I've started doing what so many of the rest of you are and looking at what my first 2e list will be.

I'm more interested in theme, my favourite pilots and making the most of some new 2e tricks and mechanics for the time being, rather than being competitive. But I'd like to optimise as best as possible within those restrictions.

I haven't decided the exact framework, but Wedge is my favourite pilot and he looks amazing in 2e, so any list will definitely include him. Wedge, Luke and Biggs may well be the way I go, but for now I'm trying to make an Endor theme work. Only problem is I'm really not sure how to build Lando. Here's what I've got so far

Here Goes Nothing [184+]

Wedge Antilles [52]

- Servomotor S-Foils [0]

- R2 Astromech [6]

- Proton Torpedoes [9]

- Trick Shot [2]

Total - 68

Lando Calrissian [92]

- Millennium Falcon [6]

- Nien Nunb [5]

- Veteran Turret Gunner [8]

- Homing Missiles [3]

- Tactical Scrambler [2]

- Crew 2 [???]

- EPT [???]

Total - 116+

Basic plan is for Wedge to tuck in behind Lando and slow roll in a mini conga line for the first engagement. Tactical Scrambler gives Wedge an extra defence die, and I'm planning to use Lando to make sure Wedge has both a focus and a target lock for his opening torpedo shot, hopefully with Wedge still at range 3 so he's protected by 4 greens.

Wedge has Trick Shot not because I'm incorrectly thinking it synergises with Scrambler, but because I genuinely think it might be one of the best EPTs on him. With only two ships in a list, I just don't think I can rely on the bullseye arc for any of the relevant EPTs. Even at I6 with barrel roll, it feels like Predator is going to be hard to trigger. Trick Shot is nice on Wedge, because his ability blocks their extra defence die, and you get an extra attack die for your trouble, while still getting your own bonus defence. It means Wedge loves rocks. Where an ordinary X-Wing against a 2 agility ship would be firing 3 on 3, Wedge is firing 4 on 2.

Lando's going to have his turret arcs pointing out the sides to cover any flankers, and hopefully be getting a target lock for himself to shoot the Homing Missile at anyone in front of him.

Something I'm considering - if I'm planning on Wedge to behind Lando at range 3 of an enemy in arc, then Lando is probably going to be at range 1 of them. In that case, does Cluster Missile make more sense? It's double the charges, and better than a range 1 primary attack. It's more expensive, but that isn't an issue at the moment. My thinking with Homing was that I wanted something higher damage than the primary at longer ranges, without giving them the range bonus on defence, as throwing 4 reds at range 1 is decent anyway. Just not sure if it makes the most sense for my intended formation.

I also have absolutely no idea what EPT or second crew to give Lando. The only EPT that makes sort of sense is Selfless, to take even more heat of Wedge. I just worry that at that point, I'm making the Falcon a way more viable target anyway. Letting Wedge run rampant for a few turns while they chew through the Falcon isn't bad, but Wedge is still just one X-Wing and I worry that his damage output solo just won't be worth it.

Second crew, I just have no idea. Ideally, I'd like it to be themey. So I'm trying to avoid Chewbacca, R2-D2. Leia or dead characters like Jyn and Kanan. That basically only leaves Perceptive Copilot though, so I'm happy to cave on it if there's a combo people have already figured out.

The other alternative, of course, is to drop a bunch of these upgrades and include a cheap Phoenix Squad blocker. Or maybe even Arvel with Intimidation. He's cheap, and very themey.

TL;DR Anyone had any thoughts on how to build Lando yet? I'm struggling to find upgrades he really likes. Does he even need to stack upgrades anymore?

Oh man do I have thoughts on Lando! Though I confess, some of them aren't super thematic...

For a Wedge/Lando list, I think Wedge should start with an R4 Astro - I don't think a 2 ship list can afford to disengage for regen. Trick Shot is a fine choice, though I would kinda like Composure. Protons are great, but I'd be open to cutting them if it means improving something else.

Lando obviously loves Nien and the title. I don't know why you've given him VetTurGun though - the odds of that activating are next to nothing. I, for one, like him with Ezra and Maul. That way he consistently has focus mods on top of his evade and either TL or "coordinate." And, if you can somehow pull it off, you still have the option of double tapping. Selfless isn't a bad choice, though I confess to not liking it much, as I'd rather have Lando in the endgame. In my Lando Norra list, he won't even have an EPT

Lone Wolf - 4

Hotshot Gunner - 7

Perceptive Co-Pilot - 10

Nien Nunb - 5

Engine Upgrade - 9

TOTAL: 127

Can move, lock + double focus, or move + boost+ double focus + LW reroll.

HSG to help Luke or who ever his wingmate is put damage in.

3 hours ago, Greebwahn said:

For a Wedge/Lando list, I think Wedge should start with an R4 Astro - I don't think a 2 ship list can afford to disengage for regen.

That's a really good point. In my experience, X-Wings usually have a turn or two without shooting while they turn around, but I've not played with all the new 2e toys yet and I've rarely played one in a two ship list.

I think R3 is way better on Wedge than R4, though. Blue 2 hards is nice, but not super necessary now that X-Wings have blue 2 banks by default. R3 is a bigger increase to action economy, which i think could be very useful when positioning is so important for this list. The more turns I can barrel roll instead of target lock, the better.

3 hours ago, Greebwahn said:

Trick Shot is a fine choice, though I would kinda like Composure

Yeah, I'm going to wait until we get Composure's text confirmed before I think too strongly about list building with it. Could be nice contingency if you mess up the barrel roll, though.

3 hours ago, Greebwahn said:

I don't know why you've given him VetTurGun though - the odds of that activating are next to nothing

Yeah, I know. It's because I didn't put too much thought into it beyond 'Han is probably the best, but he's not themey'. Bistan would probably be better than VTG if I was really thinking about it.

4 hours ago, Greebwahn said:

I, for one, like him with Ezra and Maul.

Huh. I hadn't seen the benefit there. If Lando is doing blues anyway, you'd be removing the stress from Maul and getting a few extra soft focus mods for taking multiple attacks a round - very useful for a big blocker ship that's meant to be drawing the initial heat.

4 hours ago, Greebwahn said:

Selfless isn't a bad choice, though I confess to not liking it much, as I'd rather have Lando in the endgame. In my Lando Norra list, he won't even have an EPT

Agreed. Lando is taking enough heat as it is. Taking damage off Wedge just tilts the balance too far. I'm really struggling with a good EPT for him.

It's a weird one, but with the formation and setup I'm thinking, I actually wonder if Intimidation might be the way to go? Just because it discourages people from blocking him a little. If they block Lando, then Wedge is behind Lando and gets a shot on them with double agility reduction. It's probably either that or just Trick Shot again.

47 minutes ago, wurms said:

Lone Wolf - 4

Hotshot Gunner - 7

Perceptive Co-Pilot - 10

Nien Nunb - 5

Engine Upgrade - 9

TOTAL: 127

Can move, lock + double focus, or move + boost+ double focus + LW reroll.

HSG to help Luke or who ever his wingmate is put damage in.

How necessary is Engine Upgrade on Nien Lando though? If I'm going to be dialing in blues most turns anyway to fuel Lando's ability, I'd have no problem clearing the stress from the red boost on the occasions I need it.

Lone Wolf also seems a bit awkward. I'd probably be planning to use Lando's ability on himself most of the time for action economy, sure. But having the option to use it on a wingman is a part of the build, for me, and keeping the wingman at range 3 would make setting up focus fire almost impossible.

Lone Wolf and Engine Upgrade both feel like they belong on Han more than Lando, to me.

HSG is great, but wouldn't help with Wedge. Obviously the suggestion is to switch to Luke, and that may end up being a more competitive bid. For now I'd like to stick to Wedge, though. At least until I've exhausted all other options.

Yeah, I could see R3 being a great choice too.

Thats a very good point about Intimidation! A huge deterrent to blocking him

52 minutes ago, GuacCousteau said:

How necessary is Engine Upgrade on Nien Lando though? If I'm going to be dialing in blues most turns anyway to fuel Lando's ability, I'd have no problem clearing the stress from the red boost on the occasions I need it.

Lone Wolf also seems a bit awkward. I'd probably be planning to use Lando's ability on himself most of the time for action economy, sure. But having the option to use it on a wingman is a part of the build, for me, and keeping the wingman at range 3 would make setting up focus fire almost impossible.

Lone Wolf and Engine Upgrade both feel like they belong on Han more than Lando, to me.

HSG is great, but wouldn't help with Wedge. Obviously the suggestion is to switch to Luke, and that may end up being a more competitive bid. For now I'd like to stick to Wedge, though. At least until I've exhausted all other options.

Engine lets you boost and take an action and stay stress free. Without it, you are limitied to action then boost and being stressed.

Why does this matter? When you are in a corner, around rocks, near the edge, or bank is blocked, a bank isnt gonna cut it, remaining stress me is crucial.

That said, if you dont take engine upgrade, then take kanan instead of perceptive co pilot. This will let you remove a stress when needed and force powers when you dont.

LW, Kanan,Nien Nunb,HSCP

Just know, you will be boosting ALOT with a crapload of swarms around! You are running a 2 ship list versus tie swarms. Boost is inevitable to stay alive and that swarm will be blocking your blue banks guaranteed, so being stress free or Kanan, helps unpredictability.

Why Lone Wolf? See above. You WILL be boosting alot! Having wedge/luke stay close will be hard.

And LW doesnt have to be ON every round to be beneficial. Sometimes wedge might be in a bad spot, and Lando can turn in and give him a b roll. Lando ability also works at range 3, so LW + Lando can still function.