Hey folks,

anyone use the Starviper or Xizor? Looks like a neat ship, but a bit expensive for what you get. Not even sure Xizor is really worth it. If anyone has any lists that they found successful, please share.

Thanks

Dengar/Guri is a solid list, but you're right that StarVipers are too expensive right now; many people around here are expecting some kind of fix for them shortly, along with the Scyk and the Kihraxz, probably in the form of a Scum Aces pack with two of them and a Scum Epic ship with the third as a pack-in with it.

I've had some mild success with Guri, and Xizor can be pretty decent. A bit expensive for what you get is about the perfect description. To go with that, I've never found them to be useful without the title, which means you could only take one, and it has to be named.

Fly them like a more-hp less-token-stacking interceptor that can't get rid of stress very well, and ends up costing more. There is a chance that they could get an edge with illicits, but other than that they don't have the recent advantages to scum (primarily wave 8 crew).

There are two (in my opinion) vipers that work.

First is a maxed out guri

Guri

Predator

Sensor jammer

Autothrusters

Your illicit of choice

This guri can knife fight, tank damage, and deal with turrets. Biggest issue if gonna be focused fire that has focus tokens.

The second option, and my personal favorite, is 2 generic PS 1 vipers for 50 points even. Leaves room for scums scariest monsters, and if you ignore the lowly vipers they will eat you alive.

I'd go Lone Wolf rather than Predator for Guri usually, and not run her with more than one other ship.

Xizor's worth it

he's a fully modified ps 9 monster at only 2 more points than soontir.Virago FCS VI and thrusters is all you need. He's not as maneuverable, but he's far less dice dependent thanks to an incredible ability and access to TLs (and full offensive modifiers) not to mention he cares far less about bumping and stress as his ability is action independent

problem is that he's so good, it's impossible to find anyone on his level that isn't near or above his point range. This makes finding fodder difficult.

scum's really hurting for useful generics that aren't the torpedo scout

also, the generic blacksun paint scheme really sucks the fun out of using such an egomanicial character, so you gotta get someone to touch him up before you put him on the table

Xizor might be my favourite high PS pilot in the game right now. He's a super-interceptor that can outfight anyone else one on one at his level.

Xizor's worth it

he's a fully modified ps 9 monster at only 2 more points than soontir.Virago FCS VI and thrusters is all you need. He's not as maneuverable, but he's far less dice dependent thanks to an incredible ability and access to TLs (and full offensive modifiers) not to mention he cares far less about bumping and stress as his ability is action independent

problem is that he's so good, it's impossible to find anyone on his level that isn't near or above his point range. This makes finding fodder difficult.

scum's really hurting for useful generics that aren't the torpedo scout

also, the generic blacksun paint scheme really sucks the fun out of using such an egomanicial character, so you gotta get someone to touch him up before you put him on the table

Back when SnV released, I designed a squad that was a loaded out Xizor with a pair of Hired Gun Warthog Ys, loaded down with a Shield Upgrade and even the Salvaged Astromech. Basically slap on as much health as I could that would have to be chewed through before you could realistically deal with Xizor.

But never got around to trying it. Might have to give it a second look and see what tweaks could be made.

Xizor with Veteran Instincts works fairly well.

Kit him out with VI, Virago, Autothrusters, Inertial Dampeners, and Advanced Sensors. He is now incredibly mobile, and still hits hard, and very survivable.

I think the Starviper is a great ship with Guri as the standout pilot currently. Yes it costs a bit but it has a good dial (1 straights and banks at green and 1 turn white), plus barrel roll and boost. With Autothrusters it flies pretty comfortably at range 3 but Guri comes into his own at range 1 with an additional focus.

Lone wolf / sensor jammer works well as a flanker; a more defensive build. Advanced sensors / FCS is more aggressive and is interesting with PTL (if used carefully) or Predator.

The harder question is what to pair the Starviper with, because you're not getting much change from 40+/- or so points.

C

Adv. Sensors Guri with Predator, Dampeners, and AT eats generic ships alive. She is impossible to block, and is the best knife fighter around. Boosting into a sloop is a beautiful move, as is the adv sensors barrel roll, then 1 turn to keep ships close and in arc. She pairs well with VI Boba Fett kitted out to kill aces, between the two of them, most opponents can be dealt with.

There: fly Xizor with a pair of 31pt U-Boats. Not quite as deadly, as they lack droids, but still a nice punch and its 18 health behind two agility dice protecting Xizor.

Alternatively, I'd consider switching my Y-Wing approach to TLTs and no title.

There: fly Xizor with a pair of 31pt U-Boats. Not quite as deadly, as they lack droids, but still a nice punch and its 18 health behind two agility dice protecting Xizor.

Alternatively, I'd consider switching my Y-Wing approach to TLTs and no title.

Depending on how you feel about things, autoblaster turret Ys are a thing right now. You could get three of them with a full loadout Xizor, which is a lot of beef collecting damage.

Guri is definitely the best of the bunch. Her ability wants her to be right in the thick of it. Her ability to take advanced sensors and pull all the Reds without a problem make her very hard to shake.

Had a friend fly Xizor, a trando party bus, and a naked DTF Scout. he did pretty well with it,but go disrcted by another shiny combo.

Xizor might be my favourite high PS pilot in the game right now. He's a super-interceptor that can outfight anyone else one on one at his level.

Prince Xizor (31)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Fire-Control System (2)

Inertial Dampeners (1)

Autothrusters (2)

Virago (1)

How do you plan to outfight let's say a typical Soontir or Vader with that build 1v1?

There: fly Xizor with a pair of 31pt U-Boats. Not quite as deadly, as they lack droids, but still a nice punch and its 18 health behind two agility dice protecting Xizor.

Alternatively, I'd consider switching my Y-Wing approach to TLTs and no title.

Depending on how you feel about things, autoblaster turret Ys are a thing right now. You could get three of them with a full loadout Xizor, which is a lot of beef collecting damage.

I've done this and it freaking rules. Three AbT Y-Wings with Unhinged Astros and you've got great board control.

Xizor might be my favourite high PS pilot in the game right now. He's a super-interceptor that can outfight anyone else one on one at his level.

Prince Xizor (31)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Fire-Control System (2)

Inertial Dampeners (1)

Autothrusters (2)

Virago (1)

How do you plan to outfight let's say a typical Soontir or Vader with that build 1v1?

Edit: whoops! Sorry for the wall of text but I have lots of Opinions on what to do with Fel courtesy of the Battleground Regionals last Sunday. I managed to take out some Fels with VI Zuckuss using similar tactics to these, just relying a bit more on K-Turns and 1-Banks.

Vader's usually easy because he doesn't have Autothrusters.

Soontir comes down a lot to initiative; let's say Fel gets to move second because that's what they want anyway. You've got a tough fight at Range 3 because of Fel's tokens, but all you want is a potshot anyway to trigger FCS.

After first combat, you're going to want to move in for a block. Easier said than done, but since Fel probably triggered PtL he's only got so many options. I always bring Rocks so he isn't going to want to hit them, and aside from that you want to look at board position; how close to the centre or corners you both are, and what Fel's options are re: fight or flight. If he can he'll swing around wide to dodge arc and come back around for a shot, usually leaning towards centre since Fel can get trapped in a corner if he isn't careful.

So odds are good a 3-Bank or 2-Straight plus Boost or Roll will get you into a good block spot from Range 3, or possibly a 1-Bank and Roll to block a 2- or 4-Straight depending. You'll want to threaten the obvious bugout route without being vulnerable to a "slow" move plus backroll.

After a successful block (or near-as-dammit not shooting at each other) Xizor has the upper hand because of his SLoops and Dampeners. A Sloop followed by a green Bank or 3-Straight will have you chasing Fel pretty solidly and makes his life harder, never mind following up with another SLoop if you can anticipate how Fel is going to turn again. With constant Target Locks you're never hurting for offensive output, you've got the advantage of the 1-Turn and 3-SLoops, and if you really think it's going to mess with him, pop your Dampeners and watch him struggle to get out of arc. The more you force Fel to keep moving the better your eventual shot will be. Range 1 in-arc and even his turtle tokens can let him down.

Xizor is an awesome pilot, in an awesome ship, with a cool ability. He is, however, not competitively priced. Whenever the inevitable fix for Starvipers comes out though, Xizor is gonna be beast. Well, until they also release a PS 8-9 pilot with the fix that actually has a usable ability. Then THAT guy will be beast.

Vader hasn't Autothrusters but he moves after you and can get 2 actions (Boost and Barrel Roll with EU) so he's difficult to catch.

Regarding blocking (assuming you blocked face to face facing in opposite directions), what's stopping a blocked Fel or Vader from doing a 5 forward, followed by Boost (and Barrel Roll) eventually. He'll be out of range and he's faster than Xizor (especially Vader) so he can take his sweet time to turn around.

Even assuming you do manage to force trading fire Vader (not Soontir though I think), should beat you in a straight up dice fest (same HP but 1 more shield for Vader, while you roll 3/4 dice he rolls 1 less and adds a crit, while Xizor's thrusters only help at range 3).

Isn't Xixor more expensive? In which case he doesn't have to outfight him at all (depending on initiative bid).

havn't seen Vader in a dog's age

everything is ps 8 4 ship palp aces with the occasional whisper/soontir which a small bid will take care of, assuming you don't just block and kill them first

we're scum after all, why would you ever challenge anyone to an honorable 1v1?

hell, in the picture posted the barely visible red vader in the background had the initiate advantage over my Xizor. what do? use the amazing dial + barrel-roll into a block and let zuckuss sort it out

had to do it twice (green dice, of course), but then I got to use the boost

xizor's late game is strong, but his real advantage is in being such a pain in the ass during the early and mid-game due to his incredibly excellent ability. take advantage of his essentially anti-biggs quality to win games

I went 3-3 running Vader at Regionals, and it only wasn't at least 4-2 because of a couple of questionable decisions on my part.

I'm not running him at the next one though, he's been replaced.

With Soontir.

Trip Aces forever.

Well the other thing is that you aren't strictly trying to "catch" Fel, since if you control the centre of the board you control the engagement. Fel getting blocked after shedding stress, well he has options sure, but they're either predictable or easily handled based on board position. Xizor wants to take a SLoop in such a fashion that he's pointed towards where Fel wants to go, and then it's on Xizor to not fall behind.

This is the same sort of reasoning behind throwing two B-Wings at Fel. Yeah, they can't catch up, but you're not in a flat sprint either.

I kept it simple and it worked awesome!

Xizor + VI + AT

Talonbane + EU + Glitterstim

Zuckuss + VI + title (with TB) + FCS

It was so fun to play with and did well against some meta lists. I agree with all the naysayers that Xizor is poorly designed, but I think you have to make him as cheap as possible and not necessarily your crown jewel.