Contraband BroBots

By Grendel Drake, in X-Wing Squad Lists

Hi,

I'm plying scum faction since wave VI. My first models were twin IG-88 Aggressors. I would like to get back to play with them. Lately I've been playing Kath/Ketsu list.

My "new" idea is Contraband Expertise Brobots.

IG-88 B / IG-88 C

Expertise (4)
Fire-Control System (2)
“Mangler” Cannon (4)
Contraband Cybernetics (1)
IG-2000 (0)
Autothrusters (2)

http://xwing-builder.co.uk/view/788268/brobots-expertise

Do you think this list could work?

When I first saw contraband cybernetics brobots was also my first consideration. I don’t think it’s bad idea at all, but very dependent on your local meta.

Brobots remain quite vulnerable to high PS pilots, and high PS bombers (due in part to their large base and lack of BR). Those threats and the threat of stress (Asajj etc) are a problem that reduces their advantage of 3 evade dice + Expertise / PTL. Contraband Cybernetics doesn’t help to much with Expertise and a Sloop as you don’t want to be stressed.

Having said all that they’re basically sound fairly competitive ships so if you’re practised and skilled with them then no harm in sticking them on the table :)

If you're getting mileage out of Contraband Cybernetics, you'll wind up with multiple stress, which works against Expertise, both this turn and next. I've seen folks pair them with Attanni Mindlink, however. That makes a bit more sense to me, since they'll be able to function better with multiple stress (or rather, at least one ship at a time will function, and that'll be enough). Attanni/FCS/HLC/CC/AT is a 49 point build, if I'm mathing right, which could leave a spare point for Tractor Beams, which can be brutal against things like K-Wings and Scurrgs.

I'm not a huge fan of double-Manger. Sometimes dropping one ship down to it is necessary for points, but only rolling 6 dice, in arc only, and without control elements (Ion or stress) seems hard. It seems like it won't be easy to deal enough damage to win the board game. Gaining red dice is more of a geometric than linear growth: going from 3 to 4 is of more value than going from 2 to 3 is, for example.

Thanks for feedback guys :)

I'm aware of CC and Expertise problems. My plan was to fly this squad a little bit like PTL/HLC/FCS/AT combo but without stress problems. I think I don't have to worry about TL/focus... Boost & Evade as main actions.

I thought about one IG with HLC and another with Mangler but without CC, 99pts

http://xwing-builder.co.uk/view/790146/expertise-brobots

I'll give both lists a try this weekend ;)

I love robot theory, but I think you'll get better milage out of the Iggy-2000's one illicit slot with Glitterstims almost every single time. The end result is you're still stressed, maybe twice, but Glitterstims can add an almost plot-armor level of defence at the cost of that stress. Countersynergy with Expertise (same as Contraband Cybernetics), but I don't think the IGbots are the best chassis for that 4 point monster of an EPT. They needs their sloops too much.

If I were to do contraband cybernetics, I think I would still slide back to an advanced sensors and a PTL. Huge selection of green movement and ability to remove stress is amazing. It would allow you to use your CC when you get stressed by some of the stress bots, and still not get punished so bad. I would also look at spending your extra couple of points. with 2 PS 6's your not making a strong bid for initiative. I would throw in a bonus or two. Thought about maybe a tractor beam for the occasional use when you can rock/debris someone, or move someone into arc with a minus 1 agility. I do have to agree I don't think it meshes well with the expertise.

In every case there is no place for HLC ;)

PTL(3)/AS(3)/AT(2)/GS(2)/Title - 46pts (+ TB (1) +IB(2))

or

PTL(3)/AS(3)/AT(2)/CC(1)_Title - 45pts (+ TB (1) +IB(2)) / (+ Mangler (4))

Any other ideas? ;)

I'll say again that Attanni works with double HLC.

Aggressor (36), Attanni (1), FCS (2), HLC (7), Tractor beam (1), Contraband Cybernetics (1), IG-2000 (0), Autothrusters (2) = 50

I've been running over the turn sequences in my head for the past day or so.

Let's say B is already stressed. They dial in a S-Loop, pop CC, execute it, then take a Focus. While B gets two more stress, C only takes one at most, possibly zero if C was already stressed. They clear that stress with a green and can take a normal action, and already has a focus. C will be locked into non-reds for a while before B can get cleared, but there's a lot of action potential there. I think the fact that Attanni won't give you an extra stress if you're already stressed really adds a lot of potential to CC on Brobots.

I like PTL over Expertise. Since cybernetics lets you take actions while stressed, shouldn't that cover free actions as well? You'll end up with 3 stress, but having played against brobots often, their Talon Roll turns tend to be when you "get em". If you can Talon Roll and still get your action suite, I think you'll fare better.

On normal turns you'll only be accruing a single stress from taking an extra action, but you'd be able to use a focus token on defense as well.

1 hour ago, theBitterFig said:

I'll say again that Attanni works with double HLC.

Aggressor (36), Attanni (1), FCS (2), HLC (7), Tractor beam (1), Contraband Cybernetics (1), IG-2000 (0), Autothrusters (2) = 50

I've been running over the turn sequences in my head for the past day or so.

Let's say B is already stressed. They dial in a S-Loop, pop CC, execute it, then take a Focus. While B gets two more stress, C only takes one at most, possibly zero if C was already stressed. They clear that stress with a green and can take a normal action, and already has a focus. C will be locked into non-reds for a while before B can get cleared, but there's a lot of action potential there. I think the fact that Attanni won't give you an extra stress if you're already stressed really adds a lot of potential to CC on Brobots.

Thanks, you convinced me I'll give it a try in a tommorow game. I wasn't sure about stress control within squad with CC.

Today I had a chance to test list proposed by theBitterFig but without Tractor beam which I forgot .

I played against Kanan Lowhhrick list. I lost badly. The dice weren't on my side today but I think CC has a potential with Brobots and I'm going to test it more :)