The little X-wing that could

By Stone37, in X-Wing

So I finally got to play some competitive X-wing again last night. Played in a 60 point match. I brought the following:

Poe+VI+R5-P9+Autothrusters

Rookie (T-65)+R3-A2+Integrated Astromech

I was paired against:

Vader+LW+ATC+Engine Mk.II

Omega Leader+Juke+Comm Relay

After 75 minutes, all four ships were still alive. Poe was at full health, Omega Leader had only 1 hull remaining, and Vader had two hull remaining. The hero was the Rookie. After the third round, he was down to a two hull. IA had done its job and stopped a Double Hit, and then he held on, through in a good block, and just would not die.

My opponent was gracious and put up with my ring rust. He flew both his TIEs very well. After the match officially ended, we played another 30 minutes to see who would win. The Rookie finally fell, but not before the FO did. Poe chased down Vader for a asterisk win. (The last moves taken by my opponent during regulation were not the best moves for a game that played on. He made the best "last move" possible.)

Long story short... I think the X-wing is making a come back.

I got my regionals bye with a group that included wedge/BB-8/integrated astromech. Didn't even bother with an EPT.

X-wings have been back.

I agree that X-Wings are back. Lately I've been playing a Biggs/Wedge/Corran list and it's been doing incredibly well for me.

I got my regionals bye with a group that included wedge/BB-8/integrated astromech. Didn't even bother with an EPT.

No EPT?! Das madness! Crackshot is such a bargain at 1pt, as is VI! You can't afford not to!!!

Those other points in your list must have been pretty critical. I think that empty slot would have haunted me, personally. Good on you for making it work.

I got my regionals bye with a group that included wedge/BB-8/integrated astromech. Didn't even bother with an EPT.

X-wings have been back.

But it's more than just Poe. It's easy to see how Poe, and other pilots like Biggs and Wedge were/are competitive. The common pilots are that way now as well.

My 100 point list I took this 60 from is as follows:

Poe Dameron (37) - R5-P9 (3), Veteran Instincts (1), Autothrusters (2)

Red Squadron Veteran (31) - R3-A2 (2), Predator (3)

Wedge Antilles (32) - BB-8 (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Integrated Astromech (0)

What makes this list is Red Vet and that R3-A2. He stays at R3/2 the entire time and restricts the dial of his target. This list almost forces your opponent to make bad target priority decisions. If you go after Wedge first, he out flies you while Poe and Red eat you up. If you go after Poe first, he just regens shields while Wedge and Red tear you down. If you go after Red first (which I've never seen happen, but opponents switch to him being the priority by the 2nd or 3rd round of combat) the Aces have a field day!

IA and BB-8 makes Wedge a terror, and all T-65s are getting a boost from IA. My local meta still is not giving any love to the X-wing, other than Poe.

Edited by Stone37

Full list for discussion

Wedge, bb-8, IA

Jake Farrell, VI, Crackshot, proton rockets, autothrusters, title

Miranda, TLT, tactician

99 points

Leaving the one point off means I have a bid to make sure that Jake can fight soontir in a 1v1 by moving after him, get the procket off, and still be able to dance with him. Jake not having PTL keeps my one hards open to use, which means I'm gonna be able to out fly soontir no matter what. Wedge is there to hit stuff like a dump truck until he dies, but bb-8 gives him insane maneuvers that are nigh unblockable. Miranda is there to shut down an ace until Jake can deliver prockets, and to live a long time.

I have won 2 out of every three games with this list, made 2 cuts, and got my win two weeks ago. Jake once solo'ed a triple K list after all my dice went cold for the other ships.

Full list for discussion

Wedge, bb-8, IA

Jake Farrell, VI, Crackshot, proton rockets, autothrusters, title

Miranda, TLT, tactician

99 points

A VI BB-8 Wedge is one bad mother....

I think you'll get more out of that than the 1 point bid.

I love what you've done with Jake, as his ability lets you get away with this. When flown well, Jake and Prockets is scary. Miranda is a great support ship to this list. How often are you able to use tactician though? That might be another tweak I'd make to this list.

VI Wedge with BB8 and IA is amazing and a true ace killer in a meta that loves its high PS Aces
Its good to see that the old king has returned to his throne. He may not be the best ship but its nice to see wedge back on the table again

Full list for discussion

Wedge, bb-8, IA

Jake Farrell, VI, Crackshot, proton rockets, autothrusters, title

Miranda, TLT, tactician

99 points

A VI BB-8 Wedge is one bad mother....

I think you'll get more out of that than the 1 point bid.

I love what you've done with Jake, as his ability lets you get away with this. When flown well, Jake and Prockets is scary. Miranda is a great support ship to this list. How often are you able to use tactician though? That might be another tweak I'd make to this list.

That one point is crucial, because soontir can still wiggle around even the best wedge. The bid is there for Jake, not wedge. Once adaptability hits, and we get some clearer rules on how dual cards work, I may slot that into the EPT spot to get a handle on things that jump over ps 9.

I never flew Miranda to purposefully get the tactician to trigger, instead creating area denial that makes the enemy skip the best maneuver to dodge me. So even when it's not working, it's working.

Wedge + BB8 & PTL

Kyle HWK

Jake Farrell

is one I've seen and like. Passing focus lets Jake move in the combat phase and Wedge is very maneuverable with BB8/PTL. Even more so with an engine too.

Wedge + BB8 & PTL

Kyle HWK

Jake Farrell

is one I've seen and like. Passing focus lets Jake move in the combat phase and Wedge is very maneuverable with BB8/PTL. Even more so with an engine too.

I don't understand PTL on Wedge. He only has two actions! The X-wing dial is already not great. Limiting it to only greens does not help. Predator or Lone Wold is the better dice manipulator for X-wings. And it doesn't cause stress and works even if you're blocked!

Porkins + PTL + R5-D8 + Integrated Astromech (or Hull Upgrade if you have the points/can stomach putting that many on Porkins)

Absolutely beastly, and a bit of a running joke at a tournament I brought him to back in January. I'd constantly hear folks from other tables while I was playing "Hey? Porkins still alive? Don't answer, we already know he is."

He's incredibly difficult to put down with that build, and he can pound out some serious damage to boot. Also, there's little more satisfying than popping a K-Turn or rushing through a debris cloud and still snagging a TL+Focus afterwards. Basically, Porkins can borrow some elements from both Dash Rendar and a TIE Defender, and it's 100% worth it.

And the funny thing is, all IA has done for him is make him cheaper to bring along! Lose that extra hull that R5-D8 can regenerate, though... But those three points might mean the difference between bringing Porkins or dropping him for someone else.

Wedge + BB8 & PTL

Kyle HWK

Jake Farrell

is one I've seen and like. Passing focus lets Jake move in the combat phase and Wedge is very maneuverable with BB8/PTL. Even more so with an engine too.

I don't understand PTL on Wedge. He only has two actions! The X-wing dial is already not great. Limiting it to only greens does not help. Predator or Lone Wold is the better dice manipulator for X-wings. And it doesn't cause stress and works even if you're blocked!

PTL on Wedge with BB-8 is fantastic. You reveal a green, use BB's free barrel roll, PTL off of it, then execute a green, clear your stress, and take the other action. And TL+Focus is still pretty nasty, especially with a Wedge that might've just BRed himself into position for a R1 shot.

Porkins + PTL + R5-D8 + Integrated Astromech (or Hull Upgrade if you have the points/can stomach putting that many on Porkins)

I have a ton of run running my

"Trench Run" sqaud:

Wedge: (32)

BB-8

VI

IA

Luke: (35)

R2-D2

Predator

IA

Porkins: (33)

R5-D8

Flechette Torps

Expert Handling

IA

Extremely strong for how thematic it is! Don't really know how it would hold up vs. a tournament focused list but lets me run T-65s all over the board and its always fun to make Porkins explode on a barrel roll.

Is it worth putting EU on Wedge? Now we talking Poe-ish points. Ive only ever ran him with PTL/VI + BB8, but have trouble getting him into range one where he can really *&%$ people up.

Is it worth putting EU on Wedge? Now we talking Poe-ish points. Ive only ever ran him with PTL/VI + BB8, but have trouble getting him into range one where he can really *&%$ people up.

The problem with that is that the extra hitpoint given by integrated astromech is a lifesaver when it comes to x-wings, especially wedge. You'd be sacrificing durability for mobility and that could go either way

Edited by Tailsgod

Is it worth putting EU on Wedge? Now we talking Poe-ish points. Ive only ever ran him with PTL/VI + BB8, but have trouble getting him into range one where he can really *&%$ people up.

With BB-8 (and practice) Wedge does not need EU. Put VI on him and he can stay out of archs and fire first. In Wedge's case, the best Defense is a good Offense. Dead things do not shoot back. :D

Is it worth putting EU on Wedge? Now we talking Poe-ish points. Ive only ever ran him with PTL/VI + BB8, but have trouble getting him into range one where he can really *&%$ people up.

With BB-8 (and practice) Wedge does not need EU. Put VI on him and he can stay out of archs and fire first. In Wedge's case, the best Defense is a good Offense. Dead things do not shoot back. :D

And wedge is good at making living things dead

EU can work on Wedge. As stated though, a combo of the barrel roll, a lock and a focus is insanely good. It keeps you doing greens most the time but still.