Hello friends,

I'm hoping to go to an open event next month with a buddy of mine. I've kept up with X-Wing happenings, but haven't played competitively in about a year -- my friend has barely played at all. I have no illusions that we'll make the cut, but it'd be nice to get some cool swag and have a good time. I've put together a couple list ideas for us, and was hoping some more experienced folks could weigh in on what might work and what might not. The "simple" lists are for my friend, and I tried to make them easy to pilot (no crazy rule interactions, pretty straightforward decision making in terms of actions).

"Simple" Empire:
28 - Delta Squadron Pilot: x7
28 - Delta Squadron Pilot: x7
44 - Patrol Leader: Darth Vader

Beefy list with lots of health (especially on the Defenders). Vader gives the list a way to crack token stacking aces which the Deltas might struggle with. The x7's sort of fly themselves, and the Decimator is very easy to fly as well (with the added advantage of the turret).

"Simple" Scum:
25 - Syndicate Thug: TLT, Overclocked R4
25 - Syndicate Thug: TLT, Overclocked R4
50 - Dengar: Adaptability, RecSpec, R4 Aggromech, Punishing One

More turrets! Everyone takes focus actions, and tries to make two modified shots per turn. Turrets make things easier (no need to keep in arc, though Dengar rewards it), but the rules interactions are a little more complex and the range 1 donut on the TLT's could be frustrating as well.

Scum Aces:
34 - Fenn Rau: Ptl, Title, Autothrusters
30 - Old Teroch: Veteran Instincts, Title, Autothrusters
36 - Manaroo: Adaptability, Plasma Torpedoes, Extra Munitions, K4 Security Droid, Unhinged Astromech, Guidance Chips

A new take on the old fashioned Palp Aces. Teroch seems like he might have legs in the token-stacking meta, and Fenn Rau has some respectable damage. Manaroo can play support ship, handing out focus and target lock tokens if the aces need to spend actions repositioning; but she can also contribute a 4-dice torpedo attack to the combat if she needs to.

First Order Aces:
26 - Omega Leader: Juke, Comm Relay
33 - Quickdraw: Rage, Electronic Baffle, Title, Lightweight Frame
42 - Kylo Ren: Adaptability, FCS, Darth Vader, Inspiring Recruit, Kylo Ren's Shuttle
*1 point over*

I think this list is the jankiest, but also the one I'm most excited about. It's also illegal too, so I probably have to drop the Title off the Upsilon. Kylo tries to represent bad choices for my opponent -- if he ignores the shuttle to avoid ISYTDS, I get to leverage Vader. If he tries to take down the shuttle to get Vader off the board, then he'll suffer from the condition. The big sexy play is Rage/Baffle Quickdraw with Coordinate, which could generate a ton of burst damage. The flipside is, if that Quickdraw play doesn't pan out then the list is likely dead in the water. OL is there to play it safe and hopefully clean up late game.

So, how do these lists stack up in the current meta? I'm not looking for a trophy, just maybe some target lock tokens. Are the Scum aces too vulnerable, or difficult to fly well for a rusty player? Is the First Order list too risky and unreliable? Are TLT's making a comeback? Do DSP's lack the damage to compete right now? Which lists do you think would be manageable for a new player? For a returning one?

I really appreciate your thoughts, however brief! I'm trying to make up for my own lack of experience with some wisdom from the crowd. Cheers!