POST STILL IN PROGRESS
Hey everybody!
I don't know about you, but I am super hyped for the release of Rogue One next week. As a result, I've been mulling over how best to use the U-Wing in preparation. I haven't seen a lot of discussion outside the article thread, so I thought I'd share some of what I've been thinking and ask what y'all have come up with in a bit of a community brainstorm. To start off the group-think, I figure I might as well go through the pilots and upgrades of note:
Blue Squadron Pathfinder -- 23 points base
At the price point, the BSP seems to be all in on using its two crew slots to support the rest of the squad. Beyond building a crew combo that helps out your squad, I feel like keeping this fella cheap is critical. Depending on how the dial plays, it might have a role as a relatively tanky ship that throws out decently modded 3 die primaries.
Sample Ship Builds :
· Pathfinder (23) + Jyn (2), Jan (2), Collision Detector (0), Title (0) = 27 total- This ship can add some excellent durability to the rest of your squad, whether it be a mini swarm or a pair of jousting oriented aces.
· Pathfinder (23) + Fire Control System (2), Title (0) = 25 total- 8 life behind 1/2 agility with some dice mods for a mere 25 points. Might perform decently...
· Pathfinder (23) + Kanan (3), Inspiring Recruit (1), Collision Detector (0), Title (0) = 27 total- Stress be gone! Useful if your meta features Braylen stressmule or something to that effect. Alternately, if your list features a ship or two that self-stresses, this could be a discount way of mitigating the disadvantage.
Sample Squads :
· Rise of the T65 (???) Good enough to make the T65 see play? I doubt it but it is worth a try, methinks...
o Pathfinder (23) + Jyn (2), Jan (2), FCS(2), Title (0) = 29
o Rookie Pilot (21) + R2 Astro (1), IA (0) = 22
o Rookie Pilot (21) + R2 Astro (1), IA (0) = 22
o Garven Dreis (26) + R2 Astro (1), IA (0) = 27
Total= 100
· Keeping Cool
o Pathfinder (23) + Kanan (3), Inspiring Recruit (1), Collision Detector (0), Title (0), Tactical Jammer (1) = 27
o Gold Squadron Pilot (18) + R3-A2 (2), Title (0), TLT (6) = 26
o 2x Green Squadron Pilot (19) + Chardaan Refit (-2), Title (0), Push the Limit (3), Veteran Instincts (1), Autothrusters (2) = 23
Total = 100
· Ride of the Valkyries
o 4x BSP (23) + FCS (2) = 25
Total = 100
Heff Tobber-- 24 points base
With an ability that encourages blocking, Heff here can be built into two archetypes in my mind; block-and-blast or support. I'm not entirely sure which of the two will end up being the best in the long run, but both have plenty of cool and troll worthy options.
Sample Ship Builds:
o Heff (24) + Zeb (1), Cassian (2), Tactical Jammer (1), Reinforced Deflectors (3), Title (0) = 31 total- Use Cassian to set up the block then punch your enemy right in the face!
o Heff (24) + Jyn (2), Ion Projectors (2), Cassian (2), Title (0), Collision Detector (0) = 30 total- Now, instead of doing the shooting himself, Heff sets up a pal to smack the crap out of a blocked foe!
Sample Squads:
· Right in the Ace
o Heff (24) + Zeb (1), Cassian (2), Tactical Jammer (1), Reinforced Deflectors (3), Title (0) = 31
o Arvel (23) + Title (0), Push the Limit (3), Proton Rockets (3) = 29
o Miranda (29) + TLT (6), Advanced SLAM (2), C-3P0 (3) = 40
Total = 100
· Close Support
o Heff (24) + Jyn (2), Ion Projectors (2), Cassian (2), Title (0), Collision Detector (0) = 30
o Jake (24) + Title (0), Push the Limit (3), Veteran Instincts (1), Proton Rockets (3), Autothrusters (2) = 33
o
Bodhi Rook-- 25 points base
The pilot I am most excited for, Bodhi works as a pseudo-Long Range Scanner for ships that otherwise couldn't take them. As such, he feels more or less committed exclusively to ordinance oriented squads, such as a mini Z swarm or a pair of K-Wings. I find him fairly hard to build, as his ability already does what I want him for and isn't easy to augment. In that case my inclination is to either push him to support more or to keep him as cheap as can be.
Sample Ship Builds:
· Bodhi (25) + Engine Upgrade (4), Title (0), Enhanced Scopes (1), Nien Nunb (1), Hera (1) = 32 total- Race up in there and ready the ordinance to fly!
Sample Squads:
· White and Blue
o Bodhi (25) + Engine Upgrade (4), Title (0), Enhanced Scopes (1), Nien Nunb (1), Hera (1) = 32
o 4x Bandit Squadron Pilot (12) + Guidance Chips (0), Homing Missiles (5) = 17
Total = 100
Cassian Andor-- 27 points base
The Captain strikes me as a meta/build dependent pick. In other words, if you really need to make stress a non-issue, he's your guy. Alternatively, if you are aching for a U-Wing with higher PS or an EPT, he's your one option. I'm of the opinion that if you are going to invest the points for him, you might as well build into his ability as it opens up some fun options for his wingmates. At his point cost, you kinda have to make sure he contributes a little more than just some stress removal, though, without investing too much.
Sample Ship Builds:
· Cassian (27) + Inspiring Recruit (1), Kanan (3), Title (0), Collision Detector (0), Wingman (1) = 32 total- For when you just can't have any stress on the table.
· Cassian (27) + Inspiring Recruit (1), Jyn (2), Fire Control System (2), Title (0), Draw Their Fire (1) = 33 total- A little better rounded interpretation of Cassian. Does a little bit of everything and leaves room for an ace and a value pick.
Sample Squads:
· Mood Swings
o Cassian (27) + Inspiring Recruit (1), Kanan (3), Collision Detector (0), Adaptability (0) = 31
o Tycho (26) + Title (0), Push the Limit (3), Wired (1), Chardaan Refit (-2), Autothrusters (2) = 30
o Keyan (29) + B-Wing/E2 (1), Kyle Katarn (3), Stay on Target (2), Advanced Sensors (3) = 38
Total = 99
What insights do you guys have? What synergies have you discovered? What lists are you excited to try? Let's hear 'em!
Note: The squad lists provided are NOT intended to be hyper competitive, only to spur thought. They also admittedly show my bias towards A-Wings...