Tomorrow I am going to my first X-Wing event, and I'm starting to overthink things.

I have a Vader list that I have a lot of experience with, but is pretty fragile, and I am second guessing taking it. It looks like this:

Vader: Title, Predetor, ATC, EU

Inq: Title, PTL, Autothrusters

Deathfire: LWF, EM, Cluster Mines, Concussion Missiles

I know it's a it out of vogue, and, though accuracy is not a problem, it is a bit fragile. So, I've put together some scum lists with ships that I have flown a lot.

List 1:

N'Dru: Lone Wolf

Kavil: Expertise, Blaster Turret, Unhinged Astromech

Bossk: A Score to Settle, Mangler Cannon, K4, 4-LOM, Zuckuss, EU

List 2:

Kaa'to: Attanni

Fenn: Attanni, Title, Autothrusters

Dengar: Attanni, Title, Unhinged Astromech, K4

I have no illusions of grandeur, but I do want to win a couple of games tomorrow. I'll take any advise you can give me.

Thanks in advance.

If this is your first event, then I think you should go in with the expectation of it being a 'learning experience'. So don't expect to win the whole thing (although if you do, that will be a nice bonus!)

So with that in mind, I would fly the list that you feel the most comfortable with, regardless of what the meta is or what you expect to face.

Now onto the lists:

Imperial---I feel like this list would be improved by dropping LWF from Deathfire and giving him Homing Missile + Long-range scanners. You probably won't fire more than one missile, but that's probably okay because it will more than likely do better damage than currently. Otherwise, I think the list is fine and should do well. If you are very comfortable with these ships and good at predicting enemy moves, you will most likely finish quite well.

Scum 1: I don't see the point of this list. Its just 3 random scum ships thrown together. I don't think you will do very well with this list since its got nothing going for it...

Scum 2: A 'tried and true' mindlink list; its easy to fly and easy to remember abilities (kind of a plus if you are even a bit nervous!). I think if you ran this you should do fine. The advantage of running this over the Imperial list is that it will probably be a little more forgiving if you make a silly mistake (sometimes happens when you are nervous!)

Whatever you choose, good luck!

55 minutes ago, blade_mercurial said:

Whatever you choose, good luck!

Thanks! I am a little more familiar with the imperial list, but I'll go ahead with Scum 2.

Scum 2 comes in at 98 points to try for an initiative bid for Fenn and Dengar. I had considered running a cloaking device on Kaa'to for some added repositioning and survivability, but I don't think I need it.

I've been working on the Scum 1 list for a while, and am not yet comfortable with it for obvious reasons. You're right--there's no real synergy; I'm looking for some tanky, accurate scum, and that's just the best I could come up with.

Thanks again for the tips!

I agree with Blade mercurials answar. Do not play Scum 1 list. Its a bad list. Play either the imperial or Scum 2. Both are good lists. Reguarding choice between the two lists. Fly the list, that you have most experience flying and you think you will have most fun flying

First tournement is a learning experience. Do not blame the dice. You learn most from your mistakes. Learn all you can about strategy and positioning your ships right - and have fun. Chat with the other players and stay and watch the final games, if you not playing them. Watching really good players in action is a good learning experience. Do not look at the game as a better list beating a weaker list - its a better strategy beating a weaker strategy like 80% of the time. Have fun

And if flying the imperiel list - change predator on Vader with expertise its way better

*sigh* This is hard. Got some practice in tonight. Flew Scum 2 and it became a little obvious that I hadn't flown it much. Back to the Imperial list for me.

Switching out Predetor on Vader for Expertise, and still have a two point bid.

Question: I could go for a four point bid if I drop LWF and Concussion Missiles for GC and Proton Rockets. What should I do? The extra agility is nice, but so is the extra firepower.

What I would field is this 98 point list:

Vader, Expertise, title, ATC, EU (38)
The Inquisitor, PTL, Proton Rockets, title, AT (34)
Deathfire, EM, Plasma Tropedoes, Cluster Mines, Long Range Scanners (26)

I honestly do not think expertise is better on vader. Predator gives you something you most of the time won't have; Rerolls. Expertise is nice and all, but predator gives you more options when you have locked something, plus it also works when you k-turn.

I would probably go for something like this if you are so inclined;

The Inquisitor (25)
Push the Limit (3)
Proton Rockets (3)
Autothrusters (2)
TIE/v1 (1)

Darth Vader (29)
Predator (3)
Advanced Targeting Computer (1)
Engine Upgrade (4)
TIE/x1 (0)

"Deathfire" (17)
Extra Munitions (2)
Concussion Missiles (4)
Cluster Mines (4)
Long-Range Scanners (0)

Total: 98

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

It gives you a good bid (I haven¨t met anyone flying 98 lists for a while now), and inquisitor has prockets.

I do not wholly agree with Modern Penguins point about taking predator on Expertise on Vader. Its a valid point, that Vader uses his TL for thr crit and he therefore do not get any rerolls otherwise and Predator is one point cheaper, but you will not want to K-turn with Vader if you are in the line of fire like ever! Because you loose two actions - you rather turn and barrelroll+boost or focus+evade ending up with no stress. I my opinion both are good, but for me its a question of initiative bid.

I would however never put concussion missiles on Deathfire. I rather save a point for initiative bid and use plasma, that potential does five damage on big ships with lots of shields. If you want to upgrade the missile/tropedo damage, then put homing missiles on - its way better then concussion for one more point.

My advice will be either to go with Expertise on Vader and Plasma on Deathfire - or Predator on Vader and homing on Deathfire

Okay, I think I have it.

Imperial: 99

Deathfire: LRS, Cluster Mines, Extra Munitions, Homing Misiles

Vader: Title, ATC, EU, Predetor

Inq: Title, PTL, Autothrusters, Advanced Homing Missiles

Edit: I didn't have Proton Rockets on hand, so I went for AHM.

Did alright. Out of the four games, I managed to win one. Would have won another, but I made a silly mistake in the first game. Overall, had a great first tournament experience--can't wait to go try again.

I really like the list, but am thinking about switching out Deathfire for Tomax. Something like this:

Tomax: Crack Shot, Unguided Rockets, LWF

The Inquisitor would have to lose his ordnance, but I never really used it.

Thoughts?

Congrats and that you made mistakes are good, because its from them one learns

There is arguments for both Deathfire and Tomax, but I think its a good Tomax build and I like you got a strong 3 point initiative bid in this high PS list, so I would not change it any way

1 hour ago, Everyday Ace said:

Congrats and that you made mistakes are good, because its from them one learns

There is arguments for both Deathfire and Tomax, but I think its a good Tomax build and I like you got a strong 3 point initiative bid in this high PS list, so I would not change it any way

Thanks! It was a lot of fun.

Just for the sake of clarity, do you think I should switch to Tomax?

Edit: I was also thinking of Kagi with a Rebel Captive.

Kagi will limit your offensive capabilities, is less maneuverble and does nothing importent for the rest of your list, so I would not include him.

Tomax or Deathfire? I am considering the below two builds, which are both great:
Deathfire: LRS, Cluster Mines, Extra Munitions, Homing Misiles (28)
Tomax: Crack Shot, Unguided Rockets, LWF (29)

There is no question i my mind, that Deathfire is harder to fly due to his low PS and you have to choose who to target lock with long range scanners before you engage - on the other hand homing missilles hits harder (one die more) and wil be modified by both target lock and focus, which amounts to so much more damage and with Bombs the damage can not be evaded, which easily kills aces. Futhermore Deathfires makes it easier to hit with bombs.
Tomax is easy to fly due to his high PS. The high PS, reposition at high PS and LWF can improve his survivability. His never ending supply of Crack Shot makes his two attack dice rather good and gets boosted by the cruiser missiles at range 3.
The decision is if you will go for high risk and great damage with Deathfire or lower damage with a more survivable Tomax. Tomax is the more safe and easier bet, while Deathfire is more challenging and risky, but with great reward in form of potential damage dealt - what do you want?
The most importent thing is to choose one and fly it over and over again for at least 6 games, then ask yourself - what you works for you and what does not? How would you like to change your list in presence of your experience of the 6+ games?

Deathfire is much more challenging. Getting a new TL when the first target dies, switching between mines and missiles, and just getting your mines in the right spot can be tricky sometimes. But oh god he can mulch things much more expensive than he is.

Cruise missiles is another choice for him if you think you can swing them, the bomber's 5k is attractive for it but they're harder to use than homings.

Going to try out Tomax this week. I'll let you know how it goes.

My thought for Kagi is that keeping target locks off of Vader and Inq would make them more survivable, and he would draw more fire in the early game--meaning that my aces would go unmolested for a good chunk of the match.

Tomax does seem like a better idea, though, so I'll be sticking with that for a while just to see what happens. I do like Deathfire better, and have been flying him for a while--but I have yet to reliably use the bombs well. Homing missiles were a blast though.

Mabey you do not know how to use the bombs on Deathfire? If you do not, this is how: In the planning face, when you are close to your opponent (which will probably be higher PS, so you know exactly where the ships are and move first), you plan your maneuver in such a way, that your maneuver plus Deathfires barrelroll action will put him in a position, where he can use the free bomb action from his pilot ability to drop the Clusters right on your opponent and "Bang"
When you move first and can barrel roll and bomb before the opponent moves there is like nowhere to run for your opponent.

Yeah. Love the barrel roll into bombing. Think I just need some more practice .

Going to another tournament tomorrow and taking the same list, but haven't decided whether to take Tomax or Deathfire.

Playtested Tomax against a Boba/Asajj list, and didn't do super well, but it was a rushed game and I was making a lot of mistakes.

What do you guys think? Tomax or Deathfire?

I was happy with how the last tournament went, but would like to get a few more wins this time!

Any advice?

If your heart is set on fielding a bomber, your Deathfire build from earlier is going to do better for you, imho. If you've got room, try Cruise Missiles on your Inquisitor.

On 7/23/2017 at 5:54 PM, Everyday Ace said:

Mabey you do not know how to use the bombs on Deathfire? If you do not, this is how: In the planning face, when you are close to your opponent (which will probably be higher PS, so you know exactly where the ships are and move first), you plan your maneuver in such a way, that your maneuver plus Deathfires barrelroll action will put him in a position, where he can use the free bomb action from his pilot ability to drop the Clusters right on your opponent and "Bang"
When you move first and can barrel roll and bomb before the opponent moves there is like nowhere to run for your opponent.

Yeah, the tricky bit is getting to that position in the first place.