Braylen Stramm

By uscsmurf, in X-Wing

So after some play testing, I have come to the realization that Braylen is the better b-wing for now. If he is stressed he lasts a lot longer and with cassian de-stressing him before he moves keeps his options open.

With that being said, would collision detector be worth it on him? The ability to twice per game barrel roll over or onto obstacles and ignore them after doing a linked action seems like a good thing. Especially with my local meta using tugboats to tractor ships onto obstacles. Thoughts??? That increases his points cost but I think it may be worth it. Curious to see what y’all have to say.

Collision Detector is incredibly powerful and underrated, and I'm sure it'll be one of the things receiving a big point boost come January.

While it's worth its weight in gold on frail hyper-maneuverable platforms like TIE Phantoms and Star Vipers, it's worth less on a B-Wing. That said, if you've got the spare 5pts, it's probably worth it. But I think, if points were no issue, I'd prefer Advanced Sensors on a B-Wing. Unlike those very wiggly Phantoms and Star Vipers, the B-Wing's gonna have to do a lot of predictable slow flipping-around if it wants to have shots on things, and that means it's probably worth being able to Focus + T-Roll/K-Turn.

Yah, CD is good, but it's not at its best on a B wing at all.

28 minutes ago, AllWingsStandyingBy said:

Collision Detector is incredibly powerful and underrated, and I'm sure it'll be one of the things receiving a big point boost come January.

While it's worth its weight in gold on frail hyper-maneuverable platforms like TIE Phantoms and Star Vipers, it's worth less on a B-Wing. That said, if you've got the spare 5pts, it's probably worth it. But I think, if points were no issue, I'd prefer Advanced Sensors on a B-Wing. Unlike those very wiggly Phantoms and Star Vipers, the B-Wing's gonna have to do a lot of predictable slow flipping-around if it wants to have shots on things, and that means it's probably worth being able to Focus + T-Roll/K-Turn.

Didn’t think about that aspect of it. I appreciate your feedback. I’ve not used advanced sensors so I’ll give it a shot. With cassian taking a stress off I hadn’t worried about it, but if he’s off the board it makes Braylen more predictable like you say.

19 minutes ago, thespaceinvader said:

Yah, CD is good, but it's not at its best on a B wing at all.

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

It depends on the rest of your list, but Trick Shot Collision Detector could be very powerful on a B. The randomized list I played with Ten had Cassian and Lando, so the i5 “coordinate” helped a lot, but having the option to barrel roll or even just maneuver over an obstacle is pretty great. I was able to TL with the coordinate or Ten’s action, and focus->BR into having 2x focus mods most turns.

Braylen’s ability is definitely better, if you can get rid of stress. Gives you some more flexibility with the rest of he list.

12 minutes ago, SpiderMana said:

It depends on the rest of your list, but Trick Shot Collision Detector could be very powerful on a B. The randomized list I played with Ten had Cassian and Lando, so the i5 “coordinate” helped a lot, but having the option to barrel roll or even just maneuver over an obstacle is pretty great. I was able to TL with the coordinate or Ten’s action, and focus->BR into having 2x focus mods most turns.

Braylen’s ability is definitely better, if you can get rid of stress. Gives you some more flexibility with the rest of he list.

Did they resolve the trick shot collision detector combo? I thought if you were ignoring the effects of the obstacle you couldn’t then get the extra die of the trick shot? Am I wrong?

i know that I’d still get the extra die defensively but I can’t remember about the other way.

5 minutes ago, uscsmurf said:

Did they resolve the trick shot collision detector combo? I thought if you were ignoring the effects of the obstacle you couldn’t then get the extra die of the trick shot? Am I wrong?

i know that I’d still get the extra die defensively but I can’t remember about the other way.

Yup it's in the sticky thread in rules questions. It works.

6 minutes ago, thespaceinvader said:

Yup it's in the sticky thread in rules questions. It works.

****. Ok, that changes some things.

Even if it didn’t, Collision Detector makes it considerably less dangerous to park yourself behind an asteroid with a barrel roll ?

yeah, Braylen's ability is incredible

problem is a stressed B is just the worst ito predictability, so he's basically wedded to Cassian

4 hours ago, thespaceinvader said:

Yup it's in the sticky thread in rules questions. It works.

So reading that, it seems like all pro and no con right? You get the extra die for attack and defense, and they don't get the extra green for defense?

So Braylen Focus->BR's onto a debris, spends CD, gets 4 die with 2 rerolls, 5 if R1 (or HLC/Bullseye), then 2 green and 2 rerolls for defense?

Seems good, wonder how many times on average I'd be able to pull it off in a game.

On a related note I have been flying 4x Blue w/ AS as my casual list. Its fun, between blocking and the Bs move set its not too hard to setup advantageous engagements, low PS seems to acually help. The power level feels great for casual play. I tried subbing Braylen/Ten in and while its probably mathematically better, it felt worse. I want to try 4x Blade/HLC/Predator next.

Edited by prauxim

Yes, it's all pro and no con, but unless you have a reliable way of getting OFF the rock again (decloak, virago) it's really tough to get the obstruction and not cross the rock the following round, wasting both charges just to go over one rock.

14 minutes ago, thespaceinvader said:

Yes, it's all pro and no con, but unless you have a reliable way of getting OFF the rock again (decloak, virago) it's really tough to get the obstruction and not cross the rock the following round, wasting both charges just to go over one rock.

Just blue maneuver off the debris? You get a stress which Braylen is fine with and 1/8 chance of damage, doesn't seem too bad.

You could AS off it as well without spending a charge (not saying I like AS on Braylen though). LOL need more coffee

Edited by prauxim

Fine for debris, I guess.

6 hours ago, ficklegreendice said:

problem is a stressed B is just the worst ito predictability, so he's basically wedded to Cassian

At 8HP, electronic baffle is also a viable option on braylen

7 hours ago, ficklegreendice said:

yeah, Braylen's ability is incredible

problem is a stressed B is just the worst ito predictability, so he's basically wedded to Cassian

I mean, I know there's a difference between small-base with a barrel roll and medium base with a boost and a rear arc, but the blue moves on a B-Wing, and the blue moves on a Firespray (like Boba Fett with Han Gunner) are exactly the same.

2 minutes ago, theBitterFig said:

I mean, I know there's a difference between small-base with a barrel roll and medium base with a boost and a rear arc, but the blue moves on a B-Wing, and the blue moves on a Firespray (like Boba Fett with Han Gunner) are exactly the same.

And if Braylen had an aux arc, it wouldn't be an issue for him either

6 minutes ago, theBitterFig said:

I mean, I know there's a difference between small-base with a barrel roll and medium base with a boost and a rear arc, but the blue moves on a B-Wing, and the blue moves on a Firespray (like Boba Fett with Han Gunner) are exactly the same.

3 minutes ago, ficklegreendice said:

And if Braylen had an aux arc, it wouldn't be an issue for him either

Plus, the Firespray has far fewer red moves than the B-wing. So while the optimal moves may be the same, the universe of possible moves is much larger on the Firespray. This goes a long way toward increasing unpredictability.

I guess my point is folks ought to challenge their preconceptions more. B-Wings, most of the time, do the same moves as a Firespray. There are a few fewer White moves to pull when you're willing to float a stress from last turn, sure.

But we know netlisting and groupthink are a problem in every game in this era of the internet.

I keep thinking about the Biggs/Selfless Blade/Selfless Blade/Braylen squad I read about. Just seems like that's someone saying "I don't care what I've heard, I'm going to try it anyhow." That said, a Cassian is probably an underrated ship, itself a victim of groupthink.

It's late and I'm barely coherent.

10 hours ago, ficklegreendice said:

yeah, Braylen's ability is incredible

problem is a stressed B is just the worst ito predictability, so he's basically wedded to Cassian

That’s why you take Keyan far... I mean Ten numb and spend your stress, so you’re totally free the next round.

17 minutes ago, FlyingAnchors said:

That’s why you take Keyan far... I mean Ten numb and spend your stress, so you’re totally free the next round.

Problem is that Ten Numb's ability to remove stress is not that reliable due to the ruling that you cannot spend a focus token unless you have focus results to change, which most likely also affects Ten Numb's ability. Unless otherwise stated in the rules somewhere.

Just now, Daijin said:

Problem is that Ten Numb's ability to remove stress is not that reliable due to the ruling that you cannot spend a focus token unless you have focus results to change, which most likely also affects Ten Numb's ability. Unless otherwise stated in the rules somewhere.

They probably changed it, it’s just a matter of time. Part of what made Keyan good was the “roll all hits, still spend stress”.

I really like both B-wing aces. Braylen with Cassian can get fully modded shots almost everytime. Ten can solo and manage stress better although there are times where you’re not able to get rid of it. I give him Electronic Baffle in the off chance that that happens and I need to k-turn or t-roll the following turn or just keep it if I don’t need to.

I usually give them Adv Sensors but Collision Detector seems good too especially against Quadjumpers. You just sacrifice some flexibility for that tractorbeam insurance.

Also something about Ten I didn’t realise until only recently is that he makes a good coordination platform with Squad Leader. Coordinate and get the stress for him to spend. Even better with Adv Sensors.

Ten braylen dutch, ten with squad leader. Easy to get double mods. Ten is a focus machine. Give the other 2 trick shot, tractor on ten. Pull enemy into obstruction+debuff, trickshot him twice. Not tournament worthy but fun.

Braylen with advanced sensors to get a focus and stress (sometimes with debris) is very good too, will try colission detector with trickshot and tractor that sounds like a good trick.