Half-point MoV and the addition of TLT seemed to have sent our favorite smuggler into hiding. But were folks too quick to react to these new changes and thinking he wouldn't be viable anymore?

Let's take a look at a specific set up, the "Paul Heaver's 2014" build:

Han Solo (61)
YT-1300 (46), Predator (3), C-3PO (3), R2-D2 (4), Millennium Falcon (1), Engine Upgrade (4)

61 points of heavy hitting, hard to kill fatness. With so many PS2 Y-Wings running about, you're looking at an increasingly effectiveness of Predator, coupled with his ability that has always been effective to punch damage through. An evade action combined with C3P0 can block any 2 damage attacks, and once you start losing shields, R2D2 can recover the 1 hit you took if you only take 1 damage. This is important to note when facing TLT, as you can usually block 1 shot with C3P0/Evade, and the other is regenerated with R2D2 if it hits.

Also, if you take full advantage of his 360 arc, you're going to be looking for engagements in which you don't allow him to take heavy fire, so if you're patient on keeping him to the end game, you might find yourself holding on to those precious MoV points by using R2D2 to keep your health count over 7.

So what to pair with him in the current meta? There are plenty of options out there!

Tala Squadron Pilot (13) x 3

We can go with the classic 3 Tala Squadron Pilots, rounding out to 100 points. This will help your PS4 Tala's take out some PS3 or below targets before they get to shoot, increasing your entire lists survivability in the process. The issue comes in the Palp+Aces match up, which won't allow you to go for the initiative bid so you can get arc on a hard to hit Soontir Fel. But if you can catch a late game Han vs. Soontir, you can show Soontir how to really turtle up with your triple damage mitigation combo, and force him to spend those actions on boost/barrel roll to attempt the range 1 engagements, and everyone knows how dangerous it is to get into R1 of Han!

Miranda Doni (39)
K-Wing (29), Twin Laser Turret (6), Jan Ors (2), Advanced SLAM (2)

You already have one hard to kill turret, why not another?

Miranda Doni gets to regen a shield to roll one fewer die, and with Jan Ors, you can choose to take an evade token to add more damage mitigation. SLAM can get you in and out of engagements, and getting that evade token in case they can get an arc on you. You can opt out of using the title on the Falcon so you can use Jan Ors on either ship, depending on who is getting most heat, if you feel confident in keeping both ships within range 3 of each other. This will put you at 99 points giving you a chance at the initiative bid against Soontir.

Poe Dameron (37)
T-70 X-Wing (31), R5-P9 (3), Veteran Instincts (1), Autothrusters (2)

Who doesn't love Poe? I went to a recent tournament where half the list included him in it, so I'm guessing lots of you do! This simple load out leaves you at 98 points, which now gives you full power to determine initiative against any opposing PS9 and PS10. He can help you hunt down Soontir Fel, and some more regeneration will keep your ships alive to hold on to your points.

I'm sure there's other options out there, so look to see how you can combo your Fat Han to bring him back to greatness, and show everyone you won't let some silly rule change and turret wannabe's keep you from flying your favorite ship!

***DISCLAIMER: This is the tiniest bit tongue in cheek, but I think there's something to be noted that this build might actually still be viable. I love me some Fat Han

With the advent of the tractor beam in combination with Imperial Veterans, I think the Decimator is probably even in a better spot.

You forgot to mention Autothrusters, coupled with the fact that Palp-Aces have a strong presence in the meta, means there's more tools to take down Han. Is his still viable, maybe. Is he still dominant, no.

The rise of Ion Cannons that Imperial Vets heralds does not look too kindly on the big turrets, though. Sure, it takes 2 hits, but they're not hard to come by, and it shuts down the turret's arc dodging capability, and has the potential to do much worse.

You forgot to mention Autothrusters, coupled with the fact that Palp-Aces have a strong presence in the meta, means there's more tools to take down Han. Is his still viable, maybe. Is he still dominant, no.

The issue comes in the Palp+Aces match up, which won't allow you to go for the initiative bid so you can get arc on a hard to hit Soontir Fel. But if you can catch a late game Han vs. Soontir, you can show Soontir how to really turtle up with your triple damage mitigation combo, and force him to spend those actions on boost/barrel roll to attempt the range 1 engagements, and everyone knows how dangerous it is to get into R1 of Han!

Read the whole thing first, brah

You forgot to mention Autothrusters, coupled with the fact that Palp-Aces have a strong presence in the meta, means there's more tools to take down Han. Is his still viable, maybe. Is he still dominant, no.

This.

R2-D2 Han has such a hard time punching through autothrusters.

Plus there are now more tools to counter his defensive upgrades.

In my opinion Han makes sense with Gunner/Luke in the current environment, but not without either of those.

With the advent of the tractor beam in combination with Imperial Veterans, I think the Decimator is probably even in a better spot.

Perhaps Deci/Defender lists? To the squad builder!

With the advent of the tractor beam in combination with Imperial Veterans, I think the Decimator is probably even in a better spot.

AND the new Rebels Ghost, both are 100% immune to Tractor Beam.

Ezra, Kanan, and PtL looks interesting on any of the YT-1300 pilots. Han especially can boost and evade and still hit like a truck. Then choose ANY maneuver you want.

This is probably madness, but what about a "RotJ build"? Swap out the EU for Homing Missiles and Guidance Chip. Sure, you lose arc dodging but you get a monster first turn shot that can really smash an ace.

You forgot to mention Autothrusters, coupled with the fact that Palp-Aces have a strong presence in the meta, means there's more tools to take down Han. Is his still viable, maybe. Is he still dominant, no.

The issue comes in the Palp+Aces match up, which won't allow you to go for the initiative bid so you can get arc on a hard to hit Soontir Fel. But if you can catch a late game Han vs. Soontir, you can show Soontir how to really turtle up with your triple damage mitigation combo, and force him to spend those actions on boost/barrel roll to attempt the range 1 engagements, and everyone knows how dangerous it is to get into R1 of Han!

Read the whole thing first, brah

Dats a breech of professional etiquette, Brah.

I am THE STAR WARS Brother here that (dat) says (types) dat up on here's!!!

I'll let it slide this times.

With the advent of the tractor beam in combination with Imperial Veterans, I think the Decimator is probably even in a better spot.

Perhaps Deci/Defender lists? To the squad builder!

Delta Squadron Pilot (30)

TIE/x7 (-2)

Delta Squadron Pilot (30)

TIE/x7 (-2)

Patrol Leader (40)

Darth Vader (3)

Intelligence Agent (1)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

I call it To The Pain.

O

Ezra, Kanan, and PtL looks interesting on any of the YT-1300 pilots. Han especially can boost and evade and still hit like a truck. Then choose ANY maneuver you want.

Ooh, good call.

The rise of Ion Cannons that Imperial Vets heralds does not look too kindly on the big turrets, though. Sure, it takes 2 hits, but they're not hard to come by, and it shuts down the turret's arc dodging capability, and has the potential to do much worse.

More importantly, it shuts down their "I don't fly off the side of the board" ability.

Han and the Falcon both deserve a place in the meta. With the advent of Tractor Beam, I think large base ships will become more common, but they will not being the powerhouses they once were.

The rise of Ion Cannons that Imperial Vets heralds does not look too kindly on the big turrets, though. Sure, it takes 2 hits, but they're not hard to come by, and it shuts down the turret's arc dodging capability, and has the potential to do much worse.

More importantly, it shuts down their "I don't fly off the side of the board" ability.

That's the "much worse" part.

You forgot to mention Autothrusters, coupled with the fact that Palp-Aces have a strong presence in the meta, means there's more tools to take down Han. Is his still viable, maybe. Is he still dominant, no.

The issue comes in the Palp+Aces match up, which won't allow you to go for the initiative bid so you can get arc on a hard to hit Soontir Fel. But if you can catch a late game Han vs. Soontir, you can show Soontir how to really turtle up with your triple damage mitigation combo, and force him to spend those actions on boost/barrel roll to attempt the range 1 engagements, and everyone knows how dangerous it is to get into R1 of Han!

Read the whole thing first, brah

Dats a breech of professional etiquette, Brah.

I am THE STAR WARS Brother here that (dat) says (types) dat up on here's!!!

I'll let it slide this times.

My deepest apologies. I'm in rare form today.

It's Friday! Woot!

On a side note... here at Boss Central: HAN SOLO NEVER LEFT!

HEL-NAH!!!

With the advent of the tractor beam in combination with Imperial Veterans, I think the Decimator is probably even in a better spot.

Perhaps Deci/Defender lists? To the squad builder!

I came up with

RAC

VI

Rebel Captive

Isard

EU

Brath

VI

Flechette

/D

Mk2 (or none for 2 point init over 1 point)

or tractor and hull upgrade if you want 0 init.

You forgot to mention Autothrusters, coupled with the fact that Palp-Aces have a strong presence in the meta, means there's more tools to take down Han. Is his still viable, maybe. Is he still dominant, no.

The issue comes in the Palp+Aces match up, which won't allow you to go for the initiative bid so you can get arc on a hard to hit Soontir Fel. But if you can catch a late game Han vs. Soontir, you can show Soontir how to really turtle up with your triple damage mitigation combo, and force him to spend those actions on boost/barrel roll to attempt the range 1 engagements, and everyone knows how dangerous it is to get into R1 of Han!

Read the whole thing first, brah

Dats a breech of professional etiquette, Brah.

I am THE STAR WARS Brother here that (dat) says (types) dat up on here's!!!

I'll let it slide this times.

My deepest apologies. I'm in rare form today.

It's Friday! Woot!

Issue resolved... neat-like. No further action required.

With the advent of the tractor beam in combination with Imperial Veterans, I think the Decimator is probably even in a better spot.

AND the new Rebels Ghost, both are 100% immune to Tractor Beam.

50%, don't forget about the repositioning, which is worse for large ships. Or does it not work on those?

The rise of Ion Cannons that Imperial Vets heralds does not look too kindly on the big turrets, though. Sure, it takes 2 hits, but they're not hard to come by, and it shuts down the turret's arc dodging capability, and has the potential to do much worse.

I'm going to make the case that we'd have seen this in the post Wave 4 meta already if it were a method of reliably and consistently controlling these big ships and that Imperial Vets *may* not affect it that much.

With the advent of the tractor beam in combination with Imperial Veterans, I think the Decimator is probably even in a better spot.

AND the new Rebels Ghost, both are 100% immune to Tractor Beam.

50%, don't forget about the repositioning, which is worse for large ships. Or does it not work on those?

Repositioning only affects small bases.

With the advent of the tractor beam in combination with Imperial Veterans, I think the Decimator is probably even in a better spot.

AND the new Rebels Ghost, both are 100% immune to Tractor Beam.

50%, don't forget about the repositioning, which is worse for large ships. Or does it not work on those?

Only affects small bases.

Edit: Ninja'ed

"The best defense is kicking the other guy in the teeth"

Han 46

Ezra 3

Kanan 3

PTL 3

Homing Missile 5

Guidance Chip 0

Title 1

I'm torn on Ezra vs Gunner, here. As is, you get an opening shot with 4 red dice, one eye to a crit, one anything to a crit, and re-rolls on everthing from the Target Lock. Alternatively, you hang onto the Missile and wait until you have a shield-limited shot on abother fatty to push crits through. Your primary shuts will be extremely nasty as well.

Alternatively, Kanan for Kyle, and PTL for Opportunist, and probably Han for Lando. This Falcon hunts.