So, recently I moved to a new town. Thus far, I haven't been able to find anyone near me to play X-Wing with, and the LGS here doesn't have many regulars interested in X-Wing. As a result, I've been trying to find ways to keep up my X-Wing skills while I don't have anyone to play against.

The past few weeks, I've been practicing against "opponents" controlled by the HotAC AI. The build I've been running against my lists has been the standard Palpatine, Vader, Soontir build (Vader with Juke, ATC, and EU. Occasionally swapping Juke for something else). Whenever the HotAC AI does something obviously foolish, I correct the maneuver to something that actually poses a threat to my squad.

The problem? This AI just isn't great for catering to the strengths of Palp+Aces. The AI wants to be as direct as possible, which sucks for arc dodgers like Vader and Soontir. So, in lieu of using Palp, Vader, and Soontir, I was wondering if anyone had better ideas for a squad I can practice against. The ships in the squad don't have to have HotAC-style AI cards, as they're fairly easy to make (I already have some for most of the Rebels ships up through wave 8). However, it should be known that I don't have many Scum ships to practice against, so no suggesting Jumpmasters or YV-666s please.

I was in a similar situation earlier this year and the two things I would recommend are:

1. TTS/Vassal - no substitute for a real game but you ARE playing against real people

2. I didn't like the AI (good as it is) so preferred to be invested in multiple squads when playing against yourself - if I played "my list" against something I didn't care about then I wouldn't play to the best of my ability but if I'm equally invested in both squads then I'm less prone to cheating against myself.

X/7 defenders are probably be the best Imperial ships to use because they are jousters instead of arc dodgers. I typically practice against Commonwealth Defenders(Ryaad, Vessery, Sheev mobile). The fact that they are so hard to damage makes up for any AI issues with them.

Five Cartel Marauders.

I would just control the enemy ships yourself. It takes some discipline, but it can be very rewarding (you learn to actually get in the head of a Palp Aces player or Dengaroo player or whatever).

Failing that, Defenders. And always have them go speed 3+.

Are you in Wisconsin?

I would just control the enemy ships yourself. It takes some discipline, but it can be very rewarding (you learn to actually get in the head of a Palp Aces player or Dengaroo player or whatever).

Failing that, Defenders. And always have them go speed 3+.

I've been in the head of a Palp Aces player before, since that was my go-to build for a while (Though, I tended to lean toward unconventional builds with Palp Aces). I do sometimes control the enemy ships myself, but that's beside the point. The main question was, what is a good list for me to run against myself? I'm looking for something that I can use as a measuring stick against random builds I try out, so I can see whether or not what I build would be competitive or simply doesn't have what it takes to make the cut.

What would people suggest as a solid list to fly against a variety of different builds, and that could do reasonably well regardless of what is flown against it? I've been doing Palp Aces because that seems to be a powerful meta build, but I'm wondering if I should go with something that isn't a huge meta build, but rather one that simply represents a variety of threats. For example, maybe a list that has a PWT, an arc dodger, and a pure jouster all in one list?

Are you in Wisconsin?

Nope. Montana.

Four green squadron pilots with prototype pilot, chaardain Refit, Crack Shot, snap shot.

One green squadron pilot with prototype pilot, Swarm leader chaardain Refit, and trick shot.

I am a busy guy, husband, Father, and car enthusiast.

I have time for one game a week with my best friend John.

But late at night I build squads on (Yet Another) X-Wing Sqaud Builder , I copy squads from this site, I watch team covenant, Sling Paint, and Crabbock Videos. And I set up matches against myself.

I try to run either two squads that I built, or one that I built and one that I picked up. It takes practice but I can truly separate my sides of the board mentally.

Then go find you a friend named John and get him addicted to X-Wing

Then go find you a friend named John and get him addicted to X-Wing

Or Jeff. That name also seems to work.

Often when I play against someone less experience, I'll just up their squad points so that it's more even. I haven't ever played HOTAC, so I am not familiar with the AI for it, but I would guess that just giving the AI more points would work.