I was feeling bummed with playing meta lists, so I took something less common to my first store champ, a Firespray, figuring I'd at least have fun. It worked better than expected. Being addicted to flying different stuff all the time, I'm now looking for something else I could sink my teeth into.

The rules:

1. It cannot be a scum list. I've flown well over half of my games with scum ships and I feel like I should use my other plastic toys.
2. I'd rather not just copy from other winning lists.
3. I still want something competitive.
4. While synergy is fine, I'd rather not have a list that breaks down if one ship gets shot down, I generally play aggressive, so ships will die.
5. Bonus points if it includes the following ships, which I've never flown outside of my house: U-wing, YT-2400, Rebel TIE, TIE interceptor (I know I missed the window!), TIE Punisher, Upsilon shuttle.

I'm welcoming any crazy thoughts that you wanted to try but don't dare bust out for a store champ because you'd prefer a safer bet. I've still got a month until my next planned one, so I have time to torture my son test many lists with my son to see what I find fun to fly while prepping him for the store championship too.

I'm currently mulling something with Rey, if only because I have the alt art now, and it'd be nice to use it. Dash Miranda would be fun, if it hadn't won all those store championships already...

Then, I present unto you, THE ALMIGHTY SARLAAC.

The Almighty Sarlaac

Blue Squadron Pathfinder - U-Wing

• Fire Control System
• Hera Syndulla
• Jan Ors
• Pivot Wing Title
• Tactical Jammer

Biggs Darklighter - X-Wing

• R2-D2
• Integrated Astromech

Ten Numb - B-Wing

• Veteran Instincts
• Advanced Sensors
• "Mangler" Cannon
• B-Wing/E2
• Jyn Erso

To start with I am dialing a "0" stop on entertaining any conversation about wording, RAW vs RAI, and FAQ clarifications on U-Wing interactions with their Title. Let that be known.

This list gets set up like a fortress in one corner of the board, so it is best to plan ahead and R2 corner a large asteroid in the corner you want to hide in and then R1 the next two largest obstructions you can get your hands on off that asteroid.

Set up: Biggs & Ten must be set up at perfect 45 degree angles pointed out of one corner of the board edge, as far back as you can fit them. The BSP must be placed so a hard 2 maneuver will cause it to crash squarely into these two ships. Now you must do this in reverse order, of course, so practice at home so you know how you must set up. Round 1 assign a hard 2 to the BSP (and check to make sure your title is on "Pivot Wing (Landing)") and 1 forwards to Biggs and Ten. Round 2 assign a "0" stop to the BSP, when you reveal this maneuver rotate your base 180 degrees, and then execute the revealed maneuver. Until Biggs dies the U-Wing continually reveals and executes "0" stop maneuvers thanks to Hera's crew ability to perform red maneuvers even while stressed (and thus ignore the rules pertaining to red maneuvers and stress). Continue to dial in 1 forwards with Biggs and Ten, when enemy ships are in range use Advanced Sensors on Ten to perform the Jyn Erso action and target Biggs for extra protection.

Known weaknesses: Ion based weapons that target the U-Wing, any TL fired missile or torpedo that ignores Biggs Darklighter's pilot ability, and Kylo Ren's condition card (Stunned Pilot on Biggs...). You may be shamed/disowned by friends and family.

Know strengths: You don't have to make this list a fortress for it to be potent, you can fly it around normally and set up a temporary fortress anywhere on the battlefield. This can really mess with aces if you set yourself up in the middle of obstructions. This list has surprised both myself and friends in regards to the lists it has defeated...

I took this list with two K-Wings and U-Wing to Regionals earlier this year and had a good time (20th place out of 70+ players): http://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Rebel Alliance&d=v4!s!142:-1,126,-1,-1,40,138,24:-1:16:;142:-1,126,-1,-1,139,127,24:-1:16:;237:36,-1,166,201:47:-1:U.24&sn=Blue Bombers&obs=

You sir are providing me with too much fun:

In the Bath with a Toaster

Rexler Brath - TIE Defender

• Snap Shot
• TIE/x7
• Twin Ion Engine Mk. II

Gamma Squadron Veteran - TIE Bomber

• Snap Shot
• TIE Shuttle
• Lightweight Frame
• Operations Specialist
• Fleet Officer

Black Squadron Pilot - TIE Fighter

• Snap Shot

Black Squadron Pilot - TIE Fighter

• Snap Shot

While using his action, plus fleet officer, plus (hopefully) some missed shots with Snap Shot you should have NO PROBLEM getting enough focus tokens on Brath.

Known Weaknesses: Stress, Tractor Beams, Bombs, and not flying Brath outside Range 1 behind everyone else...

Known Strengths: Faceup damage, brutal against VCX-100 and Decimators (obviously) and fun to fly. Not to mention 3 defense dice with evade, focus, focus, and (potentially) even more focus tokens is hard to hit.

1 minute ago, EdgeOfDreams said:

I took this list with two K-Wings and U-Wing to Regionals earlier this year and had a good time (20th place out of 70+ players): http://geordanr.github.io/xwing/?f=Rebel Alliance&d=v4!s!142:-1,126,-1,-1,40,138,24:-1:16:;142:-1,126,-1,-1,139,127,24:-1:16:;237:36,-1,166,201:47:-1:U.24&sn=Blue Bombers&obs=

Love it, I would probably do 2x Bombardiers rather than have Intelligence Agent but can't argue with 20th out of 70+ record!

2 minutes ago, ZealuxMyr said:

Love it, I would probably do 2x Bombardiers rather than have Intelligence Agent but can't argue with 20th out of 70+ record!

Intelligence Agent is critical; don't drop it. You need it to know when to drop your seismics and when to save them. It can also help a lot with getting the right positioning for your action bombs and blocking or arc dodging with SLAM. In my extensive experience with K-Wings, Bombardier is not actually as helpful as it first appears.

3 minutes ago, EdgeOfDreams said:

Intelligence Agent is critical; don't drop it. You need it to know when to drop your seismics and when to save them. It can also help a lot with getting the right positioning for your action bombs and blocking or arc dodging with SLAM. In my extensive experience with K-Wings, Bombardier is not actually as helpful as it first appears.

My list preference with K-Wings, which I have flown with great success, has 2 Wardens - one with Bombardier and one with Sabine - and 1 stresshog BTL Y-Wing. All are packing thermal dets, K-wings have Cluster mines also. I do not fly turrets on my K-Wings. My personal opinion and experience lends to Bombardier, though not used in every match having the option helps dearly. But, to each their own

Biggs - r2-f2, stealth device (or take sd off and run finn on thane)

Thane - r2-d6, swarm leader, jyn(or Finn), vectored thrusters, alliance overhaul

Ahsoka Tie fighter - sabines masterpiece, VI, Rey

Captain Rex

This list puts some effort into keeping Biggs alive so i can safely get swarm leader off without worrying about my tie fighters getting taken down. But doesnt rely or go all in trying to do so. Stock up a few focus tokens with rey before combat if able, use R2-f2 with biggs, give Biggs a focus with Ahsoka, all the while Thane is getting 3-4 actions normally after opponents shots and can use jyn to give biggs more focus to protect him. Ive added Finn one game to use because swarm leader isn't as likely to pull off after initial volley and turning ships around. Finn would be a good sub esp for the back arc shots

I know this build with Biggs is a lil unorthodox but 4-5 defence dice and focuses with Biggs and he can b hard to take down. Some lists will be hard to go against for biggs and low PS lists will also hurt Thanes action economy.

I've flown this list about 10 times and have won all but one. Ive won games where i didn't use swarm leader more than once, a game where i only got reroll from finn twice and still won. Won with just ahsoka and rex left against a regen red ace (had no business winning that game though). Won with just my arc. Won games where biggs was still alive bc he was a beast on his green dice.

Im taking it to a SC this weekend. I don't think itll win or anything but im rly hoping its competitive bc it has been so far, and its fun.

Hipster list you say?

Alll the cool kids are flying T-65s and although his mustache is undeniably hipsterish, Biggs needs to stay at home so he can pickle his kale.

I had much fun playing this:

Corran, Expertise, FCS, R5-P9, Hull

Ahsoka, VI, Captured tie

Kyle Katarn, VI, TLT, RecSpec, Moldy Crow

3 hours ago, BlodVargarna said:

Hipster list you say?

Alll the cool kids are flying T-65s and although his mustache is undeniably hipsterish, Biggs needs to stay at home so he can pickle his kale.

Oh, I have a janky T-65 list without Biggs ready to go, I just highly doubt it's actually competitive! It'd melt to Dengar/Tel...

Luke always gets a TL, Wedge does BB8 things to have focus and TL, and Tarn is just a nuisance you don't want to shoot at, lest he fires back with his torp after getting you to reroll that attack dice.

If it's Dengar/Tel you're worried about:

• Horton Salm - Veteran Instincts, Proton Torpedoes, Extra Munitions, Twin Laser Turret R2-D6, Guidance Chips
• Airen Cracken - Veteran Instincts, Concussion Missiles, Guidance Chips
• Wedge Antilles - Adaptability, Proton Torpedoes, R2-D2, Guidance Chips

Fragile as hell, but stands pretty good odds of blowing dengar to dust bunnies at PS10!

The other squad I kind of want to try:

Revenge of the 2-dice attacks

• Mauler Mithel - Snap Shot
• Black Squadron Pilot - Snap Shot x 5

I don't have a u-wing, but if I did, this is the list I would love to try:

Corran Horn w/ PTL, FCS, engine & R2-D2 = 48

Biggs w/ R4-D6 & integrated = 26

Heff Tobber w/ Zeb, title & tactical jammer = 26

100

The 'trick' is Zeb on Heff + Biggs flying in behind. When you block the enemy formation with Heff, he will have TL + focus and due to Zeb, can shoot the ship that bumps him. However, the enemy cannot shoot back at Heff if Biggs is also in their firing arc (and tactical jammer gives Biggs +1 green). It would actually be nice if there was one more point available to stick enhanced scopes on Heff, or even another two points for Leebo. However, that would require dropping Corran down to something else, and I think Corran is just perfect here...

Here are a few, Ive play tested two of them and they get my approval. Double Falcons is on my to do list whenever I have the time, lol. But feel free if it intrigues you.

Rey/Cassian

Rey (45) w/ Expert Handling (2), Finn (5), Zeb Orrelios (1), Millennium Falcon (TFA) (1), Engine Upgrade (4)

Cassian Andor (27) w/ Veteran Instincts (1), Fire Control Systems (2), Gunner (5), Operation Specialist (3),Engine Upgrade (4), Pivot Wing (0)

Total: 100

Ran this in Vassal league and it was solid. Also, flew a few times on tables versus brobots, and parattanni variants and beat them both. In Vassal league I beat triple defenders. Nobody wants to block Rey with Zeb on board. Cassian lets her kturn or sloop every round. Cassian with VI, shoots first, misses, tosses a focus to Rey if she needs it (i.e. blocked by a jumpmaster and can shoot them range 1 with Zeb ). Cassian then has gunner fcs for his second shot. Engines on both lets them zoom around. Both at PS8 lets them close in on Dash.

---------------------

Rey/Chewie

Rey (45) w/ Wired (1), Finn (5), Hera Syndulla (1), Inertial Dampeners (1), Smuggling Compartment (0),Millennium Falcon (TFA) (1)

Chewbacca (42) w/ A Score to Settle (0), C-3PO (3), "Chopper" (0), Rigged Cargo Chute (1), Smuggling Compartment (0)

Total: 100

Dont want a Uwing? Try double Falcons! Rey has many ways to stress herself, with kturns, sloops, and dampners, even debris. She then has full re-rerolling mods on her attacks and defense in arc. Chewie has score to settle since crits dont work on him and Rey will be target #1, with C3PO defense and a rigged cargo chute for Miranda lists, etc. Chopper allows him to kturn and drop a chute if need be, to catch an Expertise Dengar off guard. A list I have been wanting to try, but have not gotten around to it.

---------------------

Big Bang Theory

Kylo Ren (34) w/ Rage (1), Advanced Sensors (3), Inspiring Recruit (1), Inspiring Recruit (1), Kylo Ren's Shuttle (2)

"Backdraft" (27) w/ Wingman (2), Fire-Control System (2), Lightweight Frame (2), Special Ops Training (0)

"Pure Sabacc" (22) w/ Veteran Instincts (1), Lightweight Frame (2), Adaptive Ailerons (0)

Total: 100

Backdraft and Kylo are bosom buddies. Kylo adv sensors rages, and can clear it with a green, or can do a white/or red maneuver and backdraft with wingman clears all the stress. Kylo can adv sensor rage and stop and clear all stress with wingman. Sabaac flanks. Opponent has to decide, take shots from sabaac, or turn their back on Upsilon raging out. Only 1 game in with it, and it was brutal. Opponent went for Upsilon, and Sabaac tore him up. By the time the Ups was gone he had one ship left (regenning Norra) and Sabaac basically solo'd her in 3 rounds as backdraft was turning around and came in for the kill shot. Backdraft was never fired upon cause he is the least threatening in the list, lol.

Oh hell be silly!

Stridan and the TIEs... of course if you say it right it flows to the tune of an Elton John Song......

Braylen with Luke, R3-A2 and title

Rookie with R2 and IA x 3

I've done well with it (2nd out of 28 at a Q1) and it would be interesting to see how someone else does with it.

If you are going to be a real hipster, I think Jek needs to make an appearance.