Which is fair enough, I guess. Unlike the TIE fighter (which is a knife fighter which loves its speed 1 turns), the TIE striker seems designed for 'ludicrous speed' slashing attacks.

Of course, the problem with trying to block the Ailerons manoeuvre is that whilst you'll take away the action......it still gets the second move (unlike a boost) - meaningfully blocking someone requires you to strand them somewhere without tokens in front of your guns - this way they move up to contact with you, and do a move across you from there; I'm not sure it's worth sending a blocker just to take away their action if you can't predict where they'll end up, especially as it's probably a cheap and expendable ship. Aside from 'Duchchess', of course, but in her case the extra Ailerons move is optional.

But yes, I'm happy to see the striker and give it a try. I'm going to guess at 16/17/18 points for the generics, which is pretty **** good - the question will be how much the lightning fridge (or whatever it is ) costs.

The closest comparisons I can see:

• Khiraxz with a shield upgrade removed (implies 16 points for PS 1-2)
• Phantom with 1 less attack die and cloak removed (normally 6 for the first, 2 for the second - 17 pts for PS3)
• TIE Bomber with two hull upgrades removed and 1 attack die added (-3 x 2 +6 = 0 - 16 points/18 points)
• Zealous Recruit with 1 less agility (~3-and-a-bit points - 16-17 points - 16 including a worse dial)

I'm not expecting great things for the dial as a result. The Starviper dial looks likely - no green hard turn, a segnor's loop, a decent-without-being insane manoeuvrability, no really fast moves (because you'll get all the speed you want from Ailerons. Maybe no speed 1 straight move (because that's fairly common for a TIE)

Also, taking the comparison of Talonbane Cobra (29) to Duchess with a shield upgrade and adaptability (27), FFG clearly know her ability isn't amazing because she's **** cheap.

Also I'm liking the idea of getting blocked then revealing a K turn or sloop. Given that the direction of the pre-dial move is up to the Striker, it can probably arc-dodge the blocker and still get a shot, albeit unmodified.

Just needs some way of clearing the stress for next round.

Yeah if you think you'll be blocked you just sloop you don't actually lose an action then as you're doing a red move.

Indeed. If they try to block your Ailerons move you'll end up behind them, if they try to block the loop - the loop could be in one of two directions plus you get an Ailerons move first, so you've got 6 possible points to cover (assuming there's no K-turn as well).

partly does depend how long the sloops are though. If they're 1, then they're easily blockable, 2 is possible to block both the aileron and the loop with a large ship, 3 it probably too fast.

I'm kind of expecting this thing to have a pretty lame dial to make up for the massive amoutn of extra moevent that ailerons give.

To me - it completely invalidates the TAP generics, who were bad enough to begin with.

#NotSold

why wouldn't you want it to invalidate something that's that bad?

why wouldn't you want it to invalidate something that's that bad?

Because I wanted the TAP to be good and the Striker to be different/fulfill a different role.

why wouldn't you want it to invalidate something that's that bad?

Because I wanted the TAP to be good and the Striker to be different/fulfill a different role.

too bad the boat's sailed on the TAP

making the striker also bad won't help it

I guess since the Ailerons are considered a maneuverer, you could do some fancy stuff with Lightning Reflexes after you Ailerons, then turn 180 and do your move backwards basically. It does not seem to be all that useful, since you only do it once anyway, but it would sure be fun!

I guess since the Ailerons are considered a maneuverer, you could do some fancy stuff with Lightning Reflexes after you Ailerons, then turn 180 and do your move backwards basically. It does not seem to be all that useful, since you only do it once anyway, but it would sure be fun!

tomax is on the wrong ship

I guess since the Ailerons are considered a maneuverer, you could do some fancy stuff with Lightning Reflexes after you Ailerons, then turn 180 and do your move backwards basically. It does not seem to be all that useful, since you only do it once anyway, but it would sure be fun!

Sweet!

I guess since the Ailerons are considered a maneuverer, you could do some fancy stuff with Lightning Reflexes after you Ailerons, then turn 180 and do your move backwards basically. It does not seem to be all that useful, since you only do it once anyway, but it would sure be fun!

tomax is on the wrong ship

That would be so hilarious (and probably broken, to be fair), to watch a TIE Striker do all kinds of shenanigans every turn. People would then bet on how long it will take you to bump an asteroid...

I'm hoping the Striker has a solidedly TIE dial. The model is too cool to skip and it would be sad if the dial plus title created a mediocre at best ship.

I guess since the Ailerons are considered a maneuverer, you could do some fancy stuff with Lightning Reflexes after you Ailerons, then turn 180 and do your move backwards basically. It does not seem to be all that useful, since you only do it once anyway, but it would sure be fun!

If not a targetting computer could work wonders.

I'm hoping the Striker has a solidedly TIE dial. The model is too cool to skip and it would be sad if the dial plus title created a mediocre at best ship.

well it's no interceptor or FO

expect Tie Fighter/phantom dial but with sloops

so halfway between really solid and the best thing ever

To me - it completely invalidates the TAP generics, who were bad enough to begin with.

#NotSold

The TAP has a secondary role as a one-shot ordnance carrier, though, and enough green to consider Push The Limit. I don't think the Sienar Test Pilot has much to argue with.

Also - the TAP can use autothrusters - this can't.

expect Tie Fighter/phantom dial but with sloops

Just given the Ailerons rules I'd expect more phantom than fighter....although I may be wrong. A straight '5' plus Ailerons is a hell of a fast ship.

I think one of its strengths is that you need to put it in a list where it's not "threat number one." Meaning your opponent targets something else while the striker throws 3 or four attack dice. I'm thinking a decked out decimator flanked by the two best pilots in the striker expansion will be a very fun list.

And it will look frackin awesome as a squadron. Color scheme?

Is this the first time they've used the same squadron name on two different ships?

I assume it won't be Black Squadron Pilot or things are going to get confusing...

Nah, Blue Squadron Pilot (B-wing), Blue Squadron Novice (T-70), Red Squadron Pilot (T-65), Red Squadron Veteran (T-70).

Yep, we totally have the same squadron but with a different level of pilot on different ships

I'm epecting the Striker to be "Black Squadron Ace"

I must be the only person who thinks it looks ugly here.

I must be the only person who thinks it looks ugly here.

I didn't like it at first, when the original image leaks came out, but looking at the miniature from different angles in the preview article it has really grown on me.

Which is fair enough, I guess. Unlike the TIE fighter (which is a knife fighter which loves its speed 1 turns), the TIE striker seems designed for 'ludicrous speed' slashing attacks.

Of course, the problem with trying to block the Ailerons manoeuvre is that whilst you'll take away the action......it still gets the second move (unlike a boost) - meaningfully blocking someone requires you to strand them somewhere without tokens in front of your guns - this way they move up to contact with you, and do a move across you from there; I'm not sure it's worth sending a blocker just to take away their action if you can't predict where they'll end up, especially as it's probably a cheap and expendable ship. Aside from 'Duchchess', of course, but in her case the extra Ailerons move is optional.

But yes, I'm happy to see the striker and give it a try. I'm going to guess at 16/17/18 points for the generics, which is pretty **** good - the question will be how much the lightning fridge (or whatever it is ) costs.

The closest comparisons I can see:

• Khiraxz with a shield upgrade removed (implies 16 points for PS 1-2)
• Phantom with 1 less attack die and cloak removed (normally 6 for the first, 2 for the second - 17 pts for PS3)
• TIE Bomber with two hull upgrades removed and 1 attack die added (-3 x 2 +6 = 0 - 16 points/18 points)
• Zealous Recruit with 1 less agility (~3-and-a-bit points - 16-17 points - 16 including a worse dial)

I'm not expecting great things for the dial as a result. The Starviper dial looks likely - no green hard turn, a segnor's loop, a decent-without-being insane manoeuvrability, no really fast moves (because you'll get all the speed you want from Ailerons. Maybe no speed 1 straight move (because that's fairly common for a TIE)

Also, taking the comparison of Talonbane Cobra (29) to Duchess with a shield upgrade and adaptability (27), FFG clearly know her ability isn't amazing because she's **** cheap.

Argh!!! 1 shield is not worth 4 points on every **** ship, (very seldom in fact). And the same goes for attack, agility and hull. For example, would a blue squadron B wing with a 3-1-3-0 statline be reasonably costed at 2 squad points? would it? WOULD IT?

And perhaps you say, well it doesn't work if you do it like that. And then I say, that's because it doesn't work at all. Then perhaps you start to write a comback, and maybe it's witty (if you are witty), but then you think again and suddenly you get lost in something more important. Just like that our conversation will have ended. Someday down the line, you will think of me, and maybe I will think of you at the same time.

Anyway..16 points for a ps1 Striker is unlikely imo. 6 solid ships with 3 atk, and free repositioning, is pretty **** scary.

I must be the only person who thinks it looks ugly here.

I didn't like it at first, when the original image leaks came out, but looking at the miniature from different angles in the preview article it has really grown on me.

It looks like a proto or pocket interceptor. It should have been released as a post-war design since the Empire was hamstrung by the surrender. I don't like the U-wing either though.

How is that a "pocket" interceptor, it's significantly larger.

How is that a "pocket" interceptor, it's significantly larger.

Probably when I start giving a **** enough to look for a proper sbs comparison now that specs were released.