Veteran Turret Gunner's time to shine

By Greedo_Sharpshooter, in X-Wing

After the points rejigging some key turret carrying ships and dorsal turret itself got cheaper.

It feels like the Y-Wing is coming into its own. Veteran Turret Gunner is going to get played more. Those double taps are nasty.

I posted this in a thread previously but I wanted to try and create some specific discussion about this type of squad which I feel will become a popular archetype over the next 6 months.

After some test games using drea +2 mining ties +2 Lok Revenant/Dorsal Turret/Veteran Turret Gunner I have settled on the following squad.

Drea + dorsal turret + hull upgrade (47)

Lok Revenant + dorsal turret + veteran turret gunner (51)

Lok Revenant + dorsal turret + veteran turret gunner (51)

Hired Gun + squad leader + ion cannon turret + veteran turret gunner + R4 astromech (51)

200pts 

  • This squad is SLOW. It has issues keeping fast ships in arc but the range 2 killing zone it can create with all those turrets is effective vs enemy ships getting into range. The Lok revenants can really dish out heavy damage esp. at close range but the trick with this list is to get consistent shots on enemy ships. Not easy with low init. pilots (2.2.2 and 4). The scurrg bombers cannot k-turn but do have a 3 talon roll. Their medium base can have difficulty with finding enough space to maneuver but with practice I'm getting better at wrapping around obstacles and auto bumping when its useful to do so.
  • Squad Leader comes in at 6pts on Hired Gun which is pretty cheap for a red coordinate. R4 helps to keep the coordinate online. Giving ur frontline ship a TL when they already have a focus seems good. Also possible to give something a red barrel roll after it focuses or a blocked friendly ship an action. All these options become possible with squad leader.
  • Ion Cannon Turret adds a bit of control to the list that is a little matchup dependent but at worst a little insurance vs big base ships. Hired Gun can fire after the scurrg bombers making the odds of an ion token sticking a little higher. If I can be confident of an ion shot hitting then the ionized ship may even drift into range one of at least one scurrg the next round.
  • Drea's rerolls take the veteran turret gunners up a notch in consistency. in theory you get 6 rerolls if all ships get a range 2 shot with dorsal turret aimed at an enemy. Keeping the turrets facing forwards is the easiest way to achieve double taps with focus although occasionally rotating the turret can in theory give you a second turret shot on a new target.
  • I am finding the squad a challenge to fly and its a squad that rewards skillful play and good decisions. Players who are unprepared for the squads firepower will get steamrolled by the Revenant double taps at close range. When you pull that off the squad is scary. To achieve this against a well prepared player? Well thats going to take a high level of mastery.

Feedback/comments/suggestions welcome.

Edited by Da_Brown_Bomber

Part of me is cheering (Scurrgs now can actually perform the role's they're meant for and Y-Wings got better at it) and another part of me is going "Oh ****, I hope they're not too nasty"...

That out of the way, GUNSHIPS!!!! 😁 😁 😁

Gold Squadron Veteran (33)
Marksmanship (1)
Dorsal Turret (2)
R4 Astromech (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Gold Squadron Veteran (33)
Marksmanship (1)
Dorsal Turret (2)
R4 Astromech (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Tala Squadron Pilot (25)
Outmaneuver (6)
Afterburners (6)

Tala Squadron Pilot (25)
Outmaneuver (6)
Afterburners (6)

Tala Squadron Pilot (25)
Outmaneuver (6)
Afterburners (6)

Total: 199

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Talas attempt to arc dodge and/or draw threat while the Golds eat their target. Loose idea is if the opponent turns to engage the Talas the Gold have an open "run" on them and if they focus on the Golds the Talas will likely have flanking shots. Hoping to test it on the table next time I have a chance.

Drea Renthal (42)
Dorsal Turret (2)
R4 Astromech (2)

Lok Revenant (43)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Lok Revenant (43)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Lok Revenant (43)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Total: 199

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Sitting completely in the realm of K.I.S. is this chunk of double tap/split fire beef. Drea might have a little trouble keeping up, but not much.

And for when you just "have to" place 5 Y-Wings on the table and like having something for mods:

Drea Renthal (42)
Dorsal Turret (2)

Crymorah Goon (31)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Crymorah Goon (31)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Crymorah Goon (31)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Crymorah Goon (31)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

24 total red dice from the Goons against anything unwise enough to end up at range 1 of the formation and a boat load of hp to soak damage. 😁

Drea Renthal (42)
Dorsal Turret (2)
R4 Astromech (2)

Lok Revenant (43)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Lok Revenant (43)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Lok Revenant (43)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Total: 199

This squad is probably better than ppl think. I can see a top player taking this list to the top 8 of a big tournament. Its firepower is scary.

Nice to know this type of list is working. I made a list just like one of your first ones and was intending on giving it a try in the next week or so.

Drea w/ Dorsal & VTG

Lok Rev w/ Dorsal & VTG

Lok Rev w/ Dorsal & VTG

Mining Guild Sentry

Mining Guild Sentry

Edited by intoxicatedALF
Sentry not Sentinel
16 minutes ago, intoxicatedALF said:

Nice to know this type of list is working. I made a list just like one of your first ones and was intending on giving it a try in the next week or so.

Drea w/ Dorsal & VTG

Lok Rev w/ Dorsal & VTG

Lok Rev w/ Dorsal & VTG

Mining Guild Sentinel

Mining Guild Sentinel

nice, very close to what i started at. i had 2x surveyor with Trickshot.

it was solid but i wanted to include sqd leader so went with Hired Gun.

i founf the scum ties great blockers but lacking a lil punch on attack.

Edited by Da_Brown_Bomber

A stray VTG/Ion Grey Y-Wing in a Han/Wedge list kinda kicked my @$$ today. Compare the 1e BTL-A4 Titled Y-Wings. Ion Cannon was the equivalent of 46 points; down to 41 now. That's a pretty decent improvement, and the Y-Wing has a Barrel Roll. Double-tap Y-Wings are solid filler.

//

Here's a thought for Drea: how about R2 Astromech? Being able to regen a pair of shields on her doesn't seem bad, particularly when she's mostly a support ship. Circling at Range 3 outside of turret range without a shot is something she probably doesn't mind doing, so long as she's still got arc.

Edited by theBitterFig

I have been kicking around a Gavin list with 2 Z's and 2 X's few weeks ago, but now I want to try this one.

Gavin Darklighter, Preator, Fire Control

Gold Squadron Vet, Expert Handling, R4, Dorsal, VTG

Gold Squadron Vet, Expert Handling, R4, Dorsal, VTG

Gold Squadron Vet, Expert Handling, R4, Dorsal, VTG

Fairly Mobile Y's to use for blocking or escaping, depending on the situation, and even though they are not super powerful shots, you can get 7 shots off in a turn and almost any hit that does get through will be a crit.

And as others have said, an 8 hit point, double tapping 40 point "filler" sounds really good.

Edited by pickirk01
Oops, was looking at two different lists I was working on so edited so as to be less than 201 points. Heh heh.

I have had aot of success with this one since the points change:

Cry4 Drea

BTL-A4 Y-wing - Crymorah Goon - 39
Crymorah Goon - (31)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

BTL-A4 Y-wing - Crymorah Goon - 39
Crymorah Goon - (31)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

BTL-A4 Y-wing - Crymorah Goon - 39
Crymorah Goon - (31)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

BTL-A4 Y-wing - Crymorah Goon - 39
Crymorah Goon - (31)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

BTL-A4 Y-wing - •Drea Renthal - 44
•Drea Renthal - Pirate Lord (42)
Dorsal Turret (2)

Total: 200/200

I posted this one in my A-wing thread a few days ago. I haven’t gotten to fly it yet, but I’m excited to get a chance to. Use your A-Wings to jump ahead and block, then burn it all with the Y-Wings.

BTL-A4 Y-wing - Gray Squadron Bomber - 43
Gray Squadron Bomber - (31)
Ion Cannon Turret (4)
R4 Astromech (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

BTL-A4 Y-wing - Gray Squadron Bomber - 43
Gray Squadron Bomber - (31)
Ion Cannon Turret (4)
R4 Astromech (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

BTL-A4 Y-wing - Gray Squadron Bomber - 48
Gray Squadron Bomber - (31)
Ion Cannon Turret (4)
R4 Astromech (2)
Proton Bombs (5)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

RZ-1 A-wing - Phoenix Squadron Pilot - 33
Phoenix Squadron Pilot - (30)
Intimidation (3)

RZ-1 A-wing - Phoenix Squadron Pilot - 33
Phoenix Squadron Pilot - (30)
Intimidation (3)

Total: 200/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

54 minutes ago, Phelan Boots said:

I posted this one in my A-wing thread a few days ago. I haven’t gotten to fly it yet, but I’m excited to get a chance to. Use your A-Wings to jump ahead and block, then burn it all with the Y-Wings.

BTL-A4 Y-wing - Gray Squadron Bomber - 43
Gray Squadron Bomber - (31)
Ion Cannon Turret (4)
R4 Astromech (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

BTL-A4 Y-wing - Gray Squadron Bomber - 43
Gray Squadron Bomber - (31)
Ion Cannon Turret (4)
R4 Astromech (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

BTL-A4 Y-wing - Gray Squadron Bomber - 48
Gray Squadron Bomber - (31)
Ion Cannon Turret (4)
R4 Astromech (2)
Proton Bombs (5)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

RZ-1 A-wing - Phoenix Squadron Pilot - 33
Phoenix Squadron Pilot - (30)
Intimidation (3)

RZ-1 A-wing - Phoenix Squadron Pilot - 33
Phoenix Squadron Pilot - (30)
Intimidation (3)

Total: 200/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

looks solid. lmk how it flies.

I'd have to borrow another Scurrg, but since Lok (Ion, Gunner), Lok (Dorsal, Gunner), 2x Enforcer (FCS) is exactly 200 points, I think I might have to put it on the table.

The squad i posted above beat up on a Han/Wedge/Thane list pretty bad... i was playing the mining guy variant and tried to get a block on his falcon but it managed to squeek past and landed right in range 1 of my two scurrgs. 4+3+4+3 dice each with a reroll was scary good and i think i did about 10 dmg that turn (was first engagement). That was the game there, i got dmg on wedge and he conceeded with a heavily damaged Thane remaining. I lost one mining guild tie. Thats what i was meaning about you can punish an unprepared opponent.

24 minutes ago, Da_Brown_Bomber said:

The squad i posted above beat up on a Han/Wedge/Thane list pretty bad... i was playing the mining guy variant and tried to get a block on his falcon but it managed to squeek past and landed right in range 1 of my two scurrgs. 4+3+4+3 dice each with a reroll was scary good and i think i did about 10 dmg that turn (was first engagement). That was the game there, i got dmg on wedge and he conceeded with a heavily damaged Thane remaining. I lost one mining guild tie. Thats what i was meaning about you can punish an unprepared opponent.

And oddly some podcasters are still dismissing the chassis as mostly worthless. I think that will change here soon. When are you planning on giving the Hired Gun Coordinator list a run?

On 2/3/2019 at 12:30 AM, Da_Brown_Bomber said:

Drea Renthal (42)
Dorsal Turret (2)
R4 Astromech (2)

Lok Revenant (43)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Lok Revenant (43)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Lok Revenant (43)
Dorsal Turret (2)
Veteran Turret Gunner (6)

Total: 199

This squad is probably better than ppl think. I can see a top player taking this list to the top 8 of a big tournament. Its firepower is scary.

I've been running almost exactly this list (Hull Upgrade rather than R4 on Drea), and it's been kicking booty for me. It also came in first at the tournament at my FLGS this weekend, and 2nd at another local store today. It's a lot of firepower behind a lot of health!

Edited by Jarval
5 hours ago, Hiemfire said:

And oddly some podcasters are still dismissing the chassis as mostly worthless. I think that will change here soon. When are you planning on giving the Hired Gun Coordinator list a run?

soon, day after tomorrow probably. drea+3x revenant is my fallback list but im hoping the coordinate Y wing is actualy worth it.

Yawn.

5 minutes ago, Cloaker said:

Yawn.

Coming from the person who was calling the Upsilon DOA a couple of months ago? Riiight….

1 hour ago, Hiemfire said:

Coming from the person who was calling the Upsilon DOA a couple of months ago? Riiight….

Yawn +2

Hey Hiem check out this list though. I think it's fun and I hate extended.

1 hour ago, Hiemfire said:

Coming from the person who was calling the Upsilon DOA a couple of months ago? Riiight….

Lando's Ladies ( 200 )

Magva Yarro — UT-60D U-Wing 50
Leia Organa 2
Perceptive Copilot 8
Pivot Wing 0
Ship Total: 60
Half Points: 30 Threshold: 4
Lando Calrissian — Modified YT-1300 Light Freighter 80
Trick Shot 2
Jyn Erso 2
Perceptive Copilot 8
Ship Total: 92
Half Points: 46 Threshold: 7
Partisan Renegade — UT-60D U-Wing 43
Tactical Officer 2
Baze Malbus 3
Pivot Wing 0
Ship Total: 48
Half Points: 24 Threshold: 4
6 minutes ago, Cloaker said:

Hey Hiem check out this list though. I think it's fun and I hate extended.

Lando's Ladies ( 200 )

Magva Yarro — UT-60D U-Wing 50
Leia Organa 2
Perceptive Copilot 8
Pivot Wing 0
Ship Total: 60
Half Points: 30 Threshold: 4
Lando Calrissian — Modified YT-1300 Light Freighter 80
Trick Shot 2
Jyn Erso 2
Perceptive Copilot 8
Ship Total: 92
Half Points: 46 Threshold: 7
Partisan Renegade — UT-60D U-Wing 43
Tactical Officer 2
Baze Malbus 3
Pivot Wing 0
Ship Total: 48
Half Points: 24 Threshold: 4

/slow clap So you can defensive token stack. We'll see how long that list remains legal.

21 minutes ago, Hiemfire said:

/slow clap So you can defensive token stack. We'll see how long that list remains legal.

But it's moar funner than boring old vtg spam AMIRITE? #iloveJyn

How about putting a VCX in here too:

Double-Tap-Dash-Down

(84) Kanan Jarrus
(4) Ion Cannon Turret
(6) Veteran Turret Gunner
(0) Ghost
(2) Fire-Control System
(2) Leia Organa
(8) Magva Yarro
Points 106

(39) "Dutch" Vander
(4) Ion Cannon Turret
(6) Veteran Turret Gunner
Points 49

(35) Evaan Verlaine
(4) Ion Cannon Turret
(6) Veteran Turret Gunner
Points 45

Total points: 200

Given the reality that i own a "mere" 2 Scurrgs I make do with what I have and will try the following tomorrow:

Drea Renthal —Dorsal Turret, Veteran Turret Gunner, Hull Upgrade (53)
Lok Revenant — Dorsal Turret, Perceptive Copilot, Veteran Turret Gunner (59)
Lok Revenant — Dorsal Turret, Perceptive Copilot, Veteran Turret Gunner (59)
L3-37 — Tactical Officer (28)

If the Escape craft does not do "enough" I will try to drop the hull upgrade and swap it for a Jakku Gunrunner.

But I like the idea of being able to bump or make a red manoever with the Scurrgs and still have double focus.

Having said all that; I suspect 3x Scurrgs will outperform the above.

Here is one for the Empire getting into the Double Tap game:

Ruthless II - The Revenge

(36) Tie Aggressor - LT. Kestal
(1) Ruthless
(6) Veteran Turret Gunner
(2) Dorsal Turret
Points 45

(32) Tie Aggressor - Onyx Squadron Scout
(1) Ruthless
(6) Veteran Turret Gunner
(2) Dorsal Turret
Points 41

(32) Tie Aggressor - Onyx Squadron Scout
(1) Ruthless
(6) Veteran Turret Gunner
(2) Dorsal Turret
Points 41

(32) Lamda Class T4a Shuttle - Lieutenant Sai
(10) Admiral Sloane
(14) Darth Vader
Points 71

Total points: 198

I am not sure that the Dark Lord will be too happy with me using his Shuttle (and him) as Ruthless fodder... but he won't be around long enough to tell anybody...

1 hour ago, drazen90909 said:

Here is one for the Empire getting into the Double Tap game:

Ruthless II - The Revenge

(36) Tie Aggressor - LT. Kestal
(1) Ruthless
(6) Veteran Turret Gunner
(2) Dorsal Turret
Points 45

(32) Tie Aggressor - Onyx Squadron Scout
(1) Ruthless
(6) Veteran Turret Gunner
(2) Dorsal Turret
Points 41

(32) Tie Aggressor - Onyx Squadron Scout
(1) Ruthless
(6) Veteran Turret Gunner
(2) Dorsal Turret
Points 41

(32) Lamda Class T4a Shuttle - Lieutenant Sai
(10) Admiral Sloane
(14) Darth Vader
Points 71

Total points: 198

I am not sure that the Dark Lord will be too happy with me using his Shuttle (and him) as Ruthless fodder... but he won't be around long enough to tell anybody...

If you can free up 4 points you can upgrade all of those turrets to ion cannon turrets.