I still LOVE the Firespray. It. Has. Some. Issues.
This build is combines it with another thing I love: bombs.
It also highlights the issues the Firespray has. The following is not really the best build but is meant to show how close the Firespray can get, what it needs, and what makes it interesting.
Aggressive Emmon
100pts
2 ships
Emmon+ Andrasta+ Seismic+ Cluster Mines + Proximity Mines + Iggy D + Mangler + Glimmerstims
IGGY B+ HLC + Tractor Beam + FCS + AutoThursters+ Trickshot+ IG2000
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Emmon:
This guy loves to toss around mines. That leaves his attack dice mostly unmodified unless you've got someone sitting in the crew slot helping out. Ideally you would want 2 crew slots on a firespray and this particular load out shows why: Iggy D + Mangler is 5pts and gives you a gunner effect and a small dice change effect... you'd probably get just as much milage out of K4 or Zuckuss but because of the Firespray's below average dial that's tough. Dengar would be great...predator would be perfect...Emmon doesn't get an EPT and that is this pilots problem: Cool Ability, No EPT. Many firesprays suffer from this or it's opposite: has EPT, meh ability.
But back to this loadout: 3 dice secondary weapon (no defense bonus) + crit generation + focus/TL+ gunner should be a solid opening salvo. Your ability to get 2 rounds of these shots in (probably with a glimmerstim enhanced second round depending on your opponents target selection) is crucial... but if they rush you, you've got a pretty nasty surprise for them. Firesprays often re-engage at range 3 if the opponent doesn't chase (and they probably aren't chasing this firespray!) and goes after the rest of the list so this combo should happen 3-4 times in a match. Overall, it's probably not better than gunner but it does save you a point. Firesprays need to shave points at all times. Even the Scum versions, which are widely considered better than the Imperial versions, are still 2-3pts over-costed. Especially when you're paying 9pts for bombs. I really wish Andrasta came with a bomb point reduction; Emmon would have had a shot with that small boost.
IGGY B:
Well yes I would like rerolls with my cannons and Free TLs too. We all know this guy and what he brings to the party. He, well it rather, doesn't get a brobot bonus here but oh wells. He's also toting an extra cannon to REALLY mess with your opponents mind- A hyper accurate tractor beam paired with bombs, even if not ever fired, is a fun tactical advantage. Trickshot is just a 0pt ept because... well I like having both pilots at 6. Tractor beam can also reduce agility before Emmon shoots. You're probably better off going HLC gunner... but who knows...again, you don't have to do it, for 1pt it's interesting.
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This last single point, again, demonstrates the problem with the Firespray being over-costed; you're not getting a crackshot or adrenaline rush or VI here-coolhand would be a great 1 off to HLC with focus off an Sloop or a free evade in need. The Aggressor might be a point or two off as well in today's meta. Now we're 3-5pts off on 2 ships and maybe a point or two over on bombs... Can you survive a 4-7pt handicap? Bro-bots and hybrids aren't exactly tearing up the meta like they used to... what if they had those points to spend?
Iggy B would love Glimmerstim and or a seismic (or a better EPT). Emmon could upgrade seismics to connor net or more mines... if we're talking 6pts you could do all that; would it be competitive even then?
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I have some thoughts on how to make this build a little slimmer and different but, again, this is more of a thought exercise and something to pull out in fun games. I'd like to hear from others how they would make it a bit more competitive (and yes replacing with boba is probably better but not as fun or interesting). Is the Firespray and the Aggressor really dead? What would you like to see to make this pairing, if not the ships themselves, more of an option?