Last game I ran the following and ended up 1st in the Spring event at our local store. Although having the 2nd Bantha helped cement the win by killing Boba in 2 rounds (game 2 of 3) I don't feel it would offer enough.

Bantha Rider

Bantha Rider

Elite Nexu (Last Resort)

Elite Tusken Raiders

R2-D2

Gideon

Beast Tamer

Temporary Alliance

Usually I have been using the following for a lot of successes, but it loses to the twins lists a few times.

Bantha Rider

Elite Nexu

Regular Nexu (Last Resort)

Elite Tusken Raiders

Gideon

Regular Wookie Warriors

Beast Tamer

Temporary Alliance

As it is coming up on the Regional season, I'm looking for something a little more punchy.

Would it be better to remove the Bantha, Last Resort and R2-D2 from 1st list and add in Elite HK's with Explosive Armaments + Targeting Computer (or IG88 + Targeting Computer), or remove the Bantha, Last Resort and R2-D2 and add in Elite Rebel Troopers + Regular Hired Guns?

Or from list 2, drop the Wookie warriors and Last Resort and add in Elite Rebel Troopers?

The second list with the wookies is tough but everything is melee.... That can be tricky to use well... You end up blocking yourself a bit and the enemy can kite you or funnel you into corridors (especially once the bantha is dead).

I'd probably just swap the wookies for HKs. The tuskens already do the same job as the wookies and synergize better with the bantha.

And I'd probably swap the regular nexu and last resort for hired guns and devious scheme. Cheap and great for grabbing objectives and getting terminals and devious scheme is just amazing. Basically a must take with a bantha to guarantee turn 2 initiative and get the most value of it before it dies.

HK's are pretty solid, but the upgrade to elite isn't worth 3 points.

So I'd suggest something like this

The second list with the wookies is tough but everything is melee.... That can be tricky to use well... You end up blocking yourself a bit and the enemy can kite you or funnel you into corridors (especially once the bantha is dead).

I'd probably just swap the wookies for HKs. The tuskens already do the same job as the wookies and synergize better with the bantha.

And I'd probably swap the regular nexu and last resort for hired guns and devious scheme. Cheap and great for grabbing objectives and getting terminals and devious scheme is just amazing. Basically a must take with a bantha to guarantee turn 2 initiative and get the most value of it before it dies.

HK's are pretty solid, but the upgrade to elite isn't worth 3 points.

So I'd suggest something like this

9 Bantha Rider

6 Elite Nexu

1 Temporary Alliance

7 Elite Tusken Raider

3 Gideon Argus

1 Beast Tamer

8 HK Assasin Droid

4 Hired Gun

1 Devious Scheme

You got more variety, more flexibility and arguably more punch.

Even then you could potentially swap Gideon for another group of hired guns or a regular nexu. The movement is hard to use with the bantha because it's so fast, but his focus is great for HKs.

You could even swap Gideon and the hired guns for another group of HKs.

The last 8 points are more of a personal preference thing.

I approve of this list

I play very similar list, just instead of eNexu I chose rNexu+3PO. It's quite strong

My version is quite similar:

9 Bantha Rider
6 Elite Nexu
1 Beast Tamer
11 Elite HK Assasin Droids

7 Elite Tusken Raider
1 Temporary Alliance

3 Gideon Argus
2 C3P0

I like to create a Nexu Missile in the first round: Focus it and then use Beast Tamer on it to send it 15 squares with a pounce, for a big 3-dice hit complete with Bleed and Cleave 2. That's a great way to start off a match! Then I move the Bantha up to prepare for a big stampede the next round. Of course, if the Nexu is still alive in the next round then I'm more than happy to attack/cleave/bleed again. The eHKs are very strong when they're each getting a focus almost every round...and with both the Bantha and Nexu up there causing havoc, it's often very difficult for my opponent to come after my HKs in the back.

I'd like to fit Devious Scheme in there because I know it's good, but I kinda think the Tuskens are important for objectives and the Command Card efficiency. Plus, they're pretty solid melee attackers.

/rant on

Hmm, not to derail the thread or anything, but thereisnotry, why do you do that crazy formatting on your text? I happen to be reading this on my computer, so I can highlight it this time and, well, actually read it instead of just going "oh look, solid white bars again". But if I'm using my phone, I can't easily highlight, and I'm certainly not going to bother fiddling with it when -I shouldn't have to in the first place-. Particularly frustrating because I think your posts often have actual valuable contributions to a discussion. (A somewhat ironic statement to conclude my post on, I realize. ; )

/rant off

/rant on

Hmm, not to derail the thread or anything, but thereisnotry, why do you do that crazy formatting on your text? I happen to be reading this on my computer, so I can highlight it this time and, well, actually read it instead of just going "oh look, solid white bars again". But if I'm using my phone, I can't easily highlight, and I'm certainly not going to bother fiddling with it when -I shouldn't have to in the first place-. Particularly frustrating because I think your posts often have actual valuable contributions to a discussion. (A somewhat ironic statement to conclude my post on, I realize. ; )

/rant off

Maybe this might be better dealt with via PM, but whatever.

I was not aware there was any crazy formatting going on. The only reason I can imagine why the formatting of my text would be weird is because I copied some of the text from a poster above, and maybe that made things a little different. I'll see if I can edit the formatting a bit.

EDIT: There, I tried to adjust it. I can read everything just fine on my iPhone. If it's still wonky then I think it's an issue on the website's end, because I'm not sure what else might be going on.

...Huh. So it's unintentional? I must admit, I hadn't considered it could just be a glitch somewhere. My apologies then! *buys a drink*

...Huh. So it's unintentional? I must admit, I hadn't considered it could just be a glitch somewhere. My apologies then! *buys a drink*

No worries! Yes, quite unintentional. In fact, I actually didn't even know it was displaying weirdly at all.

[downs the drink in one gulp, and buys one for you]

Back on topic, I'd really like to fit Devious Scheme into the squad I posted. Therefore I wonder if it would be worthwhile to downgrade the eNexu to a rNexu. Normally I think that's a massive loss, but in this case, it will be focused when it makes its first (and likely only) attack, so it's almost certain to apply its Cleave and Bleed. Also, since it's a sack piece, it would be better to only give my opponent 4 VPs rather than 6.

The other benefit is that I could add Explosive Armaments to the eHKs. Since they will be shooting with 4 dice most of the time (focused) and can reroll, they will be almost certain to get the double-surge that they need for the big Blast 2 each time. That turns them into super-long-range eSaboteurs! And it might just be enough to draw some attention their way, thus allowing the Bantha to live another round.

9 Bantha Rider

4 Nexu

1 Beast Tamer

11 Elite HK Assasin Droids

1 Explosive Armaments

7 Elite Tusken Raider

1 Temporary Alliance

3 Gideon Argus

2 C3P0

1 Devious Scheme

Something to chew on. I really like the eNexu over the regular most of the time, but in this case it seems like the regular might be the way to go.... Meditate on this I will.

I actually won a kit tourney with a similar list (using rNexu). I think the eHKs are overpriced for what you get though, and definitely so with Explosive Armaments; and (brace yourself!) so is C-3P0--in most lists. ; ) My list swapped out the eHKs and C-3P0 for rHKs (no Armaments), rHired Guns, and a rSmuggler.

With eHKs, C-3P0 *might* fare better, but I'd still rather have a Smuggler and Guns for objective/terminal camping and potshots. With a Bantha in your list, any good opponent is already going to spread out anyway, so in my experience Armaments just aren't going to be worth it. Either way, the eHKs don't get you nearly enough benefit for their additional 3 points. If the Bantha and Nexu are doing their job and distracting your opponent's forces, then the offensive bonus gained by the eHKs over rHKs is all-but negligible (and Priority Target is rarely useful). If they're not distracting your opponent, then a single additional health will almost never make enough difference to allow the eHKs to survive.

Bantha and Nexu charge in, Raiders following up, and HKs hang back with Gideon. The Guns and Smuggler go for objectives/terminals first (if necessary), and join the fight otherwise.

Don't know why you insist on keeping eHK's especially with explosive armaments. Costs 3 points more and the extra surge for dmg doesn't go into play since you gonna use 2 surges for explosives (1dmg 2 blast). 1 extra hp is sure sometimes helpful to stay alive, but its still only 1hp. Explosive armaments are really nice on HK's even if u don't use it since it prevents your opponent from clustering his units.

As for nexu, I really prefer elite version, but for the time being I'm playing only 7 activation list, and sadly can't fit the elite version. On the other hand if you tend to focus nexu, regular one benefits more from it since it has 2 surges to spend.

Don't know why you insist on keeping eHK's especially with explosive armaments. Costs 3 points more and the extra surge for dmg doesn't go into play since you gonna use 2 surges for explosives (1dmg 2 blast). 1 extra hp is sure sometimes helpful to stay alive, but its still only 1hp. Explosive armaments are really nice on HK's even if u don't use it since it prevents your opponent from clustering his units.

As for nexu, I really prefer elite version, but for the time being I'm playing only 7 activation list, and sadly can't fit the elite version. On the other hand if you tend to focus nexu, regular one benefits more from it since it has 2 surges to spend.

??? I'm not sure that insist is really the word. I've never actually played with Bantha/eHKs myself, but I've played against it and it was really strong. If you're wanting to argue that eHKs aren't worth the extra 3 pts then we can have that discussion. The reason I tend to prefer them over the regular HKs is because Priority Target on a long-range attacker is very valuable...more valuable than on a short-range attacker. The extra HP are really negligible.

I played both and vs both. Initially it was the idea to keep eHK's totally behind allowing them to use priority target, but after playing several games and having used it like once or twice I came to conclusion its not really necessary. With bantha in the list, you can push the enemy figures more or less to your preference if placed correctly. You can also place your hk's on corners and hide them behind a supp figure, so they can see the openings while remaining hidden.

I bet you know all these things, just wanted to say that in my opinion HK's > eHK's

I played both and vs both. Initially it was the idea to keep eHK's totally behind allowing them to use priority target, but after playing several games and having used it like once or twice I came to conclusion its not really necessary. With bantha in the list, you can push the enemy figures more or less to your preference if placed correctly. You can also place your hk's on corners and hide them behind a supp figure, so they can see the openings while remaining hidden.

I bet you know all these things, just wanted to say that in my opinion HK's > eHK's

Thanks for sharing! These are some good points.

I do have to agree regarding eHKs. The upgrade isn't worth 3 points.

Shooting through stuff is amazing, but really most of the time you can just move 2 around a figure, or corner, shoot, then move back.

Hiding behind the bantha sounds awesome in theory (I thought the same when the bantha was released). But in reality the bantha is so far in front that HK would struggle to shoot past it anyway. And if you hold your bantha back as a meat shield then you're just taking damage and not putting any out.

I tried the following at an event on Tuesday night:

My list ended up as below and seemed to be ok. Will see at event this weekend and a Regional at end of the month.

It's great that you're trying out different things and seeing what works best for you.

I hate when people just expect someone to tell them a good list. This game doesn't work like that. It's like 20% Luck, 20% list building and 60% in game strategy.

I agree regular HKs are better than elites... the 3 point upgrade isn't worth it.

I still prefer an elite nexu than a regular one, but last resort probably evens that equation out a bit.

Hired Guns are great. Lots of people under-estimate their usefulness.

Ended up winning the event with a 3-0 record. So that was good.

1 very close game against the twins where I needed to kill either Luke((4 damage taken) or Leia(3 damage taken)and not lose the 2 tuskens or the last HK to win. I ended up getting the 6 damage to kill Luke (just) for the win as Leia with the remaining Sab were in no position to reach the HK. PHEW

Its the 2nd time using the HK's and 1st against Rebels and their 90% 'X-men' rolls I seem to get. Being able to get the defender to reroll the white die is AWESOME. Only once was it rerolled to another 'X' Due to this im thinking of dropping the Nexu and HG's (HG's were fast and helped grab objectives on 1st turn )

Is this a good idea losing an activation (Nexu) for better damage output and a reroll of defence dice?? I'm 50/50 on this as my next time to try out my list will be at a Regional.

Ended up winning the event with a 3-0 record. So that was good.

1 very close game against the twins where I needed to kill either Luke((4 damage taken) or Leia(3 damage taken)and not lose the 2 tuskens or the last HK to win. I ended up getting the 6 damage to kill Luke (just) for the win as Leia with the remaining Sab were in no position to reach the HK. PHEW

Its the 2nd time using the HK's and 1st against Rebels and their 90% 'X-men' rolls I seem to get. Being able to get the defender to reroll the white die is AWESOME. Only once was it rerolled to another 'X' Due to this im thinking of dropping the Nexu and HG's (HG's were fast and helped grab objectives on 1st turn )

Is this a good idea losing an activation (Nexu) for better damage output and a reroll of defence dice?? I'm 50/50 on this as my next time to try out my list will be at a Regional.

What are you dropping the Nexu for? I'm a big fan of Elite Nexu... If you didn't get good use out of C3PO, maybe swap his 2 points for an elite nexu upgrade.

Otherwise, there's not too much to swap the Nexu for because they are so cheap. 2 Hired Guns is usually enough. I have run 4 in the past but it probably wasn't worth it.

I was thinking of dropping the nexu and the HG for another set of Regular HK's. This would give me 4 attacks where the rebels White defence die can be rerolled from the 'X-men' result.

C3PO was handing out 'Focus' tokens every turn near enough like it was going out of fashion, so certainly got use out of him.

I would lose an activation and the cats ability of being anywhere on the board in 1 turn.

You'll have to weigh up if extra HKs are worth the huge positioning and speed benefit of both a nexu and hired guns.

Especially with a bantha in the list, you kind of really want to get as many command cards as you can. You really want to hit that Jungland Terror, and you want to do it early.

Personally i've seen dual HK lists suffer from poor mobility. They are very squishy and I think you'll struggle against some faster units like a RGC or Boba Fett.

I think it's going to come down to what your local opposition usually plays with.

If it's mass rebel troopers... then it probably doesn't matter much. They are slow too and the bantha wrecks their day since the pierce is useless. If you verse more Sabs then HKs are probably better due to the extra range, but you'll have to be careful of their higher speed.

I think getting rid of a regular Nexu is easy to justify. The hired guns on the other hand are more useful in my opinion.

Ultimately, just try both lists a few times and see which one you like best. It's going to come down to which one you're most comfortable with, and which one fits your local meta better.

Side note:
These are the top 3 lists for the recent Tulsa Regionals

1st-Jesse:
Bantha Rider
HK Assassin Droid
HK Assassin Droid
eTusken
3p0
Gideon
Devious Scheme
Beast Tamer
Temp Alliance

2nd - JD:
Bantha Rider
HK Assassin Droid
eTusken Raider
Nexu
Hired Guns
3p0
Gideon
Beast Tamer
Devious Scheme
Temp alliance

3rd - Brad
Bantha Rider
HK Assassin Droid
eTusken Raider
Nexu
Hired Guns
3p0
Gideon
Beast Tamer
Devious Scheme
Temp alliance

So there you go..... it probably just comes down to strategy on the table and some luck with the dice.

Ill let you know how it goes. Have a couple of night practice against a couple of people with different lists and experience then a Regional at the weekend.

Followed by Spring event on 11th June then 2nd Regional on 18th June

Ended up 3-1 in the swiss to finish 2nd, then lost in the final after a top 8 cut. (40-18 I think.)

Will definitely need to swap out 3 or 4 of my command cards as they were rubbish and not used at all even though I drew then in every game. On paper they are good, but not in practice. They were to do with strain production. 2 were 'merciless' cant remember the others. As I needed both actions to move and then shoot, I didn't want to use them and then lose out on the shooting as there were no opposing figures next to any of the 4 HK's at the start of their activations in any of the games.

Time to change something to enable me to add in Bossk to the list or even go with a totally new list. Someone did use 2 e Trando and 2 reg trandos. They chewed through their opponents deck in a lot of their games. they ended up 2-2 and didn't make the cut.

That was also something I was looking at. Bossk with Trando's + Gideon if could fit him in and then make a punishing strain list. have a few evenings and 1 spring event to practice before another Regional in a few weeks.

I've been running Bossk and Trando's and enjoying it but I think you need to go all out as unless your opponent is drawing on empty you're gaining very little (He's just drawing different cards unless he was going to get through the whole deck)

I like the idea of adding Gideon and C3P0 to that package but it's tough to hit that critical mass I think once you drop one group of Trando's for them.

I think the only list I'd consider if running the rebs support package is:

Under Duress

Temporary Alliance

Gideon

C3P0

Bossk

eTrandos

rTrandos x2

I ran Bossk a couple times last night

Bossk

eWing Guard

eSnowtrooper

eStormtrooper

Imp Officer

Temp Alliance

Rule by Fear

It worked pretty well when I could keep my troopers together and murder stuff. Popping Bossk in and out from behind the front lines was really nice when it worked out. He is such a beast with the free bonus damage. It's certainly a little slow on some of the maps but I think it's pretty viable if played right....now if I can just figure that part out.