Battle report today from a tournament which had the very impressive prize of an Imperial Assault Carrier. I am currently not in the position to be have been able to afford spending that extra 100 dollars on a hobby item, so the 10 dollar bye in with the chance to win seemed like a great idea. Thing is, I never actually won a tournament before, I always seem to do 1 stupid move that loses me the game in one of my matches. This time around though I was playing for something pretty big in my eyes an I was playing with a list I had a lot of practice with.
The List was:
Bossk (35)
Crack Shot (1)
Gunner (5)
K4 Security Droid (3)
Tactician (2)
Engine Upgrade (4)
Boba Fett (Scum) (39)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Gunner (5)
Inertial Dampeners (1)
Engine Upgrade (4)
Total: 100
A pretty 50 - 50 that had a strong punch as well as control and could go toe to toe in the PS game. So how did it do?
First Matchup:
Guri w/ FCS, Outmaneuver, Autothruster
2 x Binarye Pirates
Trando Slaver w/ Tactican, Gunner, Bossk.
I saw across from me a small Bossk, but actually arguably more dangerous due to action aided reroll that the Big Bossk lacks. I was happy to see that I didn't have to worry about PS game though. We set up an Asteroid field that favoured my edge, and my opponent set up his list in a grouping near the bottom corner of his side. I placed Bossk and Boba in the top corner of my side. My opponent spilt his forces, Slaver and one pirate moved up the board, avoiding the asteroids while Guri and the other pirate moved fearlessly towards the rocks. Bossk turned and boosted, bringing him into the astroids while Boba shot fast forward over the top edge of the asteroid field. After turn 2 we saw a bump by the Slaver on the pirate, Guri very forward and the pirate holding back. Bossk moved forward and avoided Guri's arc, got himself a TL and an Focus with K4 while Boba moved and boosted into Range 1 of the Slaver and Pirate. Bossk was able to one shot the Pirate with the help of Crackshot. While Boba scratched at the Slaver. Next round saw Guri getting a 3v0 shot on Bossk, but Bossk and boba dispatching the other pirate. Then Bossk made a run from Guri while trying to shoot the Slaver. Guri faced Boba's wrath and was taken down to 1 health. However, with some double focus action, Guri was able to keep going and track Boba into a corner. I had a choice, choose wrong and I don't get a shot on Guri and she can shoot me or I bump. OR the third choice, I purposefully move towards the edge to get a perfect shot that will make Boba go off next turn. Knowing Bossk had no chance against Guri, I took to the edge. It paid off, Guri was history but Boba flew on home. So, it was Yv vs Yv. The stress tricks didn't work well against 1 agility ships, it was pure jousting. Engine upgrade favoured me though, allowing me to move far and fast, then the Higher PS making the final joust come in my favour. This was my closest game, lost over half of Bossk and Boba off the board.
1 - 0
After that fun and tough first game, I was on my toes. I faced
Poe w/R2D2, Autothrustesr, ???
Jake w/Juke, PTL, Autothrusters, Procket
Green w/Juke,PTL, Autothrusters, Procket
This list I new I had to deal with Poe, luckily without VI, Boba could move after and I won initiative so Bossk went after Jake. I set up roughly the same and my opponent also set up in the middle facing the asteroids, but this time I moved into the asteroids with Boba, using the channel in the middle of them as ground for my attack, Bossk moved down to face Poe as well. Poe slow rolled in, Jake and the Green moved to attack Boba but were blown past. With Boba, Bossk and some hot dice, I was able to take Poe out the second turn. Then, with strategic bumping, got a bump on Green and great shot on Jake, who after two gunner shots had spend him evade and focus token to live (He took 1 shield). Then the naked Jake took a strong hit from Bossk that was Crack-shotted to a kill shot. This left the green against the two big guys, who ended his story very much the same way. (Without shooting his Rocket) Dice were my friend in the match.
2-0
The next match up was my bane, I was not looking forward to it.
3x Tempest Squadron Pilots w/ Accuracy Correctors, Tie X1
Vader w/Engine Upgrade, Tie X1, Adv. Targeting Computer and VI
So there goes my PS bid, I have an ace and a durable 6 attacks that can cut Bossk to ribbons. I had to be careful with this one. I tried hard to use asteroids as cover and played Bossk carefully, baiting my opponent by a big open move then full stopping to allow Bossk to avoid R3 shots (Except vade who he took 1 shield off of and Vader got 2s off Bossk) and allow Boba to get into position. Next turn the small decider for the game came, my opponent nicked an asteroid with a Tempest, leaving him defenceless. So Bossk, with a TL and a focus and Boba coming in hot from the side with not one arc on him teamed up to destroy the tempest. Vader slipped out of Bossk's arc and was in a dangerous position for me. So? I went 3 forward and boosted, getting a good side-shot on a Tempest that bumped his friend while Vader 4-turned, thinking I would full-stop or go 1 forward. This allowed Boba and Bossk another strong two-team effect on a tempest that left it dead. (Also great dice, Gunner saving me so many times) The snitcher came when Bossk was able to get Vader in a position where he had to spend his tokens to live, Gunner'd, got a perfect role with a crit and Crack-shotted Vader's 1 of 2 evades to wipe him off the board. However, Bossk died to the last tempest the turn after. With Boba VS Tempest, the game was on. Boba was damaged (Down 2 shields) and the Tempest was too (Down 1s). The Evade token he took every time made it hard to Boba to get much damage in, but once again after running to re-position, I set up a great joust and Gunner'd through a devastating 3 hits. I only won that because I tried my hardest with Boba to get arc without being in Arc and because of the bumps, Tempests with Evades are hard mothers to kill.
3 - 0
The final fight was upon me, the dice smiled upon me and I didn't make a stupid mistake yet. The final list I was up against was one I knew all too well, it was the list I made my list to counter.
Vader w/Engine Upgrade, Tie X1, Adv. Targeting Computer and VI
Soontir w/Autothrusters, Stealth Device, PTL, Royal Guard Tie
OGP w/ Emperor Palpatine
It was the dreaded Palp Aces, the list I personally thought would take worlds this year. I learned after facing it in a Vassal Tournament a few months before, that you had to use control against it. So, we set up Asteroids favouring my side and my opponent set up in a opposite corner from me. I knew the Shuttle needed to keep away, it's extra firepower was useful against Bossk, who needed to focus on the Aces. Well, with an unexpected move into the Asteroid field, Bossk managed to scare Soontir into breaking off an attack run. This allowed Boba and Bossk to move in on Vader while not having to worry about Soontir's shots. Bossk did his job and stressed Vader, who took a shield not to take the double stress. Well, Crack-shot reared it's ugly head against and wiped Vader off the board with a crit turned double hit on the next round of firing, and the Shuttle had passed Bossk and Boba. So now my two hunters could move on Soontir, who had rejoined the fight. I scared Soontir with Bossk's arc to boost closer to Boba, who with r1 reroll and gunner, took Soontir to 1h and 1 crit, Ps 0 the next turn onwards. This marked the end of Soontir soon after. With both my pilots not yet at half health, I moved against the shuttle. I took it to 2 stress and down to Hull, I landed on an asteroid with Bossk and took a direct hit! However, my opponent forgot the second stress he had and banked towards the edge of the board, trying to avoid the asteroid field and wanting to 2 hard back into the action next turn. However, without the 2 hard being a choice, he was forced to go off the board. I would say I had hot dice here too, but with Gunner and Target lock, your dice get a nice amount of time to warm up.
4 - 0
That was it, the win I need to take the Gozanti home! The MoV on my large ships made it so I HAD to win all 4 because of the lost points in half points, but it came out to it in the end. I was really happy to have been able to fly my favourite lizard to win my first tournament! Thank you to all my opponents, such a good day.
I saw across from me a small Bossk, but actually arguably more dangerous due to action aided reroll that the Big Bossk lacks. I was happy to see that I didn't have to worry about PS game though. We set up an Asteroid field that favoured my edge, and my opponent set up his list in a grouping near the bottom corner of his side. I placed Bossk and Boba in the top corner of my side. My opponent spilt his forces, Slaver and one pirate moved up the board, avoiding the asteroids while Guri and the other pirate moved fearlessly towards the rocks. Bossk turned and boosted, bringing him into the astroids while Boba shot fast forward over the top edge of the asteroid field. After turn 2 we saw a bump by the Slaver on the pirate, Guri very forward and the pirate holding back. Bossk moved forward and avoided Guri's arc, got himself a TL and an Focus with K4 while Boba moved and boosted into Range 1 of the Slaver and Pirate. Bossk was able to one shot the Pirate with the help of Crackshot. While Boba scratched at the Slaver. Next round saw Guri getting a 3v0 shot on Bossk, but Bossk and boba dispatching the other pirate. Then Bossk made a run from Guri while trying to shoot the Slaver. Guri faced Boba's wrath and was taken down to 1 health. However, with some double focus action, Guri was able to keep going and track Boba into a corner. I had a choice, choose wrong and I don't get a shot on Guri and she can shoot me or I bump. OR the third choice, I purposefully move towards the edge to get a perfect shot that will make Boba go off next turn. Knowing Bossk had no chance against Guri, I took to the edge. It paid off, Guri was history but Boba flew on home. So, it was Yv vs Yv. The stress tricks didn't work well against 1 agility ships, it was pure jousting. Engine upgrade favoured me though, allowing me to move far and fast, then the Higher PS making the final joust come in my favour. This was my closest game, lost over half of Bossk and Boba off the board.
1 - 0
After that fun and tough first game, I was on my toes. I faced
Poe w/R2D2, Autothrustesr, ???
Jake w/Juke, PTL, Autothrusters, Procket
Green w/Juke,PTL, Autothrusters, Procket
This list I new I had to deal with Poe, luckily without VI, Boba could move after and I won initiative so Bossk went after Jake. I set up roughly the same and my opponent also set up in the middle facing the asteroids, but this time I moved into the asteroids with Boba, using the channel in the middle of them as ground for my attack, Bossk moved down to face Poe as well. Poe slow rolled in, Jake and the Green moved to attack Boba but were blown past. With Boba, Bossk and some hot dice, I was able to take Poe out the second turn. Then, with strategic bumping, got a bump on Green and great shot on Jake, who after two gunner shots had spend him evade and focus token to live (He took 1 shield). Then the naked Jake took a strong hit from Bossk that was Crack-shotted to a kill shot. This left the green against the two big guys, who ended his story very much the same way. (Without shooting his Rocket) Dice were my friend in the match.
2-0
The next match up was my bane, I was not looking forward to it.
3x Tempest Squadron Pilots w/ Accuracy Correctors, Tie X1
Vader w/Engine Upgrade, Tie X1, Adv. Targeting Computer and VI
So there goes my PS bid, I have an ace and a durable 6 attacks that can cut Bossk to ribbons. I had to be careful with this one. I tried hard to use asteroids as cover and played Bossk carefully, baiting my opponent by a big open move then full stopping to allow Bossk to avoid R3 shots (Except vade who he took 1 shield off of and Vader got 2s off Bossk) and allow Boba to get into position. Next turn the small decider for the game came, my opponent nicked an asteroid with a Tempest, leaving him defenceless. So Bossk, with a TL and a focus and Boba coming in hot from the side with not one arc on him teamed up to destroy the tempest. Vader slipped out of Bossk's arc and was in a dangerous position for me. So? I went 3 forward and boosted, getting a good side-shot on a Tempest that bumped his friend while Vader 4-turned, thinking I would full-stop or go 1 forward. This allowed Boba and Bossk another strong two-team effect on a tempest that left it dead. (Also great dice, Gunner saving me so many times) The snitcher came when Bossk was able to get Vader in a position where he had to spend his tokens to live, Gunner'd, got a perfect role with a crit and Crack-shotted Vader's 1 of 2 evades to wipe him off the board. However, Bossk died to the last tempest the turn after. With Boba VS Tempest, the game was on. Boba was damaged (Down 2 shields) and the Tempest was too (Down 1s). The Evade token he took every time made it hard to Boba to get much damage in, but once again after running to re-position, I set up a great joust and Gunner'd through a devastating 3 hits. I only won that because I tried my hardest with Boba to get arc without being in Arc and because of the bumps, Tempests with Evades are hard mothers to kill.
3 - 0
The final fight was upon me, the dice smiled upon me and I didn't make a stupid mistake yet. The final list I was up against was one I knew all too well, it was the list I made my list to counter.
Vader w/Engine Upgrade, Tie X1, Adv. Targeting Computer and VI
Soontir w/Autothrusters, Stealth Device, PTL, Royal Guard Tie
OGP w/ Emperor Palpatine
It was the dreaded Palp Aces, the list I personally thought would take worlds this year. I learned after facing it in a Vassal Tournament a few months before, that you had to use control against it. So, we set up Asteroids favouring my side and my opponent set up in a opposite corner from me. I knew the Shuttle needed to keep away, it's extra firepower was useful against Bossk, who needed to focus on the Aces. Well, with an unexpected move into the Asteroid field, Bossk managed to scare Soontir into breaking off an attack run. This allowed Boba and Bossk to move in on Vader while not having to worry about Soontir's shots. Bossk did his job and stressed Vader, who took a shield not to take the double stress. Well, Crack-shot reared it's ugly head against and wiped Vader off the board with a crit turned double hit on the next round of firing, and the Shuttle had passed Bossk and Boba. So now my two hunters could move on Soontir, who had rejoined the fight. I scared Soontir with Bossk's arc to boost closer to Boba, who with r1 reroll and gunner, took Soontir to 1h and 1 crit, Ps 0 the next turn onwards. This marked the end of Soontir soon after. With both my pilots not yet at half health, I moved against the shuttle. I took it to 2 stress and down to Hull, I landed on an asteroid with Bossk and took a direct hit! However, my opponent forgot the second stress he had and banked towards the edge of the board, trying to avoid the asteroid field and wanting to 2 hard back into the action next turn. However, without the 2 hard being a choice, he was forced to go off the board. I would say I had hot dice here too, but with Gunner and Target lock, your dice get a nice amount of time to warm up.
4 - 0
That was it, the win I need to take the Gozanti home! The MoV on my large ships made it so I HAD to win all 4 because of the lost points in half points, but it came out to it in the end. I was really happy to have been able to fly my favourite lizard to win my first tournament! Thank you to all my opponents, such a good day.