I've played my first game using CIS and had a blast. Different play style , different options. I used Dooku, Vulteres and Sear. Now my mind went for utilization of missiles, but not energy charges (which look very promising even when reloading gives disarm). I went other route:

0-66 (55)
DRK-1 Probe Droids (6)
Scimitar (4)
Kraken (10)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Cluster Missiles (5)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Cluster Missiles (5)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Cluster Missiles (5)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Cluster Missiles (5)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Cluster Missiles (5)
Total: 200

Very straightforward. 0-66 launches DRK-1 Probes to enhance range on target locks. Kraken allows for efficient calculate using even when Drones do target locking. When all is set up I have a carpet full of missiles. The celling here is very high, but floor is low. I see range 1-2 a limiting factor. Using these tools optimal range should be 2-3 which Clusters don't get. Maybe Homing Missiles are a good alternative? Food for thought. In these set up I don't think ESC are worth it. If I were to use them I would build Infiltrator differently or substitute it with Belzebub to squeeze 6th Drone with ESC. What do You think?

Let me know how it goes. My first concern is how all the missile carriers are I1. If you find they blow up too much, I would switch Kraken for K2-B4. I have found my Vultures get one shotted more often than not (even with a Calculate token), so being able to stay alive through one salvo is a big deal.

I wouldn't go with ESC for this list as you are going for early TL.

Homing Missiles might be better, depending in who you are facing. The chance to get to shoot at R3 is nice and there are enough to really take down an ace that gets in your firing arc. Not as good vs Swarms, though.

Could be a goodlist, depending on what you fight. Give it a go!

Oh, if you swap Tac droids, you can upgrade to Concussion Missiles, if you want. Not sure if that's better, but it isn't bad. Less for their special ability and more for the R3 attacks with 3 dice.

6 minutes ago, heychadwick said:

Let me know how it goes. My first concern is how all the missile carriers are I1. If you find they blow up too much, I would switch Kraken for K2-B4. I have found my Vultures get one shotted more often than not (even with a Calculate token), so being able to stay alive through one salvo is a big deal.

I wouldn't go with ESC for this list as you are going for early TL.

Homing Missiles might be better, depending in who you are facing. The chance to get to shoot at R3 is nice and there are enough to really take down an ace that gets in your firing arc. Not as good vs Swarms, though.

Could be a goodlist, depending on what you fight. Give it a go!

I've reviewed my list and I'm turned between Kraken and K2-B4. I don't "need" huge amounts of calculates. I need locks and can use calculates for defense and rely more on quantity than double mods. This is actually a nice idea. K2-B4 is 5 points cheaper. Concussions are in conversation or using DFS-311 for a slightly improved calculate management, maybe Grievous on 0-66. There are options.

Actually when to come to think about it Homing Missiles would love to have K2-B4 as they are not that reliant on dice mods. So going with them definately screams K2-B4. Homing v Clusters is a choice between hunting aces and hunting hordes, totally dependent on a matchup. I think that clusters are a bit more flexible as they deliver at a very least stable 3 dice attack, on the other hand homing missiles are better against reinforced targets, hmm very tough choice.

Also think about the range. Will you be able to fire at R1-2 or will you want R2-3. The first will be harder to pull off.

Valid point. I'm aware of it. However I feel that a bigger payoff lies with Clusters.

I constructed a more radical list that uses Belzebub instead of Infiltrator. This allows to fit 6th Drone with Clusters... All with support of Kraken. That is insane. Of course the downside is lack of long range target lock support.

If you won't take the probe, you should just go with ESC.

I1 hurts they get initiative killed.

I was thinking about Probe Droids and non-ESC Missiles. I don't know if you need Tactical Relay at all.

I will play my first CIS game today and I will try something like this:

Darth Maul (65)
DRK-1 Probe Droids (6)
Scimitar (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Ion Missiles (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Ion Missiles (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Homing Missiles (5)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Concussion Missiles (6)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Concussion Missiles (6)
Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

18 minutes ago, Boreas Mun said:

I was thinking about Probe Droids and non-ESC Missiles. I don't know if you need Tactical Relay at all.

I will play my first CIS game today and I will try something like this:

I was wandering the same. I automatically have put Kraken as he is the best Tac Relay (I have more thoughts about him in general but lets focus here). K2-B4 fits the theme here. It gives a defensive capability for I1 to have at least one shot opportunity. I totally see why not to take him (5 points savings). I would opt against it though.

21 minutes ago, Boreas Mun said:

Darth Maul (65)
DRK-1 Probe Droids (6)
Scimitar (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Ion Missiles (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Ion Missiles (4)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Homing Missiles (5)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Concussion Missiles (6)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Concussion Missiles (6)
Total: 200

1. I think by taking Maul You are waisting his potential as an attack platform. He needs Hate. For the same points Dooku will serve the list better.
2. I don't like concussions at all. They are inferior to any missile Droids have access to.
3. I don't like mixing missile types. They should be all the same. The platform is dispensable and by selecting different load out You put Yourself in a position to take decision who to protect more. If everybody is the same it makes life easier.
4. I have thought about Ions. They are quite interesting. To field 5 drones with Ion Missiles and Infiltrator with Ion Cannon. This can be quite potent against some lists. This option needs to be explored more:) It is a similar gimmick as having 5 Homing Missiles.

1 hour ago, BoskiChe said:

I was wandering the same. I automatically have put Kraken as he is the best Tac Relay (I have more thoughts about him in general but lets focus here). K2-B4 fits the theme here. It gives a defensive capability for I1 to have at least one shot opportunity. I totally see why not to take him (5 points savings). I would opt against it though.

1. I think by taking Maul You are waisting his potential as an attack platform. He needs Hate. For the same points Dooku will serve the list better.
2. I don't like concussions at all. They are inferior to any missile Droids have access to.
3. I don't like mixing missile types. They should be all the same. The platform is dispensable and by selecting different load out You put Yourself in a position to take decision who to protect more. If everybody is the same it makes life easier.
4. I have thought about Ions. They are quite interesting. To field 5 drones with Ion Missiles and Infiltrator with Ion Cannon. This can be quite potent against some lists. This option needs to be explored more:) It is a similar gimmick as having 5 Homing Missiles.

1. Yes, I think that Hate is better than title.

2. Don't know, I've never used them in 2.0 😕

3. I just don't know which I want.

4. I also thought about Tractor Beam on Maul to soften the targets.

1. I would prefer both

2. The effect takes place only in certain situations, only 3 dice and the biggest cost. The only pro is 2-3 range. All other missiles offer more and cost less.

3. This would give You a clouded judgement especially for Homings and to Ion's to some degree. Homings work way better when spammed as the choice that opponent has to make seems very real. Imagine having 5 locks on ship with 5 or less health. The chances are that You will roll for damage even on the first shot. Ions also provide some deterrent for high agility ships. And quantity here can wear off even the toughest guys out there.

4. I've also thought about Tractor Beam on Maul particularly. It could work, if not it is only 2 points

5 hours ago, Boreas Mun said:

I was thinking about Probe Droids and non-ESC Missiles. I don't know if you need Tactical Relay at all.

You don't NEED to have a Tac Relay, but if you are spending points on Init 1 ships to have Ordnance, you would be foolish to not take K2 or at least Kraken. Personally, I would downgrade Maul to anything else to get K2 and possibly raise the Droids to Separatists.

Concussion Missiles work with just one or two. You get R2-3 range, which is good, but special ability works on those that have already been damaged. Its nasty against aces or lists with few ships.

Masses Ion Missiles lack the damage output to be worth it. If you are investing that much in ordnance, you need damage. Maybe one in a list, but that's it.

Tractor Beam is good if you got someone in the kill box as something like masked Cluster Missiles will crush them. Its giving up a rare 3 red due attack, though.

I've finallly made myself to play a missle list. It wasn't the "cluster swarm" it was the "homing swarm":

0-66 (55)
Count Dooku (9)
DRK-1 Probe Droids (6)
K2-B4 (5)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Homing Missiles (5)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Homing Missiles (5)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Homing Missiles (5)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Homing Missiles (5)

Trade Federation Drone (20)
Homing Missiles (5)
Total: 200

It was against Sloane swarm (6 TIE's and a TIE Reaper). Not the best matchup I wanted a challenge and oh boy I had one. I've lost on points, killing Sloane and a TIE, loosing 0-66 and two Drones. I've missplayed a bit. Here are my takeaways:

1. When facing a swarm it is better to kill or cripple as much ships per turn as possible. I went for the Reaper and then payed a price. Maybe if my other choices where different this strategy would be proven good.
2. Probe Droid is good enough to field in Target Lock centric list.
3. Homing Missiles en masse are good no matter what.
4. K2-B4 is not efficent enough. I had only one opportunity to really take advantage of it. Other cases were better simply to use calculate to turn eyeball to evade. Stain was not a detterent this time.
5. Infiltrator sucks in a support role. Plain and simple. I would have better going with Dooku with Scimitar, probe and hate ommiting totally tactical Relay and flying separately. 0-66 in thi s build did nothing. Maybe the outfit wasn't good. Maybe for crew I should have Grievious and ex. Adv Torps or Scimitar, use Kraken. Definately something more offense oriented and I should fly away from vultures.
6. I see potential in such approach but it needs more tweaking on the Infiltartor side. Depending on the cost the new Hyenna's should be better, but we will see.

I have a feeling your cluster swarm is going to get FAR BETTER once the Hyena gives you a platform worth a ****!