I have read a few times now people saying FCS is great with B wings is fantastic. Why is it so great for B wings in particular even when it's nthe only upgrade?
Why B wings with FCS?
Action Economy. Especially when generics can't take an elite.
Even taking red maneuvers you'll constantly be replenishing your locks. Loses some value against lists with 4 or more ships.
It's cheap, it's reliable and it works regardless of stress. Especially the latter, with the B-Wing's dial.
FCS is likely under-costed and the B-wing is one of the few ships that can equip it.
I've always liked them on Shuttles. Anything with 3 attack dice gets a kick out of them, heck, even 2 attack dice ships like the Punisher can have some mean primary dice at range 1.
I have read a few times now people saying FCS is great with B wings is fantastic. Why is it so great for B wings in particular even when it's nthe only upgrade?
It's not just good on b-wings in particular. It's really good on pretty much any ship that has a system slot and at least 3 attack dice.
The Fire Control System benefits ships which trade fire over several turns - the B-wing is a good 'slugger', with 1 agility and 8 'hit points', so it tends to fight that way. Plus, it's cheap enough that even so equipped, a Blue Squadron Pilot B-wing stays under the magic 25 point value that allows you to take 4 of them.
The latter shouldn't be underestimated. It's like the Khiraxz and X-wing - the Cartel Marauder is only 1 point cheaper than a Rookie Pilot, so why is it so much better? Because that 1 point is a critical boundary that means you can take 5 snubfighters to your opponent's maximum of 4.
The Fire Control System benefits ships which trade fire over several turns - the B-wing is a good 'slugger', with 1 agility and 8 'hit points', so it tends to fight that way. Plus, it's cheap enough that even so equipped, a Blue Squadron Pilot B-wing stays under the magic 25 point value that allows you to take 4 of them.
Not only that, but the B-Wing dial (with the 1-straight) is well suited to 'rolling slowly' towards the enemy to keep them in arc and suffering from your TL for more than one turn.
Of course, it's not a great strategy in *isolation*, as you can get flanked easily enough and then cut to pieces from outside of your arc. But if flown well, can be a real pain!
It is cheaper than advanced sensors and if your opponent insists on taking you head on you should be able to get a free target lock or 2.
Granted sooner or later most opponents will learn not to face you head on and rotate ships out of arc so that the FCS will never be used to modify dice. The FCS is a good upgrade but it works better on a ship that can make a second attack such as a shuttle with gunner or Corran Horn.
But even then, for a couple of points a fighter, if it psychs an opponent into losing a game of chicken and running with a key ship it's still helping you.
Fire Control isn't amazing. But it is good, and it's very, very cheap. Most 'free action' or 'free token' abilities either cost 3+ points or come with a steep downside (often stress) or both.
I have read a few times now people saying FCS is great with B wings is fantastic. Why is it so great for B wings in particular even when it's nthe only upgrade?
In particular:
B-wings hit hard, and needs to keep hitting things before they die themselves.
FCS helps in that regard, and it keeps them cheap.
But back to your question. Why FCS and not another upgrade?
Electronic Baffle
- This upgrade can be good on B-wings, since you have a lot of health. But only if you do not have the extra point for FCS.
Enhanced Scopes
- I guess this might have merit, if you to be sure to block/get your action.
Fire Control System
- People already commented on this!
Accuracy Corrector
- B-wings need to hit hard, and this doens't really help. It is much better on Tie-adv and on autoturret Hera.
Advanced Sensors
- This upgrade works best with aces. While it is viable on Keyan/Ten-numb, if you go generic B-wings, FCS is still better.
Reinforced Deflectors
- It is too expensive on the B-wing, and very situational. But it might be fun in some setups.
Sensor Jammer
- It is way too expensive on a b-wing, when it is countered by a single focus action.
Bumping this thread, as it's _way_ more interesting than any of the discussions about Identification in Virginia.
I have read a few times now people saying FCS is great with B wings is fantastic. Why is it so great for B wings in particular even when it's nthe only upgrade?
In particular:
B-wings hit hard, and needs to keep hitting things before they die themselves.
FCS helps in that regard, and it keeps them cheap.
But back to your question. Why FCS and not another upgrade?
Electronic Baffle
- This upgrade can be good on B-wings, since you have a lot of health. But only if you do not have the extra point for FCS.
Enhanced Scopes
- I guess this might have merit, if you to be sure to block/get your action.
Fire Control System
- People already commented on this!
Accuracy Corrector
- B-wings need to hit hard, and this doens't really help. It is much better on Tie-adv and on autoturret Hera.
Advanced Sensors
- This upgrade works best with aces. While it is viable on Keyan/Ten-numb, if you go generic B-wings, FCS is still better.
Reinforced Deflectors
- It is too expensive on the B-wing, and very situational. But it might be fun in some setups.
Sensor Jammer
- It is way too expensive on a b-wing, when it is countered by a single focus action.
EB is a bit of a liability on the B-Wing, thanks to its unforgiving dial.
ES will require a very specific play style, if you practice with it it might pay off, but I wouldn't put it on a Blue, with its low PS.
AC is not as efficient as on a 2-attack ship, but it will help against SJ for instance and it will help you with getting consistent results without requiring TL's or Focus tokens, freeing your action for Barrel Rolls.
AS is the go-to if you prefer freedom of maneuvering, allowing you to barrel roll past an asteroid before moving for instance, or to get out of the way of an arc.
RD is large ship only.
SJ might be countered by a focus action, but then you are dictating when and where to spend that token, which is Not A Bad Thing™, and it works every single time.
Advanced Sensors
- This upgrade works best with aces. While it is viable on Keyan/Ten-numb, if you go generic B-wings, FCS is still better.
AS is the go-to if you prefer freedom of maneuvering, allowing you to barrel roll past an asteroid before moving for instance, or to get out of the way of an arc.
AS is great on any ship that wants to be in a knife fight. It lets you bump without giving up your action and make the most out of the red maneuvers on your dial. The 2 K-Turn gets blocked easily, being able to barrel roll first gives you more options. A barrel roll before a hard 1 turn is a really nice option to have, it almost just turns you 90 degrees in place.