So, about Targeting Synchronize...

3 Points seems awfully expensive for an ordnance-augment. Are there any broken combos I fail to see?

I'm just glad it comes with two snap shots so I don't have to purchase two more falcons.

Will the Operations specialist make the TIE D viable?

The problem with it was that you could not modify both shots.

With OpSpec, you can shoot the cannon, if you hit without using a focus/TL, it is fine, since you hit. Otherwise you get a focus to modify your defense dice. Modify the primary attack with your action. Seems like a win-win for the TIE D.

About the targeting synchronizer, it allows your ships to choose between 2 or 3 targets. You don't have to stick with Homing Missiles as you can shoot twice anyway with a nice setup. Opens up space to use barrel roll or boost in the Bomber/Punisher for range control. Nice synergy with Weapons Engineer and FCS, both available on the Shuttle. Thats fair for 3 points I think.

Fleet Officer and Hux both do WAY better for the /D. Its biggest difficulty is getting two lots of rerolls. Two focus tokens before shooting is already possible.

I want to try RAC with Kylo Ren and Operations Specialist doing Resevoir Dogs style torture to the Rebel Captive in the back. If you have predator on RAC and engine upgrade, you can spend a turn using Kylo Ren without too much trouble and the condition will trigger pretty easily off of the good Admirals ability.

Also, Fanatical Devotion on a Decimator is a big F U to autothrusters and stealth device.

I want to try RAC with Kylo Ren and Operations Specialist doing Resevoir Dogs style torture to the Rebel Captive in the back. If you have predator on RAC and engine upgrade, you can spend a turn using Kylo Ren without too much trouble and the condition will trigger pretty easily off of the good Admirals ability.

Also, Fanatical Devotion on a Decimator is a big F U to autothrusters and stealth device.

Yup, RAC/Ren is going to be grand.

My thought is Ren/A Score To Settle/Palp/Sensor Cluster, RAC/Predator/Captive/Engine. But it might be worth replacing Cluster and Captive with Hux, and Ren gets a Collision Detector unless there's a point free for Baffles, assuming his dial is as terrible as seems likely. Clods of dice, decent PS, solid defensive and offensive mods, loads of crits, and very tough targetting priority choices - they want to kill Palp first but he's on Kylo, who they REALLY don't want to shoot...

So, about Targeting Synchronize...

3 Points seems awfully expensive for an ordnance-augment. Are there any broken combos I fail to see?

I don't think it's a "broken" combo, but I've built this list here: BatHux & Bombers

From this I can LRS my locks and move them around during "approach" rounds to if necessary (which is likely). On engagement round, Hux action to give focus to all ships. If a bomber isn't going to be shot, I give it Fanatical Devotion, if both could be shot, I give the condition to Major Stridan. That allows my bombers on their actions to barrel roll for better positioning or take another focus since Hux "assigns" a focus and doesn't give a free action to focus. Bombers focus a target down and hopefully allowing Stridan to shoot at another target. If so, cool, FCS gives me a lock on that target and another target because of Weapons Engineer. If not, it will be situational because if Stridan kills that target, FCS won't proc which is key for this. When FCS procs, I'll gain two target locks for the next round and will put Targeting Sychronizer to full use. Second round of the engagement, Stridan clears stress for another Hux action while the Bombers are now free to 5 K or do what ever move necessary, including another barrel roll, to get the best shot possible because now they can use Stridan's locks for their missiles. This is of course if the bombers didn't already keep their locks from not using the TLs during the first homing missile attack. This combo is probably one of the best action economy setups for an alpha strike I've seen. Plus with Stridan, the follow up after the first engagement is a WHOLE lot easier when I can continue going after my opponent's ships in second round engagement.

Overall, that 3 pts may seem like a lot since it's now tied with Comm Relay for highest point cost in Tech, but the synergy it's providing with Major Stridan that makes Target Synchro 1-3 instead of it's normal 1-2, same with Hux. I have more room to setup a kill box for my opponent and my follow up is much faster and deadlier.

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.

That'd be awkward, as they don't have the Evade action, and aren't getting one from x7 anymore...

No, Defenders most definitely do NOT want to play with fanatical devotion -- not only is it still situational (I've had plenty of rolls with zero eyeballs), it leaves you solely trusting green dice to protect a ship that literally labels itself, "Public Enemy Number One."

Not saying it's not a cute moment to slap someone with both shots, but it's not worth the cost of your Defender likely burning up in the first round of combat.

Now, Hux giving devotion to someone else and helping Rexlar grab an extra focus... There's something. But Rexlar still doesn't want to get all Fanatical.

the fact that Hux can give his own ship (note, not another friendly) FD makes him useable

basically, you're not forced to fart the condition onto a ship that might be getting concentrated down but can instead slap it on your own ship (which has a mighty 0-1 agility...what a loss!) and just enjoy the benefit of extra focus at a far less restrictive range than fleet officer

plus, Hux's ship might trigger the condition itself

on turns when something like a Tie/D isn't getting focused down, that's when you give the condition to another friendly

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.

Hmmm...can you guys explain?

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.

Hmmm...can you guys explain?

Given Fanatical Devotion to a TIE/D and it stands a reasonable chance of forcing a single hit through from its cannon, which means you're getting the cannon effect a LOT easier. And the cannon effects are realy good. It also means that you can run Hux and two /Ds, and the /Ds will have a focus to mod each of their shots.

Ahhh...perfect. Thanks

Targeting Synch is weird. I had to read it 3-4 times before i understood what they were saying lol. fully expecting people to trip over themselves with this because it sounds like it works on yourself (which it technically does, but gets no real benefit).

So basically if i have something TL'd and my bomber doesnt, bomber can fire homing missiles anyway even though it doesnt have a TL. If it required me to spend a TL, the UPS would spend it not the bomber.

Interesting. I might have an application for that in my bomber list. Two LRS + Weapons Engineer/TargSynch UPS = four ships are TL'd, bombers have a focus, only nonvalid target is the other bomber's LRS target. GL dodging me now!!

also: i find it funny how many people are griping about conditions. Theyre not new, weve had conditions since what wave2 or 3? Ion tokens, tractor tokens, weapons disabled tokens, etcetc. The new conditions are literally just all shiny looking and new when theyre really the same bloody thing.

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

Herp...How did i forget that

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.

I like this, because it gives a balance to all the anti ace stuff (BMST, ordnance, etc). It's kind of like an Advanced sensor type thing. However, you do have to take a 30+ point shuttle to do it.

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).

Ah, but it doesn't SAY huge ship only, so you could stick it into any Crew slot...

You'd just have to be really dumb, because you could never use it.

That's why I put the (Hah!) at the end of it.

I'm wondering what a Palpshuttle Upsilon should be.

Kylo Ren (Upsilon) 43

Adaptability

Emperor Palpatine

Hyperwave Comm Scanner

Darth Vader (TIE/AD) 30

A Score to Settle

TIE/x1

Advanced Targeting Computer

Omega Leader (TIE/FO) 26

Juke

Comm Relay

99 points total.

It's too bad you can't QUITE squeak the Inquisitor into the third ship slot, because a Four Force Friends list would be GREAT. Realistically, Kylo isn't necessary, but Vader's ATC + A Score To Settle seems like a good bet to trigger I'll Show You The Dark Side. OL does his hangback thing while the obvious threats get in their grilles. If the reds on Upsilon are REALLY bad, then you've got room for a Electronic Baffles on that ship.

Seems like it could be okay.

^Vader and OL won't be seeing much competitive play, if TLTs truly have a comeback.

Inquisitor and OL, maybe, but only because OL is such a budget option. I think the threat of TLTs will crush budget aces, honestly, which is why I'm not sold on Ups being a new Palp Ace inclusion.

Not saying it can't, just don't think it performs as well as the tried and true Lambda lists, which could fit Inq & Soontir for their autothrusters.

Yeah, and the main problem with the alpha strike builds I've been trying to make with Dormitz is that two Scimitars with LRS and Concussions along with him and a HCS only leaves 28 points to play with - enough for an Omega Leader, sure, but can OL and Dormitz close the deal after the Scimitars nuke a ship? I don't know without seeing the Upsilon's dial, and I'd like a ship that can take autothrusters to crush the hopes of TLTs. Valen Rudor?

Ooh, I know! Fel's Wrath!

Here is my fun little list

https://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Galactic%20Empire&d=v4!s!227:36,183,209,-1,-1:-1:-1:;192:126,-1,-1,17,138:-1:25:;208:175,172,-1,-1:-1:-1:&sn=Upsilon%20deathfire%20qd

Basically the shuttle gives deathfire the TL and a focus, this means he can barrel or focus for defence. Qd will end up with fanatical 2 focus and rerolls on both shots. Since qd will be a target priority deathfire should get to use some ordinance and conners and the shuttle will hopefully get a shot in the fray too. Could be a hard hitting first round of combat.

really chomping at the bits for a dial reveal

really want to make a barrel-rolling shuttle a reality

the pieces are there, Kylo with expert handling and pattern analyzer!

outfitted with FCS and his title, he can make for a decent gunship that uses some light control elements in place of guaranteed defenses to keep his enemies in his arc and his 1 agi ass relatively safe. Costs as much as Whisper, but doesn't really get hardcountered by the same nonsense

hell, for the UPS in general, having pattern analyzer and FCS for 1 more point than sensor gives you some of sensors flexibility while, more importantly, keeping your 4 dice (!) incredibly relevant esp for upgrades such as fleet officer (Major Striden, where you at?)

ofc, none of that matters if the dial heaves

really chomping at the bits for a dial reveal

really want to make a barrel-rolling shuttle a reality

the pieces are there, Kylo with expert handling and pattern analyzer!

outfitted with FCS and his title, he can make for a decent gunship that uses some light control elements in place of guaranteed defenses to keep his enemies in his arc and his 1 agi ass relatively safe. Costs as much as Whisper, but doesn't really get hardcountered by the same nonsense

hell, for the UPS in general, having pattern analyzer and FCS for 1 more point than sensor gives you some of sensors flexibility while, more importantly, keeping your 4 dice (!) incredibly relevant esp for upgrades such as fleet officer (Major Striden, where you at?)

ofc, none of that matters if the dial heaves

Very true, fickle. I think the dial is going to make or break this ship. If it has a white turn (probably the 2 turn, if any), it'll be worlds better than the space cow. It would be too good if it had the YV-666's dial, but i'm hoping for something between that and the Lambda. We should also remember that we have Pattern Analyser, and that we can disregard (to an extent) the dial.

Hopefully FFG learned from their mistakes of only red turns and give the Upsilon AT LEAST a white 2 turn.

really chomping at the bits for a dial reveal

really want to make a barrel-rolling shuttle a reality

the pieces are there, Kylo with expert handling and pattern analyzer!

outfitted with FCS and his title, he can make for a decent gunship that uses some light control elements in place of guaranteed defenses to keep his enemies in his arc and his 1 agi ass relatively safe. Costs as much as Whisper, but doesn't really get hardcountered by the same nonsense

hell, for the UPS in general, having pattern analyzer and FCS for 1 more point than sensor gives you some of sensors flexibility while, more importantly, keeping your 4 dice (!) incredibly relevant esp for upgrades such as fleet officer (Major Striden, where you at?)

ofc, none of that matters if the dial heaves

Very true, fickle. I think the dial is going to make or break this ship. If it has a white turn (probably the 2 turn, if any), it'll be worlds better than the space cow. It would be too good if it had the YV-666's dial, but i'm hoping for something between that and the Lambda. We should also remember that we have Pattern Analyser, and that we can disregard (to an extent) the dial.

And the Electronic Baffles, too - sometimes taking a damage for a good move and an action is a worthwhile trade.

Hopefully FFG learned from their mistakes of only red turns and give the Upsilon AT LEAST a white 2 turn.

How was that a mistake? The Lambda Shuttle to this day is one of the best designs in the game. It is really hard to make it work, but since it is so overstatted the payoff is amazing. Then you can also add the single best crew card in the game to that hyperefficient frame...

Well, I'm not holding out too much hope.

Compare the Omicron Group Pilot to the Starkiller Base Pilot.

You've increased in cost by 9. You gain:

• 1 Attack Die (normally ~ 4 points, essentially replacing the empty cannon slot - Expose, Opportunist )
• 1 Hull (nominally 3 points - Hull upgrade)
• 1 Shield (nominally 4 points - Shield Upgrade)
• 2 tech slots (empty slots aren't generally that great, but two slots usually costs about 1 point - Sabine's Masterpiece, Virago)
• Co-ordinate

That's a pretty good bundle deal - given that you can still fit 3 starkiller base pilots in with ten points of upgrades to spare.

I'm not anticipating a great dial!

Still, the speed 2 banks being green gives hope. Unless it's going to have its green banks at speed 2 and white at speed 1, which will give it issues manouvring slowly!