Rage was spoiled in the Payback article today, here it is for those of you who haven't seen the card yet:

Quite a few pilots and builds will shy away from this due to the dual stress aspect of it. Thankfully, Tycho doesn't care about stress. Therefore, it is naturally a good fit for him. But what to pair it with? PTL is no longer a requirement - you can put EI as his mod to activate Rage (which acts as basically a TL+F) freeing up your primary action to be anything else.

Let's take a look at some options that jump to my mind first:

Veteran Instincts - This allows you to carry prockets at PS10, use rage to get a focus and 3 dice rerolls. Coupled with the boost as your action, this can be very deadly... But it's also kinda boring

Push the Limit - Now you can evade, boost, focus (and basically TL)... 4 actions a turn? Thankyouverymuch!

Expert Handling - Coupled with EI, tycho can Boost + BR if need be, Rage + BR, BR + Rage, Evade + BR/Rage. Not a bad set of options. Sadly he can't BR + Boost.

Daredevil - This is still one of my favorite cards for Tycho. Sadly he loses the ability to DD + Boost.

Expose - Wait, what??? Hear me out... Tycho can move at PS8, and if he's got a good shot lined up (and hopefully is safe), he can Rage + Expose - granting him 3 (4 @ R1) attack dice with TL+F. Depending on the direction of the meta (and how often you'll be able to safely expose), this could FINALLY make this card viable (in a small niche build).

And then he can obviously take any of the standard choices that he could take as his second EPT before - Outmaneuver, juke, crackshot or wired.

This is exciting! Each one of these combos seems great, and I can't wait to try them all out. Gah, just when I thought I got away from Psycho Tycho! Who else is convinced this card was really made just for Green 3?

Im guessing there will be new records set for stress on Tycho..

Im guessing there will be new records set for stress on Tycho..

I'll have to use two red D10's to track it.

The number of stress tokens...holy cow.

Also, cluster missiles, because rage re-rolls work all turn. Still, 6 points is a lot for one volley.

I still think the 'standard' daredevil is the best option for his second Elite, without the k-turn he's not super maneuverable. I'll miss seeing that boost+DD, but might be worth it for much better damage output.

I still like Wired more for PTL A-wings in general.

In epic play, the gloves are off. Raging Soontir becomes an option when you have Comms Booster. Rage/Comms Booster/Kyle Katarn (crew) is just silly.

Im guessing there will be new records set for stress on Tycho..

I'll have to use two red D10's to track it.

I was thinking of two D20s actually ... Still nice tho

PTL and Rage on Tycho is my pick. While you already highlighted the boost/focus/evade/fake TL aspect, there's also the fact that he can still take a Focus action in addition to everything else. He can end up with two focus tokens, an evade, and three offensive rerolls every turn.

At that point, you may as well put it all out there and give him Proton Rockets as well. The full loadout comes to 36 points of very angry A-Wing.

One thing that Rage allows Tycho to do is get 2 focus tokens. Note that Rage says "assign one focus token to your ship" and not "take a focus action."

Push the Limit + Rage + Experimental Interface (31 points total)

Tycho can choose 2 of focus/evade/boost, then use Rage to gain attack rerolls and another focus. All for the low cost of 4 stress tokens.

edit- ninja'd!

Is it better than PTL? Basically the same effect as focus + target lock, except double the stress. Costs less I suppose.

Push the Limit - Now you can evade, boost, focus (and basically TL)... 4 actions a turn? Thankyouverymuch!

Hrrrrngggh, YES! Can't wait to play this. Don't forget to pack a Procket!

Im guessing there will be new records set for stress on Tycho..

Do you want me to set a new record for stress on Tycho? Because this is how you get me to set a new record for stress on Tycho.

PTL and Rage on Tycho is my pick. While you already highlighted the boost/focus/evade/fake TL aspect, there's also the fact that he can still take a Focus action in addition to everything else. He can end up with two focus tokens, an evade, and three offensive rerolls every turn.

At that point, you may as well put it all out there and give him Proton Rockets as well. The full loadout comes to 36 points of very angry A-Wing.

36 Points is a bit much for an A-Wing. I'd prefer to keep it cheap to make him less of a target.

Maybe just Rage, PTL and AThrusters (+ Chardaan obviously) for a cool 30 points. So long as you toss in more tasty targets, he won't get obliterated straight away.

Is it better than PTL? Basically the same effect as focus + target lock, except double the stress. Costs less I suppose.

Depends on how well you can handle the stress. Tycho is the clear winner here, as he does not care about stress. Ezra with a TLT and Kyle Katarn could also work very well, as Kyle establishes himself as the worst Jedi mentor ever.

"Give in to your anger! And use it to get a focus token and rerolls on both of your TLT shots!"

"RAAAARGH!"

"....whoa, settle down kid. Here, I'll give you more focus tokens for the next two turns while you calm down and we can try this again."

Now here's a rules question:

What happens if the Tycho player runs out of stress tokens during an event? Because with Rage, PTL and EI, you're going to be generating four stress per turn. This is actually a very practical concern.

PTL and Rage on Tycho is my pick. While you already highlighted the boost/focus/evade/fake TL aspect, there's also the fact that he can still take a Focus action in addition to everything else. He can end up with two focus tokens, an evade, and three offensive rerolls every turn.

At that point, you may as well put it all out there and give him Proton Rockets as well. The full loadout comes to 36 points of very angry A-Wing.

36 Points is a bit much for an A-Wing. I'd prefer to keep it cheap to make him less of a target.

Maybe just Rage, PTL and AThrusters (+ Chardaan obviously) for a cool 30 points. So long as you toss in more tasty targets, he won't get obliterated straight away.

Posh... I ran him to top 16 at gencon (and if it wasn't for coming across basically my auto lose list twice, I probably could have gone further) sitting on 38 points. Given Psycho Tycho flies differently than any of these options.

The number of stress tokens...holy cow.

Also, cluster missiles, because rage re-rolls work all turn. Still, 6 points is a lot for one volley.

I still think the 'standard' daredevil is the best option for his second Elite, without the k-turn he's not super maneuverable. I'll miss seeing that boost+DD, but might be worth it for much better damage output.

Not sure I like the idea of clusters. One of the problems with "2 attack" is that those 3 dice at R1 have a hard time against the Fel's of the world. I'm not sure if 2 3 dice attacks would be that much better. Worth experimenting with for sure. Too bad you can't couple it with Chimps for super security. Though I suppose that's not really needed that much.

Of all of these though, I'm the most intrigued by Expose. But that could be my personal desire to make Expose worthwhile. Rage by itself is a full offensive modification, and since Expose doesn't work on Prockets, you would have a good reason to not bother putting them on Tycho, so it works out to be 32 points. For those 32 points, you have a PS8 3/2/2/2 stat line, with a built in F+TL on each attack, a better dial than an X wing, and access to both evade and boost. The best comparison would be Porkins at 27, plus 1 point to make him a PS8, and 3 points for Predator to make him 31, less 3 points of the hull back to 28. So for those 4 points, you get a better dial, boost, and evade (which a single token spend makes him as sturdy as an X wing). Oh yeah, you don't have to use expose if folks are shooting at you.

Now here's a rules question:

What happens if the Tycho player runs out of stress tokens during an event? Because with Rage, PTL and EI, you're going to be generating four stress per turn. This is actually a very practical concern.

When my Drea ran out of stress, I informed my opponent that I was out of stress and that Drea would never be rid of her pile.

I don't think Expose is going to work well. You're still paying at least 32 points for an A-Wing that can transform into an Attack Shuttle.

I don't think Expose is going to work well. You're still paying at least 32 points for an A-Wing that can transform into an Attack Shuttle.

An attack shuttle at PS8 with focus+TL, a much better dial, and immunity to all forms of stress control. Can also go up to Agi 3 if you are going to get shot at a bunch.

I've run expose Tycho before, and he hurts quite a bit. Rage also makes this build cheaper than the one I've used. It's amazing how many times you can avoid getting shot in the first place, making it a no brainer.

Rage + Expose + Experimental Interface to Boost into Range 1 for 4 dice F+TL = "Wtf did that A-WING just do to me?!?!"

For me I thought this was great but after reading "re-roll" and not "roll" 3 attack dice I was totally let down. Tycho needs his "daredevil" so I'm willing to pull off PTL and put on Experimental Interface and lose Autothrusters... So now I can pull off "Outmaneuver" and put on "Anger". What does Anger buy me... a chance to reroll 3 dice. I have to weigh that against Target Lock... Target Lock can reroll any attack dice, and any number even 5 Procket dice if I need to. "Anger" rerolls 3 Attack dice... so for not having to take a target lock and losing my Autothursters I can roll 3 dice. If I take the time to target lock I can roll any number of attack dice, keep my autothrusters, daredevil and outmanuver.... I think I'll still take my target lock instead.

Rage + Expose + Experimental Interface to Boost into Range 1 for 4 dice F+TL = "Wtf did that A-WING just do to me?!?!"

You need 3 actions for that to go off, so better bring Squad Leader/Lando/Cracken

But I like the Rage/Expose/EI combo. I think he'd make a good wingman in a 2 ship build; cheaper than Corran, can still chuck big burst damage, and you can still do the green token turtle by going Evade --> EI --> Ragefocus. Doesn't take much to nuke him, but then those shots aren't going at your Superdash/Han/Ghost

For me I thought this was great but after reading "re-roll" and not "roll" 3 attack dice I was totally let down. Tycho needs his "daredevil" so I'm willing to pull off PTL and put on Experimental Interface and lose Autothrusters... So now I can pull off "Outmaneuver" and put on "Anger". What does Anger buy me... a chance to reroll 3 dice. I have to weigh that against Target Lock... Target Lock can reroll any attack dice, and any number even 5 Procket dice if I need to. "Anger" rerolls 3 Attack dice... so for not having to take a target lock and losing my Autothursters I can roll 3 dice. If I take the time to target lock I can roll any number of attack dice, keep my autothrusters, daredevil and outmanuver.... I think I'll still take my target lock instead.

I'm of a similar mindset now that the new shiny has worn off. There is one thing to consider though, TL takes time to set up especially if your hunting a dodgy opponent. It will not keep immediate pressure up like rage will. Makes prockets more immediately accurate too.

I do like the look of rage + expose vs less agile ships.

PTL Rage Prockets!

For me I thought this was great but after reading "re-roll" and not "roll" 3 attack dice I was totally let down. Tycho needs his "daredevil" so I'm willing to pull off PTL and put on Experimental Interface and lose Autothrusters... So now I can pull off "Outmaneuver" and put on "Anger". What does Anger buy me... a chance to reroll 3 dice. I have to weigh that against Target Lock... Target Lock can reroll any attack dice, and any number even 5 Procket dice if I need to. "Anger" rerolls 3 Attack dice... so for not having to take a target lock and losing my Autothursters I can roll 3 dice. If I take the time to target lock I can roll any number of attack dice, keep my autothrusters, daredevil and outmanuver.... I think I'll still take my target lock instead.

So, if I can understand your concern with using "Rage," it is that you would rather have TL+F for your prockets, in the event that you need to reroll 4-5 dice on the attack. There is a 1% chance of that happening - not worth mentioning. You are 5 times more likely to roll 0 evades with a focus token and 3 agility.

It sounds like your standard build is Outmaneuver, Push the Limit, and Daredevil. So that's not legal. But later it sounds like you're using DD, EI, and OM. Both OM and DD are EPTs that I recommended pairing with Rage. So if we're keeping DD, then we have to determine if the 2 point save to get F+TL+action is better than OM. Against decimators, clearly rage is better.

But against tokenless 1 agi targets, OM = 1.5dmg, Rage = 1.5dmg. 2agi: OM = 1.15, Rage = 1.14. 3agi: OM = .85, Rage = .84. So, if your opponent doesn't have a focus token, OM = Rage. The benefit of OM is that it is not action dependent. The downside is that it doesn't always activate.

If your opponent has a focus, 1agi: OM = 1.5dmg, Rage = 1.21dmg. 2agi: OM = .91dmg, Rage = .66dmg. 3agi: OM = .47dmg, Rage = .32dmg. Here it is clear that OM does better than Rage. The ~.3dmg / attack increase is a pretty big deal, assuming you can consistently activate OM, and don't need those 2 points elsewhere. This also doesn't show the full picture because you're more likely to strip the token with Rage vs. OM, so your other attacks are going to be more powerful (assuming you're focus firing).

I can't compare how well Rage + OM do versus DD + OM since Daredevil isn't really quantifiable. Believe me though, I <3 DD on him. I <3 Psycho Tycho. I had to force myself to play other stuff because imo 38pt Tycho is one of the best 38 points you can spend.

Im guessing there will be new records set for stress on Tycho..

I'll have to use two red D10's to track it.

I was thinking of two D20s actually ... Still nice tho

You do realize that 2D20s count to 40, and 2D10 = 1d100, right?