My takeaways from Wave XIII announcement

By Celestial Lizards, in X-Wing

A few things:

Wow, FFG is really playing into the bomb meta, isn't it?

They finally listened to us and gave us another place for Autothrusters.

An Imperial ship that's good for Primed Thrusters.

Overall, I am now reversing my previous stance that FFG hates the Imps.

1 minute ago, Celestial Lizards said:

A few things:

Wow, FFG is really playing into the bomb meta, isn't it?

They finally listened to us and gave us another place for Autothrusters.

An Imperial ship that's good for Primed Thrusters.

Overall, I am now reversing my previous stance that FFG hates the Imps.

Yeah, they don't hate Imps. They just put too many eggs in the bomb basket. Considering the development time they are likely wondering about the smell of sulphur right now... I expect a bomb counter in the works, but likely a year or two down the line.

2 minutes ago, Celestial Lizards said:

An Imperial ship that's good for Primed Thrusters.

Primed Thrusters on Quickdraw is amazing.

13 minutes ago, LagJanson said:

I expect a bomb counter in the works, but likely a year or two down the line.

I think an easy fix is to just have jammers, scum and rebels get bombs imps should get jammers. Probably a system upgrade, any ship in 3 lenths that drops a bomb must roll an attack dice and score an unmodifiable hit or crit or the bomb doesn't go off.

1 minute ago, LordFajubi said:

I think an easy fix is to just have jammers, scum and rebels get bombs imps should get jammers. Probably a system upgrade, any ship in 3 lenths that drops a bomb must roll an attack dice and score an unmodifiable hit or crit or the bomb doesn't go off.

I don't disagree. The key is they've got their lines planned out way ahead. They likely planned the bombs back when they just became big and people were finding them neat. By the time bombs were toxic they were already committed.

I do look forward to whatever it is... Or us players just stop using them. Yeah... Let me dream, ok? I'd like for the bombs to stop.

Also just realized as of now you can put the TIE-SF title on the Bomber because it has SF in it :P

21 minutes ago, Strikesback said:

Primed Thrusters on Quickdraw is amazing.

How so? I'm intrigued.

And why does the Bomber get three uniques and one of the Silencer's is a test pilot?

26 minutes ago, LagJanson said:

I expect a bomb counter in the works, but likely a year or two down the line.

Something like this is already available, and will count the number of bombs in play quite nicely:

61glPsGOdOL._SL1001_.jpg

36 minutes ago, Celestial Lizards said:

Also just realized as of now you can put the TIE-SF title on the Bomber because it has SF in it :P

oh no it's the Aggressor title all over again....^_^-_-;)

31 minutes ago, Darth Meanie said:

Something like this is already available, and will count the number of bombs in play quite nicely:

61glPsGOdOL._SL1001_.jpg

Yes, but how does it account for the interaction between Minefield Mapper and Extra Munitions?!

47 minutes ago, LordFajubi said:

I think an easy fix is to just have jammers, scum and rebels get bombs imps should get jammers. Probably a system upgrade, any ship in 3 lenths that drops a bomb must roll an attack dice and score an unmodifiable hit or crit or the bomb doesn't go off.

Or:

"Ships within Range 1 cannot use their equipped upgrade cards with the Action header during their own activation phase."

Pro's

Not solely directed at bombs, so has more universal application

Does not prevent 3rd party support ships assisting with a free action, thus still leaving room for clever combo's but requiring more intricate set-up to accomplish.

Con's

Nope cards aren't always popular.

1 hour ago, Celestial Lizards said:

Also just realized as of now you can put the TIE-SF title on the Bomber because it has SF in it :P

That's not how that works

See, you need the entirety of the specified ship type

This is why T-70 X-wings can take X-wing Only upgrades

Or Aggressor only on TIE Aggressors eh, ffg?

Edited by ficklegreendice
3 hours ago, Celestial Lizards said:

Overall, I am now reversing my previous stance that FFG hates the Imps.

Dont be too fast, its 35 points...

3 hours ago, LordFajubi said:

I think an easy fix is to just have jammers, scum and rebels get bombs imps should get jammers. Probably a system upgrade, any ship in 3 lenths that drops a bomb must roll an attack dice and score an unmodifiable hit or crit or the bomb doesn't go off.

or the bomb fails and explode on the ship as it's being released. Now that would be fun! Icing on the cake: you must call Sabine before releasing the bomb so if it explodes in your face, you get the extra dmg. risk/reward :-)

14 minutes ago, Thormind said:

Dont be too fast, its 35 points...

Yeah because Whisper was never a thing.

And before you start on 4 attack dice: Kylo has pre-nerf-phantom repositioning with Advanced Sensors, double action and autothrusters. Which puts his defense on a similar level. And less attack dice creep is definitely good for the game.

6 hours ago, Celestial Lizards said:

A few things:

Wow, FFG is really playing into the bomb meta, isn't it?

They finally listened to us and gave us another place for Autothrusters.

An Imperial ship that's good for Primed Thrusters.

Overall, I am now reversing my previous stance that FFG hates the Imps.

TIE Silencer is a good 3-5pts overcosted. Compare Kylo to QD or Fenn, both of which have much better abilities and cost a lot less, and it's clear.

I think it's close to DOA.

12 minutes ago, Stay On The Leader said:

TIE Silencer is a good 3-5pts overcosted. Compare Kylo to QD or Fenn, both of which have much better abilities and cost a lot less, and it's clear.

I think it's close to DOA.

It compares much better to Fenn then Quickdraw, who is terrible at arc dodging, can't take Autothrusters, and basically never gets to roll 4 green dice.

In terms of raw stats, we spend 7 points to get 2 shields, a tech slot, and a system slot (we lose a torpedo, but nobody's crying). I'll agree, that's not fantastic, but I'll hold judgement until we see what possibilities the new tech opens up. Systems is always a good upgrade to have. We miss out on Mindlink, but if there's any veracity to the rumors, Fenn might not have it too much longer either.

Fenn's ability combined with the title is amazing, and Kylo just can't compete with that, but that's more Fenn being far better than his point cost then Kylo being bad.

Overall, it seems like Kylo is probably closer to 2-3 points overcosted, which may or may not be the case once we see the dial/remaining upgrades.

59 minutes ago, Stay On The Leader said:

TIE Silencer is a good 3-5pts overcosted. Compare Kylo to QD or Fenn, both of which have much better abilities and cost a lot less, and it's clear.

I think it's close to DOA.

Hahaha fite me!

He's maybe his title overcosted, so 2 or even 3 pt. But the System+Tech combo is solid and worth a lot, plus we get 2 new tech. One is not overwhelming, so I hope the other is good.

But anyways, I think he's fine. The 43 instead of 45 would be much better of course, but this difference does not turn him into a DOA. I say that in full recognition that you are usually right in these predictions and I'm not btw.

Someone please make a thread about the interaction of Ordnance Silos and Boba Fett because OS itself doesn't get a bomb token.

14 minutes ago, Celestial Lizards said:

Someone please make a thread about the interaction of Ordnance Silos and Boba Fett because OS itself doesn't get a bomb token.

Unless ordnance tubes are like jabba (a "rule" for the tokens instead of an effect of the upgrade card itself), boba will ruin the tubes and render the tokens pointless

Hopefully not before you've farted at least one off, though

2 hours ago, Stay On The Leader said:

TIE Silencer is a good 3-5pts overcosted. Compare Kylo to QD or Fenn, both of which have much better abilities and cost a lot less, and it's clear.

I think it's close to DOA.

I don't know about that. Certainly not 5 pts, Mr. Powercreep. Let's theorycraft, as I know you like that:

Let's compare

Kylo Ren (TIE Silencer) — TIE Silencer 35
Intensity 2
Fire-Control System 2
Primed Thrusters 1
Autothrusters 2
First Order Vanguard 2
Ship Total: 44

with

"Quickdraw" — TIE/sf Fighter 29
Predator 3
Fire-Control System 2
Primed Thrusters 1
Lightweight Frame 2
Special Ops Training 0
Ship Total: 38

Both have FCS, Primed Thrusters.

Verdict: Equal, slight advantage to Kylo since he has boost. Compensated for by the aux arc. 0-0

Dial: We don't know much yet, but the Silencer has a 2 hard green and I'd be surprised if Kylos dial wasn't vastly superior

Verdict: Advantage Kylo 0-1

Pilot trait: Quickdraw's ability is solid gold. Kylos is REALLY good in certain matchups (thinking vs Dengar, or a TLT like Miranda) but less so against others.

Verdict: 1-1

Tankyness: Here comes the HUGE advantage of the Silencer. Native Agi 3 >> Lightweight frame, Autothrusters are great in the turret meta, First Order Vanguard can be spent on a blank-out and should save at least 1 hull. Now, considering most people value Autothrusters vastly over hull upgrades, this means over the course of a game, Kylo should have the equivalent of 3 shields over quickdraw - easily worth a bunch of points. Intensity gives evades on crucial turns. If you don't expect to run into turrets you could also swap autos for comm relay for more tankyness.

Verdict: 1-2

Offence: Disregarding Quickdraws Pilot trait (already covered), Predator and 3 dice is comparable to 3 dice + title with an easier way to get a focus (because of intensity).

Verdict: 1-2 Kylo.

I think he's worth at least 4 points more than QD, tbh. Maybe he is 1-2 overcosted. Maybe not. He's for sure less of a glass cannon, and SFs aren't glass cannons, mind you. Now compare this Kylo

Kylo Ren (TIE Silencer) — TIE Silencer
Intensity
Fire-Control System
Autothrusters
Ship Total: 41

to this guy:

Colonel Vessery — TIE Defender
Push the Limit
TIE Mk II
TIE/x7

Ship Total: 37

You will hopefully agree that Vessery is a good, well-rounded and well-costed ship. You will notice that Kylo as equipped above is comparably tanky (Autothrusters vs x7) has way more ps, has comparable offence and a good pilot ability, whereas Vessery's is compensated by FCS...

I don't think Kylo is worse than vessery, I think he's better - so he shouldn't be considered that overcosted, IMHO.

Comparing with Fenn Rau: That fella is about 2 points undercosted... however, you gain a lot of tankyness over him, namely 2 shields, the title and primed thrusters for stress resistance.

I'm slightly disappointed with this reveal but I have a feeling the silencer is going to have a ridiculously good dial.

8 hours ago, Celestial Lizards said:

And why does the Bomber get three uniques and one of the Silencer's is a test pilot?

Bomber gets 3 uniques because it's a Large ship. And most Large ships get 3 uniques and 1 generic.

1 hour ago, DarthEnderX said:

Bomber gets 3 uniques because it's a Large ship. And most Large ships get 3 uniques and 1 generic.

Don't forget the HWK, the little ship that could, treated like a Large ship with 3 uniques as well.