Guys,

Played a game with the new ships today and a couple of questions came up....

1) Protectorate Starfighter (with Title card) at range 1 of an ARC 170 and inside it's REAR firing ARC. Does the Title card ability trigger? I'm saying yes as it just says "inside the attacker's firing arc" and doesn't specify whether it's primary or auxiliary.

2) Similar to the above; I assume the same would hold true for the Shadow Caster's mobile firing arc?

3) Timing of Braylen Stramm's ability. I'm assuming this occurs BEFORE the "Check Pilot Stress" step? (The ability to remove stress right after a red maneuver sounds too good to be true!)

1) Yes any arc will do. Even if the enemy can't shoot out of it (e.g. the special arc on a VCX-100).

2) Yes. The question now becomes, if you're outside of the primary or mobile firing arc, do the printed arcs on the cardboard still count as arcs? From reading the rules as far as I can see the answer is "no, they're not an arc unless the mobile arc is pointed that way" but it's a little weird considering the VCX-100 ruling.

3) No, after "check pilot stress". This is one change from the original rules in the original core set and the current rules in the FA core set. So "move ship", "check pilot stress" and "clean up" all count as part of executing a maneuver.

3) No, after "check pilot stress". This is one change from the original rules in the original core set and the current rules in the FA core set. So "move ship", "check pilot stress" and "clean up" all count as part of executing a maneuver.

Just to further clarify this statement as if could be misread:

Under the old rules maybe, however under the new rules you receive the stress as part of the manoeuvre. If you were you to perform a red manoeuvre you would get a stress token as part of the manoeuvre, then you could promptly remove it from him if you trigger his ability and roll the required result, then proceed to your perform action step without stress and free to perform your action.

Also notably the ability triggers whenever you perform any manoeuvre not just a stress inducing one, so if you were to start the turn with 2 stress you can perform a green manoeuvre and use the ability to potentially get rid of both stress and have the ability to perform an action.

Thanks for the prompt replies, guys.

I suppose Stramm's ability will only allow the removal of stress 50% of the time. So it's not really overpowered.

3) Timing of Braylen Stramm's ability. I'm assuming this occurs BEFORE the "Check Pilot Stress" step? (The ability to remove stress right after a red maneuver sounds too good to be true!)

It absolutely would be too good to be true if it happened 100% of the time. Or even if it happened 50% of the time but predictably. As is, it'll be a nice bonus on the rounds when it works, but not something you can really leverage.

1/2) Yes. All printed arcs, including primary aux special or mobile, count as "in arc" for anything not calling out a specific arc such as Tail Gunner.

3) "After you perform a maneuver" includes removing or adding stress. Its the last thing you do before moving onto any "after maneuver" effects or the normal Action step. Its only a 50% chance so not like its overly amazing, and on a low PS lack of an EPT ship nontheless. But he can indeed theoretically do a red and have no stress to do an action, if you get lucky.

Thanks for the prompt replies, guys.

I suppose Stramm's ability will only allow the removal of stress 50% of the time. So it's not really overpowered.

It's not overpowered, but it can be really handy. Anything that can dump stress without cost is a good thing.