Longtime lurker here, I want you all to build me the best possible squad to crush the list below. Don't worry about the meta. This is the only list you need to beat. My buddy wants me to fly the hardest possible counter against him and I want ideas.

PILOTS

Braylen Stramm (34)
ARC-170 (25), R3-A2 (2), Gunner (5), Alliance Overhaul (0), Vectored Thrusters (2)

Norra Wexley (40)
ARC-170 (29), R2-D2 (4), Push the Limit (3), Tail Gunner (2), Alliance Overhaul (0), Vectored Thrusters (2)

Biggs Darklighter (26)
X-Wing (25), R4-D6 (1), Integrated Astromech (0)

Justin Phua's Dengar Tel might not fair all that bad, TL Braylen and shoot two torpedoes at him, if he shoots Dengar, Dengar shoots back and might kill him. If he shoots Tel, bump Biggs with one of them next turn and finish Braylen off.

If you're not aware, it's the list that won the 2017 world championship, it's super easy to fly and extremely difficult to beat.

The list is:

Jumpmaster 5000: •Dengar (58)
Guidance Chips (0)
•Punishing One (12)
Expertise (4)
Plasma Torpedoes (3)
Extra Munitions (2)
K4 Security Droid (3)
Unhinged Astromech (1)

Jumpmaster 5000: •Tel Trevura (40)
Guidance Chips (0)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Plasma Torpedoes (3)
Extra Munitions (2)
K4 Security Droid (3)
Unhinged Astromech (1)

Total: 98/100

Another good one good one might be a triple scouts list with a 1 point bid, give your opponent initiave, move after him, unload 3 torpedoes on Braylen, he'll still shoot but probably die, something like this:

Jumpmaster 5000: Contracted Scout (35)
Guidance Chips (0)
Attanni Mindlink (1)
Extra Munitions (2)
Plasma Torpedoes (3)
K4 Security Droid (3)
Unhinged Astromech (1)

Jumpmaster 5000: Contracted Scout (33)
Guidance Chips (0)
Attanni Mindlink (1)
Proton Torpedoes (4)
Extra Munitions (2)
•Boba Fett (1)

Jumpmaster 5000: Contracted Scout (31)
Guidance Chips (0)
Attanni Mindlink (1)
Extra Munitions (2)
Plasma Torpedoes (3)

Total: 99/100

For me, best way around Biggs is ordinance if he does not have a selfless friend beside him, and the Jumpmaster does a great job at carrying it.

I would also advise going for Braylen first, because that stress will gnaw at you, it's pretty horrid in fact, but you decide. These lists are super easy to fly and might give your friend a run for his money.

Those were my first thoughts too, but I realized that building vs one list allows for new options. Here's my current thought:

100 points

PILOTS

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (23)
TIE Bomber (16), TIE Shuttle (0), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1), Darth Vader (3), Kylo Ren (3)

“Echo” (38)
TIE Phantom (30), Inspiring Recruit (1), Fire-Control System (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

“Whisper” (39)
TIE Phantom (32), Inspiring Recruit (1), Fire-Control System (2), Adaptability (0), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Whisper and Echo should be self sufficient flankers, while the bomber is my mini-doom shuttle to ram down bigg's throat if he chooses to ignore it for the phantoms.

The last thing you want is Kylo and. Vader together. Second, whenever your flying a Phantom, you really should be getting a bid though you do have the pilot skill battle won. The other issue is getting your shots in without being A Target locked and shot, and be super super fragile.

A strait Swarm probably a better overall option, getting Biggs down quickly and they eating the ARCs via sheer numbers of shots.

Lok Revenant (26)
Deadeye (1)
Autoblaster Turret (2)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
Guidance Chips (0)

Lok Revenant (26)
Deadeye (1)
Autoblaster Turret (2)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
Guidance Chips (0)

Lok Revenant (26)
Deadeye (1)
Autoblaster Turret (2)
Harpoon Missiles (4)
Guidance Chips (0)

Total: 99

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

PS kill braylen and put 3 damage on biggs and maybe nora.

6 hours ago, IAmRhyn said:

Those were my first thoughts too, but I realized that building vs one list allows for new options. Here's my current thought:

100 points

PILOTS

Scimitar Squadron Pilot (23)
TIE Bomber (16), TIE Shuttle (0), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1), Darth Vader (3), Kylo Ren (3)

“Echo” (38)
TIE Phantom (30), Inspiring Recruit (1), Fire-Control System (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

“Whisper” (39)
TIE Phantom (32), Inspiring Recruit (1), Fire-Control System (2), Adaptability (0), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)

Whisper and Echo should be self sufficient flankers, while the bomber is my mini-doom shuttle to ram down bigg's throat if he chooses to ignore it for the phantoms.

Phantoms might do the trick, not really an Empire player so can't really tell.. just one thing never let them get inside Braylen's arc, if he double stresses them you're pretty much done for, you'll be predictable the next turn, and he might make you suffer for it, although inspiring recruit does help.

Another thing, for 22 points that shuttle might not be the best acquisition, maybe a naked Pure Sabacc or a Scarif Defender with LWF to draw fire or a Bomber with LWF and unguided rockets might not be bad, they'll want to shoot it to force you to spend your focus.

But if you are intent on the shuttle, either remove Kylo or Darth Vader, you probably thought Darth Vader activates Kylo, but Kylo's condition specifies the crit must come during an attack. Otherwise kylo is one of the best cards in the faction, only problem is your list doesn't actually have a good way of dealing crits... so Vader might be better, problem is he'll only activate 3 times tops... Rebel Captive + Intelligence Agent can work I think... you can see your opponent's dial before decloaking and choose where you want to decloak. This allows you to equip LWF on the bomber and have a 1 point bid, or upgrade Whisper to VI if need be.

26 minutes ago, hawk32 said:

Lok Revenant (26)
Deadeye (1)
Autoblaster Turret (2)
Harpoon Missiles (4)

Lok Revenant (26)
Deadeye (1)
Autoblaster Turret (2)
Harpoon Missiles (4)

Lok Revenant (26)
Deadeye (1)
Autoblaster Turret (2)
Harpoon Missiles (4)

Total: 99

dead arc with 3 damage on biggs and the other arc 1st turn of shooting.

With Deadeye you still have to go for Biggs, but chaging that fearlessness and adding LRS might not be a bad thought at all, problem is you don’t active Harpoon automatically like you did with GC but... well... since you have 1 point bid.... you might not even need Deadeye or LRS, you'll move after Braylen probably, which will allow you to target lock him and launch 3 harpoons in his direction, fearlessness still might be a good substitute for deadeye.

Best of luck with the list you choose to go with!

Loving the suggestions. I knew that Kylo-Vader were anti-synergy, but it's just silly and fun to have Grandpa and emo-grandson together on a kamikaze shuttle. Another list that looks fun is:

PILOTS

Green Squadron Pilot (25) x 4
A-Wing (19), A-Wing Test Pilot (0), Cruise Missiles (3), Snap Shot (2), Guidance Chips (0), Deadeye (1)

Nuke biggs first round and start zooming around the arcs plinko-ing shields off with snap shot. I know this isn't good, but fun factor is my weakness.

On 9/27/2017 at 11:05 PM, IAmRhyn said:

Longtime lurker here, I want you all to build me the best possible squad to crush the list below. Don't worry about the meta. This is the only list you need to beat. My buddy wants me to fly the hardest possible counter against him and I want ideas.

PILOTS

Braylen Stramm (34)
ARC-170 (25), R3-A2 (2), Gunner (5), Alliance Overhaul (0), Vectored Thrusters (2)

Norra Wexley (40)
ARC-170 (29), R2-D2 (4), Push the Limit (3), Tail Gunner (2), Alliance Overhaul (0), Vectored Thrusters (2)

Biggs Darklighter (26)
X-Wing (25), R4-D6 (1), Integrated Astromech (0)

The real endgame threat here is Norra Wexley, so if you can alpha strike anyone off the board, it ideally wants to be her.

Fortunately, she's only PS7, and only agility 1 provided she can't use her pilot ability, so it's not all that hard to top.

For real 'insult to injury', how about trying it with 3 T-65 X-wings?

• Wes Janson - Predator, Plasma Torpedoes, Guidance Chips
• Luke Skywalker - Predator, Proton Torpedoes, Guidance Chips
• Jek Porkins - Veteran Instincts, Proton Torpedoes, Guidance Chips

That should hopefully end the first (range 3) engagmeent turn with:

1. Norra Wexley in a cloud of expanding debris
2. One of your X-wings (probably Wes as he looks most dangerous) with some assorted damage from Biggs and Braylen and a single stress token (because unlike a BTL-A4 y-wing, Braylen only lands two stress tokens if he misses with his first attack.

Alternatively, an imperial equivalent:

• Tomax Bren - Crack Shot, Cluster Missiles, Ion Bombs, Extra Munitions, Guidance Chips
• Captain Jonus - Veteran Instincts, Cluster Missiles, Ion Bombs, Extra Munitions, Guidance Chips
• Major Rhymer - Veteran Instincts, Advanced Proton Torpedoes, Extra Munitions, Long Range Scanners

I would exploit the fact that these are small ships, and deny them their options. It became a lengthy analysis - tl;dr: I am scum biased, but there is a list in the end...

The analysis...

The ARCs have only 1 agility, tractor token anyone? Be it the tractor beam or the spacetug tractor array... No green die sounds fair to me. Also comes with the possibility to throw them (including biggs) on a rock, so no attack and therefore no stress from r3-a2 (2pts) and no gunner (5pts)/ tail gunner (2pts). If you manage to place them on the rock in a way that the next maneuver will be over the rock, no action - vectored thrusters (2pts) and push the limit (3pts) wasted. You can also push biggs away from the others, eventually out of range one so free target priority for everyone!

If done correctly, net gain: 1 green die, 7+2 pts on braylen and 2+5pts on norra (plus wasted pilot abilities, and no shots - priceless...)

Small ships love ion tokens . You know where they will go, set up your arcs /blockers /tractors accordingly - again, no shots. Furthermore, no shield gain from R2-D2 (4pts) since no green maneuver. Either use ion missiles since they don't care about biggs, or bring an ion canon (turret) for sustained control. If you are a fan of bombs, they come with ion flavor, too.

Stress tokens are obviously no problem for braylen, but when he uses his build the way he wants, at some point they will pile up if you add a few. Norra wants to push the limit, so putting additional stress on her will limit her options. In combination with the 1-white ion maneuver, both will have a hard time using actions in the end. I cannot name the point values of using an action or not, or being denied red maneuvers, but it helps for sure. Flechette is the wrong way here, but Asajj, tactician, 4-LOM, black market slicer tools, r3-a2,... will work.

Bump them - no actions, if you bump biggs, you are free to shoot the other two. Obvious choice would be a bumpmaster or unkar plutt (remember the tractor tokens?) ...

The ARCs seem to rely heavily on their bots and crew, plus they have week defense. Getting through some crits should be no problem, I would therefore play Boba Fe tt (crew) - trade your 1pt boba for a 4pt R2-D2 or 5pt gunner.

The synthesis...

Palob Godalhi (20)
Ion Cannon Turret (5)
Tactician (2)

Ion, stress - check. Bonus: no token zone

Contracted Scout (25)
Extra Munitions (2)
Proton Torpedoes (4)
Boba Fett (1)
Guidance Chips (0)

Bump, boba - check

Tansarii Point Veteran (17)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Tractor Beam (1)
"Heavy Scyk" Interceptor (Cannon) (2)

Tractor - check

Unkar Plutt (17)
Spacetug Tractor Array (2)

Bump, tractor - check

Total: 99

Initiative - check

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Have fun

I spent 9 months flying Norra, Biggs and Braylen.

Anything with 3 torpedoes or missiles kills it. Either Norra or Braylen can then be killed without Biggs being involved. It's one of the reasons I stopped flying it.

Airen Cracken, Wedge, and either Horton or Nym.

Slightly harder, but much cooler: Porkins, Dutch, and Hobbie.

On 9/27/2017 at 3:05 PM, IAmRhyn said:

Longtime lurker here, I want you all to build me the best possible squad to crush the list below. Don't worry about the meta. This is the only list you need to beat. My buddy wants me to fly the hardest possible counter against him and I want ideas.

PILOTS

Braylen Stramm (34)
ARC-170 (25), R3-A2 (2), Gunner (5), Alliance Overhaul (0), Vectored Thrusters (2)

Norra Wexley (40)
ARC-170 (29), R2-D2 (4), Push the Limit (3), Tail Gunner (2), Alliance Overhaul (0), Vectored Thrusters (2)

Biggs Darklighter (26)
X-Wing (25), R4-D6 (1), Integrated Astromech (0)

I flew this during Store Champs to a final table, except I put 3PO on Norra and Expertise. This build loves Jumps because it can, with hot dice, alpha strike one off the board on the approach. It is weakest to high PS arc dodgers, Dash and TLT, so I would go from there. Miranda Dash was my hardest match up all season.

You could also experiment with switching Braylen for PS10 Wes to strip a target lock, negating some ordnance damage, but you need balls of steel.