I've read up on a lot of old(ish) threads on Brobot builds, meta and how to fly them. Instead of lifting one of those older threads I'm starting a new one to discuss builds and interesting combos 2017 (post Wave 10).

First off, Brobots ! To my understanding there previously was pretty much only 3 flavours :

1 GlitterCrackbots (B+C) with Crack shot, HLC, FCS, AT, IG-2000 title and Glitterstim at PS6

2 PS8 Brobots (B+C) with VI, HLC, FCS, AT, IG-2000 title & Intertial Dampeners at PS8

3 Assymetrical Sensorbots (B+C/D) with PtL, Mangler/HLC, Advanced Sensors, AT, IG-2000 title (and sometimes a Tractor Cannon on one) at PS6

What new upgrades have potentially changed the ways to build these?

I'm thinking that Expertise might be an interesting way to build them, making Action Economy Brobots . Straightforward as Crackbots but always with (offensive) focus, TL (2nd attack) and Boost+Evade. All four actions!

ActionEcon Brobots (B+C) with Expertise, Mangler/HLC, FCS, AT, IG-2000 title 48+51=99p

(Add Tractor Cannon on C or keep initiative bid)

Anybody try this? Thoughts? Other ideas?

Secondly, the IG88-D Crew card makes for some interesting ideas on Stepbro-bots . Possible candidates are A, B and C, but unless playing Epic I believe B and C are the interesting ones.

B can pair with Firespray, G1-A and YV-666. Of those I think the Firespray is the best compliment to a B since it adds another Arc. Anybody have any build Ideas for IG88-B o Kath or Boba?

C can pair with anything with EU (and crew slot) basically. Thoughts that come to mind are the Lancer and Assaj/Ketsu. As EU would mean giving up Gyroscopic targeting I think it would have to involve PtL. But with all those greens that might not be an issue. So, even faster, slipperier Assaj with a Slippery C sounds cool. Possibly both with Tractor options to support eachother (they are both at PS6). Something like this was my idea:

Stepbrobots Assaj+IG88-C

IG88-C with Crack shot, HLC, Tractor cannon, FCS, AT, IG-2000 title and Glitterstim 51

Assaj with PtL, IG88-D, Black Market slicer tools, Shadow Caster title and EU 49

100p

BMST + Tractor can be swapped for Glitterstim on Assaj, or just remove BMST for initiative bid.

http://xwing-builder.co.uk/view/688202/stepbrobots-assajig88-c#view=compact

Thoughts, other ideas?

Feel free to discuss!

I have experimented with clustermines on them. Hasn't been great but I still think there's some use to be had with that bomb slot.

I just haven't figured it out yet.

Also determination has to take the ept slot if there's any kylo crew around at all.

I want to try this list:

Im not sure Expertise is ideal on an Aggressor because they really like those red S and K turns. I guess you can forfeit the benefit when you have to turn but at the same time you are spending 4 points for the upgrade.

Dengar with an engine upgrade and IG crew+ plus the boost evade bot.

I played the Brobots relatively successfully back when they were the best Scum squadron- I piloted all of the builds you mentioned plus an asymmetrical one with PtL+sensors+mangler on C and Crack+FCS+HLC on B(probably my favourite brobots list). I also tried Dengar+IG-C at a couple local tournaments (and did better than I expected, but nothing spectacular).

Expertise is an absolute no-go. It's waaay to expensive, it won't work for a good part of the game (the IGs stress themselves very often) and it takes up the very valuable EPT slot.

As far as the IG crew goes, I think it's still waiting for it's ship. In all honesty, every possible user benefits more from a diffrent crew upgrade (and usually, from a diffrent wingmate).

The latest FAQ helped the bros a little bit, but I don't think it was enough to push them back into the meta; but if I were to try to use them again, I'd say the GlitterCrack variant is probably the strongest at the moment.

P.S. Since you say you went through the old threads, I assume you know most of the "dirty tricks" IGs pull off, like bumping into each other in the middle of the table.

Keep in mind too of the double tap YV666 build that uses IG88D and Gunner. When it triggers it's glorious.

1 hour ago, Psalm 112 said:

Dengar with an engine upgrade and IG crew+ plus the boost evade bot.

I tried this last weekend; I've had the Aggressor and Jumpmaster since their releases and never tried either, and lately I've been going through my collection and flying things I've never tried.

It was fun, though my first match IG got trapped alone by a mini-swarm and hosed down. Dengar couldn't catch up after that.
Second match went better after I got a feel of how the ships behaved.

I've had relative success with this

IG 666 (100)

Moralo Eval (47) - YV-666
Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Bossk (2), IG-88D (1), Tactician (2), Inertial Dampeners (1)

IG88-B (53) - Aggressor
Push The Limit (3), Advanced Sensors (3), "Mangler" Cannon (4), Cluster Mines (4), Black Market Slicer Tools (1), IG-2000 (0), Autothrusters (2)

Moralo either HLCs low agility ships, or just uses primary on aces, hoping to miss to throw a fully modded HLC gunner at them hoping to stress them twice too with tactician.

Standard Sensor B, but with the added bonus of clustermines and BMST before or after movement

4 hours ago, Velvetelvis said:

I have experimented with clustermines on them. Hasn't been great but I still think there's some use to be had with that bomb slot.

I just haven't figured it out yet.

Also determination has to take the ept slot if there's any kylo crew around at all.

I actually feel determination really isnt needed. Three agility with autothrusters and potentially an evade could avoid taking a crit in the first place (especially against raclo where you're almost guaranteed to be getting thrusters). If you're really worried about blinded pilot , you could also take the old damage deck.

How does old damage deck help? Blinded pilot is worse in the old deck and they could then hit you with injured pilot.

Personally I like Advanced Sensors/Predator on my Brobots, but you can't fit two HLCs that way. Brobots just don't quite have the action economy you'd need for today's meta and aces are still a major issue even without palp.

27 minutes ago, The Inquisitor said:

How does old damage deck help? Blinded pilot is worse in the old deck and they could then hit you with injured pilot.

Personally I like Advanced Sensors/Predator on my Brobots, but you can't fit two HLCs that way. Brobots just don't quite have the action economy you'd need for today's meta and aces are still a major issue even without palp.

Did t think about injured pilot. On the other hand, against a RAC even if you lose a pilot ability it's not like you need the gunner effect against a decimator (assuming they hit B with it). Was just thinking about the fact that with the old deck blinded pilot still gives you abs gunner shot

Ah I see gunner works differently with old and new deck. Still injured pilot is pretty bad for brobots and the old deck doesn't really have a lot of advantages (you have secondary weapons, etc).

I think IG88D deserves a look at these days. Especially with advanced sensors, it gives you more control and more places to land.

Would Predator be worth a look on the IG-88's?

Mindlink bots and mindlink bots+Leechos/the new EPT LiteScyk.

Needs more Meat Popsicles . Control is seriously underestimated.

Inaldra (15)
Attanni Mindlink (1)
"Light Scyk" Interceptor (-2)

IG-88B (36)
Attanni Mindlink (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
"Mangler" Cannon (4)
IG-2000 (0)

IG-88C (36)
Attanni Mindlink (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
"Mangler" Cannon (4)
IG-2000 (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

A teammate and me experimented a bit with newer brobot builds. We both came to the conclusion that Attanni doesn't really work for them because it limits them a lot - they want to turn often, and stressing both in the process is really annoying and not worth the upside of occasionally getting a free focus (because they also really like non-focus actions, I'm particularly fond of pre-movement boost myself).

My best results were with Predator (and Mangler), but it didn't really work out. He on the other hand took an asymmetrical version with bombs to a tournament yesterday and only went 2-2 - not a result he usually gets. I think they're just too expensive for the number of red dice you get, and both their offense and defense are meanwhile matched by cheaper ships, unlike in their heyday when there were few similarly powerful options. Nevertheless, here's my Predator/Sensors variant:

IG88-B (50)
Aggressor (36), Predator (3), Advanced Sensors (3), “Mangler” Cannon (4), Glitterstim (2), IG-2000 (0), Autothrusters (2)
IG88-C (50)
Aggressor (36), Predator (3), Advanced Sensors (3), “Mangler” Cannon (4), Glitterstim (2), IG-2000 (0), Autothrusters (2)

Also, many people did fly Brobots back when they came out or somwhere in the meantime until now, and know what they can and can't do. Predicting them becomes a lot easier once you've flown them yourself (which is one reason why I try to fly everything).

When they still work, they're really neat. Against all kinds of jouster lists, they can still be superior, with all their arc-dodgyness and movement shenanigans (though jousters also got new tricks meanwhile). Against aces though, or bombs, they struggle.

The above list is exactly how I used to run them. What's nice about it is they're quite hard to predict in this setup. But aces just murder you. Perhaps they'll be more viable in the future?

You can also drop the manglers and glitterstimm, make it C and D and save enough points for a Z-95, which gives you a blocker.

13 hours ago, costi said:

I want to try this list:

IG-88B — Aggressor	36
Expertise	4
Fire-Control System	2
Heavy Laser Cannon	7
Glitterstim	2
Autothrusters	2
IG-2000	0
Ship Total: 53
Moralo Eval — YV-666	34
Heavy Laser Cannon	7
IG-88D	1
Bossk	2
Zuckuss	1
Inertial Dampeners	1
Ship Total: 46

Is there any reason not to spend your last point on a tractor beam for IG-88B? In case your opponent is at range 1 where his HLC wouldn't be able to be used for IG-88B's own ability?

18 hours ago, costi said:

I want to try this list:

IG-88B — Aggressor	36
Expertise	4
Fire-Control System	2
Heavy Laser Cannon	7
Glitterstim	2
Autothrusters	2
IG-2000	0
Ship Total: 53
Moralo Eval — YV-666	34
Heavy Laser Cannon	7
IG-88D	1
Bossk	2
Zuckuss	1
Inertial Dampeners	1
Ship Total: 46

Interesting list, though I'd probably drop Expertise to Crack Shot and free up enough points for a hot shot blaster or Counter-measures on Moralo (he's going to be focus fired on methinks). But maybe you really need ID on the YV to make sure you don't get blocked? Haven't flown it yet.

18 hours ago, Sixter said:

Im not sure Expertise is ideal on an Aggressor because they really like those red S and K turns. I guess you can forfeit the benefit when you have to turn but at the same time you are spending 4 points for the upgrade.

I hear you, it's a lot of points for something that does not trigger every turn, unlike e.g. Predator. Although Predator and FCS is redundant so the comparison would only be relevant for Sensor bots I guess.

Probably not worth downgrading a HLC to a Mangler for then.

16 hours ago, Elavion said:

Expertise is an absolute no-go. It's waaay to expensive, it won't work for a good part of the game (the IGs stress themselves very often) and it takes up the very valuable EPT slot.

As far as the IG crew goes, I think it's still waiting for it's ship. In all honesty, every possible user benefits more from a diffrent crew upgrade (and usually, from a diffrent wingmate).

P.S. Since you say you went through the old threads, I assume you know most of the "dirty tricks" IGs pull off, like bumping into each other in the middle of the table.

Ok, seconded on Expertise. See above.

I think you are spot on about waiting for the right ship for IG crew. I'm looking forward to a 2-crew scum ship, that could help the new Jabba and also preferably be a native boost/cannon ship so it could fit with the C/B.

And yes, in my example with IG-C and Assaj you are right, Assaj would benefit more from Latts and IG-C would benefit more from IG-B as teammates. So it's mostly for fun (crazy fast). Boba/Kath with B/C and Moralo/Bossk with IG-B seems like the more effective Stebrobot builds.

No, haven't read about self bumping. I'm trying to master the bait and switch and make it fit my own style. Would I be right in assuming self-bumping is for Advanced Sensor-bots? Please enlighten me.

16 hours ago, Sir13scott said:

I've had relative success with this

IG 666 (100)

Moralo Eval (47) - YV-666
Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Bossk (2), IG-88D (1), Tactician (2), Inertial Dampeners (1)

IG88-B (53) - Aggressor
Push The Limit (3), Advanced Sensors (3), "Mangler" Cannon (4), Cluster Mines (4), Black Market Slicer Tools (1), IG-2000 (0), Autothrusters (2)

Interesting combo, especially Tactician with BMST and Sensors/PtL adds an interesting layer of non avoidable damage causing.

8 hours ago, ObiWonka said:

Needs more Meat Popsicles . Control is seriously underestimated.

Hey, cool ideas. Hadn't even thought about Ion cannon/Flechette cannon. I would be more inclined towards Tractor than Flechette, but the latter with BMST is interesting.

The other thing I'm taking from your list is Adrenaline Rush. Way cool to pull a white S-loop with an Agressor! I'll be thinking about that one.

Is there a case for defensive Brobots with Sensor Jammer(s)? So costly it would need to be assymetrical with only one HLC, or both Manglers. I made a rather assymetrical build with B going to operate closer (and probably block from times), so it benefits the most from Glitterstim and being able to white S, while C is kitted for ranged damage and sucker punch what B blocked.

Brobots B+C Assym Defensive (99)

IG88-B, Adrenaline Rush, Sensor Jammer, Mangler Cannon, Glitterstim, IG-2000, Autothrusters 49

IG88-C, Crack Shot, Sensor Jammer, HLC, IG-2000, Autothrusters 50

Keep at 99 or add Tractor Cannon/Inertial Dampeners to C. What do you think?

I've often pondered Sensor Jammer, I've tried it once or twice in asymmetrical brobots without great success. I suspect in a meta filled with various ways of getting focuses like mindlink, it's probably not worth it. But against the right list it could be amazing. The cost isn't too bad but no FCS or Advanced Sensors hurts.

Aggressor: · IG-88B (36)
Adrenaline Rush (1)
Tractor Beam (1)
Flechette Cannon (2)
Cluster Mines (4)
Fire Control System (2)
Autothrusters (2)
IG-2000 (0)
Scavenger Crane (2)
Aggressor: · IG-88D (36)
Adrenaline Rush ( 1)

Tractor Beam (1)
Flechette Cannon (2)
Cluster Mines (4)
Fire Control System (2)
Autothrusters (2)
IG-2000 (0)
Scavenger Crane (2)
-- TOTAL ------- 100p. --

On 9/4/2017 at 4:40 AM, Rakaydos said:

Inaldra (15)
Attanni Mindlink (1)
"Light Scyk" Interceptor (-2)

IG-88B (36)
Attanni Mindlink (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
"Mangler" Cannon (4)
IG-2000 (0)

IG-88C (36)
Attanni Mindlink (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
"Mangler" Cannon (4)
IG-2000 (0)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

I tried the Kaa'to + B + C, both bots with Ion Cannons and AM. Really liked the list. Went 2-1 and 2-1 in 2 tournaments. Inaldra will allow me to get manglers, which I think will be better most times.

Exactly the list I was hoping to try hehe