Rebel list advice

By RittsMJ, in X-Wing Squad Lists

So I'm trying to find a list using Raging Keyan as the workhorse. Here's my newest iteration:

B-Wing: · Keyan Farlander (29)
Rage (1)
B-Wing/E2 (1)
Inspiring Recruit (1)
ARC-170: · Braylen Stramm (25)
· R3-A2 (2)
Vectored Thrusters (2)
Gunner (5)
Alliance Overhaul (0)
U-Wing: · Heff Tobber (24)
Seismic Torpedo (2)
Engine Upgrade (4)
· Jan Ors (2)
· Cassian Andor (2)
Pivot wing (0)
-- TOTAL ------- 100p. --

I like Braylen for his control which makes it easier for Keyan to get shots off. I tried a tactical jammer Heff but found the uwing dial restrictive when trying to fly in formation. I think with this loadout I'll start Braylen and Keyan together with Heff to the side. Jan can give the one taking heat an evade. Hopefully Cassian and EU up Heffs blocking chances.

Thoughts?

Keyan and Braylen are 2 pretty strong ships but at agility one they will melt to sustained fire. My suggestion is to take out the U-wing and run Biggs instead. He will help ensure that your heavy hitters stay alive long enough to take the enemy apart. With the points saved, you can give Keyan a few more toys like an HLC :D . I would run the following.

32 Braylen Stramm (25), R3-A2 (2), Gunner (5), Alliance Overhaul (0)

26 Biggs Darklighter (25), R4-D6 (1), IA (0)

42 Keyan Farlander (29), Rage (1), Inspiring Recruit (1), E2 (1), HLC (7), Advanced Sensors (3)

100 Total

So my initial Keyan looked identical to yours except I ran sensor jammer (Wes was in that list). I don't find the extra dice at R2/3 worth it most of the time. I'd rather use rebel crew.

I dropped Wes for a Uwing to get the extra hp and defensive crew options. But I'm bad at formations with uwing. Maybe I should just go back to Wes? The other idea I'm entertaining is a TLT Horton with vectored thrusters.

10 minutes ago, RittsMJ said:

I don't find the extra dice at R2/3 worth it most of the time.

I find that surprising. 4 dice with 3 rerolls and a pseudo focus (from the stress) should mean 4 hits most of the time. That will burn through the defenses of most ships, especially as it will deny the extra agility bonus at Range 3. Punching through damage on defensive ships (like /x7 Defenders) is one of the real challenges in the current meta so I would have expected 4-dice to be most welcome.

Maybe it's some anomaly in my local meta, but I've been playing 1 night a week for the last couple months and never faced an x7. There were some defenders in a local store tourney I played in, but I didn't get paired against them.

When I originally ran the list with HLC it just put a giant bullseye on Keyan which would mandate Biggs. Biggs is fine except when flown by me. I still struggle a lot with flying in formation and getting good engagements.

Plus the 7 point HLC severely limits my 3rd ship choice to the point where Biggs is the only thing that fits and is competitive.

What do you think of this:

B-Wing: · Keyan Farlander (29)
Rage (1)
Sensor Jammer (4)
B-Wing/E2 (1)
Inspiring Recruit (1)
ARC-170: · Braylen Stramm (25)
· R3-A2 (2)
Gunner (5)
Alliance Overhaul (0)
X-Wing: · Wes Janson (29)
Veteran Instincts (1)
R2 Astromech (1)
Integrated Astromech (0)
-- TOTAL ------- 99p. --