Ignore the Gunboat terminology for one second, and suppose this was rolled out as a potential new Systems Upgrade to all applicable ships:

So - imagine you'd be able to use it with:

• Lambda-class Shuttle (cannon, unlimited application)
• B-Wing (cannon, unlimited application or torpedo, 2 shots max)
• E-Wing (torpedo, one shot max)
• Aggressor (cannon, unlimited applications)
• StarViper (with the Virago title equipped only, torpedo, 1 shot max)
• TIE Advanced (with the TIE/x1 title equipped, missile, 1 shot max)
• TIE Punisher (torpedoes, missiles, 5 shots max)
• VCX-100 (torpedoes, 2 shots max or turret, unlimited)
• G-1A Starfighter (useless, except alongside Mist Hunter title & Tractor Beam)

Essentially you are gambling on your primary attack hitting in order to immediately perform a second attack with a secondary weapon. Obviously this requires you to invest in both the systems upgrade and a secondary weapon.

Where would this concept become overpowered? (i.e. IG-2000s, Corran Horn)

How would you limit or balance the concept?

The VCX + Phantom, with a TLT ?

As there's no "you may not perform a further attack", presumably you could have your primary [obviously, in arc only], followed by TLT using your system card, followed by further TLT using Phantom card - maybe up to 8pts damage ?

5 separate attacks, each using 3 dice [at least]

[...or have I missed something ? - probably... ]

[EDIT: yes, I did - can only be 7pts if TLT can fire, as can't then get the VCX range 1 bonus...sorry!]

As long as you put 'after performing this attack you may not attack again this round' it would probably be fine. That would kill its utility for Corran.

But it would also eat a whole lot of the uniqueness of Corran and of TIE/D.

Shuttle probably wouldn't bother, the majority of shuttles are PS2 palpmobiles with no interest in any further upgrades.

B Wing mostly wouldn't bother, IME most b-wings (nera excepted) don't mount secondaries because of their fragility, it's not worth putting the points in.

E-wing: generics would love it, corran would hate it assuming you gave it the gunner clause

Phantom DGAF

Aggressor mostly DGAF given the B effect making FCS much more attractive

StarViper would like it, but Sensor Jammer is probably better for them.

Advanced: mostly won't care, they need something to make their primary better in order to even trigger it, and that's a system slot.

Punisher: lol, punisher using primaries. Also, Redline + FCS = <3 and Deathrain DGAF about missiles

VCX would probably go for it, but AC and FCS are both very good for it.

G1A almost certainly doesn't want to spend the points for the same reason as b-wings above.

Corran Horn could melt a Decimator in one turn. You need language preventing any further attacks this round.

I think "which hits" language will further encourage aces and put genetics even more behind. I don't like that there at all. It's the opposite of what we want.

My fix: Limit to torps and missiles.

You may perform one attack using torp/missile at the end of the combat phase. If you do you may not attack next round.

This lets you set up bombing runs.

A slight bigger picture issue is that it benefits dodgy token stacking ships, and is even more of a punishment to low agility high hp ships. They aren't in the best place right now anyway. I could see it if the meta shifts back to fat Han/ 4BZ but not with all the palp aces out there.

Ordnance is not a huge concern, since it'll rarely pay back the cost on top of the cost of the ordnance. I'd want some serious playtesting in conjunction with Extra Munitions on the B-wing and VCX, though.

My biggest concern would be with Mangler, HLC, and Tractor Beam. The first two have the potential to stack a lot of damage, and he latter pays 2 points to remove the usual limitation of the TB that you give up your attack to use it. That might be fine in a post-TIE/D game, but again I'd want to see some repeated, robust playtesting.

Anything with access to crew (B-Wing, VCX, Lambda, G-1A) will always have two attacks, regardless of wether the first attack actually hits, thanks to Gunner. Three attacks will not be uncommon.

IG-88B would likely be replaced with another one, as this is a semi-duplicate of its ability, thereby opening up the possibility of other combinations.

I think I might prefer it were it altered to

Linked Firing Array

Modification

2 points

[replace secondary with torpedo/missile symbols]

Possibly something about not needing tokens to fire ordnance.

Also, any Aggressor is now a more likely candidate to be included elsewhere, without having to fall back on B or resorting to Bro-Bots.

Agreed on the "you may not attack again this round" or similar wording (although throwing a 4+ point torpedo on Corran for an ultimate alpha strike sounds hilarious).

Limiting to missiles/torpedoes also sounds like a good idea.

The idea behind the upgrade is essentially to simulate a spotting rifle/targeting gun mechanic with regards to primary/secondary weapons.

The idea behind the upgrade is essentially to simulate a spotting rifle/targeting gun mechanic with regards to primary/secondary weapons.

In that case, how about restricting it so that only up to 2 dice primaries can equip it, and the secondary must have a higher rating - the primary is your spotter, and you equip a 3+ as your secondary [kinda reverse of the new Defender title ?] - and, per your wording, you can only shoot the secondary if you get a primary hit/crit [NOT damage]...

EDIT: Stupid suggestion - that's the prob with not having the ship stats to hand...it'd only work on the TIEs ! - maybe a good concept, but flawed execution...oh well...

NO.

This kind of thing either needs to be unique, or specific to one ship, not a universal upgrade.

Going back to my thoughts in the post a couple up, how about...

Reduces your primary by 1 [maybe to a minimum of 2 - so you are actually less likely to get a hit, but you could use Focus or TL], but increases your secondary by 1 [thematically, you shoot more accurately and so with greater damage because of the sighting shot]

If you're really lucky, you get your sighting shot without modifiers, and can then use a Focus/TL on the improved secondary...worst case, you miss the sighting shot and maybe waste your modifiers.

???

I think I might prefer it were it altered to

Linked Firing Array

Modification

2 points

[replace secondary with torpedo/missile symbols]

Possibly something about not needing tokens to fire ordnance.

Main concern as a modification would be synergy with Fire Control System. Although it would be cool to shoot with a primary, pick up a free target lock then fire a torp, that combo was something I was trying to avoid!

I want one with a Ruthlessness. Vessery with Tie/D has given me an itch I can no longer fix.

I think I might prefer it were it altered to

Linked Firing Array

Modification

2 points

[replace secondary with torpedo/missile symbols]

Possibly something about not needing tokens to fire ordnance.

Main concern as a modification would be synergy with Fire Control System. Although it would be cool to shoot with a primary, pick up a free target lock then fire a torp, that combo was something I was trying to avoid!

It would make it work more like a spotter then though

As long as you prohibit cannons, the net effect should be limited.

That's very true!

As a Modification it would open it up to any ship capable of taking missiles or torps, allow FCS combinations but rule out taking Chimps or LRS. As a system slot it would limit the ships that could take it, disallow the FCS synergy, but allow Chimps and LRS.

Ships without access to FCS would need the Target Lock (or Focus) and not modify their initial shot (unless banking on an upgrade which allowed them to recover the token).

Ships with access to FCS would be laughing almost as hard as Contracted Scouts are right now.