Hey everyone. I'm new to the game. Was attracted by the great looking miniatures for display but then played a game and got hooked. Only played a few times though due to my rural location.

I'm an Original Trilogy purist. Was there opening night in '77 so I enjoy the ships from the OT. The T-65 is probably my favorite ship of all Sci-fi. Because of that, I really want to play with a T-65 squad for fun. This is the list I've come up with:

94 points

Wedge Antilles

R5-P9

Swarm Tactics

Luke Skywalker

R2-D2

Veteran Instincts

Graven Dreis

R2-D6

A Score To Settle

I like this squad for the following reasons:

* 94 points should give me the initiative

* Luke with VI brings PS to10 gives him first shot

* Wedge at PS9 can use Swarm Tactics to give Draven hopefully the next shot allowing him to spend a Focus and pass it to Wedge. Wedge then has a Focus to spend on an attack or an extra focus to recover a shield.

*Wedge, Luke and "A Score to Settle" offer some decent die manipulation.

*Luke and Wedge have some survivability with their shield recovery.

What I don't like:

*Graven is kind of the key with his Focus handout but he has no survivability Take him out and Wedge becomes an easier target.

I thought about swapping Biggs in for Wedge to draw fire and recharge his shields but don't like the lower PS. He and Graven would be well down the pecking order to shoot if against an Elite Squad.

Any suggestions on tweaking this squad?

Alright. So the first thing is Graven should be Biggs. If you are running a guy to keep Wedge and Luke alive, then run the standard Biggs. Also, Wes is much better in the current meta than Wedge. I know I am changing a lot of you list but I think the following is better overall and you still have 3 T-65s:

The main problem is you are only using T-65s, but I am guessing you know that already. Best of luck.

If you don't mind using BB-8 and own other expansions then:

Luke: Expertise, R2-D2, IA

Wedge: PTL, BB-8, IA/EU

Biggs: R4-D6, IA

Or the Classic Wes, Wedge, Luke:

Wes: VI/Adaptability, R3-A2, IA

Wedge: PTL, BB-8, IA

Luke: LW/other, R2-D2, IA

I don't know about your meta but where I am 94 is a crazy bid! I haven't seen anything below 98 since Dengaroo went out of style, and even that was only 96. Whenever you make a bid you should examine what you've got, and determine whether initiative is worth more that say, a shield or engine upgrade. Also without post maneuver mobility (boost/barrel roll) or 'gotta shoot first' mechanics ( Wes Jansen ) choice of initiative is only of value to the extent that you deny your opponent their preference.

Make sure you put Integrated Astromech on each ship.

Thanks for the tips guys. Not sure what you guys mean about Meta. I'm guessing that's the average points per squad in my area? I'm in a rural area. Have only found about 5 players in the local area. Next closest players are an hour away. The guy I played this past Monday had 96 points and he whooped me!

I've been practicing against myself with this squad and done well so far. Yeah, I know, not a real fair fight on the movement part but the rest should be about right.

Thanks for the reminder of IA. That's a nice 0 point add on.

When someone brings up "The Meta" they're talking about the kinds of lists that are flown. Each local meta is a littlr different from the forumsame meta that gets discussed on here.

To expand on what TheDoctor said, meta refers to the broad categories of lists that are popular such as Turrets, Aces, Jousters, Bombers, Jank/synergy etc. A part of that does indeed include what the usual point bids are as some lists rely on getting/giving initiative.

'The Meta' that gets talked about most on the forums is observed through tournament results, especially the winners of premier tournaments.

When I say 'my meta' I'm talking about the kinds of lists I see played by my friends and people in local tournaments. Likewise if I ask/comment about 'your meta' it's referring to your opponents

Can you recall what was the matchup where you got trounced by a 96 point list? What were you flying vs. what they were flying. It doesn't need to be a complete list of cards since just pilot names can give people a general sense of the list, but the more details the better!

On 5/21/2017 at 10:55 PM, nitrobenz said:

To expand on what TheDoctor said, meta refers to the broad categories of lists that are popular such as Turrets, Aces, Jousters, Bombers, Jank/synergy etc. A part of that does indeed include what the usual point bids are as some lists rely on getting/giving initiative.

'The Meta' that gets talked about most on the forums is observed through tournament results, especially the winners of premier tournaments.

When I say 'my meta' I'm talking about the kinds of lists I see played by my friends and people in local tournaments. Likewise if I ask/comment about 'your meta' it's referring to your opponents

Can you recall what was the matchup where you got trounced by a 96 point list? What were you flying vs. what they were flying. It doesn't need to be a complete list of cards since just pilot names can give people a general sense of the list, but the more details the better!

I really don't remember his full list. It was imperial and had the Inquisitor and a Tie Striker. I don't remember the other two.

I've still not had a chance to play since I originally posted. The local players haven't been able to coordinate lately but that may change so and so is my list. I'm about to post a new topic about some league play we're trying to start. Would love input. https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/250820-noob-league-list/

Bit late to the party, but since this thread is back up, we've got a Triple T-65 thread going, so you might find some ideas in there.

If you want a chance to practice against not yourself, there are a few online simulators, with http://xws-bench.github.io/bench/# being the easiest to use, but having some...questionable interpretations of the rules at times.

Generally that 96 bid is because his list didn't need anything else points wise/could really use a bid. He also likely whooped you, not because of his initiative bid, but because of his experience, and your relative newness to the game.

Also, welcome!

What do you have in your collection?

Have you checked out the online squad builders? You can proxy (use upgrades you don't have cards for) when you play with friends (or frenemies).

24 minutes ago, BlodVargarna said:

What do you have in your collection?

Have you checked out the online squad builders? You can proxy (use upgrades you don't have cards for) when you play with friends (or frenemies).

I was collecting the miniatures before I started playing so I have at least one of almost all. I have been toying with online squad builders but there's so many choices of ships, pilots and upgrades. It's tough to decide. What sounds good to me does seem to work according to experienced. I've yet to really grasp how each card plays and what triggers them.

10 minutes ago, drail14me said:

I was collecting the miniatures before I started playing so I have at least one of almost all. I have been toying with online squad builders but there's so many choices of ships, pilots and upgrades. It's tough to decide. What sounds good to me does seem to work according to experienced. I've yet to really grasp how each card plays and what triggers them.

Finding out good interactions with the upgrades just comes with experience.

I recommend playing around with squad builder websites and apps. It will help you figure out all the ins and outs. And of course getting games in.

16 minutes ago, BlodVargarna said:

. And of course getting games in.

This is proving to be the difficult part. I'm in a rural area with less than a dozen not so active players. Gonna give Vassal a try Tuesday. Also hope our local players get more active with a league plan they have going.