Upsilon-Class Shuttle

By j_man_04, in X-Wing Squad Lists

Maybe it's because there aren't many Imperial players in my area, but I'm just curious why I haven't come across many Upsilon-Class Shuttles. I'm looking at the stats, and the upgrades you can put on it, and it looks like a really decent ship. Is it the cost? The dial?

I'm looking at flying it along with Kylo in the new Silencer to operate something close to a Rey/Poe strategy. Is that viable at all?

I've been playing the last couple weeks with the Upsilon. My version of the "Knights of Ren" list:

Kylo Ren (34)
Swarm Leader (3)
Collision Detector (0)
Rebel Captive (3)
Mercenary Copilot (2)
Pattern Analyzer (2)
Engine Upgrade (4)
Kylo Ren's Shuttle (2)

Sienar Test Pilot (16)
Autothrusters (2)
TIE/v1 (1)

Delta Squadron Pilot (30)
Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)
TIE/x7 (-2)

Total: 98

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

This list will either punch your opponent hard in the face ORRRR...it'll get deleted in they manage to get behind the shuttle. I've faired about 50/50 with this list. If nothing else though, it's fun to see the "Bat" on the table.

If you're looking for the imperial equivalent to Rey/Poe, I'd start with RAC in his fancy decimator. Poe's counterpart could certainly be Kylo if you're willing to fly a few points light on RAC to really kit him out. Prior to the silencer, RAC with Vader, QD or Whisper was basically the same thing and ran very well. You'll probably see a few Kylo/RAC lists floating around at least while it's still new.

1 hour ago, Jimbawa said:

If you're looking for the imperial equivalent to Rey/Poe, I'd start with RAC in his fancy decimator. Poe's counterpart could certainly be Kylo if you're willing to fly a few points light on RAC to really kit him out. Prior to the silencer, RAC with Vader, QD or Whisper was basically the same thing and ran very well. You'll probably see a few Kylo/RAC lists floating around at least while it's still new.

So, I don’t have a Decimator or Upsilon Shuttle. Which is the better value in your opinion?

The decimator has more health, brings more crew, 1 less red and green die but brings a PWT. It's also twice as maneuverable. The upsilon was built to be a lumbering support ship with a big gun in front and does best when it can sit far back and hand out some helpful tokens or actions to other ships. The decimator is a tank that clears ships off the board all on its own. If you're looking at a 2 ship build, the decimator will absolutely give you much more value. It does like a good number of upgrade cards though, so I'd toy around with a few builds you can make with what you have or proxy upgrades for a bit. It'll also run you 55-65 points loaded up, in case that affects your choice of wingman.

Problem with Upsilon is it has a single arc with no repositioning or ways to turn around quickly. You are drowning it in points for 1 or 2 shots a game, and then its 40-ish pts support. Not too mention a few missiles will wipe it out in two turns, then your support you were counting on has gone bye-bye. The Uwing is in the same boat, but its only a 30-ish pts support. Upsilon's only saving grace are Stridans ability is super good and coordinate is powerful in the right hands. It has a 4 dice primary, but its rarely used to its full devastation cause keeping arc on the same enemy is tough in this behemoth.

1 hour ago, wurms said:

Problem with Upsilon is it has a single arc with no repositioning or ways to turn around quickly. You are drowning it in points for 1 or 2 shots a game, and then its 40-ish pts support. Not too mention a few missiles will wipe it out in two turns, then your support you were counting on has gone bye-bye. The Uwing is in the same boat, but its only a 30-ish pts support. Upsilon's only saving grace are Stridans ability is super good and coordinate is powerful in the right hands. It has a 4 dice primary, but its rarely used to its full devastation cause keeping arc on the same enemy is tough in this behemoth.

With the upcoming tech slots in mind, does the Upsilon look any more viable? I guess I just like the loon and feel of it more than a Decimator, even if it may not be the better option.

The Decimator gets to shoot almost every round while the Upsilon doesn't get to shoot after u pass your enemy. Your opponent will arcdodge very easily. But the Upsilon is more a support ship like the lambda, but its much more cheap, and the VT-49 is like the falcon its more expensive but u get much more from it.

I would say VT-49.

On 11/29/2017 at 7:03 PM, jwilliamson12 said:

With the upcoming tech slots in mind, does the Upsilon look any more viable? I guess I just like the loon and feel of it more than a Decimator, even if it may not be the better option.

You always have to fly what u want and like so if u prefer Upsilon then take that one.

Kylo Ren (34)
Recon Specialist (3)
Weapons Guidance (2)
Pattern Analyzer (2)
Kylo Ren's Shuttle (2)
Test Pilot "Blackout" (31)
Trick Shot (0)
Collision Detector (0)
Primed Thrusters (1)
Autothrusters (2)
First Order Vanguard (2)
"Zeta Ace" (18)
Threat Tracker (3)
Total: 100
This and my "I'll Show You the Stress" build are great options.

I think for the Upsilon to be effective you should take a swarm of sorts and create some blocker carnage. I haven't tried it yet but I'd take Stridan with Ops Spec and some Academy's or Snap Shot Black Squads.

Stridan's Academy

Upsilon-class Shuttle: · Major Stridan (32)

Electronic Baffle (1)

Operations Specialist (3)

Systems officer (2)

· Kylo Ren's Shuttle (2)

TIE Fighter: Academy Pilot (12) x 5

-- TOTAL ------- 100p. --

Stridan's Snappers

Upsilon-class Shuttle: · Major Stridan (32)

Electronic Baffle (1)

Operations Specialist (3)

TIE Fighter: Black Squadron Pilot (14)

Snap Shot (2) x 4

-- TOTAL ------- 100p. --

E Baffle to just sit when you want and continue getting shots and just being in the way for K-turns. Just gotta make a mess of things for opponent and hopefully get some of those 4 dice shots to sting.

Edited by Skeether

The Upsilon can have surprisingly high time on target if it comes in on a flank. The goal is to get the opposing squad to bite on another part of your squad first, then the Upsilon comes in and starts chewing things up. This is a non-trivial thing to do, of course, but if you add the title and Rebel Captive it can also contribute a lot of stress control in a serious way. Engine Upgrade is tremendously useful for getting the most out of it. As far as new tech goes, I like Advanced Optics. It lets you potentially get a Focus/TL on your first shot, which is big, or have a modified attack even of you Boost or Coordinate on the first engagement.