Link added to pinned Index Thread!

HUGE! Thanks!

Like the same place that Justified is sometimes shot in?

We appreciate the love everyone! -DHouse

Hey thanks for the shoutout on my Meat Popsicles list!

Hey thanks for the shoutout on my Meat Popsicles list!

It was a great list! Fun to see a variant of a popular list.

Hey thanks for the shoutout on my Meat Popsicles list!

It was a great list! Fun to see a variant of a popular list.

Now if only the guy flying it was a better pilot...

Hey guys. We have a big group of players in eastern KY and the tri-state area. We play at Goblin Traders in Ironton, OH.

I wanted to come to the tournament tomorrow in Frankfort but I just can't make it. We have one at Goblin Traders next

Saturday.

Hey guys. We have a big group of players in eastern KY and the tri-state area. We play at Goblin Traders in Ironton, OH.

I wanted to come to the tournament tomorrow in Frankfort but I just can't make it. We have one at Goblin Traders next

Saturday.

Oh sweet! Do they have a FB page or website? We'll help push your community!

Hey guys. We have a big group of players in eastern KY and the tri-state area. We play at Goblin Traders in Ironton, OH.

I wanted to come to the tournament tomorrow in Frankfort but I just can't make it. We have one at Goblin Traders next

Saturday.

Oh sweet! Do they have a FB page or website? We'll help push your community!

Here is their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/thegoblintraders/?fref=ts

Here is our group FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/841503492574296/

Hey guys. We have a big group of players in eastern KY and the tri-state area. We play at Goblin Traders in Ironton, OH.

I wanted to come to the tournament tomorrow in Frankfort but I just can't make it. We have one at Goblin Traders next

Saturday.

Oh sweet! Do they have a FB page or website? We'll help push your community!

Here is their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/thegoblintraders/?fref=ts

Here is our group FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/841503492574296/

love it. thanks my man

I have an obligatory 2 cents on the IG-88 Crackshot + Glitterstim vs Veteran Instincts + Inertial Dampeners.

In general, I think you are right that the PS6 Crackshot + Glitterstim beats out the PS8 + Dampeners build. The brute-force power of that combo is just silly good, especially with IG88-B's gunner ability. When two opposing players more or less throw their ships at each other, then the CrackBots should convincingly win out most of the time.

However, once you get to the highest player skill levels, the PS8 bots should have the advantage. My general strategy was to split up the PS8 bots. The opposing PS6 bots have to move first, so once they commit to going after one bot you can hold it back while boosting with the other to flank. To pull this off you really need to think about specific setup strategies, both for ship placement and asteroids. When played correctly, it becomes extraordinarily difficult for the PS6 bots to then keep both their arcs on the original target after the first round of firing, as the PS8 player can use bumping tactics, boost out of arc to avoid shots, or pop dampeners to avoid at least one arc.

I played the PS8 variant for about a half a year, and probably played about a dozen BroBot vs BroBot mirror matches. When playing vs. any BroBots that moved before me, regardless of what upgrades were present on the opposing squad, none of the matches were really even close. I would almost always win with both of my ships still on the table.

My experience specifically with Crackshot + Glitterstim is relatively small. I flew vs Doug Kinney on vassal once, with him flying the PS6 Crackshot + Glitterstim. He knew my opening so I couldn't get the pincer going correctly on the initial pass, but after the first shots he was forced to go after one of my IGs. 100-0. At the NOVA Open I played vs Glitterstim + VI, and won 100-50 with a completely untouched 2nd IG. The game was more or less in hand after the initial combat pass as he couldn't get his ship turned around fast enough after popping glitterstim.

That said, I'll be traveling to Phoenix this week for work, so I may get the chance to play vs Philip Booth, who made Top 4 with Crackshot + Glitterstim. I'm really rusty with IG88's as I have not played them since Worlds, but I'm certainly looking forward to playing that match.

Hey guys. We have a big group of players in eastern KY and the tri-state area. We play at Goblin Traders in Ironton, OH.

I wanted to come to the tournament tomorrow in Frankfort but I just can't make it. We have one at Goblin Traders next

Saturday.

Oh sweet! Do they have a FB page or website? We'll help push your community!

Here is their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/thegoblintraders/?fref=ts

Here is our group FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/841503492574296/

love it. thanks my man

Any of you guys making your way down this way for the store championship this Saturday?

I have an obligatory 2 cents on the IG-88 Crackshot + Glitterstim vs Veteran Instincts + Inertial Dampeners.

In general, I think you are right that the PS6 Crackshot + Glitterstim beats out the PS8 + Dampeners build. The brute-force power of that combo is just silly good, especially with IG88-B's gunner ability. When two opposing players more or less throw their ships at each other, then the CrackBots should convincingly win out most of the time.

However, once you get to the highest player skill levels, the PS8 bots should have the advantage. My general strategy was to split up the PS8 bots. The opposing PS6 bots have to move first, so once they commit to going after one bot you can hold it back while boosting with the other to flank. To pull this off you really need to think about specific setup strategies, both for ship placement and asteroids. When played correctly, it becomes extraordinarily difficult for the PS6 bots to then keep both their arcs on the original target after the first round of firing, as the PS8 player can use bumping tactics, boost out of arc to avoid shots, or pop dampeners to avoid at least one arc.

I played the PS8 variant for about a half a year, and probably played about a dozen BroBot vs BroBot mirror matches. When playing vs. any BroBots that moved before me, regardless of what upgrades were present on the opposing squad, none of the matches were really even close. I would almost always win with both of my ships still on the table.

My experience specifically with Crackshot + Glitterstim is relatively small. I flew vs Doug Kinney on vassal once, with him flying the PS6 Crackshot + Glitterstim. He knew my opening so I couldn't get the pincer going correctly on the initial pass, but after the first shots he was forced to go after one of my IGs. 100-0. At the NOVA Open I played vs Glitterstim + VI, and won 100-50 with a completely untouched 2nd IG. The game was more or less in hand after the initial combat pass as he couldn't get his ship turned around fast enough after popping glitterstim.

That said, I'll be traveling to Phoenix this week for work, so I may get the chance to play vs Philip Booth, who made Top 4 with Crackshot + Glitterstim. I'm really rusty with IG88's as I have not played them since Worlds, but I'm certainly looking forward to playing that match.

All great and valid points. A great player running VI + ID probably pulls out the win in a mirror match with Glitter/Crack. They just have to be a LOT more skilled in those areas you mentioned... intentional bumping, well-timed boosts + evades, initial engagements, etc.

One thing I'll add as well... I can't tell you the last time I saw a VI + ID version of BroBots in our local meta (and in general, Kentucky meta). Everyone seems to be playing the Glitter/Crack version, and BECAUSE of this, we are seeing a huge boost in the usage of IG-88D. (Taking the place of C). D seems to have an advantage in the mirror match because of the ability to S-loop with the 3 hard turn. Those initial engagements are so crucial, and the very next turn seems to determine the result of the match. D has created a lot of unique wins for some people around here.

That's really interesting to be playing in a meta with so many BroBots. Very few players in my local areas play them much, and I myself stopped playing them after Worlds. In part it was because I had been playing them for so long, and in part it was because there's so much PS9+ flying around that fixed arcs even at PS8 is simply not as consistent as it used to be at a high level tournament.

Yes, it's very interesting. Every time I build a list for a local tournament in KY, I find myself asking, "Okay, how will I deal with HLC BroBots?". Too many of my lower PS ships have been first-round kills for the 2 robots popping their drugs and crackshotting away!

As we mentioned in episode 1 of SOT, the first Store Championship here in Kentucky at Pet Shop Comics had 22 players, and 6 lists were Bro-Bots. I don't think there was a single Soontir or Whisper in the building that day. But it also explains why a list with Poe Dameron, DUTCH VANDER, and HORTON SALM (w/ R3-A2) won that day. All of his ships were shooting before the PS6 IG's!

Any of you guys making your way down this way for the store championship this Saturday?

Unfortunately I can't make it, but Franch is thinking about it! It's not too far from Lexington! You'll have to update us on popular lists and what wins it so we can talk about it on the podcast.

Any of you guys making your way down this way for the store championship this Saturday?

Unfortunately I can't make it, but Franch is thinking about it! It's not too far from Lexington! You'll have to update us on popular lists and what wins it so we can talk about it on the podcast.

I will do my best. I would be will to come on and tell it as well if you want.

Yes, it's very interesting. Every time I build a list for a local tournament in KY, I find myself asking, "Okay, how will I deal with HLC BroBots?". Too many of my lower PS ships have been first-round kills for the 2 robots popping their drugs and crackshotting away!

As we mentioned in episode 1 of SOT, the first Store Championship here in Kentucky at Pet Shop Comics had 22 players, and 6 lists were Bro-Bots. I don't think there was a single Soontir or Whisper in the building that day. But it also explains why a list with Poe Dameron, DUTCH VANDER, and HORTON SALM (w/ R3-A2) won that day. All of his ships were shooting before the PS6 IG's!

Sadly my Meat Popsicle list completely controls a list like that, but I never got to face him (and missed the cut). Beat Red Ace/Poe/TLT Y twice easily at Moonlite.

I finally got around to listening to episode 1: Good stuff, especially the part about some handsome forum member being brilliant . A couple notes on the list I used that you were discussing:

-The list isn't really mine. AlexW suggested it to me after I wasn't really happy with a similar list I was running.

-Rex is in there instead of Vessery because Vessery is pretty dependent on Omega Leader. An HLC does damage so fast that there's some friction with re-acquiring a target lock once targets are destroyed. Additionally, you have plenty of times that Omega and your Defender want to go after different targets and Vessery's ability doesn't help as much. I like the intrinsic re-rolls on the Defender, but that's personal preference.

-I went with Hull Upgrade instead of Comms Relay on Zeta Leader because I only owned one Comms Relay at the time. Overall Comms Relay is probably better, but Hull Upgrade does offer a little utility against Crack Shot barrages.

Cool guys! I've bookmarked the podcast and will be listening very soon!

I finally got around to listening to episode 1: Good stuff, especially the part about some handsome forum member being brilliant . A couple notes on the list I used that you were discussing:

-The list isn't really mine. AlexW suggested it to me after I wasn't really happy with a similar list I was running.

-Rex is in there instead of Vessery because Vessery is pretty dependent on Omega Leader. An HLC does damage so fast that there's some friction with re-acquiring a target lock once targets are destroyed. Additionally, you have plenty of times that Omega and your Defender want to go after different targets and Vessery's ability doesn't help as much. I like the intrinsic re-rolls on the Defender, but that's personal preference.

-I went with Hull Upgrade instead of Comms Relay on Zeta Leader because I only owned one Comms Relay at the time. Overall Comms Relay is probably better, but Hull Upgrade does offer a little utility against Crack Shot barrages.

That's high praise! I think as we do more episodes the show will come together. After seeing it in action I completely understood the build and love it.

Thanks for listening!

Also to answer CooMasterCoo's question (I think), other people do play against themselves. I play against myself all the time, it's how I stress-test lists before playing against live people. It sort of gets me through some of the first growing pains of a list, helps figure out where it's strong and weak against particular meta lists, and gives you some familiarity with lists that you expect to be playing against. I find it very helpful. Generally, I plan moves with my test squad, then I plan moves with the opposing squad as if I know what moves my test squad made (because I do). It's pretty good for getting familiar with dials, recognizing good and bad positions, planning small turn-to turn tactics, and improving your spatial judgement. It's not so good for helping you formulating or seeing through plans more than 2 turns in advance, because you kind of have to decide if one side will fall or a trap or not. It is pretty great for helping you sniff out bad moves that leave you open, because I'll just sit and try every combination of moves for my opposing squad sometimes to figure out a way to bust up my test squad's actions. That's made me pretty solid at visualizing where opposing squads want to go on any given turn, and doing it quickly and without a lot of mental effort, which is a huge benefit during tournaments.

Also to answer CooMasterCoo's question (I think), other people do play against themselves. I play against myself all the time, it's how I stress-test lists before playing against live people. It sort of gets me through some of the first growing pains of a list, helps figure out where it's strong and weak against particular meta lists, and gives you some familiarity with lists that you expect to be playing against. I find it very helpful. Generally, I plan moves with my test squad, then I plan moves with the opposing squad as if I know what moves my test squad made (because I do). It's pretty good for getting familiar with dials, recognizing good and bad positions, planning small turn-to turn tactics, and improving your spatial judgement. It's not so good for helping you formulating or seeing through plans more than 2 turns in advance, because you kind of have to decide if one side will fall or a trap or not. It is pretty great for helping you sniff out bad moves that leave you open, because I'll just sit and try every combination of moves for my opposing squad sometimes to figure out a way to bust up my test squad's actions. That's made me pretty solid at visualizing where opposing squads want to go on any given turn, and doing it quickly and without a lot of mental effort, which is a huge benefit during tournaments.

Absolutely! As for tournaments, it allows me to not waste time in between turns choosing a move. I already have a good idea after my opponent maneuvers where I'm going. Sometimes that changes after combat but it's quicker to say the least. I can't get in a lot of games due to me having a beautiful 8 month old baby! So this is the only way to build muscle memory, if you will.... for my build. Glad I'm not the only one! haha

Also to answer CooMasterCoo's question (I think), other people do play against themselves. I play against myself all the time, it's how I stress-test lists before playing against live people. It sort of gets me through some of the first growing pains of a list, helps figure out where it's strong and weak against particular meta lists, and gives you some familiarity with lists that you expect to be playing against. I find it very helpful. Generally, I plan moves with my test squad, then I plan moves with the opposing squad as if I know what moves my test squad made (because I do). It's pretty good for getting familiar with dials, recognizing good and bad positions, planning small turn-to turn tactics, and improving your spatial judgement. It's not so good for helping you formulating or seeing through plans more than 2 turns in advance, because you kind of have to decide if one side will fall or a trap or not. It is pretty great for helping you sniff out bad moves that leave you open, because I'll just sit and try every combination of moves for my opposing squad sometimes to figure out a way to bust up my test squad's actions. That's made me pretty solid at visualizing where opposing squads want to go on any given turn, and doing it quickly and without a lot of mental effort, which is a huge benefit during tournaments.

Absolutely! As for tournaments, it allows me to not waste time in between turns choosing a move. I already have a good idea after my opponent maneuvers where I'm going. Sometimes that changes after combat but it's quicker to say the least. I can't get in a lot of games due to me having a beautiful 8 month old baby! So this is the only way to build muscle memory, if you will.... for my build. Glad I'm not the only one! haha

Yeah, I've got a 3 year old and an 8 month old. It's pretty much my only option much of the time.

I finally got around to listening to episode 1: Good stuff, especially the part about some handsome forum member being brilliant . A couple notes on the list I used that you were discussing:

-The list isn't really mine. AlexW suggested it to me after I wasn't really happy with a similar list I was running.

-Rex is in there instead of Vessery because Vessery is pretty dependent on Omega Leader. An HLC does damage so fast that there's some friction with re-acquiring a target lock once targets are destroyed. Additionally, you have plenty of times that Omega and your Defender want to go after different targets and Vessery's ability doesn't help as much. I like the intrinsic re-rolls on the Defender, but that's personal preference.

-I went with Hull Upgrade instead of Comms Relay on Zeta Leader because I only owned one Comms Relay at the time. Overall Comms Relay is probably better, but Hull Upgrade does offer a little utility against Crack Shot barrages.

Hey man! Good to know. I appreciate you giving credit where credit is due So I have to tell you that I ran the list in a casual game against Franch yesterday. As I mentioned, I feel left-handed when I play Imperials, but I liked the idea. Omega Leader went down quickly because of Vader crew on a Decimator, but Rexler and Zeta Leader did some serious work. Absolutely love the PS8 that Rexler brings to the table... Ironically his ability did come into play twice when I didn't need the focus token, which put the first crit on the Decimator the "Major Hull Breach" (every damage card is now a crit). This was fantastically comical, and I managed to put 12 crits on Oicunn. In the late game, I used his ability to flip 2 damage cards face up on his Omega Leader, one of which was Direct Hit. Very thematic ending.