http://stayontheleader.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-empire-strikes-back-reviewing.html
Id love to know where you think I've nailed it, or where I'm missing a trick and something is better than I think.
[Blog] Reviewing the Imperial Navy in Second Edition
On the Gunboat - XG1 specifically - they can be a very strong control piece now that the config allows firing Ion cannon when SLAMing. So yes, old HLC is gone, but they gain an interesting new role here.µ
And BTW, nice article !
I agree with you especially on one thing. There is no point in trying to field 2-3 ships lists. 4 ships or more is the way to go.
2 minutes ago, Embir82 said:I agree with you especially on one thing. There is no point in trying to field 2-3 ships lists. 4 ships or more is the way to go.
You see, I hear that from a lot of people and agree with it. But I also hear a lot of people raving about 90pt ace builds, and they can't both be true...
:-/
For the ordnance lists, I think it's important to keep in mind that the Imperials have access to a few tools that allow them to acquire locks for their low INI pilots. Colonel Jendon in particular enables a long-range scanners effect with enough room left in your list for a good number of ordnance platforms. You can fit Jendon with 4 Scimitars with Proton Torpedoes or 3 Nus with OS-1, PT, Adv SLAM, FCS with a few points to spare.
21 minutes ago, SOTL said:You see, I hear that from a lot of people and agree with it. But I also hear a lot of people raving about 90pt ace builds, and they can't both be true...
?
I'm one of those 3ship list players. At least until I get some actual games in and get completely and utterly shredded by TIE swarms, Bomber swarms, or these Punisher/Bomber mixes. And that's just imperial opponents!
On some of the ships I've had experience with:
I think you're underselling TIE Punishers. I know you said they were good, but I'd think they're better than you think. The named Punishers, especially Deathrain can have Ace level maneuverability. Its pretty nuts.
I think the Strikers, particularly Duchess, might be the best values in the game. At 44 points with Predator, Duchess is super cheap and extremely good for her points against swarms.
I share your concern about Defenders. I love the ships and have a whole big post about why I think they're cool, but the 90-100 point window has to hit pretty hard if you want to avoid going to time, every time. They are full of tools, but right now I think they've got to really maximize those tools to be worth it. Half points has changed my strategy with these. I used to be pretty comfortable trading my shields for position and early damage against a lot of squads. That's not nearly as good an idea as it used to be, because that's giving up half your squad points.
The half points on Defenders is definitely a point I hadn't considered and it's really valid!
this pic is the best thing I've ever seen
also, if we gotta raise costs, raise them on the bomber. Barrage Rockets are probably the best designed upgrade in the game, and it'd suck to seem them go.
Anyway, Aggressor. It's a bizarre bomber with a turret, that's its role. You stick a barrage, ict, ruthless Kestal in the midst of four bombers (1 Jonus) and you got yourself really good anti-ace tech.
" Right now the TIE Punisher is proving one of the surprise hits of early 2nd Edition squadbuilding, even if it still has all the maneuvering capability of an arthritic Hippopotamus. " You gotta play yourself some deathrain. The man dances and cannot be stopped.
their exceptional maneuverability is basically all that keeps the named guys alive
6 minutes ago, ficklegreendice said:" Right now the TIE Punisher is proving one of the surprise hits of early 2nd Edition squadbuilding, even if it still has all the maneuvering capability of an arthritic Hippopotamus. " You gotta play yourself some deathrain. The man dances and cannot be stopped.
Possibly true. I think sometime last week I poo-pooed your Deathrain loadout... I'm now running almost entirely your Deathrain loadout because you were spot on with it.
49 minutes ago, SOTL said:Possibly true. I think sometime last week I poo-pooed your Deathrain loadout... I'm now running almost entirely your Deathrain loadout because you were spot on with it.
I've seen that loadout run locally. Its like "hey, here's a Nym/Jumpmaster hybrid for 30ish 1st edition points.
6 hours ago, SOTL said:Id love to know where you think I've nailed it
You nailed it everywhere.
I am still not really convinced about the gunboat, but I feel like it will be buffed with the B-wing thanks to future canon upgrades.
I also think /sa bomber will have much more versatility than cheap barrage rocket. Bombs ability is amazing and cluster missile is super efficient.
3-ship lists can be fine as long as you’re playing a yt-2400, firespray or defender.
Everything after the first sentence was a good read.
1 hour ago, Biophysical said: I've seen that loadout run locally. Its like "hey, here's a Nym/Jumpmaster hybrid for 30ish 1st edition points.
Only used Redline so far. What did you settle on for Deathrain?
Judging imperials without judging how each of their expensive "Commander" crew warp the game is just incomplete. A list with no support ship flies differently from a Moff Jerjerod list, which is different from a Tarkin list, which is different from a Admiral Sloan list, which is... ect.
7 minutes ago, Boom Owl said:Only used Redline so far. What did you settle on for Deathrain?
Based on the punisher thread I'd guess TrajSim + Proton Bombs + Seismic Charge + Ablative Plating + Barrage Rockets for 63pt. Optionally add skilled bombardier for 65 total.
One thing that was missing from your review was the sensor slot on the Defender. Advanced sensor Defenders are a nightmare to pin down. Yes, they don't get their free evade action, but they make up for it by not getting shot at. Combine this with outmaneuver or predator and you have a serious killing machine.
11 minutes ago, Bad Idea Comics said:One thing that was missing from your review was the sensor slot on the Defender. Advanced sensor Defenders are a nightmare to pin down. Yes, they don't get their free evade action, but they make up for it by not getting shot at. Combine this with outmaneuver or predator and you have a serious killing machine.
Also, something that tends to slip under the radar... Advanced Sensord defenders have BRAKES. They can go slow, turn hard, and bump, while still getting at least 1 action.