Kanan & Biggs

By bwingstrike, in X-Wing Squad Lists

So with my first regional championship this Sunday, I'm doing my usual panic about what list to run.

Kanan - FCS, Recspec x2, Ion Cannon Turret, Ghost - 51

Biggs - R4-D6, Interpreted Astromech- 26

Sabine - Lone Wolf, Phantom - 23

My major worry is that Kanan is essentially my only gun, as Biggs is likely to drop fast. And would I be able to deal enough damage before that happens.

I've tried it a few times (against myself as no opponent is available, so not the best tests) and Kanans ability seems to help Biggs stick around. Plus the ability to ion big ships in 1 turn is awesome.

I keep thinking maybe I should run my usual list of Guri (Predator & Autothrusters), Palob (Ion Cannon Turret) & 2 x Cartel Marauders instead.

Any thoughts or constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated!

Biggs still hits like a X-wing, 3 dice is pretty good. To address your comment about a lack of firepower, your use of the ion turret, while being able to ion big ships in one turn, also really hurts when it takes that 4 dice primary out of the round if used for the first attack too. I debated dual RecSpec too, but decided to swap one for a Tactician, it's not that often that 3 ships could see their attack lowered, but the extra focus could have been useful on attack.

Tactical jammer is a very nice 1 point addition to stretch Biggs even further, and the starting moves are not that hard to park Biggs behind Kanan for the first few rounds of shooting to benefit from that extra dice. I did it by putting the Ghost with a clear straight path, with Biggs facing the Ghost, lined up with it's rear end. Kanan does a 3 straight and Biggs 3 turns in to end up behind the Ghost, but on the outside of where the enemy is likely to be.

That's not to say that your list doesn't work, it really should do fine.

Biggs still hits like a X-wing, 3 dice is pretty good. To address your comment about a lack of firepower, your use of the ion turret, while being able to ion big ships in one turn, also really hurts when it takes that 4 dice primary out of the round if used for the first attack too. I debated dual RecSpec too, but decided to swap one for a Tactician, it's not that often that 3 ships could see their attack lowered, but the extra focus could have been useful on attack.

Tactical jammer is a very nice 1 point addition to stretch Biggs even further, and the starting moves are not that hard to park Biggs behind Kanan for the first few rounds of shooting to benefit from that extra dice. I did it by putting the Ghost with a clear straight path, with Biggs facing the Ghost, lined up with it's rear end. Kanan does a 3 straight and Biggs 3 turns in to end up behind the Ghost, but on the outside of where the enemy is likely to be.

That's not to say that your list doesn't work, it really should do fine.

I would only very rarely give up the primary attack and an ion attack for just 2 ion shots, I only do that if they are out of arc.

I did think about the tactical jammer, but sadly don't have a copy of the card. Coupled with Kanans ability, you face 1 less red with 1 more green dice!

Edited by bwingstrike

I would drop the second Rec Spec. Firstly there is the law of diminishing returns. Rec Spec 1 doubles the effectiveness of your Focus, the second only increases it by a further 50%. Secondly it is 6 points of upgrades that don't function if you bump.

Secondly, Sabine really shines with PTL, the action economy she gets is crazily good so finding the extra point is probably worthwhile if you can manage it.

I would suggest dropping 1 Rec Spec for Han Solo. He lets you get extra mileage out of your FCS. That will save you 1 points which is enough to give Sabine PTL.

I've had a good record with

Kanan + AdvSensors + RecSpec x2 + TactJam + AutoTurret

Biggs + R2-D2 + IntAstro

Sabine

Won a store championship with it with only one loss in Swiss to triple JumpMasters (beat him in the 1st vs 2nd game).

RecSpec x2 is very difficult to pull off if you don't have AdvSensors.

I've had a good record with

Kanan + AdvSensors + RecSpec x2 + TactJam + AutoTurret

Biggs + R2-D2 + IntAstro

Sabine

Won a store championship with it with only one loss in Swiss to triple JumpMasters (beat him in the 1st vs 2nd game).

RecSpec x2 is very difficult to pull off if you don't have AdvSensors.

How did Biggs get on with R2D2? Did you get much use out of it?

I've had a good record with

Kanan + AdvSensors + RecSpec x2 + TactJam + AutoTurret

Biggs + R2-D2 + IntAstro

Sabine

Won a store championship with it with only one loss in Swiss to triple JumpMasters (beat him in the 1st vs 2nd game).

RecSpec x2 is very difficult to pull off if you don't have AdvSensors.

How did Biggs get on with R2D2? Did you get much use out of it?

My first game against Dengar/Palob/N'dru and my second game against a Decimator/Phantom list he got 5 shields back in each game. My other 5 games he probably only got about 5 shields total back.

You still need fly Biggs smart though. I've only tried a similar list twice and R2 did not get a chance to trigger. First time he got blown away by N'Dru without ever getting off a shot. I should have k turned Biggs instead of making sure he was targetable. Second I was smarter but he got ionized first round of shooting which then enabled him to get focus fired in the second. Did his job both times but would have liked him to stick around a bit longer. And action denial will hurt the Kenan - Biggs combo. Will be going down this path for regionals so will see how it goes.