If you couldn't tell (and you probably can't), the "XWP" part of my name stands for "X-Wing Pilot". I freakin' love the X-Wing, but it has gone out of commission as Jumpmasters can destroy them in a couple of vollies, aces can out-fly them, and double VCX can out-gun them, plus they're pretty cost heavy. Heroes of the Resistance added a few good pilots into the mix, and this thread is about them and the new upgrades in HotR.

Let's start out with lowest PS first:

Jess Pava (PS3) 25 points

When attacking or defending, you may reroll 1 of your dice for each other friendly ship at Range 1.

Jess has some application as a swarm leader. Any upgrade that can increase the amount of dice rolled for attacking or defending is good with Jess in addition to a swarm. This can include Expose which can be equipped with the astromech R2-D6 using 5 extra points for a total of 30. This gives Jess the same firepower as a VCX-100, but due to her pilot skill, she essentially has a target lock at all times when coupled with a swarm. I personally want to see her flown naked with three Blue Squadron Novices who are equipped with R2 Astromech and Integrated Astromech. This gives her the ability to reroll all her dice at range 2-3, giving her room to use stressful maneuvres, focus up, or even boost into position along with the rest of the squad while keeping up all of her offensive and defensive capabilities.

Jess Pava (25 + 5)

Expose (4)

R2-D6 (1)

Integrated Astromech (0)

"Snap" Wexley (PS6) 28 points

After you execute a 2-, 3-, or 4-speed maneuver, if you are not touching a ship, you may perform a free boost action.

Ah old Snappy himself crashes down with a really sweet action economy, however his ability is somewhat restricting from an arc-dodging perspective. The only green maneuvres on the T-70 that are green for those speeds are the straight ones. While R2 Astromech certainly helps out with the lack of greens, it takes up a valuable astromech slot that can be taken by something much better like R2-D2. However, when coupled with BB-8 he makes for a very effective jouster allowing for two free actions in addition to his normal action as well as the additional one from Push the Limit. Not only can he position himself well, but he can both target lock AND focus all in the same turn. His relatively meagre pilot skill doesn't accommodate arc-dodging very well anyways, as aces can easily out-fly him.

"Snap" Wexley (28 + 6)

Push the Limit (3)

BB-8 (2)

Integrated Astromech (0)

Primed Thrusters (1)

Nien Nunb (PS7) 29 points

When you receive a stress token, if there is an enemy ship inside your firing arc at Range 1, you may discard that stress token.

Our Sullustan hero returns with a vengeance. Nien Nunb is an absolutely great carrier for Push the Limit and R3-A2 since he can just shed any stress given by either of those immediately provided he has someone in range 1. Of course, that was covered in the article about him, but what wasn't covered was the use of the upgrade most often used with our pal "Youngster" called Rage. Nien can bum rush the opponent, quite possibly bumping into one of them, and get a free focus + target lock in one action. While this isn't necessarily better than Push the Limit, it does cost 2 points less, so it can be a very slightly less efficient choice if the extra 2 points have to go somewhere else. Nien's ability also helps mitigate any stressbot build that could still be out there.

Nien Nunb (29 + 3)

Rage (1)

R3-A2 (2)

Integrated Astromech (0)

Of course, everyone knows Poe's ability and builds, so I won't go over them here. However, I will go over the upgrade pretty much made for him: Black One.

This upgrade is a hoss on a T-70 built for arc dodging. With the Empire really focused on target locks these days in the form of Omega Leader, Darth Vader, Colonel Vessery, the TIE Adv. Prototype and really just any ship in general that isn't a TIE Fighter or TIE Interceptor, this title can really come in handy. Coming in super-cheap at just one point gives it room to be a list-rounder. Throwing this on your arc-dodging Poe gives him and possibly his squad defensive capabilities beyond normal (yes, this title can target the ship that carries it).

So what do you guys think? Is the T-70 back in action or should we just forget about these ships already?

We should forget about expose for sure

Seriously, you'll get more damage out of the one crackshot then 4 points of an extra die and no focus to further mod your rerolls

Also, personal opinion, bu5 I don't think full offensive mods really cut it anymore. What I mean is I've proxies refills + focus snap/nien and, while fun, they simply don't hold up in dice trades with anything that can focus + evade to cancel their damage

Opponent taking no damage v t70s taking damage means you never win. Defensive modification just seems so crucial when you're piloting something see expensive as bien/snap which is probably why Regen is so strong

So what can we do to give the t70 more than fully modified offense? Honestly not much as red ace and Poe have the Regen market cornered. They don't have bombs or Vader crew or oicuun ability etc

All that comes to mind is r3a2 (snapshot bien ) as stress works independently of any dice result and is very VERY game changing

I'm torn. While people have had some success with Wes, Wedge, Corran type lists; Poe was really the only T-70 pilot seeing a lot of use. I also love the X-wings but I can't help but think the T-70s are just a bit overcosted. Not compared to the T-65 but to the competition in general. I'm not sure 3 X-wings brings enough to win consistently. I really want 4. But to do that you have to field mostly or all scrubs. Not necessarily bad, but it leaves a lot of ships off the table.

I think when HotR drops, we will see a lot of triple X lists and people trying the Falcon with Xs or Zs escorting. But then I can't help but think that the majority of these ships will go back in the box. PS9 Poe and Snap are probably the 2 most likely to stay around a little longer. Of course, my theory is worth exactly what you are paying for it.

P.S. While I like Jess a lot I think I will spend 30 pts. to get:

Blue Ace - BB8, IA, Primed Thrusters

Boost + BR all day long

Well the T70 IS overcosted (more so than the X)

Reason you saw Poe was the same reason as tier (guaranteed defensive modification, only you have Regen instead of evade tokens)

Normally, your flying of that sexy dial should compensate, but with x7s and such zipping around there's not much you can actually do when you get down to brass facts

Except Regen

1v1, you just win (even on time as you're generally more expensive )

Shara Bey (28)
Elusiveness (2)
Weapons Engineer (3)
M9-G8 (3)

Red Squadron Veteran (26)
Push the Limit (3)
R2 Astromech (1)
Pattern Analyzer (2)
Integrated Astromech (0)

Red Squadron Veteran (26)
Push the Limit (3)
R2 Astromech (1)
Pattern Analyzer (2)
Integrated Astromech (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Shara focuses on ARCdodging and surviving with TLs sitting on the biggest threats. The X-cepter build can 2 hard and PTL every turn, use Sharra's TLs, even talon roll with focus.