I'm working on finalizing an alternate format for X-wing, and I'm trying to finalize the last couple tweaks- I'm looking for help making the last decisions.

Top Gun is an X-wing format with the following rules-

- 4 obstacles per side.
- 60 points per player.
- 50 minute rounds for standard games, 75 minutes for team games.
- Generic pilots only
- Generic upgrades only
- Small base ships only
- Your list must be comprised of exactly two (2) indentical ships.
- If your list is comprised of TIE fighters, TIE/FOs, TIE Strikers, or Z-95's (any ship that cannot reach 30 points) you may instead take 3 identical ships that are each worth 20 points or less.

The following ships are changed in this format-
- Red Squadron Veterans (T-65 X-wing) add 1 Elite Pilot Talent symbol to their upgrade bar.
- The T-65 X-wing may equip Integrated Astromech as an additional modification.
- Braylen Stramm (ARC-170) loses his Pilot ability and is no longer unique.
- Storm Squadron Pilots (TIE Advanced) add 1 Elite Pilot Talent slot to their upgrade bar.
- "Zeb" Orrelios (Attack Shuttle) loses his Pilot ability and is no longer unique.

Either play in 1v1 games or 2v2. This game mode brings the game back to its dogfighting roots with an increased level of simplicity, while still maintaining depth.

One issue with the current draft of the rules is that the standard TIE fighter is outclassed entirely by the TIE/fo. As the TIE/fo chassis adds a better dial, a shield, and target lock, the only reason to take a TIE Fighter is if you wanted an Elite Pilot Talent that costs 4 points, and a TIE Fighter would not need those.

There are three potential ways to deal with this problem that I'm considering, listed in the survey below. Please vote on what you think would work best.

https://surveynuts.com/surveys/take?id=149955&c=3656502737RTJN

I might suggest that any ship with PS 3 or higher may take an Ept if it does not already have the slot. Emphasis on might.

I am dying to try this format. Can't convince anyone to stop playing 100/6 even for just one night though.

As for Ties. 3 Black squadron with PTL and Stealth device might be tough to get though.

49 minutes ago, pickirk01 said:

I might suggest that any ship with PS 3 or higher may take an Ept if it does not already have the slot. Emphasis on might.

I am dying to try this format. Can't convince anyone to stop playing 100/6 even for just one night though.

As for Ties. 3 Black squadron with PTL and Stealth device might be tough to get though.

That's not a very good build- That would be almost strictly worse than 2 PTL+Stealth+autos royal guards, and the TIE/fo still does that better, since the TIE/fo actually has green hard turns.

For the EPT, the squads that currently don't have access to an EPT and have PS 3+ would be either turret carriers, the B-wing, the E-wing, or the Arc- Ships which would likely do just-fine already, sans the E-wing, which costs so much that there would be nothing to do with the slot besides throw on trick-shot.

I think Defenders with X7 would win pretty easily. At 60 points, with only generics on the board, 2 X7 deltas would be nearly impossible to pin down.

2 hours ago, Astech said:

I think Defenders with X7 would win pretty easily. At 60 points, with only generics on the board, 2 X7 deltas would be nearly impossible to pin down.

That's exactly as it ought to be.

Defenders were almost unmatchable in dogfight, and the Empire needed a dedicated ship to tear the rogue ones down.

30 minutes ago, Arma Quattro said:

That's exactly as it ought to be.

Defenders were almost unmatchable in dogfight, and the Empire needed a dedicated ship to tear the rogue ones down.

It was only their absurd cost that weight them down - a flight of TIEs were of comparable price, especially when you incorporate pilot skill.

The only part I take issue with is the "small base only", I mean, having to take two identical ships limits large ship options (curse you jumpmasters) but maybe a clause for "large bases with standard firing arc" to limit the ships like the jump and YV-666 (though I doubt the slaver would be that OP).

i am a fan of the identical generic rule though, makes for interesting strategy and listbuilding. I'm thinking 3 LWF Unguided bombers could really put the hurt on

Mainly I want to use my beloved U-Wing, though it isn't strictly a "dog fighter" I just love that ship and love flying it.

Very good idea but ban the X7 title for Defenders : two Delta with Mk II or Onyx will be difficult to shoot down.

For tie/fighter don't change the rules. 3x Backstabber will be a nightmare...

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8 hours ago, Astech said:

I think Defenders with X7 would win pretty easily. At 60 points, with only generics on the board, 2 X7 deltas would be nearly impossible to pin down.

I've done this format several times against double-delta, and they are not unbeatable. As they are PS 1 and their 4k is distinctly measurable by the range ruler(just barely r2 means no K-turn for them), they are incredibly predictable and easy to fly around, which counteracts their statline and action efficency.