So Kiddo, you remember how Luke was left alone in the Trench with Darth Vader? Yes? Well Biggs and Wedge were gone but if you remember R2 was with him still.

Just when Vader was about destroy Luke's X-Wing, R2-D2 heroically block Vader's shot and saved Luke from dying.

This new 'Integrated Astromech' card your asking about makes ALL Astromechs on your X-Wings like R2 in the movie. He can sacrifice himself to possibly save his Pilot.

Name a better modification to take?

I've had good success with the Biggs+R2-F2+Stealth Device combo. Paired him with Wedge+Wingman so he can Focus and activate R2-F2 each turn.

Granted, that's a very specific edge case.

Exactly, and integrated astro works generally. Its a free upgrade that grants a hull point. That is a better option in most cases.

I said it was naff when it was announced having played against it numerous times my opinion hasn't changed at all its never once saved an opponents x-wing.

100% AT on t-70's on x-wing's it's free but not amazing.

In the store championship I played this weekend, in two different games, Poe was saved by Integrated Astromech. Once was a direct hit and the other was a crit I didn't want to take. (Can't remember the specifics, but not direct hit.) In the game with direct hit, Poe survived for three more rounds and fired in each of those rounds. It was pretty crazy because their attack went cold and couldn't finish Poe. I'm really glad I used it.

Works really well on Biggs as described. Wedge + BB8 + IA is also pretty cool. It's free! Any T-65 is now better because of it. Some of them are still more playable than others but hey, like I said, it's free!

Where are your parents?

I see everybody raving about this card. And I must be missing something, because I'm just not seeing it.

"When you are dealt a Damage card, you may discard 1 of your Astromech Upgrade cards to discard that Damage card (without resolving its effect)."

Okay, so I have to tie up my Modification slot and lose a useful Astromech to avoid one damage card. Granted, that could be a devastating Crit or the one that ultimately destroys me. But it still feels like a pretty high cost for something I'll use once per game. I feel like I'd be better off with a Mod that helps me all game long rather than at one opportune moment (and that doesn't cost me an upgrade I've spent points on to boot).

So I ask you: what's so great about Integrated Astromech? Explain as you would a child.

Droid go boom so you don't!

Name a better modification to take?

I've had good success with the Biggs+R2-F2+Stealth Device combo. Paired him with Wedge+Wingman so he can Focus and activate R2-F2 each turn.

Granted, that's a very specific edge case.

Exactly, and integrated astro works generally. Its a free upgrade that grants a hull point. That is a better option in most cases.

Shield point, because it works on crits.

It's great on cheap T-70s with cheap droids.

My current list is a 5-ship Rebel list with 2 T-70s, both with Integrated and R2 astros. Gives me a nice bonus when flying, but has saved my bacon SO many times. 1pt for a free hull point in a list where I can't afford bigger mods? Hell yes.

It has saved one of my X wings in 3 of the last 4 games I have fielded it in. That's 3 ships with 3 attack die (or 4 in range 1) that got to attack a minimum of one more time. Just try it and see, if you don't like it don't use it. It's an incredibly cheap insurance policy that unless you have some other use for your mod slot you'd be a fool not to take it.

Where are your parents?

Out getting cigarettes though come to think of it that was a while back now...must just be a long queue right?

Alternatively, its Totem Armor from Magic: the Gathering.

IA > shield upgrade for 3 less points if you count the droid.

A regular hit? Save the droid. A nasty crit OR last hull point? Eject it.

There was a brief moment before I scrolled where I thought the original post was just that meme, and I found that to be incredibly hilarious. Sorry, just had to share that.

It won me a tournament with triple T-65. Although 2 had IA, Wedge had R2D2 so I still felt that a shield upgrade was worth the points on him. I feel that with R2D2 you are going to get more use out of him than the 1 time IA so the extra shield seems worth it.

Tournament play it means that I am pretty confident I won't lose my x wings. I hardly ever used any other modifications on them before IA turned up as well (maybe the odd shield).

Plus the look on your opponents face is satisfying when they think they have killed you with a direct hit.

So I ask you: what's so great about Integrated Astromech? Explain as you would a child.

you get the asto bonus, and can compeltely DISCARD any card, after reading it's effect

it's BETTER than a shield, and merely for 1 point.

Got dealt direct hit with 2 hull left, used integrated astromech, still had 2 hull left yay!

I said it was naff when it was announced having played against it numerous times my opinion hasn't changed at all its never once saved an opponents x-wing.

100% AT on t-70's on x-wing's it's free but not amazing.

I wish it was 100%... if Autothrusters didn't cost 2 points, maybe it would be... but my current list doesn't have the points left for it on Red Ace, so Integrated Astromech FTW!

AT on low PS x-wings is mostly a waste. You can't control range very well with those guys, and the popularity of TLTs is pretty easily countered by Red vets with boost.

Red vets with Predator, r2 astro and integrated are surprisingly fun at 31. Great dial with trolls and greens, nice dice mods and cool looking models

you don't use AT until you get to Poe or Red Ace, sometimes Asty

otherwise, you end up autothrusting 0-1 damage per game, which Integrated does for free