I'm (cautiously) looking forward to the change in meta that will happen when the new wave hits. I run Imp Aces (usually 1-2 Aces and fill with Ties/Interceptors) but I recently got on the Palp/Vader Shuttle bandwagon...

When the Prototype hits, I want to try this list out - please critique:

Shuttle Prototype

(99 Points)

The Inquisitor (Prototype - When attacking with your primary weapon at Range 2-3, treat the range of the attack as Range 1)

-Push the Limit

-XX-23 S-Thread Tracers

-Tie/v1

-Autothrusters

Valen Rudor (Prototype - After defending, you may perform one free action)

-Expose

-XX-23 S-Thread Tracers

-Tie/v1

-Autothrusters

One of the following:

Colonel Jendon (Lambda - At the start of the Combat Phase, you may assign 1 of your blue target lock tokens to a friendly ship at Range 1 if it does not have a blue target lock token)

-Emperor Palpatine

-Title (When acquiring a target lock, you may lock onto any target in the play area)

OR (100 points)

-Darth Vader

-Mangler Cannon

-Agent Kallus

-Title

The thought is to use Jendon to feed Target Locks and evades to the Prototypes until they are ready to use PTL and/or free actions to in position to blast away. Inquisitor+Autothrusters seems like a no-brainer. The difference in Shuttles is pretty huge, either way he's a big target - which I plan to mitigate by slow-rolling the Prototypes. With the Vader+Mangler Cannon, the Shuttle becomes a force, which I prefer, but have never played - anyone have success with this? Is it worth squeezing an engine upgrade on the Shuttle?

I see what you're trying to do with Valen, but I think Expose is still a terrible idea. You are spending 4 points on card that will only be worth using against higher PS opponents shooting at Rudor (and even then, making it easier for them to kill you is generally a bad idea). If you are being targeted by one or more lower PS enemies, it would be pure folly to activate Expose (and if there is a mix of higher and lower PS enemies shooting, again, utter idiocy to use Expose).

So basically, 4 points for an ability that you will only be able to use in very specific circumstances.....totally not worth it. Rudor's biggest problem is the 2 attack dice, but Expose doesn't fix it. Its unfortunate that opportunist doesn't really work on him (the stress prevents his ability from triggering vs lower PS shooters). I would say his best EPTs are crack shot or Juke (w/ title).

As to how to kit out your shuttle, of the two options you listed, Palpatine all the way. Vader is good, but 'mangler' is meh on a 3 attack ship and Kallus is also somewhat meh on a shuttle...

Engine is also good on a shuttle, but only if you know how to get the most out of it. I would not consider it essential or anything, especially on a palp ride.

So basically, 4 points for an ability that you will only be able to use in very specific circumstances.....totally not worth it. Rudor's biggest problem is the 2 attack dice, but Expose doesn't fix it. Its unfortunate that opportunist doesn't really work on him (the stress prevents his ability from triggering vs lower PS shooters). I would say his best EPTs are crack shot or Juke (w/ title).

Thanks for the input.

My idea - to your point - is really summed in this scenario:

1. Valen moves and chooses to Target Lock a prospective opponent (free Evade)

2. Valen is shot at by one or more higher PS ship(s) and

3. Barrel rolls/boosts and exposes in the event that he's able to get out of his enemies arcs but set up a shot

You're right - very circumstantial.

Reading your comment reminded me of the saturation of TLTs in my local meta. Does Valen benefit from TLTs in that he can barrel roll/boost into range 1 (or out of range 3) of the attacker after the first TLT shot or is the downside of the 2 agility too much?

Reading your comment reminded me of the saturation of TLTs in my local meta. Does Valen benefit from TLTs in that he can barrel roll/boost into range 1 (or out of range 3) of the attacker after the first TLT shot or is the downside of the 2 agility too much?

Actually yeah, that IS Rudor's strong point. If you happen to be range 2 (or roll back out of range if already R3) and a twin laser shoots at him, he can boost/roll into range 1 and denies the 2nd shot (unless FFG FAQ's it otherwise, but I would be really surprised if they did...)

So if you are seeing a lot of twin lasers, I think he's solid against them. Even if he can't boost/roll out of all shots, doing so for some is useful, and he also has autothrusters for whatever shots do come his way...

My thoughts exactly..

I'm not positing that this list is better than other Imp Aces but I like the ability to react during the combat phase. I am open to suggestions for a replacement of Expose, although if you do anticipate thwarting a TLT (or any other attack, for that matter) by getting into range one, you could do some more meaningful damage with 4 reds and a Target Lock...

My concern at the moment is, does this list spend too many points on the Target Lock synergy of the Prototypes with their Title? i.e Jendon and the Shuttle Title...

Rudor is good against twin lasers but to get any value out of him against other ships with decent agility, I would say Juke. He's going to have TL + evade pretty much all the time, and if someone shoots at him early and you don't need to boost/BR he'll have focus too. Alternatively, crack shot...