A few weeks ago, a friend at my FLGS and I had some time to get in an epic game. He didn't have epic ships and declined to use any of mine. He promised not to just spam a million efficient generics so he mixed in some aces in his Scum list that included some Vaksais, Scurrgs and Scyks. We both ended up with 9 ships on the table.

I decided I wanted to recreate the Rebel fleet at Endor, so I flew Lando with Nunb, Wedge and a Red Squadron X, 2 Green A's, 2 Grey Y's, a Transport and then Etahn A'baht (I know, no E-Wings at Endor, but its epic and he's a boss, and I still like to win.)

It was so much fun. Wedge was a beast, Etahn helped put 3 direct hits onto hull and the Grey Y's with their Ion Torps wreaked havak. I lost several ships, but he never touched my Transport and Wedge and Lando both survived with shields left. We were both dropping quotes and laughing the whole match.

I just got the CRoc for Christmas along with 2 Guns for Hire packs so I think next up will be all black sun pilots.

So what are some of your most fun thematic lists and what are your favorite stories with them?

We’ll see how this goes but tomorrow I’m flying a theme list that I kinda love (especially since I imagine crimson specialist as Paige)

Attack the dreadnaught! (100)

•"Crimson Specialist" (36) - B/SF-17 Bomber
Trajectory Simulator (1), •Bomblet Generator (3), Advanced Optics (2), Crossfire Formation (2), Deflective Plating (1)

Blue Squadron Novice (25) - T-70 X-Wing
Flight-Assist Astromech (1), Integrated Astromech (0)

•Poe Dameron (39) - T-70 X-Wing
Veteran Instincts (1), •BB-8 (2), Advanced Optics (2), •Black One (1), Integrated Astromech (0)

got Poe defending the bomber as it makes its run (plus a baby blue cause wanted another resistance ship and jess wasn’t present at the attack)

Currently, my favorite themed list is First Order Aces, using Quickdraw, Omega Leader, and Backdraft. It's a solid list that I find very rewarding to fly. I think one of my favorite games with this list is when I went up against my brother who was using Rau Boats. It came down to QuickDraw versus Fenn Rau. I managed to pull off several maneuvers that caught him off guard, but it ended with the two ships nose to nose, Fenn's home territory.

I keep trying to come up with an all Mandalorian team I'm happy with. There is a Ketsu and Boba list that comes close, but not quite. Same for a Sabine, Fenn, and Zealous Recruit build I've tried out.

Ghost, Phantom and Captured TIE Fighter/new shuttle. Every game is a Rebels episode!

Pretty much any combination of 3 T65 X-Wings (maybe with the odd Y-Wing thrown in) or 3 T70 X-Wings. Luke, Wedge and Biggs were my favourite combo.

Recently tried out a new theme list: Omega Squadron - Omega Leader, 2 Omega Specialists and an Omega Squadron Pilot. Seemed fairly good so I'm looking forward to trying it out some more.

My favorite theme. Empire.

"Chopper" (37)
Fire-Control System (2)
Twin Laser Turret (6)
Ezra Bridger (3)
Hera Syndulla (1)
Ghost (0)

Sabine Wren (21)
Phantom (0)

Prototype Pilot (17)
Chardaan Refit (-2)

Prototype Pilot (17)
Chardaan Refit (-2)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

missing Kanan and Zeb... but it's Phoniness Squadron!

5 Omegas with Crack and Adv Optics

My current favorite list is Kylo Ren escorted by 2 Tie SF. That's what I wanted to try when the Silencer was spoiled and I was happy to see this exact trio fly in the Last Jedi.

Kylo Ren with PtL, Advanced Sensor, Advanced Optics, Autothrusters, First Order Vanguard

2x Zeta Specialist with Special Force title and Fire Control System (or Accuracy corrector if I feel like giving up on the initiative bid)

Phoenix Squadron

Green Squadron Pilot (19)
Snap Shot (2)
Chardaan Refit (-2)
Crack Shot (1)
A-Wing Test Pilot (0)

Green Squadron Pilot (19)
Snap Shot (2)
Chardaan Refit (-2)
Crack Shot (1)
A-Wing Test Pilot (0)

Green Squadron Pilot (19)
Snap Shot (2)
Chardaan Refit (-2)
Crack Shot (1)
A-Wing Test Pilot (0)

Green Squadron Pilot (19)
Draw Their Fire (1)
Chardaan Refit (-2)
Crack Shot (1)
A-Wing Test Pilot (0)

Sabine Wren (TIE Fighter) (15)
Snap Shot (2)
Operations Specialist (3)
Sabine's Masterpiece (1)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

One of my favorites is my Rogue Squadron list. (I play 150 point games)

Wes Janson w/ Veteran Instincts, Flight Assist and Factored Thrusters

Wedge w/ Expertise, R5-P9, vectored thrusters

Luke w/ R2-D2, expertise and vectored thrusters

Tycho w/ autothrusters, title, wired, pto, and concussion missiles

@Red Castle, what's the build? How has it worked against really good stuff?

Mine is 3 Arcs, Some Republic firepower.

1 minute ago, Blail Blerg said:

@Red Castle, what's the build? How has it worked against really good stuff?

Mine is 3 Arcs, Some Republic firepower.

Kylo Ren with PtL, Advanced Sensor, Advanced Optics, Autothrusters, First Order Vanguard

2x Zeta Specialist with Special Force title and Fire Control System (or Accuracy corrector if I feel like giving up on the initiative bid, but FCS is better to trigger Kylo's ability)

Didn't got to try it against the big mean meta list, but I like how it fly and that's all that matters. I don't really care about the meta and only fly thematic list that I have fun with. Before the Silencer was out, I played a lot with 4 Zeta with FCS and had good success with it. Switching 2 SF for Kylo is interesting because it gives me a weapon against other aces. It also reminds me of the time when I flew Soontir, only now he's on steroids. And with Harpoon missiles everywhere, dropping 2 Zeta is not a bad choice.

The Gunboat theme

Vessery flanked by two Rho Veterans is pretty intimidating and somewhat them attic (Defender to chase high speed targets, GUNBOATS to launch ordnance)

I like this as a theme list

(100)

•Darth Vader (36) - TIE Advanced
Intensity (2), TIE/x1 (0), Engine Upgrade (4), Advanced Targeting Computer (5)

•Mauler Mithel (18) - TIE Fighter
Crack Shot (1)

•Backstabber (16) - TIE Fighter

Black Squadron Pilot (15) - TIE Fighter
Crack Shot (1)

Black Squadron Pilot (15) - TIE Fighter
Crack Shot (1)

8 hours ago, SabineKey said:

Currently, my favorite themed list is First Order Aces, using Quickdraw, Omega Leader, and Backdraft. It's a solid list that I find very rewarding to fly. I think one of my favorite games with this list is when I went up against my brother who was using Rau Boats. It came down to QuickDraw versus Fenn Rau. I managed to pull off several maneuvers that caught him off guard, but it ended with the two ships nose to nose, Fenn's home territory.

I keep trying to come up with an all Mandalorian team I'm happy with. There is a Ketsu and Boba list that comes close, but not quite. Same for a Sabine, Fenn, and Zealous Recruit build I've tried out.

@SabineKey do you mind sharing your First Order Aces list? Do you fly them in formation for the first while?

8 minutes ago, Hotziggety said:

@SabineKey do you mind sharing your First Order Aces list? Do you fly them in formation for the first while?

Not at all!

"Quickdraw" (29)
A Score to Settle (0)
Fire-Control System (2)
Pattern Analyzer (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

"Backdraft" (27)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Advanced Optics (2)
Lightweight Frame (2)
Special Ops Training (0)

"Omega Leader" (21)
Juke (2)
Comm Relay (3)
Hull Upgrade (3)

Total: 98

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

I generally fly the two SFs in formation for the opening pass and have OL as a flanker. If you set up the SFs near an edge, keep Backdraft on the inside.

Alternate card choices: Swapping Adaptability in for A Score to Settle on QD is a solid choice both due to less you have to remember and you can out PS pilots like Kylo Ren and Fenn Rau. Putting Advanced Optics on both SFs is very tempting. Other people swear by Sensor Cluster on Backdraft, though I didn't do to well with it (but part of that was probably me forgetting about it).

Black Squadron, no doubt about it!

I have tried different builds, but of course has to have Vader and as many named pilots as I can cram in.

With the success of the Quickdraw and 3 Nus lists, i can't help but think that Maarek could be an easy fill in for QD for a super thematic build.

Maarek Steele with x7 and VI (with a remote possibility of Calculation or Adaptability and MKII instead if you want to give up on being PS9.)

3 Nus with Harpoons and LRS.

Cartel Marauders. Vaksai-ed, not stirred.

Still trying to get different builds and pilots of painted*) Kihraxzes, Scyks and Vipers to work.

* No ugly green-purple for me.

Luke(n) for a Han(d)

Luke with Lone Wolf, R2-D2 and Vectored Thrusters

Han with VI, Gunner, HSCP and EU

Fun, thematic and good enough to win more often than not. I took it to 2nd place at a local kit tournament last quarter.

I like running any of the Imperials with "Names"

Call it the "Air Quotes" squad and be sure every single time you say any pilots name eg: "I'm rolling attack for '"Backstabber"' you actually do the air quotes with your hands. Sooner or later your opponents gets a little fiesty

I’ve been flying First Order only themes for a few months now. Some interesting and fun list.

Epsilon Squadron

Epsilon Leader, Pattern Analyzer

Epsilon Ace; Advanced Optics

4x Epsilon Squadron Pilot.

Fun to see on the board and a whole lot meaner than it looks on paper if flown well.

Others I have are:

Lt. Dormitz Collision detector, Ops Specialist, SYS Officer, HWCS, Targeting Sync

Omega Leader Juke, CR

Omega Squad x2

Tie Fighter Squad

(100)

Rho Squadron Veteran (32) - Alpha-class Star Wing
Crack Shot (1), XG-1 Assault Configuration (1), Long-Range Scanners (0), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Linked Battery (2)

Rho Squadron Veteran (32) - Alpha-class Star Wing
Crack Shot (1), XG-1 Assault Configuration (1), Long-Range Scanners (0), Heavy Laser Cannon (7), Linked Battery (2)

•Maarek Stele (36) - TIE Defender
Juke (2), TIE/x7 (-2), Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Flew my resistance list, loved it! I think I now also have a new mountain to die on