Firstly, important to say I had fun. Also managed one win, which I was very pleased with!

I played:

Nien Nunb (33)
T-70 X-Wing (29), Targeting Astromech (2), Stay on Target (2), Integrated Astromech (0)

“Snap” Wexley (35)
T-70 X-Wing (28), BB-8 (2), Primed Thrusters (1), Expertise (4), Integrated Astromech (0)

Heff Tobber (31)
U-Wing (24), Enhanced Scopes (1), Jyn Erso (2), Jan Ors (2), Pivot Wing (0), Anti-Pursuit Lasers (2)

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Game 1 - 100-40 loss vs Norra and Dash

I used the U-Wing well in this game, blocked Norra and destroyed her with Nien and Snap. But not before her Tail Gunner did some serious damage to my X-Wings. Also forgot that Dash can shoot from obstacles, leading me to predict a couple of his moves wrong. But overall I felt I was competing in this game.

Game 2 - 100-32 loss vs Rey Finn Falcon and Jan Ors TLT HWK

The Rey/Finn/Expertise Falcon was absolutely terrifying. Felt like I was barely even rolling defence dice, the damage output was insane. I lost Nien very early and had no way back.

Game 3 - 100-0 loss vs Tie Bomber, FO Tie, other Ties

This was a weird game, the opening exchange was very bad for me, I couldn't get the U-Wing back into the fight and my dice were also pretty cold. Also wrongly focused fire on Quickdraw which allowed him to attack back too many times. Not sure what my options were but I lost badly.

Game 4 - 100-31 win vs Vader and swarm

Finally got a win against a list I have lost to before. Managed to split the swarm up and pick on one a turn, and Vader suffered a stress crit which meant he was unable to turn back into the fight for a couple of rounds. Pleased with this game.

Game 5 - 100-0 loss vs Ketsu and Bossk

Felt like I barely competed in this game, their attacking power seemed ridiculous. Tractor beam and other abilities meaning I was often rolling zero defence dice. Tried to draw them into the obstacles but I underestimated their speed and agility. Hated this game to be honest, felt like I was hopelessly outmatched.

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So in conclusion I really enjoyed the day and felt like I competed in most of the games. A few things I learned about flying and my list. I think Snap is too low-skilled to pretend to be my main ace, Veteran Instincts is needed on either him or Nien. I'm also reading up about how to fly big slow shuttles so I can improve with the U-Wing.

But... it still seems like some lists are far too lethal and I'll never be able to compete unless I play the same ships as everyone else. This has me a little worried about my future with the game because it's not something I want to do. I obviously have improving to do as a pilot but I'm not sure that can ever make up for what some of these card combinations can do.

Don't give up hope unless what you really want is to compete at the very tip of the top-tier. You can definitely take some B and C level lists to formal events and do fine and have fun, just don't expect to make the Final Cut.

I would strongly suggest practicing on vassal, the more you play the better you will understand the game and play. Experience and skill will carry you pretty far. But as in any game this complex, some ships and builds will be more cost-effective.

Yeah, I won't give up yet. I'm not hugely competitive anyway so being smash in some games doesn't bother me too much. My favourite thing about gaming in general has always been playing thematic stuff anyway.

I think I jumped into quite a good-quality local scene as well, everyone seems to have a very good idea what they're doing!

That initial learning curve can be daunting. Depending on your local store format dont be afraid to ask your opponent to bust out a casual list or to play with a handicap. Some of the most enjoyable games I have played were 50-60pts of my list vs 100pts of the best they came up with. I still played to win and pkayed my heart out but if I judged the handicap right they will win by the hair on their chinny chin chin.

Good practice for both of us.

Dash can't shoot from obstacles. He only ignores them during activation/performing actions.

Oh, pretty sure that happened. Wouldn't have made a difference probably, but I'll remember for next time!

On rocks he cannot shoot, on debris he can.

Having played you (Hi Ian! It's Ian here!), I think that you have a sound grasp of the basics of play. The group you're in are very good and often have players who expect to make cuts at big events, so the standard is pretty high.

There are lists that will stomp all over you - unless you out-fly them, which is hard when you're fairly new. Bossk & Ketsu is strong but can be beaten, even with 2 T-70s and a U. The problem comes when they out-fly you!

And Bossk & Ketsu also have some poor matchups. With experience, you will beat lists that you currently see no way of beating; on the other hand, there are certain ships (cough Jumpmasters cough) which are more powerful than others, so if player skill is even, they should win.

I have chosen not to use Jumpmasters or Imperials (except Decimators), just because I don't like those ships (or relying on green dice), so I fly ships I like flying and practice as much as I can (which is not often enough) with them, with the result that I can beat lists I should lose to if their player hasn't practiced them. Losing whilst enjoying myself is fine - I learn a lot more from games I lose!