biggs Wedge is dead, and has been for some time. I often wonder if it was ever alive, or if we thought it was because there was nothing better.

If you want to use X-wings, go with Tarn + R7 + the new Integrated Astromech expansion, or Biggs + R4-D6 + IA.

Everything else is points you could be using to buy better ships, like the TLT Stresshog or an Ace like Poe or Corran.

Lukes Bigg Wedgie took it home last x-wing night. Not sure why anyone would think that list is dead.

TIE swarm is immortal.

XXX lists need integrated astromech, but might be ok, haven't tested much. T-65s will struggle vs arc dodgers as always, and I would definitely practice vs twin laser turrets.

TIE swarm is immortal.

Tie swarm is a benchmark used by FFG. it can't die because it's the thing they are TIEd to

Well the thing is, the guy who ran that list has been running it since it was a thing, so... His good luck is probably more so a product of that than any result of the ships themselves, the upgrades he runs, or anything else.

Pretty hard to beat anyone who has that much practice with one list.

I think with some of the newer upgrades Team Trench Run is probably is a better spot than it was, especially considering some of the new Astros like BB-8, and the Integrated Astromech mod (comes with the T-70 only right now). You may need at least one T-70 and the TFA core set to really bring it to life.

Autothrusters are a must-have mod for anything that has boost natively such as the Interceptor/A-Wing. They can be found in the Star-Viper (Wave 6) packs in pairs.

Sounds like you may also be missing out on Rebel Aces which added some important upgrades for the A-Wing, the A-Wing Test Pilot Title (which allows every A-Wing Pilot from Green Squad and up to take an additional EPT) and the Chardaan Refit (which is a missile slot equipment that reduces the cost of any A-Wing by 2), and added new pilots for it and the B-Wing as well. Favorites from that Expansion tend to be Jake Farrel in the A-Wing or Keyan Farlander in the B-Wing, both PS7 with some really nice abilities.

The Most Wanted Pack brings a title (in addition to adding a whole new faction, Scum and adding Scum versions of existing ships) for Y-Wings that lets them shoot twice once with their primary and once with their equipped turret, if it's in range. Twin-laser Turret (often paired with Y-Wings) dropped on the K-Wing expansion from Wave 7.

And Blue Five is correct. With all the new pilots for Ties, both /FOs, and from the Gozanti, the swarm is in a nice spot and has a ton of variations.

I think all of those could get yo started if you're looking at reviving an older list. There are a ton of new toys to play with, and some really shiny things just around the bend. Welcome back!

TIE swarm is immortal.

Tie swarm is a benchmark used by FFG. it can't die because it's the thing they are TIEd to

Get out.

OH! It seems I was rather remiss in listing another huge fix, the /X1 Title for the TIE Advanced, an upgrade that gives an Advanced a discounted (by 4 points) System Slot upgrade. That title comes with the Raider, which also has the Advanced Targeting Computer System for 5 points, which adds a crit if you have a target lock and don't spend it on your attack. The Raider also comes with Palpatine who is the currently most expensive crew member at 8 points (and takes two crews slots!), but who has an ability that allows him once per turn to alter any friendly ship's die to another result (including when rolling for obstacles).

And speaking of obstacles, FFG introduced a new one Debris Fields. Roll for damage, but only suffer a Crit if you roll one (roll a hit and you're fine), suffer a stress for flying through or landing on it, and if you land on it, you may still attack. They come with the Decimator, YT-2400, and the Raider (though if I recall correctly the Raider's debris fields aren't legal for tournament play).

I think that covers most of the "must-haves"...

TIE Swarm has not been a thing since the Phantom.

It's only starting to become a thing again because of Crackshot.

Yes old lists are viable, which ones? depends on who you ask... I say the best way is to experiment with casual games until you find a groove that works for you.

TIE Swarm has not been a thing since the Phantom.

It's only starting to become a thing again because of Crackshot.

The TIE Swarm has always been a thing. But the Phantom meant that it wasn't the _only_ Imperal thing.

BBBBZ

So you're in luck! Older ships have been in a bit of a comeback, especially for Imperials. This does mean a bit of buying, thought.

Squints finally got their needed survivability against turrets with AutoThrusters- it converts a blank to a dodge when out of arc or at range 3, 4, or 5. It can only be equipped on ships with a native boost, and has made Soontir Fel into the beast he was always meant to be.

Autothrusters is available in the StarViper pack.

TIE Advanced are finally _good_! It's covered above, but the X1 title adds the system slot to the Advanced, and gives it 4 free points to spend on any system upgrade. The Advanced Targeting Computer is amazing on higher PS pilots. On lower PS pilots, I recommend Accuracy correctors. They cancel all your results, and add 2 hits. You basically get to use your action to turtle.

Accuracy Corrector can also be found in the StarViper pack. As well as in the Aggressor (IG-88) pack.

(Edit: update on where to find Accuracy Corrector)

Edited by Punning Pundit

Swarms are In a better spot then they have been in a long while. The phantom is not nearly as prevalent so swarms are back in bidness! The X -Wing is quite a bit better with the super shield provided by IA. Y-Wings have become very good in recent waves. The Tie Advanced has probably had the biggest turn around from worst to first. I personally love the new advanced!

As far as Rebel ships: I don't actually think 3 Amigos was ever great. If you do, then just add a copy of Integrated Astromech- and a droid of choice- to each X-Wing, and you're in business.

You mentioned Luke + Predator, and that's a combo I _like_. A lot. Pair him with R5-P9 and add Integrated Astromech, and you've got a solid ship. R5-P9 lets you spend a focus token at the end of Combat to regen a shield. Predator lets you reroll a die without spending a token. It's a nice combo. This Luke is tanky and does solid damage.

Good news? That Luke build leaves exactly enough points for 3 Blue B-Wings- the squad you mentioned earlier.

R5-P9 can be found in the Rebel Transport (GR-75) pack, along with a spare X-Wing along with some interesting X-Wing pilots, and a couple cool droids.

Integrated Astromech can be found in the standalone T-70 X-Wing pack. It's a fun ship!

One thing I'll mention: since Wave 4 (when you stopped playing), there have been 2 new maneuvers added to the game.

The first is the Segnors-loop (S-loop). It's a banking K-Turn. Only 3 ships can perform this maneuver currently: the StarViper, the Aggressor, and the TIE/FO Fighter.

The other new maneuver is the Talon Roll (aka: the TRoll). It's a standard 90 degree turn, but you then turn your ship another 90 degrees so it faces where it started. You can place the ship against the template as if it were a barrel roll.

Currently the only ship that can do the TRoll is the T-70 X-Wing.

Played a turnament yesterday took:

Poe with VI/R5-P9/IA

Luke with VI/R2D2/IA

Wedge with VI/BB8/IA

took 2nd place right behind 4 scum Y-wings with TLT and some astromech that makes all 3 speed manovers green.... i ecountered following lists:

- 2x IG-88

- Vader/Fel/Whisper

- Clozet/5 uniqe Ties (lost this game due to poor attack rolls)

- Dash/Corran

- Chiranou/Fel

If you know how to play X-wings are potent :)

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Lukes Bigg Wedgie took it home last x-wing night. Not sure why anyone would think that list is dead.

It's dead because T-65s suck, and only a few pilots with astonishingly fantastic Pilot Abilities + Droid Combos + IA can break the mold.

It's a testament to how deep a hole the T-65 is in that the few times the ship is good, it's only with two amazing pilots with amazing combos and the supposed fix to boot!

Lukes Bigg Wedgie took it home last x-wing night. Not sure why anyone would think that list is dead.

It's dead because T-65s suck, and only a few pilots with astonishingly fantastic Pilot Abilities + Droid Combos + IA can break the mold.

It's a testament to how deep a hole the T-65 is in that the few times the ship is good, it's only with two amazing pilots with amazing combos and the supposed fix to boot!

What did we do with Y-WIngs before BTL and TLT?

I state that your opinion is subjective and provides no basis for debate. The T-65 is just fine and about to get better. If anything the Y-Wing is a worse ship by virtue of it's stats and dial, but you won't hear me complain about Y-Wings. They're hot **** right now and rightly so. Perhaps the T-65 has "sucked" because FFG knows they can't just slap a card on it because if they handle that particular ship the wrong way the fans will flip their lids. Be glad that FFG is actually fixing old products. GW would have nerfed the T-65 into the display shelf by now. PP would have jacked all it's stats to 10 and made it the utter icon of the powergamer.

Nothing wrong with the T-65. It's a ship in X-Wing. It's time has been, will come again and then go once more. Next year we'll probably be ragging on some other poor ship.

No worries, i have only untill wave 3 (and the rebel transport), and i do ok.

Some things just don't rely on upgrades that much (like BBBBZ or 4B with advanced sensors), and can still do what they do best.

PS: with all the twin laser turrets running around, it is sometimes better to take dagger B's now, because TLT's regularly go on the PS 2 pilots

Edited by petercooman123

I state that your opinion is subjective and provides no basis for debate. The T-65 is just fine and about to get better. If anything the Y-Wing is a worse ship by virtue of it's stats and dial, but you won't hear me complain about Y-Wings. They're hot **** right now and rightly so. Perhaps the T-65 has "sucked" because FFG knows they can't just slap a card on it because if they handle that particular ship the wrong way the fans will flip their lids. Be glad that FFG is actually fixing old products. GW would have nerfed the T-65 into the display shelf by now. PP would have jacked all it's stats to 10 and made it the utter icon of the powergamer.

Hmm... My opinion is subjective? I suppose. As subjective as yours, and anyone else's. I guess.

But, let's look at the facts, and see whose opinion actually holds up shall we?

So, the T-65 X-wing is a jouster. Deny this, and you're denying reality. It has no post maneuver actions, it has a crummy dial for PTL, and it obviously has no turret.

Being a Jouster, we'd assume it would be good at jousting: Exchanging fire shot for shot until one of the ships pops. However it's Jousting value with a 1pt Astromech + ""fix"" is lower than a B-wing, a ship that has Barrel roll and a better dial for knife fighting. Not looking so good now is it?

Ooh, you have the gall to claim the Y-wing needs a fix? because

If anything the Y-Wing is a worse ship by virtue of it's stats and dial

Now I'm not sure if this is a strawman or what, but the reason the Y-wing is good is because it can take TLT, for long range consistent damage. Add in BTLA4 and Stressbot for double stress at range 3, or maybe roll with BTL Ion for an amazing jouster. The Y-wing has so many options. It can be an Ion control ship, a Stress control ship, a great jouster, a consistently damaging turret, and for a low price.

The X-wing has non of those options. It does one maneuver, one action, shoots once at whatever is in it's firing arc, and that's it.

I'm constantly baffled how people manage to pull 'X-wing is fine' out of their behinds, but then I read stuff like 'If anything the Y-Wing is a worse ship by virtue of it's stats and dial' or 'GW would have nerfed the T-65 into the display shelf by now' and I realise how badly some people understand the game.

Practicing with two X wings in a list now and they perform well. Biggs and a Rookie + Gray Stresshog and Dagger B wing. PS 5 2 4 4 respectively.

3 red dice, movement better than a B wing but lower shields. Biggs makes a great soak target for a few rounds.

Good support for the other two ships. When I pick up two copies of Intergrated Astromech I will drop the hog to Gold and run R2s on the X wings for another point of damage soak.

Practice games have been 5 wins to 1 loss versus RAC Fel (2 win), Vader and Howl mini swarm (1 and 1), Boba and mini swarm (2 wins)

TLT spam, Brobots and a full Tie swarm will be a challange.

Edited by Uumbuku

Ooh, you have the gall to claim the Y-wing needs a fix? because

If anything the Y-Wing is a worse ship by virtue of it's stats and dial

Now I'm not sure if this is a strawman or what, but the reason the Y-wing is good is because it can take TLT, for long range consistent damage. Add in BTLA4 and Stressbot for double stress at range 3, or maybe roll with BTL Ion for an amazing jouster. The Y-wing has so many options. It can be an Ion control ship, a Stress control ship, a great jouster, a consistently damaging turret, and for a low price.

I don't know where you saw him saying that 'the y-wing needed a fix', but i can't find such thing in his post.