Hello folks!

I've had a couple ideas for a possible Resistance A-Wing kicking around in my head. I thought I'd share them with everyone. I've only got one pilot outlined, the PS2 generic. That way folks can get a good sense of the baseline I wanted to establish. Other pilots can come along later. Ready? Here we go!

Image found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufOnExEUY5c

Notes: This is my take on a possible resistance A-Wing. I wanted to keep it very similar to the standard A-Wing, while also giving it a few more options. Ideally, both would be viable, and both would have upgrades that would help the other version. For instance, this A-Wing would be able to equip both the A-Wing Test Pilot and Chardaan Refit cards.
I think the Chardaan Refit upgrade would need an errata to become "limited", as otherwise the Mark 2 A-Wing would be able to equip 2 of them, letting it become objectively better than both the standard A-Wing and the TIE F/O, with which it also shares design space.

Notes:
The A-Wing and the TIE F/O have two of the best dials in the game. This A-Wing should be similar, but- as the Mark 2 A-Wing costs more, this A-Wing should have a very slightly better dial.
I've chosen to emphasize the power of its engines in maneuverability, rather than in pure speed. Therefore it can clear stress on speed 1 maneuvers, while also being able to go _fast_. I'm honestly not sure how useful the white K-Turn on the 1 speed will end up being, but it should find some utility.
I am very much tempted to give it white sloops, but that feels like overkill.

Image:
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Phoenix_Squadron

Notes:
I _really_ wanted the standard A-Wing to have access to the Tech upgrade, but didn't want to effectively make them cost 2 points extra, nor did I want to make the Chardaan refit obsolete by giving another card a -2 point cost.
So: the Phoenix Upgrade costs more than the Chardaan Refit, but becomes equal in value when 2 upgrade cards are purchased, and is a better value when 3 upgrade cards are purchased. This should help pilots like Tycho Celchu and Jake Farrell, while not being overly strong.
It also allows the Mark 2 A-Wing the opportunity to take either 2 tech upgrades or the 1 tech upgrade and Chardaaan refit. I think that makes it an interesting set of choices that help to make it different from the standard A-Wing.

Image from:
http://www.starwars.com/databank/a-wing-fighter

Notes:
The Extra Munitions is a godsend. Unfortunately, it doesn't help ships that have a single munitions slot, or that lack a second torpedo slot to get value from that upgrade.
This upgrade helps with that, by allowing ships with the tech upgrade and a munitions slot (currently only the T-70 and TIE SF, alongside my A-Wing Mark 2) to get that bonus munition use. It also lets pilots with upgrades such as "crackshot" or "cool hand" to get an extra use from a card they're giving up their EPT slot for. Extended Operations actually increases the cost of those cards, from 1 point per use to 1.5 points per use.
Also note that if you're instructed to discard any of those upgrades for reasons _other_ than being instructed to by the upgrade card (IE: Boba Fett Crew, or certain damage cards), Extended Operations would not help you.

So: that's my initial take on updating the classic A-Wing for the Resistance. I think it has its own niche, compliments the existing A-Wing without replacing it on the table, and provides at least one interesting upgrade for ships with the tech slot. What do you folks think?

Update: I created a pilot card for Snap, it's down on this post:

I don't like the Phoenix squadron adding the tech, it doesn't feel thematic. Name it resistance refit (or something like that) and I like it a bit more, but then I might want it to do something else other stuff. The P.S. 2 seems fair though, but I'd have to try it on the table to determine how good the dial makes. Extended operations is really nice, but you might want to make it 3 points as to correct for the EPT clause, and not make it the same thing as EM.

I really hope the new A-wing doesn't get test pilot. Not thematic and not needed probably.

1 speed hard T-Rolls please

Some similar ideas to what I had for the new A-Wing. I really like your take. Just not a fan of the 1 white k-turn or the Phoenix refit. Should have a native tech slot. You were definitely more generous with the greens than I was. I prefer your dial colouring to what I had thought out.

Good stuff!

I'm assuming the Mk2 is having 2 missile slots, correct? For unguided, but adding limited to refit to prevent -4.

I don't know about changing the A-wing's dial that much. I would add the 3 s-loops (white?) and possibly remove the 3-k add 2 T-rolls (red). I'm not sure about adding 1 speed moves (ship is supposed to be too fast). What if it had a red 1 straight?

I like your extended operations (maybe introduce a new tech token) but it might need to be 3 points to account for both crackshot and extra munitions (2 shouldn't be broken though, but we would need to look at any possible future munitions ships with tech slots)

A thematic Phoenix refit would probably remove shields and reduce agility by 2. But a resistance refit would most likely keep the tech slot out (those are for post TFA ships only), but adding a system slot would be ok. The new A-wing will come with a native tech slot. A tech and system slot would be fun with an A wing dial.

I would also remove the EPT, but keep PS2 at 19 points so it can still get a single EPT (test pilot) with a potential base after 17 points (with refit) so it is essentially an prototype A-wing with a slightly better dial, 1PS higher, a tech slot and an EPT for 2 extra points (good deal).

I really like you didn't add a shield, that's almost always a given, but it would make the ship too expensive for what it could do in today's game (not enough consistent firepower)

1 hour ago, BlueSquadronPilot said:

Some similar ideas to what I had for the new A-Wing. I really like your take. Just not a fan of the 1 white k-turn or the Phoenix refit. Should have a native tech slot. You were definitely more generous with the greens than I was. I prefer your dial colouring to what I had thought out.

Good stuff!

Thanks!

Just to clarify: my A-Wing Mark 2 does have a native tech slot, in addition to the A-Wing only upgrade that trades a missile slot for a tech slot.

The idea is that the Mark 2 can have either 2 tech slots, or a tech slot chardaan refit. But that the original A-Wing can also be upgraded.

2 hours ago, Do I need a Username said:

I don't like the Phoenix squadron adding the tech, it doesn't feel thematic. Name it resistance refit (or something like that) and I like it a bit more, but then I might want it to do something else other stuff.

Interesting! I was thinking that the Resistance might like a call back to the original Rebellion, and so name things accordingly. If people really hate the name, I might call it "Black Squadron Refit", as at least one A-Wing flew with Black Squadron.

2 hours ago, RufusDaMan said:

I really hope the new A-wing doesn't get test pilot. Not thematic and not needed probably.

The only way it doesn't is if FFG very specifically doesn't put "A-wing" in the ship name, or split the factions so "Rebel only" means Resistance ships can't have it.

55 minutes ago, DR4CO said:

The only way it doesn't is if FFG very specifically doesn't put "A-wing" in the ship name, or split the factions so "Rebel only" means Resistance ships can't have it.

If the rebel only clause is true, then you can't have Kanan crew on a Rey Falcon , etc. etc. But you can. They'll most likely do the title for the new A-wing similarly how the Black one title is T-70 X wing only.

The new A-wing probably has some funky new designation like RZA-2 or something.

33 minutes ago, FlyingAnchors said:

If the rebel only clause is true, then you can't have Kanan crew on a Rey Falcon , etc. etc. But you can. They'll most likely do the title for the new A-wing similarly how the Black one title is T-70 X wing only.

The new A-wing probably has some funky new designation like RZA-2 or something.

That would work to restrict something to the new ship without letting the old one have it, but wouldn't work the other way around. An "RZA-2 A-wing" would still count as an A-wing for in-game purposes.

The only way to keep it to just the old one is either a "because we say so" FAQ entry, or calling the ship just "RZA-2 Fighter" (or whatever the designation happens to be).

1 minute ago, DR4CO said:

That would work to restrict something to the new ship without letting the old one have it, but wouldn't work the other way around. An "RZA-2 A-wing" would still count as an A-wing for in-game purposes.

Unless they do what they did with the TAP and X/1 title. Because of the wording when it first came out, you could legally put the X/1 Title on the TAP because the TAP is a version of the "TIE Advanced". Then FFG said, "no". I don't know, I think an A-wing ace without test pilot better have some really good upgrades to make up for it. Because one shield isn't going to cut it.

That would be the "Because we [FFG] say so" FAQ update I mentioned.

1 hour ago, FlyingAnchors said:

Unless they do what they did with the TAP and X/1 title. Because of the wording when it first came out, you could legally put the X/1 Title on the TAP because the TAP is a version of the "TIE Advanced". Then FFG said, "no". I don't know, I think an A-wing ace without test pilot better have some really good upgrades to make up for it. Because one shield isn't going to cut it.

The TAP was never, in game terms called the "TIE Advanced Prototype". They very, _very_ specifically called it the "TIE Adv. Prototype". By creating the abreviation in that name, they avoided having to deal with the issue.

You can also just balance around the title by either A: Including a new, almost mandatory title that does something wildly different (such as add the boost action) for 0 points, or B: not give the pilots EPTs and make their abilities good to match.

On the dial, after further inspection, it looks off... the green one straight looks slow - but green five straight is fast. I think eliminating the one straight entirely will solve that, and as for the white K, I love it! it feel thematic for a fast ship (going too far, turning, and getting back) rather than the go fast and turn around at the end of the five K and 3 sloop. Plus, it become easy to block, and on low PS, can put you in all the wrong spots. Its good, but not great.

3 hours ago, Mrk1984 said:

I'm assuming the Mk2 is having 2 missile slots, correct? For unguided, but adding limited to refit to prevent -4.

I had a version with 2 Missile slots, but I wasn't too fond of it, so I changed it. I might change it back, I'm not sure yet.

3 hours ago, Mrk1984 said:

I like your extended operations (maybe introduce a new tech token) but it might need to be 3 points to account for both crackshot and extra munitions (2 shouldn't be broken though, but we would need to look at any possible future munitions ships with tech slots)

NO NEW TOKENS! I'm already annoyed that FFG gave us the Illicit token with Jabba, instead of reusing the munitions token. I see your point about pricing, but 2 points is the cost of both Extra Munitions and Scavenger Crane, so I seems like a fair price here as well. Two points + the tech slot is a pretty hefty price. Especially when only the TIE S/F would even consider adding Guidance Chimps.

4 hours ago, Mrk1984 said:

I don't know about changing the A-wing's dial that much. I would add the 3 s-loops (white?) and possibly remove the 3-k add 2 T-rolls (red). I'm not sure about adding 1 speed moves (ship is supposed to be too fast). What if it had a red 1 straight?

That's something to consider! Frankly, I wanted to give it a full set of Greens, didn't want to redo the A-Wing/Tie F/O/Squint/Fang speed 2s, and so ended up with speed 1s. Which the meant giving it the 1 straight green.

Your ideas are certainly good ones, and worth me looking at in the morning.

4 hours ago, Punning Pundit said:

Thanks!

Just to clarify: my A-Wing Mark 2 does have a native tech slot, in addition to the A-Wing only upgrade that trades a missile slot for a tech slot.

The idea is that the Mark 2 can have either 2 tech slots, or a tech slot chardaan refit. But that the original A-Wing can also be upgraded.

Interesting! I was thinking that the Resistance might like a call back to the original Rebellion, and so name things accordingly. If people really hate the name, I might call it "Black Squadron Refit", as at least one A-Wing flew with Black Squadron.

I been so out of it today, not sure how I messed that up, lol! I like it even more, having it clarified!

Update: Snap in an A-Wing Mark 2!

Image found here:
http://aminoapps.com/page/star-wars/8734503/temmin-snap-wexley

Notes:
He's Snap, he's in an A-Wing. Despite having been a pilot since he was a child, he's just not as good as Finn's Boyfriend Poe.

12 hours ago, BlueSquadronPilot said:

I been so out of it today, not sure how I messed that up, lol! I like it even more, having it clarified!

Not gonna lie: I'm a bit miffed no one has commented on the flavor text of Crynyd Squadron Pilot.

On 7/28/2017 at 1:51 PM, Punning Pundit said:

Not gonna lie: I'm a bit miffed no one has commented on the flavor text of Crynyd Squadron Pilot.

I was gonna say I loved the reference, and Crynyd becoming a legend for pilots, especially the A-Wing ones, seems fitting.
Plus, because Poe's mother, Shara flew in Green Squadron, her telling the story to Poe and Poe then naming the squadron seems very fitting.