Brain Teaser: Best Move?

By darkdooku, in X-Wing

I'm a big fan of the occasional hypothetical flying/maneuver puzzles some of you folks post here and ran into what I think is an interesting one during a game tonight:
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Situation:
- We've got Ten Numb in the B-WIng at PS 8 with a stress, 1 shield 3 hull.
- We've got Pure Sabaac in the Tie Striker at PS 6 also with a stress, no damage. (For reference he/she/it has Adaptive Ailerons and Lightweight Frame equipped)
- Imp team-mates wiped out and Ten's only help is Norra who is 2-3 turns out of the combat for regen and turn around (currently ~range4-5) from this engagement facing the wrong direction.

Pure Sabaac is not winning this game for sure but I'm more interested to see what people think are the best moves for each ship here for the next few turns? I had a tough time finding a good 2 turn scenario for Ten and I'm sure somebody here can think up something better than what ended up happening.

Spoiler for what actually happened in game and a pic with relative range

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1. Following turn Pure Sabaac did a 1 forward w/focus and Ten did a 1 right bank w/focus. Pure Sabaac did 2 damage (no crits).

2. Turn after Pure Sabaac did 1 forward from Adaptive Ailerons and then another 2 forward then focused, Ten did a 2 U-Turn, Ended up facing each other at range 1.

3. Ten rolled hit, crit, eye, blank, Pure Sabaac rolled Eye Eye, then rolled an Evade from the extra LWF die, saved focus and only took the un-blockable crit which was the secondary weapon crit from old damage deck. Pure Sabaac retaliated with blank and 4 eyes, spent focus to finish off Ten.

Edited by darkdooku

I think if Ten does the 2-hard, left, instead (to block) he may have a shot to push a crit through. Then a two straight, 2-k, and get Nora involved.

Sounds like Sabac did all the right moves, so I choose those.

Ten: soft one to the left to clear stress. BR to the left for the block. Follow up with a 2K to get back on target.

Kinda off topic,but I just reread Sabaac's card and realized that it's actually 1 or fewer damage cards, not no damage cards. That makes him a whole lot better in my eyes!

Ten: soft one to the left to clear stress. BR to the left for the block. Follow up with a 2K to get back on target.

Those are my thoughts exactly. Sabacc is going to fly really fast, and he isn't doing a K turn this round, so going for the block is the best possible bet. I would barrel roll as far back as possible.

Edit: Wait, Sabacc doesn't have VI? Ten can't barrel roll into a block then, and I don't think he can arc dodge, so I would do a 2 hard left instead.

Edited by Gersun

For Sabacc, either a 1-straight or bank right.

For Ten, 1-bank right, then try to barrel roll right and back. Hopefully it'll push you out of arc.

Kinda off topic,but I just reread Sabaac's card and realized that it's actually 1 or fewer damage cards, not no damage cards. That makes him a whole lot better in my eyes!

My two cents:

I agree, Tens best move is hard two left, therefore Sabacc's best move is green three to shoot past. Next turn, left gentle and hard one to hopefully bring the B back in arc (135 degree turn).

May need a barrel roll depending on the B's move.

Also, depends where Nora is approaching from as Sabacc may run out of room/ time.

If I was Ten I would soft 1 right, clear stress then BR right to put the asteroid between me and the Striker.

Because if I was the striker I would be doing 1 forward, maybe 2 depending on where I thought that B wing was going.

Sabacc slow rolls, clears stress, focuses. Ten dies.

Sabacc then can't kill Norra alone and loses.

Ten: soft one to the left to clear stress. BR to the left for the block.

Pretty sure this is a great way to get Ten killed. BR won't block a 1-straight, which is probably in Sabaac's best interest in the chase position. EDIT: Even worse, Ten is moving second, so it's completely impossible to BR into Sabaac.

Edited by ObiWonka

Ah, rats. He is moving second, isn't he...? Scratch that.

In that case; soft one to the right; BR to put the rock in between the two of you. THEN 2k.

Edited by Dr Zoidberg

In that case; soft one to the right; BR to put the rock in between the two of you.

Am I looking at the same picture? Multiple people have suggested this, yet the shot from Sabaac would certainly be unobstructed after this move.

In that case; soft one to the right; BR to put the rock in between the two of you.

Am I looking at the same picture? Multiple people have suggested this, yet the shot from Sabaac would certainly be unobstructed after this move.

Good point. My first inclination was straight 2 with Ten, barrel roll right to get distance. Follow up with K-turn. Not so sure any more. That gives Sabaac an unanswered shot this round. I'm liking the Turn 2 with Ten more and more.

Of course, you have to ask yourself if Sabaac would predict this and go for a barrel roll. Even so, I think 2 turn to port is the best move for Ten. (Sabaac obviously performs a 1-speed straight maneuver).

Edited by Parakitor

In that case; soft one to the right; BR to put the rock in between the two of you.

Am I looking at the same picture? Multiple people have suggested this, yet the shot from Sabaac would certainly be unobstructed after this move.

If Sabaac is only doing a one forward; you might be able to squeeze the BR in a way that offers the obstruction. But it might not. At the very least, you'll be at R2 and should be in a position to 2K net round and get guns back on. (I've not read the spoiler yet.)