I want to take this opportunity to do a review of the 2-Bank. This is just my thoughts and opinions, but I think they are worth sharing and might help new and old players alike. If you like it, let me know and I might try and do a podcast episode that builds on this review, since there's a lot more to the 2-Bank than just one person can do justice to in a single topic.

So, the 2-Bank is one of the maneuver templates that is available in the game. It comes in both the classic Core Set and The Force Awakens Core Set, which is more commonly referred to as the TFA Core Set. The base set gives you only one cardboard 2-Bank template, but if you buy a second (a good idea for more dice and ships! ) you can get a second 2-Bank template as well. What most people don't know is that this lets you use one as a 2-Bank Right template and one as a 2-Bank Left template, which can be helpful. NOTE: The TFA 2-Bank templates can also be used to perform 2-Sloop maneuvers, so that might be a reason to prefer the TFA Core over the standard Core.

You can also pimp out your game with shinies and pickup an acrylic 2-Bank template, which are available in a variety of patterns and materials from third party vendors and sometimes in official FFG Prize support. Typically, though, you cannot just order an acrylic 2-Bank template. most places will make you buy an entire pack of maneuver templates, but that's okay since you'll probably want to do some of the other maneuvers from time to time. One thing to be aware of is that if you get a third party 2-Bank template, you need to make sure it's the same size as the official FFG Template. Maneuver templates, even the 2-Bank, need to be the same official size or else your opponent could choose to not let you use it. This isn't important in casual games, but if you want to play in tournaments one day and fly next to the best, it's something to think about.


Now, as to the actual game, I have some thoughts about the 2-Bank that I've been thinking about for awhile. The 2-Bank is one of the best templates in the game, because every ship has a 2-Bank on its dial, all the way from the humblest TIE Fighter up through the majestic Imperial Raider corvette. Now, the Raider and the other "big boy" Epic ships use a different template to perform their 2-Banks, but the fact that even these behemoths want to do 2-Banks tells you just how good it is! So, since every ship wants to do 2-Banks, you better bet it's a maneuver you should get really comfortable with and always think about as you're spinning your dials (just don't let your opponent see! ).

There are a few key decisive times when you'll want to reveal that 2-Bank on your dial and really ace your opponents. One is that if your ship wants to bank, but the 1-Bank isn't far enough. This might be if you're near an obstacle--or even another ship!!!--and you don't want to hit them but a 1-Bank puts you dangerously close. This is where the 2-Bank really shines. You can still do your bank maneuver, but you can go a little farther and hopefully avoid that collision, thus keeping your ship and its pilot safe and sound so they can do more pew-pew!! Another time most people don't think about is that there will be situations where you want to bank with some speed but a 3-Bank is too far! Remember when we talked about how sometimes a 1-Bank isn't far enough??? Well guess what! Sometimes you can bank TOO far! This is where the 2-Bank jumps in and lets you still bank, but not as far as a 3-Bank, so hopefully you can avoid that collision.

Most people realize X-Wing is a game of pew-pew, but what this really means is that to do well you've got to take shots at enemy ships sometimes. What the 2-Bank is really good at is letting you get those shots you need so you can put your crosshairs on those dastardly enemies and blast 'em! There will be sometimes when a straight maneuver might not get an enemy in your arc, and maybe a turn is too much! In these cases, you can use the gentle 45^o angle of the bank to find the golden mean and keep them lasers (or missiles!) primed and firing.


So, these are some things I think are important about the 2-Bank. It's not everything, like I said, but it's hopefully a good start. I hope you enjoyed this review. Thoughts?

I would very much like to hear your thoughts on the 3 hard next. If you do start a podcast you can be guaranteed I would subscribe. Very illuminating, thank you.

2 bank is not competitive and FFG needs to issue a fix.

It's a great move, but I don't like how it's an auto-include on every dial that comes out and I think that's hurting the game. FFG needs to errata some of the dials in order to stop overpowered builds like U-boats. Why even try when you know that your opponent can just use a 2-bank at any time?

You entirely forgot to touch on the subtle differences between the left and right versions of the 2 bank! It may seem minor, but it's actually super important!

The 2-bank is my go to move when I get my TIE too close in behind a Y-Wing and I know they are going to do a 1-bank so I run into them.

I read the entire thing.

My shame burns eternal.

*blank stare*

*blink*

*gets up and leaves*

Assumed this post would be about Corran. Disappointed and impressed.

The two bank stole my sandwich not Happy

I hear talk of a Store championship with a loaded 2bank. never doesn't 2bank. its rigged i tell ya.

2 bank is not competitive and FFG needs to issue a fix.

they fixed it by giving the FO a 2-segnor's

which is why empire is so OP in competitive play right now

Omega Leader in palp aces, omega squadron in crack swarm

4/4 review. Would read again.

2-bank was fine until Jumpmasters came along. Not great in this meta with how much better the 2 white sloop is. Wave 9 gives me hope it will make a come back.

Also, for the podcasts next April Fools podcast, this needs to be a thing. A review of a certain template or token would be great.

2 bank is not competitive and FFG needs to issue a fix.

they fixed it by giving the FO a 2-segnor's

which is why empire is so OP in competitive play right now

Omega Leader in palp aces, omega squadron in crack swarm

You call that a fix? It does nothing for the T-65. It's laughable that the game's namesake ship is left with this sub-optimal farce of a maneuver.

You entirely forgot to touch on the subtle differences between the left and right versions of the 2 bank! It may seem minor, but it's actually super important!

He's right! One allows you to go left, the other let's you go right.

You should see how much better your game gets when you realise this - never fails to take my oppobents by surprise.

On a more serious note, as a regular Corran player, all I do is 2 bank. So sick of that maneuver.

2bank in general is over costed by probably 2-4 points.

You can make up for the inefficiency though by fielding a squad that can seriously capitalize on the maneuver.

Primarily Echo who will use the 2 bank in any of 341 different directions.

I usually just stick to 3-straights, but after reading this article, I'm beginning to understand why my opponents always throw in a 2-bank or two. I may just have to try these out for myself.

Only thing is, with how powerful they seem to be, do we expect an errata anytime soon?

2 bank is my hip hop name.

I felt he did touch on this key difference. But, there is clearly a lot of information lacking. 'When would you actually use a right 2 bank, when you have a left 2 bank available?" I mean, as an experienced x-winger, I can see those moments, but it would be a great topic to explore; especially for our newer players.

You entirely forgot to touch on the subtle differences between the left and right versions of the 2 bank! It may seem minor, but it's actually super important!

I am a 2 bank template and I am offended by this

Every ship has a 2 bank, but to be more specific every ship has a 2 straight green (exception is the huge ships because they don't have green maneuvers). Since the 2 bank is the first offset from the 2 straight it is the most basic turn.

When looking at dial keep in mind that every ship starts at 2 straight green and move out from there.

2-bank was fine until Jumpmasters came along. Not great in this meta with how much better the 2 white sloop is. Wave 9 gives me hope it will make a come back.

Also, for the podcasts next April Fools podcast, this needs to be a thing. A review of a certain template or token would be great.

I thought this was going to about 2 banks. Chase and Wells Fargo.

Myself I keep mixing up my left 2 bank template with my 2 right bank template, I wish they were easier to tell apart.