Hey everyone!

Among many other squad thoughts, I keep coming back to 2 repeating dilemmas.

Poe Dameron (PS8) (31) Norra Wexley (29)

Predator (3) Alliance Overhaul (0)

R5-P9 (3) VS. Expertise (4)

Pattern Analyzer (2) Tail Gunner (2)

IA (0) R2-D2 (4)

VT (2)

Poe and Norra both have regen. Norra has 2 more HP, Poe has 1 more agility. Norra can push more potential damage through, and has the extra firing arc. Poe has more maneuverability and is not locked into greens to regen.

AND

Han Solo (46) Dash Rendar (36)

Expertise (4) PTL (3)

Millennium Falcon (1) (Evade) VS. Outrider (5)

EU (4) Mangler Cannon (4)

C-3PO (3) EU (4)

Kanan Jarrus (3)

Han can, each turn, negate 2 guaranteed damage or maybe arc-dodge. He also has 3 extra HP. With Expertise and his ability, he can push through consistent damage. Dash has less real offensive capabilities, because he will never throw more than 3 dice, and has to choose between arc-dodging and locking/focusing, BUT that arc dodging is mad and he has 2 agility rather than 2 guaranteed evades.

So, any thoughts on the better of the two pairs?

Norra has way more offensive upside than that Poe, and without AT, Poe isn't going to be much more survivable, so I say the Norra. As for the YTs, Dash will be the better one to dodge arcs (as you state), but Han will be more consistent but he can be shut down by stress. I like Han here, but neither are bad. If you could squeeze HLC in, my mind would change.

I wish I could say Dash cuz I personally hate falcons, but Han is superior in every way except stress or tractor beams. so also depends on local meta. Ask yourself what you fly better of the two? Also note that crits can be quite debilitating to imperial ships. I havent personally flown an arc, but I tore threw them with 5 Scics with manglers (crushing crits). Poe is solid, but people know him well so you lose points on surprise with Him. Id say Nora just cuz its not done as much and could lead to victories based on them not being able to handle the arcs. She also has better damage output which would make up for Dash's lack thereof. Paring her with Han is a good idea too since the focus on Han leaves Nora free to do her thing.

If you are looking to run an ace and a freighter, here is fairly successful build I roll out from time to time.

55 Chewie (42), Predator (3), Gunner (5), C-3PO (3), Falcon (1), Tactical Jammer (1)
44 Poe (PS9) (33), PTL (3), Pattern Analyser (2), Autothrusters (2), R5-P9 (3), Black One (1)

99 points gives you a 1 point bid which is useful as Fenn is fairly popular but usually runs in 100-point lists. There are a few options, if PS9 aces are rare in your area, you could drop Poe to PS and upgrade the Gunner to Luke. Alternatively you could ditch the Tactical Jammer and do the same upgrade but hit 100 points.

Chewie is nice and tanky and takes a while to burn through. Poe balances action economy with regen. I find the trick to getting the best from Poe in this configuration is knowing when to PTL and when not. If you are confident you can pull a green on the opening joust then Focus + TL and then clear the stress with PA. Sometimes you may decide to pull a white and decide that a Focus is good enough for that turn.