Critique my regionals list

By darkevans, in X-Wing Squad Lists

Hey guys, got about 5 more weeks until my regional. This is the list I'm considering right now

Nora - title, PTL, tail gunner, r2d2

Biggs - IA R4D6

Nien - PTL, Pattern analyzer, R2 Astro, IA, Title

I'm 5-2 with the list. Havent really faced any meta lists like dengaroo or quad tlts. I did face some defenders and lost but I didn't feel like I was overmatched. A couple of mistakes here and there and good piloting by my opponent cost me that game. I also lost a game to Poe and Rey on time. I like the list because Nora hits hard and Nien is a mobile little booger. Just not sure how good it is. What do you guys think??

The problem I consistently run into when playing Norra is the lack of rerolls. Yeah, she can TL+F to add another damage, but often it just gives you 3 dice results anyways - you only have a 42% chance of rolling 3 symbols naturally, so 58% of the time you're still maxing out at 3 hits. I'm also not a big fan of Biggs w/ R4D6.

Unless I put it into the squad build incorrectly, your list comes out to 99 points. So a no brainer change I would make would be to replace R4-D6 with R2-D6 on Biggs, and then equip Veteran Instincts on him. Now they are all PS7, which means that you can fly in formation much easier (especially if Biggs is in the rear).

R2 Astro doesn't really synergize with Nien's ability too well - ideally you don't want to be getting stressed anyways. If you dropped Tail Gunner on Norra, it would free up 2 points to allow you to upgrade the droid to M9-G8, and you can TL Norra, providing her with a reroll. This increases her probability of 3 symbols on her natural dice to 73%, allowing her to become much more dangerous, especially on those initial rounds when she's protected by Biggs.

I do think there are additional changes that could be made to make it a better list overall, but with minimal disruptions, I would test out those changes. If for some reason, you don't like Biggs at PS7, then I would spend that point to put R3-A2 on him instead. It doesn't last long (but what stressbot carrier does?), but you're likely going 1-2 straight anyways, and he really doesn't need an action if you want to do a white maneuver, but it can really screw with your opponent.

This increases her probability of 3 symbols on her natural dice to 73%, allowing her to become much more dangerous, especially on those initial rounds when she's protected by Biggs.

Biggs with R4 was a staple against ordinance lists because those typically don't garner many crits. I see the meta shifting a little to favor crits, so R4 is less likely to proc. Regen Biggs almost seem better in the current meta if you don't have someone with DtF to pull some of those crits away. Or even if you do have someone, that would allow better regen and a longer lasting Biggs. Either way, I agree that R4 is not a good add to this list. At least move to R5 to possibly stop a crit.

With the title on Nien, I'd almost rather see BB-8 on him. That way you can proc the title with a free action, and sometimes boost isn't the right answer. Plus, if things develop horribly wrong, I've seen a BB-8 barrel roll PTL boost get plenty of people out of a bad situation so they can regroup and try again later. I also like the red move PA boost into Range 1 Nien ability combo (PTL too as both stress would then be discarded), even though it's always been against me when it happens.

Adding BB-8 would bring you to 100, and if you went with no crew on Norra, you could get the points for Biggs. But I'd really like to see C-3P0 on Norra too, as that turns her into a nasty late game ship.

Like Khryos said, there are additional changes that could be made. Maximizing dice effectiveness is key (why Palp continues to be popular) to a competitive list and minimizing your opponents effectiveness or maneuverability (stress bot) can turn the tide in your favor. You have the pieces here, I just think fitting them together correctly is the challenge.

Edited by Raven19528

Just for clarity, I use the R2 Astro to maximize the number of green maneuvers so I can use pattern analyzer PTL on them and not take any stress.

Edited by darkevans

Just for clarity, I use the R2 Astro to maximize the number of green maneuvers so I can use pattern analyzer PTL on them and not take any stress.

Then why have Nien? PA + Nien + PTL should yield you in R1 more often than not, and then the color of the maneuver doesn't matter as he can just ignore those R1 stresses.

I think i would try

ARC-170: · Norra Wexley (29)

Push The Limit (3)

· R5-P9 (3)

Vectored Thrusters (2)

· Kyle Katarn (3)

Alliance Overhaul (0)

X-Wing: · Biggs Darklighter (25)

· R4-D6 (1)

Integrated Astromech (0)

T-70 X-Wing: · "Snap" Wexley (28)

Push The Limit (3)

R2 Astromech (1)

Integrated Astromech (0)

Pattern Analyzer (2)

Really though, the only think I dont like about your list is Id put a 3pt crew on Norra. I think c3p0 is a nasty suggestion.

Just for clarity, I use the R2 Astro to maximize the number of green maneuvers so I can use pattern analyzer PTL on them and not take any stress.

Then why have Nien? PA + Nien + PTL should yield you in R1 more often than not, and then the color of the maneuver doesn't matter as he can just ignore those R1 stresses.

Make just about every attack I have with him TL and Focused with no stress

What if I dropped Nien for Shara Bey with weapon engineer and M9 with adaptability and stress bot on Biggs??

Edited by darkevans

What if I dropped Nien for Shara Bey with weapon engineer and M9 with adaptability and stress bot on Biggs??

That's a good idea. I've ran Shara with M9 and WE before. You don't really need Adaptability though, just keep Biggs as he is. If you really want an EPT though put Crackshot on her for giggles.

If you're relatively happy with Biggs and Norra but the 3rd spot is open to discussion - have you considered r3-a2, gunner Braylen? I've played against it a few times and its a royal pain - I'd much rather see Nien or Snap across the table from me than Braylen, particularly as those two t-70 pilots are generally all about movement hijinks whereas Braylen is more happy to chill under the Biggs umbrella.

IMO I think that tailgunner is the best crew for Norra in this build. Its already pretty defensive with Biggs in there so I would prioritise damage output more highly. Tailgunner gives you that by making your front and rear arcs equally dangerous (albeit with some situational differences).