The Finger Four Formation

In collaboration with Back to Dials, Jonathan Scott (AKA Green Squad Leader) presents a definitive thesis on the Finger Four (And Finger Five) formations, an excellent and flexible way to fly formations of small, fast ships such as the A-Wing, TAP and TIE Interceptor.

The article presents a complete "playbook" of openings and transitions to get the drop on an enemy that comes in on any angle, from one single opening setup. The incredibly flexible formation joins things like the Korriban Criss-Cross as another trick in the maneuvering book of a true ace.

This is awesome. I wish I had more than two A-wings.

This is awesome. I wish I had more than two A-wings.

This formation (And Green Arrow in general) is the reason I have five. Though you can do the Criss-Cross with two! ;D

I plan to try it with fang fighters as soon as we get the dial info (presumably from gencon). Was planning to buy four anyway...

The "Finger Four Formation"?

Motion proposed to change the name to "The Kit Kat".

The "Finger Four Formation"?

Motion proposed to change the name to "The Kit Kat".

Second

Motion proposed to change the name to "The Kit Kat".

... Gimme a break.

The "Finger Four Formation"?

Motion proposed to change the name to "The Kit Kat".

take it up with the Air Force

"Chocolate Fingers?"

Cool! I've been doing something similar with my 4-A list ("Nexues") but with a slightly different set-up. I start near the center of the board in a tight box formation (touching or nearly so), but only the top right and bottom left ships are facing forward; the other two ships are facing inward, toward each other. From this set-up, I can get into a Finger Four on the first round, or I can split into two sticks of two moving into a pronghorn, depending on where my opponent sets up. What I particularly like about my set-up is that I am not telegraphing where I will be going on the opening rounds; I feel it puts my opponent on the defensive.

Gonna try this with my 5 Omega list. Need a way to trap those triple defenders after the first round of combat.

This is fantastic. Been experimenting with four Saber Squadron TIE Interceptors with Push the Limit and the Mk II Engine mod. Lots of fun!

This is fantastic. Been experimenting with four Saber Squadron TIE Interceptors with Push the Limit and the Mk II Engine mod. Lots of fun!

I love those Sabers! I don't ever run more than two, though, less out of a sense that they don't perform and more from not having more than 2 interceptor models that match

This is fantastic. Been experimenting with four Saber Squadron TIE Interceptors with Push the Limit and the Mk II Engine mod. Lots of fun!

I love those Sabers! I don't ever run more than two, though, less out of a sense that they don't perform and more from not having more than 2 interceptor models that match

Aceguard and Cael: Do you guys fly the Sabers as blockers at all? If so, would Intimidation be a good use for an EPT slot if the Saber is a dedicated blocker in a list?

I have only seriously flown Sabers either naked, with PtL, or with Crack Shot. My reason being that it's already a ship on the low side of the power curve because it's fairly expensive. PtL gives me the action economy to enable better positioning or stack tokens, and Crack Shot gets me more utility out of the 3-dice gun over a Crack Black, and naked just avoids pumping more points into it xD With Intimidation, you put points into performing a very specific role on a ship that is not self-sufficient (i.e., you require another ship to take advantage of Intimidation's effect), and it doesn't actually have that many advantages over a BSP in terms of being a blocker - all it has is the Boost action, which is good, but doesn't IMO warrant a 7 point increase for such a specific role.

"Chocolate Fingers?"

Salad Fingers?

I have only seriously flown Sabers either naked, with PtL, or with Crack Shot. My reason being that it's already a ship on the low side of the power curve because it's fairly expensive. PtL gives me the action economy to enable better positioning or stack tokens, and Crack Shot gets me more utility out of the 3-dice gun over a Crack Black, and naked just avoids pumping more points into it xD With Intimidation, you put points into performing a very specific role on a ship that is not self-sufficient (i.e., you require another ship to take advantage of Intimidation's effect), and it doesn't actually have that many advantages over a BSP in terms of being a blocker - all it has is the Boost action, which is good, but doesn't IMO warrant a 7 point increase for such a specific role.

I understand what you're saying here. It's a good analysis. I am torn between the BSP/Intimidation and the SS/Intimidation. I think the main reason why I want the Saber over the Black is the 3 dice primary, 4 at range 1. I've already test played the Saber with PTL, and it performs the blocker role really well from my early attempts to figure it out.

Regarding the BSP, I just don't see a 2 die primary, even shooting late in the attack cycle, hitting much unless there are a lot of them.

I have only seriously flown Sabers either naked, with PtL, or with Crack Shot. My reason being that it's already a ship on the low side of the power curve because it's fairly expensive. PtL gives me the action economy to enable better positioning or stack tokens, and Crack Shot gets me more utility out of the 3-dice gun over a Crack Black, and naked just avoids pumping more points into it xD With Intimidation, you put points into performing a very specific role on a ship that is not self-sufficient (i.e., you require another ship to take advantage of Intimidation's effect), and it doesn't actually have that many advantages over a BSP in terms of being a blocker - all it has is the Boost action, which is good, but doesn't IMO warrant a 7 point increase for such a specific role.

I understand what you're saying here. It's a good analysis. I am torn between the BSP/Intimidation and the SS/Intimidation. I think the main reason why I want the Saber over the Black is the 3 dice primary, 4 at range 1. I've already test played the Saber with PTL, and it performs the blocker role really well from my early attempts to figure it out.

Regarding the BSP, I just don't see a 2 die primary, even shooting late in the attack cycle, hitting much unless there are a lot of them.

Aaaaand that's why they usually take Crack Shot A ship with PtL, Boost and Barrel Roll is still a great blocker and can pull excellent double duty with the more flexible EPT rather than one that's locked into that role with Intimidation.