Lukes Elite upgrade in a Biggs-based double regen list

By Admiral Deathrain, in X-Wing Squad Lists

The goal of this list is to run Norra in a double regen setup, and since Poe, the only other ship that is rather good with R5-P9, is too expensive, I have an excuse to put Luke on the table.

Biggs Darklighter (25)
R4-D6 (1)
Integrated Astromech (0)

Luke Skywalker (28)
Expertise (4)
R5-P9 (3)
Integrated Astromech (0)

Norra Wexley (29)
Push the Limit (3)
Tail Gunner (2)
R2-D2 (4)
Alliance Overhaul (0)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Not sure about the exact upgrades and points, though. Norra misses Vectored Thrusters - Lukes Expertise could be downgraded to Predator to provide that. That means they lists up front damage is severly reduced, though. If I don't do that Biggs could get R3-A2, but does he even want to?

I like it. I recently proved luke with expertise and R2-D2 and Vectored thrusters can be strong. Local casual night had a new guy and he wanted to run his ships, so I helped him put a list together and this Luke did some work. We ended with a draw against my OL after about 2 hours. I think Pred in this list is better, Luke keeps taking focus and until he gets hit he can use it for offence.

I think the swap to predator for VT is worth it. While expertise is awesome, xwings needs to k-turn at some point, and stress is being used more frequently. Thus predator is not that bad a trade off for BR on norra, since you can reroll blanks, and if you don't get shot at you can use the focus offensively.

Getting a stressbot on biggs isn't a bad idea either. I suppose you could try both out and see what works for you ?

X wings need to K turn more than 'at some point', I'd say average 2-3 times a match. I like this list but think Predator is maybe better for Luke.

I think you can still do it with Poe, just no expertise.

Biggs Darklighter (26) - X-Wing
R4-D6 (1), Integrated Astromech (0)

Norra Wexley (40) - ARC-170
Push The Limit (3), Tail Gunner (2), R2-D2 (4), Alliance Overhaul (0), Vectored Thrusters (2)

Poe Dameron (34) - T-70 X-Wing
Adaptability (0), R5-P9 (3), Integrated Astromech (0)

It's PS8(9) Poe, but I think even w/o a dice modding EPT the T-70 chassis is better.

The other issue being that R5-P9 is best used on ships that either don't need to spend Focus on anything else (Poe) or can stack multiple Focus (Recon Specialist). Luke can do neither.

4 minutes ago, fiesta0618 said:

The other issue being that R5-P9 is best used on ships that either don't need to spend Focus on anything else (Poe) or can stack multiple Focus (Recon Specialist). Luke can do neither.

I believe the original idea was that with expertise and Luke's ability he would be able to save the focus unless absolutely necessary.

5 minutes ago, fiesta0618 said:

The other issue being that R5-P9 is best used on ships that either don't need to spend Focus on anything else (Poe) or can stack multiple Focus (Recon Specialist). Luke can do neither.

I believe that the original idea was that with expertise and Luke's ability he would be able to save his focus for regen

6 minutes ago, crossvoicing said:

I believe the original idea was that with expertise and Luke's ability he would be able to save the focus unless absolutely necessary.

Yeah, and that's OK, but it means he can't spend the Focus on defense. So if he ever rolls an eye on his greens, R5-P9 is wasted for that turn.

Just now, fiesta0618 said:

Yeah, and that's OK, but it means he can't spend the Focus on defense. So if he ever rolls an eye on his greens, R5-P9 is wasted for that turn.

With only two or three evade dice, what are the odds Luke will roll more than one eyeball?

Just now, crossvoicing said:

With only two or three evade dice, what are the odds Luke will roll more than one eyeball?

If he ever rolls even 1 green eye in a turn, the droid is not doing anything. 1 blocked hit is usually better than a regained shield, so he darned well better spend the Focus.

All I'm saying is, R5-P9 is unreliable under these conditions. Other droids can provide a lot more bang for your buck, on pilots not named Poe.

4 minutes ago, fiesta0618 said:

If he ever rolls even 1 green eye in a turn, the droid is not doing anything. 1 blocked hit is usually better than a regained shield, so he darned well better spend the Focus.

All I'm saying is, R5-P9 is unreliable under these conditions. Other droids can provide a lot more bang for your buck, on pilots not named Poe.

Ah. I think you are forgetting Luke's ability. When defending he can change an eyeball to an evade.

Just now, crossvoicing said:

Ah. I think you are forgetting Luke's ability. When defending he can change an eyeball to an evade.

Yep! That's what I'm forgetting! Carry on, folks!

14 hours ago, fiesta0618 said:

Yep! That's what I'm forgetting! Carry on, folks!

Totaly understandable, its not like he is anywhere near a common sight these days :/

What about Lone Wolf on Luke? Expertise is very, very, nice but LW makes Luke a much tougher nut to crack end game. And your list has the firepower to whittle down an opponent's list to a more managable end game, although I think at least Omega Leader is a bad end game matchup for Luke if OL prevents Luke's ability from activating.

On 4/14/2017 at 9:31 AM, Admiral Deathrain said:

The goal of this list is to run Norra in a double regen setup, and since Poe, the only other ship that is rather good with R5-P9, is too expensive, I have an excuse to put Luke on the table.

Biggs Darklighter (25)
R4-D6 (1)
Integrated Astromech (0)

Luke Skywalker (28)
Expertise (4)
R5-P9 (3)
Integrated Astromech (0)

Norra Wexley (29)
Push the Limit (3)
Tail Gunner (2)
R2-D2 (4)
Alliance Overhaul (0)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Not sure about the exact upgrades and points, though. Norra misses Vectored Thrusters - Lukes Expertise could be downgraded to Predator to provide that. That means they lists up front damage is severly reduced, though. If I don't do that Biggs could get R3-A2, but does he even want to?

Why not expertise on Norra instead of Luke? She can take R5 P9 leaving Luke to take R2D2.

The problem Expertise Norra has is that she can't tank as well as with PTL. A Norra running away can cancel two hits guaranteed and may go up to 3 a few times. It is rather difficult to put permanent damage on her late game. The defensive aspect of her ability is a huge part of what makes her good.

Agreed. The ability to use Norras ability defensively is a key tool to making her a nasty endgame ship.

I'd say lone wolf. You can be (almost) certain biggs will die first, and then you leave your opponent a nasty choice - a ship with lone wolf, regen and lukes ability or a ship with regen p, ptl and norras ability. Neither is a good thing to see in a one on one fight.