I point specifically to this line in the article announcing it, "force your opponents to suffer the lingering effect of tractor beam tokens that are not removed during the end phase"

WHAAAAAAAATTTTT????!!!!!!

This could make Crack Swarms of M3-As a thing, along with a lot of other goodies. Now Tractor Beam on low PS pilots can generate the lowered agility benefit the following turn.

Wave 9 is going to revamp the Meta so good, I'm excited to see where this leads. Anyone else excited about anything in particular?

I see with there being some Shadow Caster + 2 or 3 protectorate ships being a thing. Tractor with the Caster, and lay some hurt with a protectorate swarm. 3 attack all around, with Tractor Beaming capability of the Shadow Castor. We'll have to see how the points stack up for those.

plus that new scum ace looks really really nice

Besides, the Protectorate fighter is the first really hot looking small for Scum that isn't disappointing in some obvious way. Assuming the dial's not a disaster.

protectorate is thus far the most promising little guy in the wave

not sure how much that has to due with the fact that he can take thrusters, admittedly

anyway, like everything else in the wave, we're waiting on generic point costs. The ps 5 with the (by now expected) ept could be scum's crack-caddie if priced correctly (the scyk will forever suck until scum aces)

in the event that the generics are as inefficient as basically all other generics, there's a ps 9 ace to fall back on

but if the Tie/sf follows x-wing prices (seems to, what with the PS 9 matching wedge's cost) it could be quite solid competition for the protectorates to take on. It's got the statline that would've made the x a decent jouster, plus an aux arc and (presumably) a nimble FO dial, to go along with what Poe exclaimed in the movie

they just have to price the ps 3 at 22 and not tarn mison prices

anyway, none of that's as cool as debris clouds. Only thing cooler than those would've been if it were a bomb

Yep. I'm really looking forward to seeing where is all priced at too. 4 of those I think should be a viable build, and have more room than 4 T-70s for upgrades. As much as they talk about rewarding flying straight at an opponent, I think the PS9 will still be flown as an arc dodger. Just will have the added defensive bonus when it can't dodge the arc. I see this being a thing though:

Fenn Rau (28)

Push the Limit (3)

Autothrusters (2)

Ship Total: 33

You have an extra spot for torps too, but I think this guy will work much better without them.

Run these guys with Serissu and AT, should make for some hard to hit pilots.

Here's a 9s build with the new guy:

Kihraxz Fighter: · Talonbane Cobra (28)

Predator (3)

Stygium Particle Accelerator (2)

· Cloaking Device (2)

HWK-290: · Dace Bonearm (23)

Veteran Instincts (1)

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Protectorate Fighter: · Fenn Rau (28)

Push The Limit (3)

Autothrusters (2)

Concord Dawn Protector (0)

Total: 97

That should leave enough to put vectored thrusters on Dace and give him a barrel roll.

anyway, none of that's as cool as debris clouds. Only thing cooler than those would've been if it were a bomb

Who knows. Hoping 2-3 points.

it's not a bomb upgrade

it's deployed like a bomb, which is neat and all, but it can't be flung out the back of a SLAMing K which makes it objectively far less cool

This could make Crack Swarms of M3-As a thing, along with a lot of other goodies. Now Tractor Beam on low PS pilots can generate the lowered agility benefit the following turn.

That sounds pretty neat, actually! Looking at the reveled stuff in the article, the thing that makes tractor beam tokens stick around is either the unrevealed crew card, or Asajj Ventress pilot. My money's on Asajj.