Got Any Jake Farrell Advice?

By brettdavis1991, in X-Wing

Gonna be running a list against my friend later tonight, he is going imperials. I really want to run Jake Farrell so i made a list around him. I wouldn't be surprised to see Carnor Jax as for what else it could be a mini swarm or defender plus second interceptor.

Here is the list i came up with

Jake Farrell (24)
Push the Limit (3)
Proton Rockets (3)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Munitions Failsafe (1)
A-Wing Test Pilot (0)
Blue Squadron Pilot (22)
Blue Squadron Pilot (22)
Blue Squadron Pilot (22)
Total: 98
Not sure if I should go VI or outmaneuver. VI is nice because it will give me initiative bid but i don't think ill have tied initiative with him on the aces anyways. If i don't get it though Carnor will be going before me if he brings him. What do you guys think?

Go VI. If nothing else VI allows you to: focus -> boost/barrel roll into range one -> PTL for lock -> fire a procket that can be modified with the target lock, bypassing Carnor's prohibition on focus actions. Also, if you're going to take a munitions mod Guidance Chips are a much better choice than Failsafe.

Munitions failsafe???? Proton rockets don't miss....

VI + Autothrusters are ideal. Since it appears you don't have autothrusters, then hull upgrade is okay.

My advise is don't run him but I hate awings more than normal people because I think they're bad.

If I had to run him I'd prefer vi because he's cute but outmanuever needs some really fancy enabler for it and boost+barrel roll at ps7 ain't gonna cut it against most things.

Munitions failsafe???? Proton rockets don't miss....

VI + Autothrusters are ideal. Since it appears you don't have autothrusters, then hull upgrade is okay.

Everything about this is correct.

Munitions failsafe???? Proton rockets don't miss....

VI + Autothrusters are ideal. Since it appears you don't have autothrusters, then hull upgrade is okay.

Everything about this is correct.

Go VI. If nothing else VI allows you to: focus -> boost/barrel roll into range one -> PTL for lock -> fire a procket that can be modified with the target lock, bypassing Carnor's prohibition on focus actions. Also, if you're going to take a munitions mod Guidance Chips are a much better choice than Failsafe.

Munitions failsafe???? Proton rockets don't miss....

VI + Autothrusters are ideal. Since it appears you don't have autothrusters, then hull upgrade is okay.

Everything about this is correct.
. I don't have guidance chips

Well! Then its a good thing I suggested VI + hull upgrade :P (which I know you do have based on your signature!)

ive been thinking, paring wired with ptl might be nice esp. b/c A-wing has lots of greens

Munitions failsafe???? Proton rockets don't miss....

VI + Autothrusters are ideal. Since it appears you don't have autothrusters, then hull upgrade is okay.

Everything about this is correct.
. I don't have guidance chips

Well! Then its a good thing I suggested VI + hull upgrade :P (which I know you do have based on your signature!)

Go VI. If nothing else VI allows you to: focus -> boost/barrel roll into range one -> PTL for lock -> fire a procket that can be modified with the target lock, bypassing Carnor's prohibition on focus actions. Also, if you're going to take a munitions mod Guidance Chips are a much better choice than Failsafe.

don't have those

You're playing with your friend. Just proxy it.

I reckon that Jake build is pretty much on point.

Munitions failsafe is the only bad thing there; you should not need that.

In fact, I used to run a list almost identical to the one you posted there.

It started out at 100pts: Same as your build except no failsafe on Jake, and I used the 3 leftover points to put an ion cannon on one of the b-wings.

Then I bought autothrusters, and they went on Jake, & the list became 99 points. The ion cannon disappeared.

But the thing here is, you don't necessarily have to burn the points on Jake.

3 spare points (if you drop the failsafe) will get you an ion cannon... Which can be a very nasty surprise.

Or (less useful IMO) maybe an E/2 mod and a Jan Ors crew for one of them.

There's not a massive amount of options for upgrading rookie b's, but it may be worth looking into.

Roll not blanks

Can I pass a crazy thought to you, use Biggs and drop 1 Blue squad. He will soak up damage and keep Jake alive longer. If you still want the PS bid drop the Failsafe seeing your going to have PTL and use TL which allows you to have VI still. Jake has a ton of great tools in the box but your limited on his ability to every other turn if you have stress, not saying that should be a deal breaker with this list just keep it in mind. (The K-wing pairs a little better then 2 bwings for future thoughts but if your wanting to play this list rock it out just practice with blocking and knowing movements) Cheerio.

Jake Farrell (24)
Push the Limit (3)
Proton Rockets (3)
Munitions Failsafe (1)
A-Wing Test Pilot (0)
Blue Squadron Pilot (22)
Blue Squadron Pilot (22)
Biggs (25)

When it comes to Jake, I like to fly him like he's being chased by a naked man through a city center, late at night.

It really does help.

When it comes to Jake, I like to fly him like he's being chased by a naked man through a city center, late at night.

It really does help.

This is a very good approach to A-wings in general, unless

A) I am Arvel Crynryd, then in any case I am going to ram the dodge out of somebody

B) I am swarming, in that case, safety in numbers.

Edited by FlyingAnchors

well I ran it last night, dropped VI to get outmaneuver instead. dropped fail safe.

It did really well but honestly the guy's build i went up against wasn't that great. 2 ints and a defender, and he'd never used the ints before. first game I tabled him without losing a single ship but that was because he tried to joust with his ints. Before the second game i told him how to use them, he threw ptl and some other stuff on them and did better. but I still tabled him without losing a ship (I felt bad, he was really demoralized). This was my first time using an ace ship as well. The protons sure paid off, i killed an int with 3 hull and a shield on the on one attack with a target lock.

This game was good though cuz I learned how important PS is on these types of ships, thankfully he used basic pilots on the ints but if he hadn't i would of been screwed. However that outmaneuver really helped me out. throwing 2 red at 3 green sucks so maybe with the a wings its extra important that you get to range 1.

well I ran it last night, dropped VI to get outmaneuver instead. dropped fail safe.

It did really well but honestly the guy's build i went up against wasn't that great. 2 ints and a defender, and he'd never used the ints before. first game I tabled him without losing a single ship but that was because he tried to joust with his ints. Before the second game i told him how to use them, he threw ptl and some other stuff on them and did better. but I still tabled him without losing a ship (I felt bad, he was really demoralized). This was my first time using an ace ship as well. The protons sure paid off, i killed an int with 3 hull and a shield on the on one attack with a target lock.

This game was good though cuz I learned how important PS is on these types of ships, thankfully he used basic pilots on the ints but if he hadn't i would of been screwed. However that outmaneuver really helped me out. throwing 2 red at 3 green sucks so maybe with the a wings its extra important that you get to range 1.

X-wing is a learning game. Really keep trying out new things, you will be surprised how much you end up loving different ships. Remember to stay humble in winning because being tabled goes both ways, just encourage your friend not to give up. Good wins and keep at it.

Edited by Cubanboy

I've been flying Jake with Chardaan Refit, A-wing Test Pilot, PtL, Predator and Auto Thrusters along with Norra and Braylen (ARC-170's).

I could juggle the list to take lone Wolf and Stealth Device or even VI.

Last game I flew against two Defenders and Palp shuttle, ended in a draw as Palp and Braylen both at 29 points kicked the bucket!

I do dig his take/acquire a focus get a free boost or barrel roll and then PtL!

Edited by SwordOwaR

well I ran it last night, dropped VI to get outmaneuver instead. dropped fail safe.

It did really well but honestly the guy's build i went up against wasn't that great. 2 ints and a defender, and he'd never used the ints before. first game I tabled him without losing a single ship but that was because he tried to joust with his ints. Before the second game i told him how to use them, he threw ptl and some other stuff on them and did better. but I still tabled him without losing a ship (I felt bad, he was really demoralized). This was my first time using an ace ship as well. The protons sure paid off, i killed an int with 3 hull and a shield on the on one attack with a target lock.

This game was good though cuz I learned how important PS is on these types of ships, thankfully he used basic pilots on the ints but if he hadn't i would of been screwed. However that outmaneuver really helped me out. throwing 2 red at 3 green sucks so maybe with the a wings its extra important that you get to range 1.

X-wing is a learning game. Really keep trying out new things, you will be surprised how much you end up loving different ships. Remember to stay humble in winning because being tabled goes both ways, just encourage your friend not to give up. Good wins and keep at it.

Totally agree, i tried really hard to help him out. Explained to him the boost/barrel combo. He even had a piece land halfway off the board but I said F it its fine.

well I ran it last night, dropped VI to get outmaneuver instead. dropped fail safe.

It did really well but honestly the guy's build i went up against wasn't that great. 2 ints and a defender, and he'd never used the ints before. first game I tabled him without losing a single ship but that was because he tried to joust with his ints. Before the second game i told him how to use them, he threw ptl and some other stuff on them and did better. but I still tabled him without losing a ship (I felt bad, he was really demoralized). This was my first time using an ace ship as well. The protons sure paid off, i killed an int with 3 hull and a shield on the on one attack with a target lock.

This game was good though cuz I learned how important PS is on these types of ships, thankfully he used basic pilots on the ints but if he hadn't i would of been screwed. However that outmaneuver really helped me out. throwing 2 red at 3 green sucks so maybe with the a wings its extra important that you get to range 1.

X-wing is a learning game. Really keep trying out new things, you will be surprised how much you end up loving different ships. Remember to stay humble in winning because being tabled goes both ways, just encourage your friend not to give up. Good wins and keep at it.

Totally agree, i tried really hard to help him out. Explained to him the boost/barrel combo. He even had a piece land halfway off the board but I said F it its fine.

Ints do you mean Interceptors? Why they have 3 hull and 1 shield?

well I ran it last night, dropped VI to get outmaneuver instead. dropped fail safe.

It did really well but honestly the guy's build i went up against wasn't that great. 2 ints and a defender, and he'd never used the ints before. first game I tabled him without losing a single ship but that was because he tried to joust with his ints. Before the second game i told him how to use them, he threw ptl and some other stuff on them and did better. but I still tabled him without losing a ship (I felt bad, he was really demoralized). This was my first time using an ace ship as well. The protons sure paid off, i killed an int with 3 hull and a shield on the on one attack with a target lock.

This game was good though cuz I learned how important PS is on these types of ships, thankfully he used basic pilots on the ints but if he hadn't i would of been screwed. However that outmaneuver really helped me out. throwing 2 red at 3 green sucks so maybe with the a wings its extra important that you get to range 1.

X-wing is a learning game. Really keep trying out new things, you will be surprised how much you end up loving different ships. Remember to stay humble in winning because being tabled goes both ways, just encourage your friend not to give up. Good wins and keep at it.

Totally agree, i tried really hard to help him out. Explained to him the boost/barrel combo. He even had a piece land halfway off the board but I said F it its fine.

Ints do you mean Interceptors? Why they have 3 hull and 1 shield?

he put that upgrade on them

I ve flow him with relative success in several variations of the list below.

Jake Farrell — A-Wing 24
Push the Limit 3
Chardaan Refit -2
Juke 2
A-Wing Test Pilot 0
Ship Total: 27

Kyle Katarn — HWK-290 21
Juke 2
Twin Laser Turret 6
Jan Ors 2
Moldy Crow 3
Ship Total: 34

Poe Dameron — T-70 X-Wing 31
Juke 2
R5-P9 3
Comm Relay

Kyle basically lets him barrel roll and boost at the beginning of combat phase and always frustrates arc dodgers.

Just make sure you don't PTL during his action phase! lol

Not to mention Kyle passing around evade tokens to Poe or himself.

Edited by tsondaboy

Tsondaboy, that's a nice build; I think I'll that a try soon.

Anyway, I'm just adding the same old logs on the fire; there really is only one Jake mod card stack to take with you when you plan on racing with Aces:

  • Push the Limit
  • Veteran Instincs
  • A-Wing Test Pilot
  • Your choice of rockets (usually Proton Rockets)

So back to Jake again, I have been using him pretty much the same as I mentioned earlier in this thread but now he's -

A-wing Test Pilot, PtL, Predator, Stealth Device, Chardaan refit.

He's coupled with -

Norra, Alliance Overhaul, PtL, Nien Nunb, R2D2, Vectored Thrusters.

Braylen, Alliance Overhaul, Kyle katarn, R3A2.

Although I may try Jake with protons, though that means losing Predator or Stealth or both.

So far this list (or slight variant of it) has faced -

Palp and two Defenders, Jake survived, tied game.

3x Protectorate Starfighters, Jake died, lost game.

3x Protectorate Starfighters, Jake survived, won the game.

Sabines Shadowcaster and 2x M3-a's, Jake survived, won the game.

Tie/FO and 2x Tie/SF, Jake survived, won the game.

Being able to effectively perform 3 actions per turn makes him a nuisance for the enemy and should they chase him the ARC's then punish them for it.

The real downfall to the A-wing is the small amount of firepower! this is where Predator has helped though still two attack is just not ship cracking.

I have thought about swapping him out for an X-wing but his speed and maneuver keep him alive.

Who knows maybe we'll see A-wing's gain another title or another style re-fit to add that extra attack dice?