General Cracken

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars-armada/images/c/cc/Swm19-general-cracken.png/revision/latest?cb=20160507015234

"While a friendly small or medium ship is defending against a ship, if the defender is at speed 3 or higher, the attack is treated as obstructed."

Now my interpretation of this is that Cracken lends himself to two types of fleet.

1) TRC Abuse. If you are determined to abuse the power of trc's and have belief that you can outrun enemy squads, then this is the commander for you.

(I suspect enemy bombers will show this build unviable, but lets wait and see)

2) Cracken Carriers. To counter the achilles heel of Cracken, squads are a great addition to the Cracken list. MC80s are out of the question as they arent fast enough.

Now my questions are thus;

Which ships fit into a Cracken carrier fleet?

I may detest assault frigates, but this may be their moment to shine, alongside Nebs and GR75s

Which squadrons are fast enough/effective enough to fit into a Cracken carrier fleet?

Bs and YT1300s are out. This leads to leaning on Ys and Scurrgs with their heavy weakness. Problem is we need non heavy to protect the ships, so a large sprinkling of As may be in order. Ruthless strategist for the Ys anyone?

How do we counter tractor beams with a dependancy on squad commands?

My suspicion is we have to lean heavily on Leia and/or Tantive. Oooooh Comms net may have a use!

Anyone have any thoughts? Struggling to pull it together.

Actually, B-Wings and YT 1300's may find a home here. The reason being is becuase they are strong on their own. Add in he fact that you can have Boosted Comms on the Whales and they can skirt the circle you are creating and catch the enemy. Remember, with Cracken, it is not always about going speed 3. Instead, time your boosts to 3 so that you can escape or survive in a normally risky situation.

As for TRC ships, bombers HATE these becuase there are many targets and they have to saturate a target in order take it down. Thus a smart player will create 2+ areas of movement causing the bombers to either have to split up or focus one small group down which may become out of range of a second or even the third group. This could even put the carriers out of position and hurt later turns of commands.

Actually, B-Wings and YT 1300's may find a home here. The reason being is becuase they are strong on their own. Add in he fact that you can have Boosted Comms on the Whales and they can skirt the circle you are creating and catch the enemy. Remember, with Cracken, it is not always about going speed 3. Instead, time your boosts to 3 so that you can escape or survive in a normally risky situation.

More suggestion that we are really going to need dial/token shenanigans to make this work. I am not comfortable predicting 3 turns in advance when my assault frigate is going to need to boost speed.

Comms net transport has the power to quickly switch from pushing squads to supporting frigates.

It's not hard to watch for when you will need to jump to speed 3. You can also just stay at 2 and then boost.

The times you want to jump to 3 are when you are arc dodging so that if you do end in a double arc it is not as bad. You are killing 2 dice in that case, you get closer than you wanted (great way to handle Demo and MC30's) you want to block a ship but survive.

Cracken will require finesse to work properly, those who just jet at 3 and stay there will have issues putting consistent damage on ships. They won't be able to focus a single ship down as easily and it will hurt them.

well the only medium carrier that rebels have would be the assault frigate, i find running at spd 3 is really hard to have it end up anywhere useful because it needs those extra yaw clicks somewhere, especially if you will be issuing squadron commands.

well the only medium carrier that rebels have would be the assault frigate, i find running at spd 3 is really hard to have it end up anywhere useful because it needs those extra yaw clicks somewhere, especially if you will be issuing squadron commands.

Yup. Even small ships like the GR75's will need those clicks so staying at 2 and speeding up and down will be a huge boon.

Cracken Nebulon-B's is actually an interesting idea to me because I like to run mass Nebs slow and have them navigate almost always. I then speed them to 3 once they get in close. This means that my side arc is usually exposed so Cracken could save some damage there.

well the only medium carrier that rebels have would be the assault frigate, i find running at spd 3 is really hard to have it end up anywhere useful because it needs those extra yaw clicks somewhere, especially if you will be issuing squadron commands.

Very good point.

I disagree with Lyraeus on the transports though. Speed 3 yaw of -,|,|| is pretty manouverable.

So the alternative is we have transports doing the squadron lifting, and are now in the situation where we want the odd concept of a pair of escort ships....

well the only medium carrier that rebels have would be the assault frigate, i find running at spd 3 is really hard to have it end up anywhere useful because it needs those extra yaw clicks somewhere, especially if you will be issuing squadron commands.

That's my experience with the space whale at speed 3. Without a nav command it flies in great lazy banks which isn't very tactical, and will likely take it out of range of the squadron battle pretty quickly as well.

Well I posted my fleet that you sawginkapo how I think a cracked fleet might work using rerolls and a variety of ships.

Well I posted my fleet that you sawginkapo how I think a cracked fleet might work using rerolls and a variety of ships.

Stev has made a very good looking list that falls between the two categories I suggested.

well the only medium carrier that rebels have would be the assault frigate, i find running at spd 3 is really hard to have it end up anywhere useful because it needs those extra yaw clicks somewhere, especially if you will be issuing squadron commands.

Very good point.

I disagree with Lyraeus on the transports though. Speed 3 yaw of -,|,|| is pretty manouverable.

So the alternative is we have transports doing the squadron lifting, and are now in the situation where we want the odd concept of a pair of escort ships....

The transports have the same yaw as a CR90, MC30, and Nebulon-B at speed 3.

While it is "maneuverable", sometimes you don't even use the double click at the end. More times than naught, you need a click at the first node which has none at that speed for any ship except the Gozanti.

My version of a Cracken Carrier fleet that i prepared to battle/train mercenaries in GCW tourney (with some small additions).

Rebel Spam
Author: PT106

Faction: Rebel Alliance
Points: 399/400

Commander: General Cracken

Assault Objective: Most Wanted
Defense Objective: Fleet Ambush
Navigation Objective: Intel Sweep

MC30c Torpedo Frigate (63 points)
- Admonition ( 8 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- Assault Proton Torpedoes ( 5 points)
= 80 total ship cost

MC30c Torpedo Frigate (63 points)
- Ordnance Experts ( 4 points)
- Assault Proton Torpedoes ( 5 points)
= 72 total ship cost

GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
- Jamming Field ( 2 points) = 20 total ship cost

GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
- Comms Net ( 2 points) = 20 total ship cost

[ flagship ] GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
- General Cracken ( 26 points)
- Quantum Storm ( 1 points)
= 45 total ship cost

GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
- Bright Hope ( 2 points)
- Bomber Command Center ( 8 points) = 28 total ship cost

4 Scurrg H-6 Bombers ( 64 points)
1 Wedge Antilles ( 19 points)
3 X-Wing Squadrons ( 39 points)
1 HWK-290 ( 12 points)

Card view link

Fleet created with Armada Warlords

As a variation it might be worth it to drop Admonition title for a bid.

Nice one PT. My advice in the GCW to mercenaries was, "dont bother taking fotillas they are going to have h9's"....

My version based on advice here:

Needs Vassal refinement as I want more XWings, Boosted Comms on the flagship and some form of bid. But nevertheless. (I will create a thread in the fleet forum once I start refining, this thread is to share ideas of the general concept)

Cracken Carriers
Author: Ginkapo

Faction: Rebel Alliance
Points: 400/400

Commander: General Cracken

Assault Objective: Precision Strike
Defense Objective: Fire Lanes
Navigation Objective: Dangerous Territory

[ flagship ] Assault Frigate Mark II B (72 points)
- General Cracken ( 26 points)
- Gallant Haven ( 8 points)
- Flight Controllers ( 6 points)
- Electronic Countermeasures ( 7 points)
- Turbolaser Reroute Circuits ( 7 points)
= 126 total ship cost

GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
- Quantum Storm ( 1 points)
- Leia Organa ( 3 points)
- Boosted Comms ( 4 points)
- Bomber Command Center ( 8 points) = 34 total ship cost

GR-75 Medium Transports (18 points)
- Bright Hope ( 2 points)
- Toryn Farr ( 7 points)
- Comms Net ( 2 points) = 29 total ship cost

CR90 Corvette A (44 points)
- Jainas Light ( 2 points)
- Turbolaser Reroute Circuits ( 7 points)
= 53 total ship cost

CR90 Corvette A (44 points)
- Tantive IV ( 3 points)
- Raymus Antilles ( 7 points)
- Turbolaser Reroute Circuits ( 7 points)
= 61 total ship cost

6 X-Wing Squadrons ( 78 points)
1 Jan Ors ( 19 points)

Card view link

Fleet created with Armada Warlords

Tlrc cr90s seem just fine. You can then reinforce with some squadrons and possible gr75 support as needed. Bright hope and cracken is fairly annoying to red dice through

TRC90 (or just normal CR90) with Engine Techs can actually outrun squads...

Seriously? Are we so bored we're necroing random topics now?

33 minutes ago, Norell said:

Seriously? Are we so bored we're necroing only the best topics now?

FTFY

I'll plug my list here hoping to get some comments

Its been necroed so this is what I got.

Assault Frigate Mk2 B (72)
• General Cracken (26)
• Flight Controllers (6)
• Boosted Comms (4)
• Electronic Countermeasures (7)
• Dual Turbolaser Turrets (5)
= 120 Points

GR-75 Medium Transports (18)
• Hondo Ohnaka (2)
• Boosted Comms (4)
= 24 Points

GR-75 Medium Transports (18)
• Boosted Comms (4)
= 22 Points

CR90 Corvette A (44)
• Turbolaser Reroute Circuits (7)
• Jaina's Light (2)
= 53 Points

CR90 Corvette A (44)
• Turbolaser Reroute Circuits (7)
= 51 Points

Squadrons:
• Gold Squadron (12)
• Green Squadron (12)
• Shara Bey (17)
• Rogue Squadron (14)
• Tycho Celchu (16)
• Dutch Vander (16)
• Wedge Antilles (19)
• Nym (21)
= 127 Points

Total Points: 397

Here is 2 Cracken list for your judgment 😀

Assault Frigate Mk2 B (72)
• General Cracken (26)
• Flight Controllers (6)
• Boosted Comms (4)
• Electronic Countermeasures (7)
= 115 Points

GR-75 Medium Transports (18)
• Bomber Command Center (8)
= 26 Points

MC80 Battle Cruiser (103)
• Ray Antilles (7)
• Caitken and Shollan (6)
• Nav Team (4)
• Spinal Armament (9)
• Mon Karren (8)
= 137 Points

Squadrons:
• Jan Ors (19)
• 2 x X-wing Squadron (26)
• 3 x Scurrg H-6 Bomber (48)
• Lieutenant Blount (14)
• 2 x Z-95 Headhunter Squadron (14)
= 121 Points

Total Points: 399

Assault Frigate Mk2 B (72)
• General Cracken (26)
• Ray Antilles (7)
• Flight Controllers (6)
• Boosted Comms (4)
• Electronic Countermeasures (7)
= 122 Points

MC75 Ordnance Cruiser (100)
• Bail Organa (7)
• Ordnance Experts (4)
• Electronic Countermeasures (7)
• External Racks (3)
• Assault Proton Torpedoes (5)
• Aspiration (3)
= 129 Points

GR-75 Medium Transports (18)
• Bomber Command Center (8)
= 26 Points

Squadrons:
• Jan Ors (19)
• 2 x X-wing Squadron (26)
• 3 x Scurrg H-6 Bomber (48)
• Lieutenant Blount (14)
• 2 x Z-95 Headhunter Squadron (14)
= 121 Points

Total Points: 398

these objectives for both
Assault: Advanced Gunnery
Defense: Capture the VIP
Navigation: Superior Positions

been flying him a lot latley with the 3 TRC corvettes and 2 MC30 with A wings. its a lot of fun

Yav MSU is the way to go cracken carriers. The assault frig is just not suited for speed 3 without navigate commands

24 minutes ago, ExplosiveTooka said:

Yav MSU is the way to go cracken carriers. The assault frig is just not suited for speed 3 without navigate commands

true. but it is fun to think about.

I like a challenge like Cracken Carriers as what else do we do while waiting for new Rebel ships

Assault: Blockade Run
Defense: Capture the VIP
Navigation: Superior Positions

MC80 Battle Cruiser (103)
• General Madine (30)
• Caitken and Shollan (6)
• Spinal Armament (9)
• Mon Karren (8)
= 156 Points

MC80 Battle Cruiser (103)
• Damage Control Officer (5)
• Leading Shots (4)
• Spinal Armament (9)
• Endeavor (4)
= 125 Points

MC75 Ordnance Cruiser (100)
• Ordnance Experts (4)
• Electronic Countermeasures (7)
• Assault Proton Torpedoes (5)
• External Racks (3)
= 119 Points

Squadrons:
= 0 Points

Total Points: 400

@X Wing Nut imo you might want some form of command dials/tokens control over your fleets(Leia, ahsoka, Vet Cap, SFO, etc.). Cracken needs to be going speed 3 on the crucial engagement turns, so if he faces tarpit enemies like phylon ships without any maneuver dials/tokens he could find his ability not working. Also you have squadrons on your first 2 fleets so I suppose you wanna command them at least once from the bigger ships, would be good to have some command control to avoid wrongly timed commands or getting sliced. Cracken also wants the maneuver dial often for that extra yaw since going at speed 3 on their natural yaw his ships might easily speed off and not turn in fast enough to continue being relevant to the fight

19 minutes ago, Muelmuel said:

@X Wing Nut imo you might want some form of command dials/tokens control over your fleets(Leia, ahsoka, Vet Cap, SFO, etc.). Cracken needs to be going speed 3 on the crucial engagement turns, so if he faces tarpit enemies like phylon ships without any maneuver dials/tokens he could find his ability not working. Also you have squadrons on your first 2 fleets so I suppose you wanna command them at least once from the bigger ships, would be good to have some command control to avoid wrongly timed commands or getting sliced. Cracken also wants the maneuver dial often for that extra yaw since going at speed 3 on their natural yaw his ships might easily speed off and not turn in fast enough to continue being relevant to the fight

I dont see a lot of slice or tractor lists in my area. wouldnt be worried about it if I did as when i fly Craken I only Nav nothing else I know ill have a token saved somewhere along the way if I did need it for the tractor. Is I see a slicer well its target number one. also with the way I fly they would have to be crazy to chase me with it