So i'm playing in my first escalation tournament in a couple of weeks and i was wondering what is the best way of building lists for them. Is it best to start from the 50 point list and build up or start from an 125 point list and strip down for the previous rounds.
There are 4 rounds starting at 50 points and increasing by 25 points per round.
That's a challenge...... Usually (I thought) they start at 60 and go up by 30. I would recommend starting at the 50, and work up. I expect with only 25 per round you will see more generics. Though I would think about what you want in the big fleet some so you can plan how to get there. My opinion would be that IMPS would be easier, as you can add an academy tie or black-crack (or the FO equivalent) plus add upgrades to previous ships in a round. If you squeeze in a solid Ace in the first round, don't underestimate a strong bid in round 2 for a better pilot option in round 3. Just my thoughts..
While I don't think it's a bad idea to have an end-goal in mind, I think the most important step is to have something solid for a first round.
Particularly these days, my first thought for Escalation is Attanni Mindlink. Fenn Rau is 32 points, leaving 18 for a second ship. A Scyk (Inaldra or Tansarii Point Veteran) with Mindlink would be 16-18. For the first round, leaving off the title makes sense to me. A second round could either add the Light Scyk title to fit in a bigger ship (a Contracted Scout with Mindlink and Rigged Cargo Chute, Palob with a turret of some kind), or a second Scyk and start adding upgrades to them. 25 points is tight enough that I think I'd rather go the "light" route. At a 60/90/120/150 escalation, it's possible to take a large bid at some point and squeeze an Asajj in there somewhere, but probably not in 25-point steps.
I think what I want my end squad to be and then try to break it down into smaller competetive ones. Also, if you're going to take a loss you want it to be round one to preserve MoV. This was my latest one:
Esca-Heff (150)
•Heff Tobber (30) - U-Wing
Fire Control System (2), "Zeb" Orrelios (1), Jyn Erso (2), Pivot Wing (0), Tactical Jammer (1)
•Biggs Darklighter (26) - X-Wing
•R4-D6 (1), Integrated Astromech (0)
•Wedge Antilles (34) - X-Wing
Push The Limit (3), •BB-8 (2), Integrated Astromech (0)
Gold Squadron Pilot (24) - Y-Wing
Twin Laser Turret (6)
Gold Squadron Pilot (24) - Y-Wing
Twin Laser Turret (6)
Bandit Squadron Pilot (12) - Z-95 Headhunter
Started with Heff and Biggs, added in Wedge, then a goldie. If I did it again I'd bring Wedge in last of all! The Heff build I stole, but I can't remember off whom. I just wanted a squad that wouldn't look out of place for Scarrif!
why not swam baby blues?
Blue squadron novice T-70 X-Wing (24) R2 astromech(1) and integrated (0)
just add one every round.
I like that Scarf list! I made a similar 100pt list with a U-Wing, Biggs, Rookie and a Stressbot Y-Wing that was surprisingly effective despite my bad luck/skill with the U-Wing. I love that ship and I'm still a little sad it isn't better on the table.
As far as Escalation Tourneys go I've only played in one. If/When I play in one again I plan on making sure ships don't change their load-outs between rounds. I had enough trouble adding ships to my squad throughout the day but I was also adding upgrades to existing ships which changed how they flew from round to round. Next time I'll make sure ships are fully built-out when they enter the list and don't change.
Also if you're going to have a Large Base ship it almost has to be there in the first round. Some rules for Escalation say you have to have at least two ships in the first round to prevent a Fat Turret build but depends on your local rules.
Like lots of tourneys it ends up being a long day so snacks and water!
I would just spend 50pts on a badass first round ship like Dengar, Corran, Miranda, Asajj, etc. then go from there. Surounding Asajj with TLT Ys every round is awesome. Or supporting Dengar with Concord Vets or something
Asajj Ventress (37) w/ Push the Limit (3) , Latts Razzi (2) , Black Market Slicer Tools (1) , Engine Upgrade (4) , Shadow Caster (3)
Syndicate Thug (18) w/ Twin Laser Turret (6) , Unhinged Astromech (1)
Syndicate Thug (18) w/ Twin Laser Turret (6) , Unhinged Astromech (1)
Syndicate Thug (18) w/ Twin Laser Turret (6) , Unhinged Astromech (1)
Total: 125
View in Yet Another Squad Builder
-------------------------
red = round 1, blue = round2, yellow = round 3, green = round 4
Dengar (33) w/ Lone Wolf (2) , Recon Specialist (3) , R4 Agromech (2) , Punishing One (12)
Zealous Recruit (20) w/ Autothrusters (2) , Concord Dawn Protector (1)
Syndicate Thug (18) w/ Twin Laser Turret (6) , Unhinged Astromech (1)
Syndicate Thug (18) w/ Twin Laser Turret (6) , Unhinged Astromech (1)
Total: 125
View in Yet Another Squad Builder
Edited by wurmsMiranda Doni (29) w/ Twin Laser Turret (6) , Extra Munitions (2) , Sabine Wren (2) , Bomblet Generator (3) , Cluster Mines (4) , Advanced SLAM (2)
Gold Squadron Pilot (18) w/ Twin Laser Turret (6) , R3-A2 (2)
Biggs Darklighter (25) w/ R4-D6 (1) , Integrated Astromech (0)
Jess Pava (25)
Total: 125
View in Yet Another Squad Builder
red = round 1, blue = round2, yellow = round 3, green = round 4