Hello dear forum friends!

I flew this list to top 4 at regionals last weekend:

Poe (PS 9)

VI

Advanced Optics

BB-8

Black One

Autothrusters

Ezra

Snap Shot

R3-A2

Gunner

Keyan

Trick Shot

Collision Detector

E/2

Maul

It flew well, even if I didn't always haha, and Poe and Ezra are locked in.

However, I wonder if Keyan is the best choice? He can't really be shut down by stress, or by Fenn - he would need to be both Fenned AND stressed to really shut down his attacks. He proved himself quite useful, and remarkably adaptable. Plus, as an easy target who hits like a truck, he complicates targeting priority. However, he does die quickly if targeted, and if I mess up placement, it can take him a while to get back in the fight.

Therefore, Braylen Stramm occurred to me as a replacement. 1 extra HP and an extra firing arc are pretty swell. Beyond that, with M9-G8 to lock Ezra (who would get Luke instead of Gunner), he can help Ezra hit on Snap Shot, miss his first shot, and double stress with the Luke shot, which has a reroll AND a Focus mod to maybe deal some damage. Meanwhile, he is free to focus and use Maul as his crew, giving him good mods on his own attack, so he can hit as hard as Keyan. However, he can be easier shut down by stress, though he can also ditch it fairly easily, and is at a low PS.

Thoughts?

I really like the Farlander build you have. Honestly, if I were trying to kill your list, I would hit Ezra as hard as I possibly could. If there is a chance to PS kill Ezra before he gets a shot, you take it. It may be a good idea to keep him cheap.

I'm a huge fan of Braylen with M9-G8 and Weapons Engineer, usually used defensively. When you've locked your opponent out of dice mods through stress control, having that reroll on their attack dice is huge. Maul I'm less sold on, but I've only flown with him a bit (4 games with *that* Ghost, 1 with a VI/Maul/Ezra/Engine Wulffwarro, who was cool, so 5 games 5 wins).

in a similar style,

Ibtisam, Wired, E2, Hera Syndulla, Collision Detector

would save 2 pts and allow that luke upgrade if you want. you lose the stress-focus mechanic and 1 PS but gain a re-roll on defense, which helps alittle.

Thanks folks!

@BDrafty you are right, people always gun for Ezra first, without fail! Your support of Keyan makes me wonder if I s h o u l d replace him for Braylen... especially considering Braylen's main advantage over Keyan is his support of Ezra, who dies fast, as you say.

@theBitterFig I agree that WE would make the list a bit more survivable, but I also want to preserve offense, which Maul does for Braylen. Decisions decisions. And really, Lowhhrick would be a better defensive fit anyway...

@lj1983 I also like that Ibtisam! But I would only really want the Luke upgrade if Ezra had the M9 rerolls, so I still have the points for Keyan (who I like more haha)

In my experiences playing Poe/Fenn/Braylen, I'm fairly often able to spend one of Braylen's target locks. He's low PS so it'll already have a defensive benefit with rerolls, and if every few turns I spend a TL, particularly if I line up a range 1 shot and have a focus, I don't find I mind not being able to focus the next turn. That said, I'm typically running with Fenn, who is actually able to coordinate, which a stressed Ezra likely won't be able to. Still, I think WE would be worth trying out some game. Depends on how many games you're able to get in.

To that end, I gotta try Ezra instead of Fenn sometime.

I'm not sure Lowhhrick fits as well. Poe wants to be nimble, so Lowhh doesn't help him. Likewise, Ezra wants to set up Snap Shots, which might mean putting him in a place Lowhhrick doesn't want to cover with Range 1. One of the huge parts of Braylen's defensive power is that you aren't range-constrained. At least, I've really liked flying a defensive support ship which doesn't require formation flying.

And it doesn't necessarily have to be Braylen. If sticking with Gunner, you could afford Thane and a 1 point bid (I'm sure Poe would like it some games). With Thane's ability, if they're gunning for Ezra, you'll likely get a bonus action on Thane, and he'll have Focus/TL on a target. PS 4 is often going to be low enough to shoot after his target, for M9-G8 rerolls. Thane's also pretty sweet on openings. Start with Poe locked on Turn 1, focus on the engagement when opponents probably aren't in range yet for TLs, then trigger his ability to TL enemy ships after the first one attacks. Their highest PS will escape, but it can still be quite useful.

Bah, I'm kinda going broken record. I just really have liked the basic build.

At a glance, I’d suggest at least trying a Wookie? But I do love the ARCs just about as much. Mostly depends on whether you’d prefer tankier or a little more damage potential.

With all the ARC love, does that mean Keyan probably shouldn't remain my A-lister? ??