So I have been thoroughly enjoying this list recently and plan on taking it to a System Open.

Poe Dameron (31)
Veteran Instincts (1)
R2-D2 (4)
Advanced Optics (2)
Autothrusters (2)
Black One (1)

Fenn Rau (Sheathipede) (20)
Adaptability (0)
Tactician (2)
Flight-Assist Astromech (1)

Crimson Squadron Pilot (25)
Trajectory Simulator (1)
Proton Bombs (5)
Ordnance Silos (2)
Advanced Optics (2)
Deflective Plating (1)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

The only issue is... I’m starting to think ps 10 is not enough. PS 10 and 11 is EVERYWWWWHEEERRRE right now.

I have tried variants with a ps 11 poe and Rau, but I have to drop to bomblets on the bomber in that case (and drop optics on the bomber as well I believe) and with things like regen poe being so popular, I’ve found protons giving me fantastic value. It would be hard to part with them.

Also... I don’t own Sabine, and I’m sort of partial to tactician anyways in a weird way?

Anyways- if you were tasked to get poe and Rau to ps 11 while keeping a 3rd dynamic piece, what would it be? I do love the bomber, but would be interested in what other 3rd options the community believes may provide more value. Gonna guess lowrick is on that list?

I think if you went with at most a 1-point crew on Fenn Rau and dropped the Advanced Optics from the bomber, you could fit in Proton Bombs and have PS 11.

Going to Thermal Detonators could add back either Advanced Optics or Tactician, and going town to Bomblets could allow another 2 points on top of that. Nein Nunb and Pulsed Ray Shield on Fenn? Both Advanced Optics and Crossfire on the Bomber?

To that end, have you tried Crossfire or Sensor Cluster instead of Advanced Optics? Each will clearly have advantages and disadvantages, but many seem like they can accomplish something similar.

The Pilot Skill / Initiative Arms Race is real. My plan for upcoming events is PS-11 with a 3 point initiative bid.

Hm. Tough question. This is my suggestion though:

Poe (PS 9)

VI

Black One

BB-8

AT

Adv. Optics

Crimson Squadron Pilot

Ordnance Silos

Proton Bombs

Sensor Cluster

Fenn

VI

Season to Taste. Sure, you lose regen, but this is a more well-rounded utility. Reliable evade on the bomber, reliable TL stripping on Poe, and decent mods, Fenn fills in the gaps.

Poe Dameron (PS9) (33)
Veteran Instincts (1)
R2-D2 (4)
Advanced Optics (2)
Autothrusters (2)
Black One (1)

Fenn Rau (Sheathipede) (20)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Sabine Wren (2)
Flight-Assist Astromech (1)
Ion Bombs (2)

Crimson Squadron Pilot (25)
Trajectory Simulator (1)
Thermal Detonators (3)
Ordnance Silos (2)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Can drop ions on fenn for proton bombs on bomber, or move up to crimson specialist. I acutally love that single ion bomb on Fenn. Will really screw with opponents mind all game

Another option:

Poe Dameron (PS9) (33)
Veteran Instincts (1)
R2-D2 (4)
Advanced Optics (2)
Autothrusters (2)
Black One (1)

Fenn Rau (Sheathipede) (20)
Veteran Instincts (1)
Sabine Wren (2)
Flight-Assist Astromech (1)

"Crimson Specialist" (27)
Trajectory Simulator (1)
Bomblet Generator (3)
Hyperwave Comm Scanner (1)
Deflective Plating (1)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Comm Scanner lets your entire squad place last, or if you dont care, can take a 1pt bid.

18 hours ago, theBitterFig said:

I think if you went with at most a 1-point crew on Fenn Rau and dropped the Advanced Optics from the bomber, you could fit in Proton Bombs and have PS 11.

Going to Thermal Detonators could add back either Advanced Optics or Tactician, and going town to Bomblets could allow another 2 points on top of that. Nein Nunb and Pulsed Ray Shield on Fenn? Both Advanced Optics and Crossfire on the Bomber?

To that end, have you tried Crossfire or Sensor Cluster instead of Advanced Optics? Each will clearly have advantages and disadvantages, but many seem like they can accomplish something similar.

Thank you for the comment. I’m not very high on Crossfire, but I admittedly have not tried it yet. If it gave me the focus result on offense, I’d probably be much more willing to give it a go.

Sensor cluster I don’t know if I would ever consider taking over optics personally. The value of having target lock focus consistently has proven itself 10x over.

Thermals actually may be the answer. Having that + tactician will give a stress element to the list. Now to just find someone willing to lend them to me.

8 hours ago, Kdubb said:

Thank you for the comment. I’m not very high on Crossfire, but I admittedly have not tried it yet. If it gave me the focus result on offense, I’d probably be much more willing to give it a go.

Sensor cluster I don’t know if I would ever consider taking over optics personally. The value of having target lock focus consistently has proven itself 10x over.

Thermals actually may be the answer. Having that + tactician will give a stress element to the list. Now to just find someone willing to lend them to me.

If you're using your focus offensively, Weapons Guidance is also an option. When rolling 2 dice, it averages 1.8125 hits per attack, only 0.0625 hits fewer than Focus/TL. It'll be easier since you won't have to get into range first or pre-select a target. However, AdvO can keep focus on red moves, and TL is a noticeable amount stronger at range 1 (2.8125 hits, compared to 2.5469 hits, so about 0.26 hits per attack).

For experimenting with Thermals, they can be proxied for casual. The bomb tokens are the same size as all the others.

On 1/20/2018 at 4:57 PM, emeraldbeacon said:

The Pilot Skill / Initiative Arms Race is real. My plan for upcoming events is PS-11 with a 3 point initiative bid.

I went with a 3 point bid at the MD regionals for my PS 11 and was successful in getting my choice every match up.

41 minutes ago, theBitterFig said:

For experimenting with Thermals, they can be proxied for casual. The bomb tokens are the same size as all the others.

Ironically, I didn’t realize I had a copy of this from the Resistance bomber expansion. ?

I'd go with Norra for the third ship:

Poe Dameron (PS 9) (41)
BB-8
Autothrusters
Advanced Optics
VI
Black One

Norra Wexley (39)
R2-D2
PTL
Ezra
Retrofit

Fenn Rau (20)
Adaptability
Chopper [crew]

Totalling 100 points.

Norra packs a huge, reliable punch, and with Ezra gets criticals like nobody's business. She also has the hull to weather some bombs. Fenn is pretty bare bones, but what else do you want on a 2-die ship?

Most people correctly go for Poe first, and spend the entire game attempting to damage him while Norra slaughters them. If they kill poe, they're left with a ship that does enormous damage, can block 2 damage a turn guaranteed, and has two firing arcs.