So after reading the preview, I have couple ideas and questions.

1) Is there anyone seeing any really fun/broken combos for the double tech slots (or tech and system)?

I'm thinking maybe FCS, weapons engineer, and targeting sychronizer. Basically you run that and a pair of bombers who can then not need their TLs to shoot their ordnance.

2) Are condition cards a good or a bad thing, and will they affect anything?

I'm not a huge fan, and although they have cool effects, they seem a bit less serious (For lack of a better word), and i don't know if i like them. I don't know it they will do much, but we'll see.

3) Why didn't they put an EPT on the PS5 pilot (Major Stridan), who can treat any range as range 1 in regards to actions and his upgrade cards.

My guess is to avoid abuse of Coordinate, cards like PtL, Advanced Sensors, and anything else we can come up with.

I'm a newb, so i'm sure there are a lot more things i'm not thinking of.

2) Are condition cards a good or a bad thing, and will they affect anything?

I'm not a huge fan, and although they have cool effects, they seem a bit less serious (For lack of a better word), and i don't know if i like them. I don't know it they will do much, but we'll see.

I think that they are a nice addition and are a cleaner way to handle the sorts of effects that they have than trying to do the same thing without conditions would be. I just wish they would have used a generic condition token (like the crit tokens) instead of a different token for each condition.

3) Why didn't they put an EPT on the PS5 pilot (Major Stridan), who can treat any range as range 1 in regards to actions and his upgrade cards.

My guess is to avoid abuse of Coordinate, cards like PtL, Advanced Sensors, and anything else we can come up with.

I'm just excited that they gave an EPT to any of the pilots. Ships like the K-Wing, Lambda, and Ghost, are complete EPT-less.

Youve been playing with conditions since Wave 1

Ie. Ion cannon turret

Conditions are merely reference cards. They are NOT new, we're just getting new ones

Aa for the ups, it all hinges on the dial. Systems officer isnt super shite at range 1-3 though, i guess

3) Why didn't they put an EPT on the PS5 pilot (Major Stridan), who can treat any range as range 1 in regards to actions and his upgrade cards.

My guess is to avoid abuse of Coordinate, cards like PtL, Advanced Sensors, and anything else we can come up with.

They probably didn't put an EPT on him because there's nothing in canon yet to prove this character is an elite pilot. All I can tell is that he's a named shuttle pilot, that's all. There's not even an entry for him on Wookipedia as far as I've been able to find.

Also, it's probably to help lessen the abuse of the EPT on so many ships. But I also agree with your points because Push the Limit and Experimental Interface on an Upsilon would be expensive (especially once you start throwing on the crew), but also powerful with all those Action effects going off.

(Edit)

Just looked through the pilots again and saw Kylo Ren does have an Elite Pilot Talent. Makes me happy, but I'd rather have him as a crew with PtL and Experimental Interface for shenanigans. I don't like my opponent dictating where the "I'll Show you the Dark Side" condition is placed if I have Kylo as a pilot.

Bit miffed that only kylo can expertly handle pattern analysis

Esp since no one has an ability that scales off of action efficiency ala soontir

Hux and Kylo are nice buffs to lesser seen pilots

Hux was basically MADE for Tie/Ds (guaranteed control cannon; condition works on both attacks), even Rexlar (dat focus)

Kylo needs crit results, so backdraft and advance vader work wonders

3) Why didn't they put an EPT on the PS5 pilot (Major Stridan), who can treat any range as range 1 in regards to actions and his upgrade cards.

My guess is to avoid abuse of Coordinate, cards like PtL, Advanced Sensors, and anything else we can come up with.

I'm just excited that they gave an EPT to any of the pilots. Ships like the K-Wing, Lambda, and Ghost, are complete EPT-less.

That's very true. I wasn't complaining by any means, just wondering.

Hux was basically MADE for Tie/Ds (guaranteed control cannon; condition works on both attacks), even Rexlar (dat focus)

This for real. Hux support could pull /d out of the trash for me tbh. It's still a glass cannon but doesn't just wiff both shots ineffectively anymore.

I think the upsilon is an excellent addition to the empire's (cough first orders) ranks. Even if it flies like a lambda (excluding the 2 banks) it will still be excellent. The new upgrades are all excellent. Some much needed crew variety for the Empire. Hux is a winner for sure, and the operations specialist will be used in every faction in some fashion. The targeting synchronizer is great without being broken (at a glance at least). The shuttle still has a low pilot skill (6(8) or less) so acquiring the target locks won't be simple, lrs bombers backed by coordinate may be better even (engage at range 3, fire munitions, upsilon moves first to coordinate for the follow up tl). Just some quick cursory (and very excited) observation though, so take it with a grain of salt.

Major Stridan 32

Pattern Analyzer 2

General Hux 5

Systems Officer 2

Fire-Control System 2

Total Points: 43

Gamma Squadron Veteran 19

Deadeye 1

Extra Munitions 2

Proton Torpedoes 4

Seismic Charges 2

Guidance Chips 0

Total Points: 28

Gamma Squadron Veteran 19

Deadeye 1

Extra Munitions 2

Proton Torpedoes 4

Seismic Charges 2

Guidance Chips 0

Total Points: 28

Seems all right as a starting point. Stridan does a green, triggers Systems Officer, activates Pattern Analyzer, uses Hux, then Pattern Analyzer kicks in and clears the stress from Hux. Both Gamma Vets have a focus and one may also have a target lock before they even activate. Maybe feed yourself Fanatical Devotion. And with Stridan's ability, you can do this from a distance if needs be.

Edit - In answer to #1, if that wasn't clear.

I think I'd pair Hux with something like a pair of TIE/D Defenders to take advantage of the auto-hit on their cannons:

36 Vessery w/ Adapt, Tractor, TIE/D.

37 Ryad w/ Adapt, IonC, TIE/D.

26 Omnicron w/ Hux, Baffle.

You don't think that the restriction of not being able to use the token defensively would backfire on defenders? I see Hux mainly used with cheap, fodder ships. Most only have 2 attack dice, so one not being able to be dodged is great. If they die, whatever, you still have 4-5 more, right?

Seems like we are getting a lot more anti-ace tech, which is great for the balance of the game.

So after reading the preview, I have couple ideas and questions.

1) Is there anyone seeing any really fun/broken combos for the double tech slots (or tech and system)?

I'm thinking maybe FCS, weapons engineer, and targeting sychronizer. Basically you run that and a pair of bombers who can then not need their TLs to shoot their ordnance.

2) Are condition cards a good or a bad thing, and will they affect anything?

I'm not a huge fan, and although they have cool effects, they seem a bit less serious (For lack of a better word), and i don't know if i like them. I don't know it they will do much, but we'll see.

3) Why didn't they put an EPT on the PS5 pilot (Major Stridan), who can treat any range as range 1 in regards to actions and his upgrade cards.

My guess is to avoid abuse of Coordinate, cards like PtL, Advanced Sensors, and anything else we can come up with.

I'm a newb, so i'm sure there are a lot more things i'm not thinking of.

1)For a more offensive shuttle I've thought of running kylo ren with PTL, adv. sensors, engine upgrade, with two recon specialist and weapon guidance, and sensor cluster. 1 focus gives you 3 focus tokens that you can use two for an attack (1 for a blank and 1 for focus results) and 1 for 100% evade or for a 100% evade from 3 different shots or a focus for attack and 2 focus for 2 evades. PTL + adv.sensors means I can always get 2 actions then clear the stress by revealing a green. I call it the kilo ren.

3)I'm kinda sad about no ept on anyone buy kylo ren but not a big loss since the lambda didn't have any EPT on any pilots. As for why they didn't idk, it already has squad leader from coordnate action, and the only other EPT that cares about friendly ships that helps is swarm tactics and wing man, with ps 5 swarm tactics helps almost no one, but wing man would be pretty nice. Hmmm draw their fire would be a big help too now that I think about it able to take a crit for any other ship at range 3 from the upsilon. Kylo ren currently is the only large ship for impire that can barrel roll now with expery handling

Hux was basically MADE for Tie/Ds (guaranteed control cannon; condition works on both attacks), even Rexlar (dat focus)

This for real. Hux support could pull /d out of the trash for me tbh. It's still a glass cannon but doesn't just wiff both shots ineffectively anymore.

3/3/3 with focus token is a glass cannon?

A focus token you can't spend on defense if you have Fanatical Devotion, but I agree that's stretching it a bit. Still, blanks happen.

You don't think that the restriction of not being able to use the token defensively would backfire on defenders? I see Hux mainly used with cheap, fodder ships. Most only have 2 attack dice, so one not being able to be dodged is great. If they die, whatever, you still have 4-5 more, right?

Seems like we are getting a lot more anti-ace tech, which is great for the balance of the game.

Only one of the Defenders can't use the token defensively and I assume he'd take evade to offset.

Don't forget, Hux doesn't have to pick "another ship." It says "a friendly ship." You can still decide to give that condition to the Upsilon shuttle itself, which if you have FCS, you likely have rerolls later in the game.

Right, but the whole point of using Hux on a TIE/D is that Fanatical Devotion makes the Ion Cannon or Tractor Beam an automatic hit.

I'm not sure that D/fenders are really a great option for Hux unless you're using a Lambda. Feel free to go wild then, but I think you can't fit a really solid /D Defender in a list with Hux on the Upsilon.

I suppose you can fix Hux on a naked (or with Collision Detector I suppose) Starkiller Baser with Vessery with Tractor and Stealth Device and standard Omega Leader, but that's not a combo that really sits well with me. I think Hux might be best realized on Major Stridan, and that means you need smaller aces - like the Inquisitor and Omega Leader.

With the Lambda though, go nuts with CI Vessery and one of the many fine PS 8 Aces and you'll do fine. Certainly, I can't imagine a better return on Hux than putting an ion or tractor onto SD+Palp Soontir.

So after reading the preview, I have couple ideas and questions.

1) Is there anyone seeing any really fun/broken combos for the double tech slots (or tech and system)?

I'm thinking maybe FCS, weapons engineer, and targeting sychronizer. Basically you run that and a pair of bombers who can then not need their TLs to shoot their ordnance.

2) Are condition cards a good or a bad thing, and will they affect anything?

I'm not a huge fan, and although they have cool effects, they seem a bit less serious (For lack of a better word), and i don't know if i like them. I don't know it they will do much, but we'll see.

3) Why didn't they put an EPT on the PS5 pilot (Major Stridan), who can treat any range as range 1 in regards to actions and his upgrade cards.

My guess is to avoid abuse of Coordinate, cards like PtL, Advanced Sensors, and anything else we can come up with.

I'm a newb, so i'm sure there are a lot more things i'm not thinking of.

1)For a more offensive shuttle I've thought of running kylo ren with PTL, adv. sensors, engine upgrade, with two recon specialist and weapon guidance, and sensor cluster. 1 focus gives you 3 focus tokens that you can use two for an attack (1 for a blank and 1 for focus results) and 1 for 100% evade or for a 100% evade from 3 different shots or a focus for attack and 2 focus for 2 evades. PTL + adv.sensors means I can always get 2 actions then clear the stress by revealing a green. I call it the kilo ren.

3)I'm kinda sad about no ept on anyone buy kylo ren but not a big loss since the lambda didn't have any EPT on any pilots. As for why they didn't idk, it already has squad leader from coordnate action, and the only other EPT that cares about friendly ships that helps is swarm tactics and wing man, with ps 5 swarm tactics helps almost no one, but wing man would be pretty nice. Hmmm draw their fire would be a big help too now that I think about it able to take a crit for any other ship at range 3 from the upsilon. Kylo ren currently is the only large ship for impire that can barrel roll now with expery handling

3: incorrect. Decimator says hello

The upsilon should make aces harder to block now. A Starkiller Base Pilot moves at PS 2 and passes an action with Coordinate to an ace, that barrel rolls or boosts away from the colliding trajectory of the hypothetical blocker.

Moreover, now aces can perform their first action with Coordinate. Then Push the Limit, get a second action and stress. Move green, remove the stress and perform a third action and end unstressed. If well planned, it makes Soontir get his focus token from stress but get rid of the stress immediately, to become immune to Black Market Slicing Tools.

Also, aces can be more daring with obstacles now. They can safely end in front of an asteroid in the previous round, knowing that the upsilon will allow them to barrel roll away from it before it's their turn to move.

So what all cards work with Major Stridex Pad - er, Stridan?

General Hux

Operation Specialist

Systems Officer

Targeting Coordinator (hah!)

Fleet Officer

Targeting Synchronizer

Hyperwave Comm Scanner (couldn't it just be Hypercomm Scanner?)

Anything else?

I guess that Hux shows how Fleet Officer was a bad card to begin with. Depending on the shuttle's greens, Systems Officer could be interesting - especially because it's not an action.

But man, Dormitz looks like baller fun. Him, HCS, two Scimitars with LRS and Plasma Torps, and 30 points left over for the closer of your choice... Maybe a standard Omega Leader and 4 points left over for goodies on Dormitz? The Scimitars fly in and do an alpha, while.. naw, bad idea, but good starting place.

So what all cards work with Major Stridex Pad - er, Stridan?

General Hux

Operation Specialist

Systems Officer

Targeting Coordinator (hah!)

Fleet Officer

Targeting Synchronizer

Hyperwave Comm Scanner (couldn't it just be Hypercomm Scanner?)

Anything else?

I guess that Hux shows how Fleet Officer was a bad card to begin with. Depending on the shuttle's greens, Systems Officer could be interesting - especially because it's not an action.

But man, Dormitz looks like baller fun. Him, HCS, two Scimitars with LRS and Plasma Torps, and 30 points left over for the closer of your choice... Maybe a standard Omega Leader and 4 points left over for goodies on Dormitz? The Scimitars fly in and do an alpha, while.. naw, bad idea, but good starting place.

So what all cards work with Major Stridex Pad - er, Stridan?

Targeting Coordinator (hah!)

Anything else?

Looks like nothing else yet. Though, the Targeting Coordinator is for Huge ships only (it is using energy).

Can people stop saying that Fanatical Devotion is an automatic hit? It's not, you still have to actually roll an eyeball and actually use a focus token to modify it. Hux gives you one, and you can get another with an action, which means the latter part is very likely, but by no means a certainty.

I'm not saying it's not an awesome card with a wicked ability, but it's not a guaranteed automatic hit for anything.

I'm especially surprised at all the people who constantly berate RNG cards. This is an RNG card.