Was playing around with 'Party Bus' ideas (trying to "justify" buying a Slaver to myself) and pieces this together. It's raw but here is the list:

Tel + Bossk (100)

Tel Trevura (51) - JumpMaster 5000

Veteran Instincts (1), Tactician (2), R4 Agromech (2), Punishing One (12), Engine Upgrade (4)

Bossk (49) - YV-666

Veteran Instincts (1), "Mangler" Cannon (4), 4-LOM (1), Zuckuss (1), Dengar (3), Engine Upgrade (4)

Tel is a 3 dice PWT utilizing the R4/Focus gimmick, and can deal stress. Bossk is looking to maximize damage by using Mangler to turn a hit to Crit and then Bossk turns it back and adds an additional hit. PS9 to get at least return fire on Aces. Probably rolls to 15k on paper.

Thoughts?

This is my list. It actually does well against most list if played slowly.

Harbo Repomen (100)

Contracted Scout (34) - JumpMaster 5000

Deadeye (1), Extra Munitions (2), Proton Torpedoes (4), Boba Fett (1), Overclocked R4 (1), Guidance Chips (0)

Torkil Mux (24) - HWK-290

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Moralo Eval (42) - YV-666

Ion Cannon (3), 4-LOM (1), Zuckuss (1), Dengar (3)

Key to the list is to save scout as a threat late game and help protect the 666. Threat of being ioned with a big base ship. Hawk is great because any ace that comes into range 1-2 goes to ps 0 at combat. It's been a really fun list. I took it to 4 and 2 at origins and undefeated at my flgs.

A party bus with EU is 4 pts you're wasting on an action never used once Zuckuss begins his reign of terror. I'm not sure Bossk is the best host for this party.

A party bus with EU is 4 pts you're wasting on an action never used once Zuckuss begins his reign of terror. I'm not sure Bossk is the best host for this party.

Thanks! Exactly the type of dumb thing I overlooked in my sleep deprived state! So that leaves me here:

Tel + Bossk (96)

Tel Trevura (51) - JumpMaster 5000

Veteran Instincts (1), Tactician (2), R4 Agromech (2), Punishing One (12), Engine Upgrade (4)

Bossk (45) - YV-666

Veteran Instincts (1), "Mangler" Cannon (4), 4-LOM (1), Zuckuss (1), Dengar (3)

Open Slots are:

Tel: 2x Torpedo, Illicit

Bossk: Missile, Illicit, Title, Modification

My thinking with the final 4 points are to utilize the illicit slots. Here are some options I have been tossing around:

1) Drug them both = each of them gets Glitterstim

2) What about Inertial Dampeners on Bossk? For that time you REALLY need a hard stop after Zuckess does his thing

3) Feedback Array on Bossk? I am assuming that the bus does not like tailgaters from what I've read.

4) Other then Manuevering Fins what other mods would serve Bossk well?

Tel:

Is there a particular reason for EU instead of Hull Upgrade? Since you're not running PTL and you already have a repositioning option, I'd say the latter is a better buy to synergize with Tel and save a point.

Also, Tactician wouldn't be my first choice on a ship that mainly wants to not worry about arc shots. Maybe RecSpec for defense?

Bossk:

Like I said, I don't think Bossk should host the party. EU is kind of a big deal for him, so I'd drop Zuckuss. You could fit in Tactician, if you want to use it.

I don't think "Mangler" Cannon is a good investment on Bossk, you can always roll your crits naturally with Dengar.

Either way, Feedback Array is a legitimate option.

Maybe a Concussion Missile and Guidance Chips on Bossk instead of Mangler for an early shot? You have a re-roll from Dengar, double modification from missile + GC (the latter gives a crit) and 4-LOM with Zuckuss can guarantee it goes through.

Tel:

Is there a particular reason for EU instead of Hull Upgrade? Since you're not running PTL and you already have a repositioning option, I'd say the latter is a better buy to synergize with Tel and save a point.

Also, Tactician wouldn't be my first choice on a ship that mainly wants to not worry about arc shots. Maybe RecSpec for defense?

Bossk:

Like I said, I don't think Bossk should host the party. EU is kind of a big deal for him, so I'd drop Zuckuss. You could fit in Tactician, if you want to use it.

I don't think "Mangler" Cannon is a good investment on Bossk, you can always roll your crits naturally with Dengar.

Either way, Feedback Array is a legitimate option.

Re: Tel

I am on the fence about both EU and Tactician. The goal was to offer increased flexibility in movement and provide a deterrent to Aces, but it already exists with AT ships wanting out anyway. I like the synergy of hull upgrade, and will hopefully get to try both out. Right now I am stuck in theory rafting mode as I can't seem to get down to my game shop and don't have access to Vassal.

Re: Bossk

At the risk of sounding like a jerk I don't understand your stance about Bossk+Mangler.. Also, please explain why you believe Bossk is a bad driver for 'The Bus'. I must be missing something that should be obvious...

To summerize I must be overlooking something as Bossk+Mangler+Dengar seems to have some similarities to the Jumpmasters ability to throw 3-4 hit torps but without using munitions. 4-LOM & Zuckuss help force through hits.

This is my list. It actually does well against most list if played slowly.

Harbo Repomen (100)

Contracted Scout (34) - JumpMaster 5000

Deadeye (1), Extra Munitions (2), Proton Torpedoes (4), Boba Fett (1), Overclocked R4 (1), Guidance Chips (0)

Torkil Mux (24) - HWK-290

Ion Cannon Turret (5)

Moralo Eval (42) - YV-666

Ion Cannon (3), 4-LOM (1), Zuckuss (1), Dengar (3)

Once I get a HWK I'll have to try this.

Tel:

Is there a particular reason for EU instead of Hull Upgrade? Since you're not running PTL and you already have a repositioning option, I'd say the latter is a better buy to synergize with Tel and save a point.

Also, Tactician wouldn't be my first choice on a ship that mainly wants to not worry about arc shots. Maybe RecSpec for defense?

Bossk:

Like I said, I don't think Bossk should host the party. EU is kind of a big deal for him, so I'd drop Zuckuss. You could fit in Tactician, if you want to use it.

I don't think "Mangler" Cannon is a good investment on Bossk, you can always roll your crits naturally with Dengar.

Either way, Feedback Array is a legitimate option.

Re: Bossk

At the risk of sounding like a jerk I don't understand your stance about Bossk+Mangler.. Also, please explain why you believe Bossk is a bad driver for 'The Bus'. I must be missing something that should be obvious...

To summerize I must be overlooking something as Bossk+Mangler+Dengar seems to have some similarities to the Jumpmasters ability to throw 3-4 hit torps but without using munitions. 4-LOM & Zuckuss help force through hits.

It's not as obvious as it looks, but it's an important part of playing Bossk.

When you decide to play VI Bossk, you're banking on not letting opponents catch you at your blindspot, among other things, through PS strategy.

To achieve this, you need maneuverability, which can only be attained by equipping Engine Upgrade and giving Bossk a much-needed repositioning tool. Otherwise, that PS9 doesn't really mean much besides more leeway to be blocked.

Essentially, you want that hard-3 followed by boost. You want it badly. (an important note here: I prefer Daredevil as his EPT/repositioning option)

A party bus, on the other hand, takes a wildly different approach. It resolves to not care about actions, point, shoot and make sure hits get through. That comes at the cost of stress. A lot of stress.

It also allows the YV-666 to be easily blindsided. Since we usually take the Slaver as host, that doesn't mean much, as PS2 is bound to be blindsided anyway. The Slaver then becomes the best host because is it cheap, can afford to not take actions and isn't counter-intuitive to the notion of not caring about stress (and, by consequence, maneuverability).

That covers the Bossk vs Party bus issue.

Now, the Mangler becomes essentially 4 pts for R3 bonus denial and a chance to proc Bossk's effect, at the expense of uselessness on your aux. arc and counterproductiveness at R1 (while not helping you to actually LAND that hit). IMHO, that's a lot.

From my experience, between native rolls and Dengar, crits just show up. Building into Bossk's ability becomes a bit of a point trap, even if it's just Mangler. BUT, if the build is through and there happens to be 4 pts left (after considering bids), sure...Mangler can fill up the room.

Ofc, that's just my opinion. Based on experience and mechanics-logic, but still an opinion. And it certainly doesn't disqualify the choice of taking that approach.

Thank you for explaining! I have a habit of trying to hard to build a 'do-everything' solution and your points help me see that this might be the case. I am looking at it as a more casual list and so I will just play around once I can actually get my hands on a Slaver, and a G-1A for that matter.

Though the common themes I see as I look at other lists shows everyone picking a direction and running with it so I imagine that is probably where I will end up

I own a YV-666, and I was surprised with how much I like it. The largest appeal I find in the ship is in the variety. You can do just about whatever you like with it. With that being said, DO NOT put Mangler on Bossk. More often than not you're trying to maneuver around ships and asteroids, making use of your auxiliary firing arc. The odds are very slim to have people in your primary firing arc. If you want a cannon, go Moralo with HLC. That is a thing of beauty.

Also, ALWAYS run EU (unless you're running a near-naked Slaver). With hard turns and EU, you can shoot ships that used to be directly behind you. I severely underestimated the usefulness of the arc when I first played it.

Drop mangler, go with missiles and chips if you are gonna party bus Bossk. He wont live long.

I just played 3 games in a FLGS tourney with Bossk VI + Homing Missile + 4Lom + Zuckuss + K4 + Glitter + Chips. Let me just say, Homing missiles on bossk are awesome! I got full damage every time with them. I got the missiles off in all three games. One shot Carnor Jax, 5 damage on Defender Rexlar Brath, and 5 damage on Kavil. I never needed glitter, and badly needed Feedback Array or Dampners. He gets stressed immediately with the missile since you zuckuss all their evades. 48pts for the build above.

Im tempted to try expert handling or daredevil on bossk.