I've seen a PS10 Cruise Missiles squad mentioned several times, and I wanted to figure it out without looking it up, but I have some doubts. Of course one of the ships has to be:

• Quickdraw , Adaptability, Fire-Control System, Targeting Synchronizer, Cruise Missiles, Guidance Chips, Special Ops Training: 37 pts.

Pros : After you fire the missiles, you still have a solid PS10 Quickdraw with FCS that can give TLs around.

Cons : You miss Lightweight Frame, so it's more fragile than usual, and Expertise, but overall it's okay.

Then the second one must be:

• Darth Vader , Adaptability, Advanced Targeting Computer, Cruise Missiles, Guidance Chips, TIE/x1: 33 pts.

Pros : After the alpha strike, you'll have your basic Vader with his two actions and auto-crit.

Cons : You don't have Engine Upgrade, so his mobility is reduced, but it's a close approximation to regular Vader.

But what about the third ship? Let's see, of course it has to be a small ship. Interceptor, Phantom, Striker, Fighter and /FO can't equip missiles. Punisher can't go beyond PS7. Defender is too expensive (Rexler Brath goes up to 41 pts just with missiles and VI) and this setup is incompatible with either of its titles.

This leaves us with just three pilots:

• Tomax Bren , Veteran Instincts, Cruise Missiles, Extra Munitions, Guidance Chips: 30 pts.

Pros : Uh... can fire two missiles?

Cons : Tomax Bren with no way to exploit his ability? Seems absurd.

• The Inquisitor , Veteran Instincts, Cruise Missiles, Guidance Chips, TIE/v1: 30 pts.

Pros : After the big boom, it's an Inquisitor.

Cons : Inquisitor with neither Push the Limit nor Autothrusters? Seems a waste.

• Juno Eclipse , Veteran Instincts, Advanced Targeting Computer, Cruise Missiles, Guidance Chips, TIE/x1: 33 pts.

Pros : Now that's a good one. Juno is good.

Cons : It's 3 points beyond 100, so you'll have to remove Targeting Synchronizer from Quickdraw.

Maybe the idea wasn't to have PS10 on all three ships, though? If we accept a PS9 one, we can use this:

• Backdraft , Veteran Instincts, Fire-Control System, Cruise Missiles, Guidance Chips, Special Ops Training: 33 pts.

Pros : It's Backdraft.

Cons : You still lose Targeting Synchronizer (which I feel is an important piece of this build) and you have another /SF with no Lightweight Frame.

So what about this:

• Lieutenant Kestal , Veteran Instincts, Cruise Missiles, Guidance Chips, Synced Turret: 30 pts.

And you could replace Synced Turret with either Autoblaster Turret (to be scarier at range 1) and 2 initiative bid, or a second Cruise Missiles and 1 initiative bid.

So, is that it? Is Quickdraw/Vader/Kestal the whole thing?

Deathrain.

QD/Vader/Something with Cruise is a strong list.

he was speaking specifically PS10

Deathrain is PS6 and has no EPT

I'd say either Juno or Tomax:

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Juno Eclipse , Veteran Instincts, Advanced Targeting Computer, Cruise Missiles, Guidance Chips, TIE/x1: 33 pts.

Pros : Now that's a good one. Juno is good.

Cons : It's 3 points beyond 100, so you'll have to remove Targeting Synchronizer from Quickdraw.

You could save a point with Accuracy Corrector - Juno tends to do better with that than Advanced Targeting Computer, in my experience, because unlike Vader she lacks the action economy to support the target lock shifting (since hopefully whatever she target locks in the first combat round ain't there anymore after eating 3 cruise missiles)

Still leaves you 2 points short, so (as noted) you lose the targeting synchroniser. 99 points either leaves you a point for....something (VI instead of Adaptability on Vader?) or else 99 points to let you control the engagement against enemy PS10s (Nym, for example).

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Tomax Bren , Veteran Instincts, Cruise Missiles, Extra Munitions, Guidance Chips: 30 pts.

Pros : Uh... can fire two missiles?

Cons : Tomax Bren with no way to exploit his ability? Seems absurd.

It is. And it's probably not as bad as it sounds; people with any common sense will be trying to take out the bomber first for precisely this reason - they don't want to eat a second cruise missile, especially as the TIE bomber's speed 5 koiogran turn combined with the targeting synchroniser can offer some scary possibilities for second round cruise missile shots. But if they do that, they're ignoring Darth Vader and Quickdraw, which is not a particularly sensible plan for a favourable end-game.

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Backdraft , Veteran Instincts, Fire-Control System, Cruise Missiles, Guidance Chips, Special Ops Training: 33 pts.

Pros : It's Backdraft.

Cons : You still lose Targeting Synchronizer (which I feel is an important piece of this build) and you have another /SF with no Lightweight Frame.

The thing is, a big part of the PS10 alpha strike concept is being able to remove Dengar (or similar PS9 monstrosity) before they can fire. Dropping from PS10 to PS9 is a surprisingly big deal in the world of ludicrous turn 1 missile exchanges.

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Lieutenant Kestal , Veteran Instincts, Cruise Missiles, Guidance Chips, Synced Turret: 30 pts.

And you could replace Synced Turret with either Autoblaster Turret (to be scarier at range 1) and 2 initiative bid, or a second Cruise Missiles and 1 initiative bid.

Now that has potential. Kestal is fragile, like the bomber (even more so) and you're equally unlikely to get much mileage from the pilot ability, but the Synched Turret has potential - it's not scary enough to say 'priority target #1' but it gives you the potential to avoid a head-on joust up close (where without lightweight frame survival is unlikely). Autoblaster turret is probably a bad call for a ship that doesn't want to be in people's face, and the second cruise missile.....as with Tomax, a K-turn + missile shot might work, but if you're choosing between the two, I'd rather have the 6 hit point bomber than the shield-and-4 hit point aggressor if you're not equipping a turret or lightweight frame.

10 minutes ago, Vineheart01 said:

Deathrain is PS6 and has no EPT

More importantly, a TIE punisher's maximum forward speed is speed 3, meaning it can almost never use cruise missiles to full effect.

Do you guys think guidance chip is a must have? I'm asking because i plan to try 1 build tonight. My logic is to make the cruise shots a bit weaker but the ships/pilots much better after the alpha. Basically the 2 cruise missiles would be icing on the cake.

Either:

98 pts for a 2 pts bid. I could replace Adapt on Vader for VI (1pts bid) or Intensity (no bid). Not sure whats best.

OR

gchips is probably a must on anyone that cant get doublemods easily. Basically anyone that isnt QD or Vader

QD may not have double mods on the initial attack but FCS keeps the TL there. She's also got the "Hit me i dare you" mentality so often people ignore her on the joust. I'd keep her missile for round2 when she rebounds and comes back in again.
Vader of course has double actions so unless hes pincered down he can just scream forward, TL + Focus, and blast away. Done it several times and its glorious lol. In well over a dozen games with him using these babies ive had maybe 2 games where it wasnt a full *edit* FIVE-HIT attack (one had a single blank, another was a solid whiff despite rerolls)

Anyone else probably REALLY wants gchips because thats a lot of dice and unless you have TL + Focus odds are you are going to miss one or more.

*seriously ffg why are you bleeping 5 followed by hit with no spacing....? They dont bleep any other 1337 cursing.

PS 11 or gtfo

4 minutes ago, tortugatron said:

PS 11 or gtfo

I'm in this camp. 2 PS11s + a helper beats 3 10s.

3 minutes ago, Biophysical said:

I'm in this camp. 2 PS11s + a helper beats 3 10s.

Vader (VI,ATC,EU,cruise)

QuickDraw (VI,FCS,title,cruise,chips)

Dutchess (VI,title,LWF)

all for 99 points. If you don't want a bid, throw Primed Thrusters on QD for PS 11 slooping repositioner.

I'm still on the train that you can't afford the third ship to be some kited out PS11 guy with missiles. If you want proper builds on your main Aces you'l have to settle for someone a bit . cheaper. Whether it's PL, Duchess, a TIE Aggressor or whatever! You may let Dengar attack once, but now you have a lategame with EU on Vader and FCS/LWF on Quickdraw.

Or you could just look it up...

QD/BD/Vader - http://meta-wing.com/ship_combos/2125?

There's no Targeting Synchroniser.

32 minutes ago, tortugatron said:

Vader (VI,ATC,EU,cruise)

QuickDraw (VI,FCS,title,cruise,chips)

Dutchess (VI,title,LWF)

all for 99 points. If you don't want a bid, throw Primed Thrusters on QD for PS 11 slooping repositioner.

I like Pure Sabacc, but yeah, it's all good. You can move the LWF to Quicdraw for a better long game as well, but I think this is really the best basic format.

20 minutes ago, Biophysical said:

I like Pure Sabacc, but yeah, it's all good. You can move the LWF to Quicdraw for a better long game as well, but I think this is really the best basic format.

Yeah I suppose Sabacc might be a better option. You could have LWF on him AND QD. The point left over could be either Primed on QD or a 1 pt EPT for Sabacc (VI or Crack)

1 hour ago, tortugatron said:

Vader (VI,ATC,EU,cruise)

QuickDraw (VI,FCS,title,cruise,chips)

Dutchess (VI,title,LWF)

all for 99 points. If you don't want a bid, throw Primed Thrusters on QD for PS 11 slooping repositioner.

Dutchess would be the same price as OL. Wouldnt he be a better choice?

IMO LWF is essential on QD. You want to avoid 1 attack burning his 3 shields as much as possible. The more attack it takes to remove his shields, the better he becomes.

Sabaac is actually only 1pt cheaper, so you'd be an even 100pts if you put LWF on both.

But i vastly prefer sabaac because 1) he doesnt NEED range1 to punch damage through and 2) as a direct result of not needing R1 he can freely swing in weird ways and be just as deadly. I prefer wired on him because of this instead of VI.

I thought this was going to be an exciting holiday topic for a moment.

Didn't someone organise a great big group of X-Wing players on a cruise from Galveston the other year? 7 days of sun, sea, sand, booze and staying in the ship's conference rooms playing with toy spaceships.

19 minutes ago, Thormind said:

Dutchess would be the same price as OL. Wouldnt he be a better choice?

IMO LWF is essential on QD. You want to avoid 1 attack burning his 3 shields as much as possible. The more attack it takes to remove his shields, the better he becomes.

I was just going for the whole high PS thing in case you need to finish off an alpha strike survivor. But yeah I think either OL or Sabacc would be better. I think I favor Sabacc so that everyone can have essentially 3 agility. Not sure if I would put Primed on QD or VI/crack/wired on Sabacc. Just talking about this makes me want to fly it this weekend, but I just got my attanni list painted up and want to make use of it before I can't anymore .

3 minutes ago, tortugatron said:

I was just going for the whole high PS thing in case you need to finish off an alpha strike survivor. But yeah I think either OL or Sabacc would be better. I think I favor Sabacc so that everyone can have essentially 3 agility. Not sure if I would put Primed on QD or VI/crack/wired on Sabacc. Just talking about this makes me want to fly it this weekend, but I just got my attanni list painted up and want to make use of it before I can't anymore .

hehe, you want to "feel the power" one last time :-)

3 minutes ago, Thormind said:

hehe, you want to "feel the power" one last time :-)

Not as powerful anymore though... Wave 11 is nuts.

6 minutes ago, tortugatron said:

Not as powerful anymore though... Wave 11 is nuts.

Yeah, Imperials got the sh@!%ft again... I really hope they have something to bring the faction on par with the other 2 in wave 12. And AT LEAST 1-2 good faction specific upgrades.

5 minutes ago, Thormind said:

Yeah, Imperials got the sh@!%ft again... I really hope they have something to bring the faction on par with the other 2 in wave 12. And AT LEAST 1-2 good faction specific upgrades.

As soon as the Silencer comes out, hopefully that will help. Looks like it's going to be pretty good.

http://www.d20radio.com/main/tbd-joke/

13 minutes ago, tortugatron said:

As soon as the Silencer comes out, hopefully that will help. Looks like it's going to be pretty good.

http://www.d20radio.com/main/tbd-joke/

That and the First Order Tie Bomber. My hopes are high... Cherry on the cake would be a Sith Infiltrator.

1 minute ago, Thormind said:

That and the First Order Tie Bomber. My hopes are high... Cherry on the cake would be a Sith Infiltrator.

Gunboat!!!

2 minutes ago, tortugatron said:

Gunboat!!!

Im just scared it's going to turn out as a "Lambda the 3rd"

10 minutes ago, Thormind said:

Im just scared it's going to turn out as a "Lambda the 3rd"

4th*. We are bound to get Krennic's shuttle first.