I'm wondering whether or not it's usable or we need some more upgrades we currently dont have. For 4 points cheaper, my blue dice became black dice, my anti squadron became a blue and a black, and i lost 2 squadron commands.
One Pelta or Two?
So the first step with regards to using this is whether or not i want to be able to use 2 peltas in a battle or if one is sufficient. I can see some synergies between the Fleet Commands (squadrons and moves, moves and engineering, squads and engr (depending on getting it all up there, staying alive when you get up there, and staying alive whilst letting squads do the work)) but all together, with just the assault and the regular one with 2 fleet commands, that's 126 points. Not TERRIBLE, but they dont punch as had as a similar cost in other ships (salvation with Intel officer and dual turb turrets and a Jainas Light CR90A are 3 points cheaper. You could do similar with Sato, but those other ships can use Sato, too, more arguably better results (salvation especially)).
Combine THAT with the fact that as i think we can all agree, sans title and sans a token generating system these dont get the same benefits/arent as good as the Phoenix Home with Raymus and Asoka (or Garm, a vet captain, and asoka, i suppose. Or the flight commander on the regular one. Basically Asoka comes stapled to this if youre bringing one, haha). I CAN make a fleet with 2 of these, but it reminds me a lot of a 2 interdictor fleet. Not BAD, mind you, but you're spending a good quantity (in my case over 1/4) of your points on tricks and sneakiness and such. At some point you have to shoot the other guy. The other downside with running 2 of these with Sato is that you also need a very solid fighter presence to get his ability to trigger (lets hand wave our way towards 80 points, and not get lost in the forest there. "oh i made Sato trigger with 2 Z95s all day." Super, that's not most metas.)
So i'm thinking only 1 Pelta, no matter who you choose as Commander. (Happy to hear arguments against this, as i DID buy 2, haha!)
Role:
Well since it showed up with flechettes, it could be a squadron murderer. That speed 1 maneuver seems very solid (and pairs well with Engine Techs), but also seems contrary to its black dice (i tend not to let my MC30s stay in front arcs of ISDs for too long, as that leads to their death quickly. Jumping away at speed 3 plus helps there). It works well with Rapid Reload, as here's 2R2B in the front and 1R2B on the sides, assuming you can steer it into a double arc. But that slowness scares me... It could be a finisher ship, so the MC30 goes first and smacks an ISD in the nose for a slew of damage, followed by this guy slowrolling in next turn
I'm seeing it as either a slow black dice ship with a little more survivability (howdy, brace token) compared to an mc30, or a squadron murderer (flechettes aint great, but if it lets you get unimpeded attacks against a mess of squadrons next turn that your squadrons held down on THIS turn, preventing their movement away, it could turn the squadron tide for you. Maybe combine it with a slew of B wings slow rolling up the board? That's a lot of IF and POTENTIALLY, though)
Outfitting One:
You want a fleet command upgrade, because of course you do. Engine Techs because if you're going with black dice, i find the maneuverability to get where i need to go INTENSELY helpful. Raymus and Asoka with the Title seem to work really well with all fleets and all situations, as far as i can see (just to ensure i get the Fleet Command off, but im willing to hear other arguments here as well), and Flechettes or Rapid Reload, depending on what you want it to do. Potentially Toryn on a flotilla following it to reroll the blue AS dice? I still just am not sure why i wouldnt want an MC30 instead.
So how do you all see using one? I like the CONCEPT of this ship, but i'm not sure how to make it work super well. Thoughts?
