Since the release of the new Shuttle is just around the corner, I've been toying with the idea of using it as a replacement for Ahsoka as a wingman for the Heragator. I've run both traditional Heragator (Hera - TLT, AC, C-3PO, Navigator, EU) with Zeb shuttle and the Autoblaster version (Hera - ATB, AC, Navigator, Zeb, EU) with Ezra shuttle both with Ahsoka (VI, Captured TIE, Sabines Masterpiece, Intel Agent) wingman and had pretty decent success with both lists (In case it wasn't obvious I really love the Ghost). While Ahsoka is great for giving the PS 12 boost to the Ghost, that's pretty much all you get out of her, she's extremely squishy, doesn't attack and in a meta where PS 10 ships are quite common, she's hardly viable anymore. Which is y I'm thinking a tanky version of Fenn Rau could be a good substitute. This is what I've come up with, I'm hoping to run it in a tournament next week so will see how it fairs, any thoughts?

Hera 40 - Accuracy Corrector (3), Autoblaster Turret (2), Navigator (3), BoShek (2), Engine Upgrade (4), Ghost (0) total 54
"Zeb" Orrieios 18 - Phantom (0)
Fenn Rau (20) - Veteran Instincts (1), Intelligence Agent (1), R3 Astromech (2), Pulse Ray Shield (2)
TOTAL: 98

BoShek is a bit of a troll pick I know, and there's probably better options, but combo'd with Heragator to guarantee a bump and the intel agent on Fenn, you could probably get some pretty hilarious outcomes

Pulsed Ray Shield is dangerous on Fenn, as he could end up Ion-Stressed what with his ability. I do like your other choices on him though. However, keep in mind, he is an easy and natural first target.

As for Hera? Looks good to me! I find Heragator absolutely hysterical. Especially with a PS 11 or 12 boost available.

Throw Chopper on Zeb, there's no reason not to.

Overall, I'm curious to see how it performs.

1 hour ago, Greebwahn said:

Pulsed Ray Shield is dangerous on Fenn, as he could end up Ion-Stressed what with his ability.

True, have made some tweaks:

Hera 40 - Accuracy Corrector (3), Autoblaster Turret (2), Navigator (3), BoShek (2), Engine Upgrade (4), Ghost (0) total 54
"Zeb" Orrieios 18 - Phantom (0)
Fenn Rau (20) - Veteran Instincts (1), C-3PO (3), R3 Astromech (2), Pulse Ray Shield (2)
TOTAL: 100

I think C-3PO may be a better fit than intel agent, give him a bit more tankyness without having to rely on Pulse Ray Shield, then its a question of do I swap BoShek out for something else as I feel its not as good without the intel agent. Could possibly just swap BoShek for intel agent on the ghost, or could swap him for Dash crew which could make things interesting

My biggest issue with Heragator (a build I've loved flying) is that PS 7. I just don't think it offers enough right now. Maybe it does where you play, in your local metagame. Great if that's true.

However, Hera + Navigator is 8 points more expensive than a Lothal Rebel with a crew slot. I flew Heragator in a tournament a while back, and never once did Hera move after my opponents. It felt like I'd wasted those 8 points, which could be put towards, say, flying a Chopper VCX, and something like a Chewbacca crew (prevent a crit or 2 on a 0-agility ship? Yes please). You'll still be able to boost around at high PS due to Fenn (it'll be interesting to see if he's stronger on the table than Ahsoka with Rey), and you'll be quite nasty at close range.

It's almost like the Leebo-Dash debate. Dash opens up lots of flying options. Fying Leebo with more skill can sometimes produce a better result, due to having the pilot ability, and two more points to work with. On the other hand, there are times Dash does something more than just cover for mistakes, allowing his ship to fly in places Leebo couldn't.

That's just my experience. If Heragator is working for you, awesome. It's a lot of fun. On the other hand, if you don't find yourself getting mileage out of it, it's possible that simply switching the pilot and one crew makes the list a little more robust.

//

I'm also a little leery of Autoblaster Turret. With Hera as the only real gun in the list, and without many dice mods for the Primary, I worry the small Range 1 coverage might not be enough damage. That's just speculation, though.

55 minutes ago, theBitterFig said:

My biggest issue with Heragator (a build I've loved flying) is that PS 7. I just don't think it offers enough right now. Maybe it does where you play, in your local metagame. Great if that's true.

However, Hera + Navigator is 8 points more expensive than a Lothal Rebel with a crew slot. I flew Heragator in a tournament a while back, and never once did Hera move after my opponents. It felt like I'd wasted those 8 points, which could be put towards, say, flying a Chopper VCX, and something like a Chewbacca crew (prevent a crit or 2 on a 0-agility ship? Yes please). You'll still be able to boost around at high PS due to Fenn (it'll be interesting to see if he's stronger on the table than Ahsoka with Rey), and you'll be quite nasty at close range.

It's almost like the Leebo-Dash debate. Dash opens up lots of flying options. Fying Leebo with more skill can sometimes produce a better result, due to having the pilot ability, and two more points to work with. On the other hand, there are times Dash does something more than just cover for mistakes, allowing his ship to fly in places Leebo couldn't.

That's just my experience. If Heragator is working for you, awesome. It's a lot of fun. On the other hand, if you don't find yourself getting mileage out of it, it's possible that simply switching the pilot and one crew makes the list a little more robust.

//

I'm also a little leery of Autoblaster Turret. With Hera as the only real gun in the list, and without many dice mods for the Primary, I worry the small Range 1 coverage might not be enough damage. That's just speculation, though.

Indeed, that's why I feel the intel agent is necessary to compensate for the possibility (or rather high probability) or going up against PS 8/9/10 ships, if its only one or two ships that have PS higher than Hera it usually still works out ok, but more so in favor of TLT heragator as its a bit more defensive, going up against a full PS8/9/10 list however is a problem, but hey you're going to get unfavorable match-ups no matter what list you play. When I ran the Autoblaster heragator at a tournament, most of our local meta was a lot of imp Aces, and Rau boats, I actually ended up winning in the end (there's something so satisfying about looking at your opponent and without rolling a single dice saying "Cool, Fenn Rau is dead "). However this was before wave 11. After wave 11 almost no one was playing high Agi low HP ships cause BOMBSBOMBOMBS!! Buuuut that being said, since the FAQ, low HP high Agi ships are making a return, maybe its just everyone jumping on the "Imperials are viable again" train but its against these lists that Autoblaster Hera shines.

I think I'd move the intelligence agent to Hera so she can be self-sufficient. If Fenn goes down, that PS 7 will be a real problem

This would be my take:

Fenn Rau (Sheathipede) (20)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Tactician (2)
R2 Astromech (1)
Pulsed Ray Shield (2)

"Zeb" Orrelios (18)
"Chopper" (0)
Phantom (0)

Hera Syndulla (40)
Accuracy Corrector (3)
Autoblaster Turret (2)
Cassian Andor (2)
Navigator (3)
Engine Upgrade (4)
Ghost (0)

Total: 98

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

I see the value of R3 astromech on Fenn (a sentence I never thought I'd type), but it still depends on you rolling at least 1 focus. While it'll be a game breaker on that turn where you really need the evade but don't roll the focus. He's clearly the best option for it, but it's still random. So I swapped to R2 astromech both for Fenn's ability and turn the pulse ray ion move green. Tacticians are good on a ship with 2 firing arcs.

On Hera I just swapped BoShek for Cassian Andor. With Heragator, you only need to decide between straights/banks, and turns/k-turn. The combo dials in from there. So assign the one, and guess the move they'd do to counter that and switch your maneuver to the other option if necessary.

2 hours ago, Sekac said:

I think I'd move the intelligence agent to Hera so she can be self-sufficient. If Fenn goes down, that PS 7 will be a real problem

This would be my take:

Fenn Rau (Sheathipede) (20)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Tactician (2)
R2 Astromech (1)
Pulsed Ray Shield (2)

"Zeb" Orrelios (18)
"Chopper" (0)
Phantom (0)

Hera Syndulla (40)
Accuracy Corrector (3)
Autoblaster Turret (2)
Cassian Andor (2)
Navigator (3)
Engine Upgrade (4)
Ghost (0)

Total: 98

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

I see the value of R3 astromech on Fenn (a sentence I never thought I'd type), but it still depends on you rolling at least 1 focus. While it'll be a game breaker on that turn where you really need the evade but don't roll the focus. He's clearly the best option for it, but it's still random. So I swapped to R2 astromech both for Fenn's ability and turn the pulse ray ion move green. Tacticians are good on a ship with 2 firing arcs.

On Hera I just swapped BoShek for Cassian Andor. With Heragator, you only need to decide between straights/banks, and turns/k-turn. The combo dials in from there. So assign the one, and guess the move they'd do to counter that and switch your maneuver to the other option if necessary.

Very interesting changes on Fenn Rau, I like it :), gives him amazing control potential as opposed to straight out tankyness. Step one, give ghost a PS 11 boost, step 2 give enemy ship a stress, step 3 stop enemy ship from spending tokens on attack, step 4 recover a shield, aaaahh it sounds so good, so much value out of a 26 point ship.

I honestly didn't know R2 (and Nien Nubb) could change an Ioned ships 1 straight to a green (I did double check the FAQ and its completely correct!) I think I might give this a go.

Nien Nunb crew will let you clear Fenn's stress when doing an ion move. I think he's a good addition if you really want the PRS on Fenn.