Continuing our series where I'd like us to re-evaluate the points costs of cards, one category at a time. Just copy the list and insert your own point values. Let's get to it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TIE FIGHTER PILOTS
Academy Pilot 12
Obsidian Squadron Pilot 13
Black Squadron Pilot 14
Chaser 14
Wampa 14
Night Beast 15
Winged Gundark 15
Youngster 15
Backstabber 16
Dark Curse 16
Mauler Mithel 17
Scourge 17
Howlrunner 18
They're fine.
Can't fix the benchmark.
OTHER ships are tied 
to TIEs in point costs
Winged Gundark 14 points. Ability would be useful if he had an EPT but otherwise is fairly lackluster.
... No. These dudes are fine.
The TIE pilots are all pretty well costed. The only thing I'd really like to see is more Action EPTs for Youngster.
The TIE pilots are all pretty well costed. The only thing I'd really like to see is more Action EPTs for Youngster.
And PS 4-5 for Scourge.
Winged Gundark would stay to be not useful even if he would cost 14 points.
Either make his ability work in range 1-3
or change it to a blank result gets a crit result.
So, im fine with the costs of Tie Fighters.
I've felt for sometime now that Howlrunner could have been moved up a point honestly
I've felt for sometime now that Howlrunner could have been moved up a point honestly
If her ability would also work on herself, yes.
But this isn't the case; she is just fine like she is.
I do agree that Winged Gundark needs something. A point drop would make him a cheap, but higher PS pilot....that has an ability that probably won't be triggered. Or make his ability 1-2, as I think 1-3 is just too much.
I do love my Tie Fighter pilots...except Howlrunner. I do hate her. I do recognize that I'm odd man out on that.
If FFG captured a ship right from day one, it was the TIE Fighter. They are dangerous in numbers and have abilities that lead to a swarm style fight.
This isn't the price check we were looking for. Move along.
You can always tell who hasn't played from Wave 1 when they say Tie Fighters aren't arc dodgers. 
You can always tell who hasn't played from Wave 1 when they say Tie Fighters aren't arc dodgers.
You can see the b roll right on their action bar too.
I've felt for sometime now that Howlrunner could have been moved up a point honestly
If her ability would also work on herself, yes.
But this isn't the case; she is just fine like she is.
I do agree that Winged Gundark needs something. A point drop would make him a cheap, but higher PS pilot....that has an ability that probably won't be triggered. Or make his ability 1-2, as I think 1-3 is just too much.
I do love my Tie Fighter pilots...except Howlrunner. I do hate her. I do recognize that I'm odd man out on that.
Not a fan of Howlrunner either or at least my green dice aren't I can't keep her alive for more than a turn or two.
Let's ask a question about that though, for a seven TIE Swarm, would you still pay 19 pts for her? I still would. That wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Her ability is dope.
I've felt for sometime now that Howlrunner could have been moved up a point honestly
If her ability would also work on herself, yes.
But this isn't the case; she is just fine like she is.
The fluff Obsidian Swarm was my signature tournament list back then when the rounds were 90 min in my region.
It was Howl, NB, WG, 4 Obsidians = 100 Points. WG for fluff only. I can remember his ability was helpful once only in all the matches I've played.
To answer your question: I am happy that she is not 19 points even if there are circumstances where ppl would pay even more.
TIEs seem to be in a good spot right now. It's a shame that they are basically overshadowed these days in the tourney scene. A proper TIE swarm is exhausting to run, as you are in rapid fire mode for an entire day. You are constantly making split second decisions, and rushing to set dials, all the while trying to accurately gauge distances, so you're not constantly running into yourself, debris/asteroids, your opponent, ect....
Well if all we do is ask whether a component is cheap enough, we will lock ourselves in a culture of power creep via cost reduction. Eventually we'll be saying that even the reduced costs were discussing today are to expensive. Eventually we'd be saying that 18pts is too expensive for a X-wing.
I think everyone at first impression is ecstatic that she's a measly 18 pts. But as a group that desires a balanced game, in a public forum, discussing the pricing on these pieces, I'm proposing the unpopular logic that whether we like it or not, she is kind of under costed. Even though she is one of the better designed abilities.
Tie Fighters are Perfect Heretic!
You can always tell who hasn't played from Wave 1 when they say Tie Fighters aren't arc dodgers.
You can see the b roll right on their action bar too.
Yeah, but I've been told more than once (in nerdtastic voice) that "You really need to have Boost and Barrel Roll to be a true arc dodger."
Dude! If you can dodge an arc, you are an arc dodger! There was arc dodging going on BEFORE the Tie Interceptor and PTL happened. *sigh*
I do agree that Winged Gundark needs something. A point drop would make him a cheap, but higher PS pilot....that has an ability that probably won't be triggered. Or make his ability 1-2, as I think 1-3 is just too much.
I do love my Tie Fighter pilots...except Howlrunner. I do hate her. I do recognize that I'm odd man out on that.
Not a fan of Howlrunner either or at least my green dice aren't I can't keep her alive for more than a turn or two.
Yeah, and she locks you into flying in formation. I've fond the true strength of a Tie swarm is to...you know....swarm the other player! Use some for blocking and the rest for getting out of arc and at R1. They should call Howlrunner w/ others a Tie Formation.
But Howlrunner's ability is tempered by the fact that she's flying a 2 attack die ship, with three HP, and no shield to possibly mitigate an early crit. Things that throw tons of dice, or have multiple attacks keep TIEs pretty well in check, imho. Large numbers is what makes the TIE fighter effective, not necessarily the EPTs or abilities, although some are a lot better than others.
I just think Tie Fighters do better without her. You don't need to stick in formation and you aren't as predictable. Of course, that would make a long tournament day hard with swarms.
Night Beast and Winged Gundark should be 1 point cheaper. The others are fine.
Winged Gundark to 14 points, the base cost of a no EPT PS5 TIE.
Yeah, and she locks you into flying in formation. I've fond the true strength of a Tie swarm is to...you know....swarm the other player! Use some for blocking and the rest for getting out of arc and at R1. They should call Howlrunner w/ others a Tie Formation.
Nobody expects you to break the phalanx.
and then you do.
and FUN ensures!