Hey folks,

So, I've been trying a list along the lines of:

Space whale, tooled up mc30, 2 trc90s and yt-2400s.

I've been so disappointed by the space whale, doesn't seem to do anything, so I'm looking for a way to replace it..

I've considered a few things but have settled on this:

Fleet of the dead

Faction: Rebel Alliance

Points: 382/400

Commander: General Rieekan

Assault Objective: Most Wanted

Defense Objective: Hyperspace Assault

Navigation Objective: Superior Positions

Nebulon-B Escort Frigate (57 points)

- Yavaris ( 5 points)

MC30c Torpedo Frigate (63 points)

- Admonition ( 8 points)

- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)

- H9 Turbolasers ( 8 points)

- Expanded Launchers ( 13 points)

[ flagship ] CR90 Corvette A (44 points)

- General Rieekan ( 30 points)

- Turbolaser Reroute Circuits ( 7 points)

CR90 Corvette B (39 points)

- SW 7 Ion Batteries ( 5 points)

1 Wedge Antilles ( 19 points)

1 "Dutch" Vander ( 16 points)

4 YT-2400s ( 64 points)

So, I've really grown fond of this mc30 setup, with an 18 pt bid I can have initiative most of the time it's like a mini demolisher with the upside of being able to guarantee itself an accuracy on both attacks.

Yavaris though I've never had much luck with, I figure the combination of initiative and rieekan means it can reliably hit what it needs to. Am I right? How do you use this thing? I'm also concerned it's competing with the mc30 for first activation.

Objectives wise most wanted will be put on rieekan cr90 which will run away while allowing me more dice against the enemy bug nasty.

Hyperspace Assault could work with yavaris or the mc30, either way a nasty surprise!

Finally superior positions with 6 squads, 4 of which are rogue is pretty nice.

Any general opinions improvement would be great but I'm really looking for any other alternatives to the slot now occupied by yavaris.

Thanks guys!

Garro

Yavaris.

You need to keep squads at blue range of yavaris so they are in activation range. This is important, but limits where the squadron fight can be held. Dont alpha strike.

Adar Tallon on a seprate ship helps a lot in lining things up for the double tap. Its also nice to have some aces to really punch. My preference is double tapping Keyan.

I tend to agree with you on Nebs mate.....their side arc is such a liability

I'm not sold on the H9s due to ECM but maybe you are having better luck with them. Maybe double up on your MC30 Piranhas?

How about this mate?

Faction: Rebel Alliance
Points: 385/400

Commander: General Rieekan

Assault Objective: Most Wanted
Defense Objective: Hyperspace Assault
Navigation Objective: Superior Positions

MC30c Torpedo Frigate (63 points)
- Lando ( 4 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- APT ( 5 points)

MC30c Torpedo Frigate (63 points)
- Admonition ( 8 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)

- Expanded Launchers ( 13 points)

[ flagship ] CR90 Corvette A (44 points)
- General Rieekan ( 30 points)
- Turbolaser Reroute Circuits ( 7 points)

CR90 Corvette B (39 points)
- SW 7 Ion Batteries ( 5 points)

6 YT-2400s ( 96 points)

Ginkapo:

I would love adar in there but can't find the points, I find the mc30 really likes to go first to get that double arc so am reluctant to drop the bud.

I like the Dutch and Wedge combo for my aces I have the option to first/last with yavaris for an effective triple tap, 6 black bomber dice at ships or triple tapping fighter balls means they can deal with any threat?

Smurf:

Totally agree on the nebs hoping rieekan will help a little though?

I've enjoyed the h9s so far, there're plenty of threats without ecm that could be killed in 1 round if they can't brace (gladiators, raiders, other mc30s etc)

A second mc30 is something I've tried before but can't seem to pilot properly, one did a good job the other tended to die, which is why I went down to 1.

Maybe just my piloting, any tips for using 2?

I haven't had much experience with them myself but I have a mate who is really good with them. In the 2 tournaments he has been to he has come 2nd in one and 3rd in the other. Both times a few points from first.

From what I've seen, if your opponent starts in the middle split them up onto the flanks to come in from both sides.

If the starts to one side then keep them together to hunt in a pack.

That's about as much as I know mate...

I run two Torpedo Frigates consistently. And yes, they do take some time to learn how to 'fly' them efficiently. I usually have my kitted out with a title, OE, APT, and XI7s, and flying in mutual support. Quite often I will also have Jaina's Light with them to provide long range support. While I understand what you are trying for with the H9s on it, I prefer the XI7s since I can basically ignore redirects and concentrate my accuracy on the brace(s).

I too fly two Torpedo Frigates pretty regularly, and can definitely vouch that those H9's are devastating on these guys. Guaranteed accuracy on both shots (you did double-arc, right?) is fantastic. Particularly with the rise of AP in MC80's to try and survive the Demo triple tap, I'm finding myself up against fewer and fewer ECMs. But remember, even if they do have ECM--they only get it once. It's very important in the H9 vs ECM matchup that you concentrate your fire, because once you've popped that ECM you really need to be able to capitalize on it to put on as much hurt as you can before it comes back next turn.

I also find H9s much more versatile than XI7s. But what they're really great for is mitigating your biggest weakness: small, fast ships. You'll generally only get one pass at a Raider or a CR90 with the MC30T: with the H9, that's only 6 damage to one-shot either of those. For comparison, it'll take 8 to kill a CR90; 7 to kill a CR90 with XI7; and 12 to kill a Raider, with or without XI7*.

I definitely personally see more success with flying them in pairs than with just a single, but YMMV. It's dangerous flying around with your fleet hinging on two such flimsy ships, but they're amazingly dangerous if you know how to use them.

Speaking of "how to use them," you asked about flying them in pairs: see my Torpedo Frigate Mantras here.



*For reference, average damage out the side arc for an MC30T/OE:

• 5.25
• 6.5 (CF dial or RR)
• 6.07 (APT)
• 7.4 (CF dial and APT)
• 7.76 (CF dial and RR)

Chances of natural accuracy out the side arc:

• 44%
• 58% (CF dial, token, or Toryn)
• 68% (any two of CF dial, token, or Toryn)
• 76% (CF dial, token, and Toryn)

Nebs are one of my favorite ships, they are best left cheapish and are very tanky if used in specific roles.

I like to play a pair in my high activation rebel lists. They are stupid cheap for what they do.

Salvation, new support variant with Intel officer and LTRC or slaved. Slow play him from the the back, pick up a navigate then spam CF make the bad guys come to you......once you get a ship in red range ( say round 2) go for the last first activation, this will hurt. They will need to get to you to shut salvation down as it's the most cost effective long range sniper in the game

Yavaris is best played as a trap. Deploy back with salvation ( within blue range of your fighter screen) it can add long range dice with salvation, then when the enemy comes for salvation activate the fighter screen.

I then jump the mc30 forward in round 3 to 4 to finish them off.

CR90s add long range fire thoughout the game....

Seeming like 2 Mc30s might be the best option then! Seems a lot of support for it, might have to try Yavaris to though, never used it before.

I used to run XI7s on my Mc30s but Ardaedhel you have well and truly converted me to H9s, though I am curious how well intel officer + XI7s would do, should put most ships in a real bind and is ECM proof?

JonDavies:

I've never managed to make salvation work, i'm sure it's just my bad flying but it seems to get 1 or 2 front arc shots then die... Maybe slowing it down and using it as a trailer like it seems you're suggesting is the way to do it?

I've never managed to make salvation work, i'm sure it's just my bad flying but it seems to get 1 or 2 front arc shots then die... Maybe slowing it down and using it as a trailer like it seems you're suggesting is the way to do it?

Thats how i use it too. However, I surround it with squads so when they kill it there is immediate retribution. Players only seem to realise AFTER what a foolish mistake it was to go after salvation, but nevermind.

Hyperspace assault is the exception, then salvation really lives.

Seeming like 2 Mc30s might be the best option then! Seems a lot of support for it, might have to try Yavaris to though, never used it before.

I used to run XI7s on my Mc30s but Ardaedhel you have well and truly converted me to H9s, though I am curious how well intel officer + XI7s would do, should put most ships in a real bind and is ECM proof?

JonDavies:

I've never managed to make salvation work, i'm sure it's just my bad flying but it seems to get 1 or 2 front arc shots then die... Maybe slowing it down and using it as a trailer like it seems you're suggesting is the way to do it?

Yes salvation should be slow played from the back, you are using it as bait for a trap, yavaris activated fighters and an MC30 ( backed up by CR90s) jumping their bones. Most people want to get salvation, as leaving it at long range is asking to be torn apart, so they will ( as ginkapo pointed out) jump in to get Sally.... And then get got themselves.

Don't worry to much about losing Sally even tooled with Intel officer and TLRC is only mid 60s points wise, if you've had two or three rounds of fire and got them where you want them Sally was worth the points.