Hey there guys.

I'm a relatively new player (about 6/7 months) and next month it is very likely I will be playing in my first tournament (tournaments are like unicorns around here).

Getting into the tournament mindset, I thought I'd need at least one PS9 ace. I know Poe is the favourite among many, but I have a soft spot for Ello Asty, just because his white T-rolls are so so handy. I figured on higher PS T-70s it is preferable to protect your investment with Autothrusters instead of IA.

Now.. Jake Farrell. I've gone back and forth on his second EPT. Obviously PTL is a must.. but I was unsure whether to go with Outmaneuver or Crack shot. Or maybe VI to bump him to PS9 as well?

I'm using Braylen Stramm as a regenerating tank that can take some punishment and deal it back. Some repositioning potential with Vectored Thrusters, to make up for the fact he may be doing greens a lot of the time.

I have had success with this in a casual setting, particularly with Stramm. These are probably my personal favourite Rebel pilots individually, I may just need some advice on how to get them to gel together for a tournament setting.

List is as follows:

T-70 X-Wing: · Ello Asty (30)

Veteran Instincts (1)

· R5-X3 (1)

Autothrusters (2)

Weapons Guidance (2)

A-Wing: · Jake Farrell (24)

Push The Limit (3)

Chardaan Refit (-2)

Autothrusters (2)

A-Wing Test Pilot (0)

Outmaneuver (3)

ARC-170: · Braylen Stramm (25)

· R2-D2 (4)

Vectored Thrusters (2)

· C-3PO (3)

Alliance Overhaul (0)

I look forward to your feedback!

Okay, so after my streak was ended by a Palatine Decimator and 3 TIEs I concluded that my lost needs revising.

R5-X3 is so situational that I decided to look at Ello Asty in particular.

T-70 X-Wing: · Ello Asty (30)

Predator (3)

· BB-8 (2)

Integrated Astromech (0)

I know BB-8 has good synergy with PTL, but since I was dropping Weapons Guidance I thought I would need another form of reliable damage output - enter Predator. I'm also not 100% relying on a focus because a reroll will benefit me even if I bumped.

Integrated Astromech is a points saving measure with a bonus health boost, but I'm still undecided if it's worth giving Ello Auto Thrusters and taking away Braylen's Vectored Thrusters.

Jake Farrell is the same. I just made a bad positioning move and got caught at range 1 of the Decimator (options were limited so I went for a bump to prevent being attacked, but miscalculated).

Would it be worth swapping Outmanoeuver for VI? I'm not sure how effective he can be without some way to mitigate his low attack value (like Proton Rockets or Outmaneuver).

A-Wing: · Jake Farrell (24)

Push The Limit (3)

Chardaan Refit (-2)

Autothrusters (2)

A-Wing Test Pilot (0)

Outmaneuver (3)

Braylen has been the survivor so far. He has caught a few TIEs in his rear firing arc and late game that rear arc becomes more valuable. I feel like without VT he would have a hard time lining shots up... but I know having AT on Ello is important should I come up against turreted ships, or even against long range attacks.

It does occur to me that this build doesn't really play to his ability, but part of the reason is I don't have R3-A2. I do have Tactician, but in my experience it activates maybe once or twice a game. To me, the protection C-3PO provides is well worth the 3 points - and he is useful EVERY turn.

My idea for Braylen is to use him as a regenerating tank that will stick around and soak up fire - with both R2 and 3PO he has proven more than capable. I'm just wondering if having both of those upgrades is wasted points? Is it worthwhile trying to find a copy of R3-A2, saving me the 2 points I would need for AT on Ello?

ARC-170: · Braylen Stramm (25)

· R2-D2 (4)

Vectored Thrusters (2)

· C-3PO (3)

Alliance Overhaul (0)

Then part of me is thinking I should be running VI Poe so I don't get trounced by aces all day (but I don't have R5-P9 either).

Maybe I'm approaching competitive play all wrong and these 3 ships don't work together particularly well - I just like them

Reading your post, it seems pretty clear you are locked onto flying Rebel Aces. I feel you. Here comes the advice. Rebel Aces work 1 of 2 ways: strong independent pilots, or a small group with a high degree of synergy. Your list has neither.

Ello Asty has a cool ability, and either VI or Predator are good choices for him, but BB-8 doesn't complement his ability. R5-X3 is basically just acting as an extra hull with Integrated Astro. Unfortunately, no matter how you outfit Ello, he is not strong in competitive play.

Jake is an essential Rebel Ace, but there are only a few builds that work well on him. VI is imperative. Outmaneuver (while cool and helpful) is a waste of points at PS7. This is a solid build for Jake: PTL, title, VI, Prockets, Autothrusters. Something else Jake needs is an initiative bid. He needs to be in the squad that does not have initiative, so he can react to other ships' movement.

Braylen isn't bad, but he's better in a synergy build, flying in formation. Neither Jake nor Ello are good for formation flying..

Also, don't be afraid to consider a generic pilot. You don't necessarily need a PS9 ace as a hard counter to other PS9 aces. Typically if your lists try to incorporate too many mechanics, you end up wasting points.

Certain lists are naturally more effective than others. These "meta" lists are still only as good as the player, although some of them are more user-friendly than others. Meta list, or something of your own creation, the every point spent should play to the strengths of each ship. Above all practice with any list is still essential to winning. Bad choices in a game can ruin good choices in list building.

This was my first tournament list. I post it pretty much every time a new Rebel asks for list advice.

Jake Farrell (31) - A-Wing

Veteran Instincts (1), Proton Rockets (3), A-Wing Test Pilot (0), Push The Limit (3)

Poe Dameron (36) - T-70 X-Wing

Push The Limit (3), BB-8 (2)

Keyan Farlander (33) - B-Wing

Opportunist (4)

Total: 100

If you really examine it, you will find I made some mistakes in makng the list. However, I played dozens of games with it. In spite of the list's flaws, I won a majority of those games with good decisions. Good maneuvers, good actions and good attacks made up for the problems in the list. Sometimes my opponents' poor decisions helped me win when I should have lost. Usually when I lost, it was because I made a bad choice in the game.

Braelen works best with the Stressbot. If you want to run an ARC as a Regen ship, I would suggest spending a few more points and getting PTL Norra instead. PTL synergises really well with R2D2 and then you can either take Tailgunner to help push damage through or Nien Nunb to give you some extra greens to work with. Vectored Thrusters are nice on a PS7 ship if you have the points spare for them.

I like jmswood's Jake build so you could happily stick with that.

So now you have a high PS Ace and a tough regenerator. You have spent about 73 points depending on your exact options. You could always throw in Biggs with a cheap Astromech and Integrated Astromech for 26 points. He will help keep your other ships alive a bit longer and is a great addition, particular with a low-agility ship like the ARC.

Hey guys, thank you both for the feedback - it has been really helpful

I see what you mean about the list. I often ran Jake casually with the build you described jmswood. I think I over-thought it and changed it for the sake of changing it. You're right, the rockets make him a solid hitter and even after they've gone off, he has Autothrusters to keep him around a bit longer and be annoying. Not having to spend the focus to fire makes it pretty likely to get a good number of hits out of it (better than his primary anyway), maybe more if he has a TL as well.

Since I do not have R3-A2 (and my usual place for getting single cards doesn't seem to have it) I think I'll switch ARC pilots to Norra Wexley as you suggested Karhedron. I want to make this ship work!
Her ability has good synergy with PTL, so that was an auto-include. Now, the tough choice is Nien Nunb (1pt) or Tail Gunner (2pts). I LOVE abilities that nerf the enemy's agility (like Wedge), so Tail Gunner seriously appeals to me.. but I also like the fact that Nien Nunb would open up R2-D2's shield regeneration even more. A 4 green straight seems pretty significant for getting out of trouble and there have been times with the ARC where I have really needed the speed to get out of trouble.

Biggs seems like an excellent support ship as you have mentioned Karhedron, with the added bonus of being a 3-attack dice ship who might get some shots off before going down. Now, I don't have R4-D6 (Rebel Transport Expansion), but if you guys thought it would be a major upgrade over any other 1pt astromech, I'd try to find that card. But regardless, that is 1 point accounted for; I'd definitely use a 1pt Astro with Integrated Astromech to keep him cheap.

This was my first tournament list. I post it pretty much every time a new Rebel asks for list advice.

Jake Farrell (31) - A-Wing
Veteran Instincts (1), Proton Rockets (3), A-Wing Test Pilot (0), Push The Limit (3)

Poe Dameron (36) - T-70 X-Wing
Push The Limit (3), BB-8 (2)

Keyan Farlander (33) - B-Wing
Opportunist (4)
Total: 100

I really like Keyan Farlander the few times I've flown him (Stay on Target [proxy], B-Wing/E2, Hera Syndulla [proxy]).. I *was* seriously considering him for my list at one point, but I was lacking those official cards.

Out of curiosity, is there a good way to clear stress as Keyan when you use Opportunist since it can't activate while stressed? It seems like a great card for him on the first attack but the B-Wing's dial is lacking greens, especially for turning.



Based on my limited experience with casual games, I know to try to keep Biggs and Norra close together and let Jake do his thing - flank and shoot rockets (The term 'Farrell Roll' has been coined in my local meta )
Any advice on flying this list? Anything in particular I should be wary of?

I'm fairly certain now that my final list will look something like this (see below) apart from the following:

1) The droid on Biggs is up in the air at the minute but it will be a 1-pointer unless there's an Astro I'm really missing that someone points out.
2) The crew on the ARC-170. Nien Nunb (for opening up R2-D2) or Tail Gunner (for that sweet agility nerf).

I've just now noticed that Weapons Engineer *might* have some mild synergy with her ability?

Curious on your thoughts. Thanks for taking a look

Woops! Forgot to post the list. It's late here
Comes to 98pts with Nien Nunb or 99pts with Tail Gunner.

I imagine the difference between 98 and 99pts is significant when you want initiative.. so maybe Nien Nunb is the way to go?

EDIT: Feel free to ignore this one. It's late and I was thinking out loud.. I do like the idea of the list I posted before this one better.

Sorry for the multi-post, but on the note of using generics.. I do have 3 standard X-Wings.

So here's an alternative list which comes to 99pts.

Poe Dameron (31)
Veteran Instincts (1)
R2-D2 (4)
Integrated Astromech (0)

Rookie Pilot (21)

Rookie Pilot (21)

Rookie Pilot (21)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Tom1132: You asked: "Out of curiosity, is there a good way to clear stress as Keyan when you use Opportunist since it can't activate while stressed?"

The answer is don't give him stress from any other source. That way he can meet he requirement to activate Opportunist, recieve stress from Opportunist, and use his pilot ability to remove that stress. You are allowed to use Farlander's ability to remove stress, even if your attack didn't roll any eyeballs. Your action after moving should be target lock. If you play your list right, Farlander should have a fully modified 4-5 dice attack every round.

Good point, gotcha. I forgot you could "spend" your focus (in Keyan's case, stress) even if there are no eye results.

Doesn't the enemy have to *not* have any focus/evade tokens for it to activate? Does that happen often?

Good point, gotcha. I forgot you could "spend" your focus (in Keyan's case, stress) even if there are no eye results.

Doesn't the enemy have to *not* have any focus/evade tokens for it to activate? Does that happen often?

That is true. There are a few ways to accomplish this. one is to fly Wes Janson as Farlander's wingman. His ability strips tokens. stress hog works great, but we've established you don't have the cards. Another method is blocking. Put an A-wing Prototype Pilot with Chardaan Refit (15 points total) in your list to block targets for Farlander. A blocked ship usually does not get actions or tokens. In an aces list like yours, having your other ships concentrate their attacks on the same target works really well. Attacks from your higher PS ships typically prompt your opponent to spend tokens on defense.

Okay, so my Jake, Norra and Biggs list is getting decimated (literally, the Decimator just eats them up). The firepower just isn't there, from what I can tell. Norra is a good shot when the planets align, but against TIE Defenders with the x7 title.. it's an uphill battle.

That's why I have decided to change the list up altogether. Now, I've heard good things about Corran Horn - and I *do* have an E-Wing. But I wanted to fit a 'Fat Han' type build into my 100 points too. The tourney is on the 23rd October and I'll have a few chances to try this out before then.

So, here goes:

Red Ace is very tanky but struggles to inflict much damage alone due to low action economy and lack of EPT.

Fat Han builds worked well in the past before ordnance buffs allowed enemies the spike damage to put plenty of hits past even Evade + C-3PO and before TLTs could reliably nibble low agility ships to death.

My take on the list would be to try Super-Dash instead of Fat-Han. The great action economy coupled to a 4-dice turreted HLC will help in the damage stakes and hopefully leave just enough points for a decent Ace to back him up. Maybe something like this.

58 Dash Rendar (36), HLC (7), Outrider title (5), Kanan (3), PTL (3), EU (4)

41 Poe (PS8) (31), R2-D2 (4), VI (1), Autothrusters (2), Pattern Analyser (2), Black One (1)

Red Ace is very tanky but struggles to inflict much damage alone due to low action economy and lack of EPT.

Fat Han builds worked well in the past before ordnance buffs allowed enemies the spike damage to put plenty of hits past even Evade + C-3PO and before TLTs could reliably nibble low agility ships to death.

My take on the list would be to try Super-Dash instead of Fat-Han. The great action economy coupled to a 4-dice turreted HLC will help in the damage stakes and hopefully leave just enough points for a decent Ace to back him up. Maybe something like this.

58 Dash Rendar (36), HLC (7), Outrider title (5), Kanan (3), PTL (3), EU (4)

41 Poe (PS8) (31), R2-D2 (4), VI (1), Autothrusters (2), Pattern Analyser (2), Black One (1)

That sounds like a brutal list.. if only I had a YT-2400

I will have to run this casually and test it out - I like the idea of a 360 arc HLC.