Been experimenting with 3x Brobots, which I've been calling Tricepticons. Their stats are great. 3 attack, 3 agility, 5 hull and 3 shields. It can take a decent amount shots before they're destroyed, especially if they're token'd up and sharing.

I know 2x Brobots + <friend> is more preferred. This is, afterall, an experiment to see how well Tricepticons can do. Only issue is the lack of upgrades you can put on these suckers, especially Advanced Sensors. But 2e does prefer fewer upgrades than 1e.

Of the 4 Brobot pilots, A & D are the most important. A is a requirement for token sharing. D gives your list great turn-around options. B would be great if you can fit better cannons. Problem is 3 Brobots limit your choices to only Jamming Beam. And C is a nice defense buff for running away.

Below are two lists I've been experimenting with. I'm starting with ABD to see if stripping tokens when I miss is more beneficial than an Evade token after boosting. So far, the 3 primary attack has been successful in stripping most tokens, which limits how many times B's ability triggers.

Let me know what you think and if you have experimented with similar lists. Thanks!

=== ABD ===
IG-88A (68)
Jamming Beam (0)
IG-2000 (1)

IG-88B (64)
Jamming Beam (0)
IG-2000 (1)

IG-88D (64)
Jamming Beam (0)
IG-2000 (1)
Total: 199

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

=== ACD ===
IG-88A (68)
Jamming Beam (0)
IG-2000 (1)

IG-88C (65)
Jamming Beam (0)
IG-2000 (1)

IG-88D (64)
Jamming Beam (0)
IG-2000 (1)
Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

Fly True and May the Force be with You.

Biggest reason 2 bots is probably preferred is that most folks probably only own 2, and the conversion kit only converts 2. Takes 2 conversion kits (or buying the components separately) to fly 3.

I think I'm more inclined towards ACD. Haven't flown much Bots (only Ion B/C + Dace Bonearm HWK), but from flying Firesprays, boost is a really good action, and having extra defensive mods while you boost is really handy. A can also help shift over a calculate, so that also seems nice.

2 hours ago, theBitterFig said:

Biggest reason 2 bots is probably preferred is that most folks probably only own 2, and the conversion kit only converts 2. Takes 2 conversion kits (or buying the components separately) to fly 3.

I think I'm more inclined towards ACD. Haven't flown much Bots (only Ion B/C + Dace Bonearm HWK), but from flying Firesprays, boost is a really good action, and having extra defensive mods while you boost is really handy. A can also help shift over a calculate, so that also seems nice.

In preparation for Epic 2e, I decided to buy a 2nd pair of Brobots. So far, they've been fun to fly in threes. I'm anxious to fly 4 in Epic. That's if 4 can fit in an Epic list. I'm assuming we can since Epic 1e was 200 points. So Epic 2e lists should be 400 points.

Good point about Firesprays doing well with their boost action. I'm sure you're right about ACD > ABD. That was why i started testing with ABD first to see how often B would trigger. My testing has shown C triggering far more than B. Tho I can see B being a game changer as you take off a TL from Wedge+Torps or Evade token from Ricky Bobby... Must test more.

Of the games I've played so far, I haven't lost a ship yet and my opponent would get half points on a ship or two. The real test is bringing them to a big tournament. Sadly, there's not many big tournaments near me any time soon.

To me, A and B are requirements for Brobots. A for the obvious reason, B because of the free jamming beam attack. With them all being at I4, the one with the worst shot shoots first and either primary or jamming beam is almost sure to make the target lose his tokens. Can also be good to strip a lock from lower I enemy to prevent incoming torps.

Whether C or D for the third is just a matter of how you prefer to fly. I prefer to loop out and boost around instead of stressing myself, so I'd pick C. I think C is better as a last-man-standing, too.

12 hours ago, vectorpirate said:

To me, A and B are requirements for Brobots. A for the obvious reason, B because of the free jamming beam attack. With them all being at I4, the one with the worst shot shoots first and either primary or jamming beam is almost sure to make the target lose his tokens. Can also be good to strip a lock from lower I enemy to prevent incoming torps.

Whether C or D for the third is just a matter of how you prefer to fly. I prefer to loop out and boost around instead of stressing myself, so I'd pick C. I think C is better as a last-man-standing, too.

Thanks for your input. After flying half a dozen games, I'm liking ABD more than ACD

Most of the time you're Calculating and sharing with your brobots. Since you're only flying 3x ships, you can find yourself at a disadvantage against most lists (+4 ships). Its best to make sure each gun is shooting as often as possible especially if you can strip tokens using B pilot's ability.

But i have to say that D > C. S-Looping using 3-turns or 3-straight makes you more unpredictable. With 4 types of maneuver templates to turn around, you can create nice kill boxes.

I hardly used C's ability. Because I needed all 3 guns shooting. Having calculate tokens was more needed than an evade. Besides, brobots can be tanky with 3 agility, 5 hull and 3 shields.

I still need to do more testing. I may end up changing my mind down the line. Like you said, choosing between the 4 brobots is dependent on your flying style. Thanks again for your input.

Further flying has brought me to my final (so far) form for Tricepticons:

IG-88B (63)
Jamming Beam (0)
Tractor Beam (3)
IG-2000 (1)

IG-88C (64)
Crack Shot (1)
Jamming Beam (0)
IG-2000 (1)

IG-88D (63)
Jamming Beam (0)
Tractor Beam (3)
IG-2000 (1)
Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

The combination of these 3 IG abilities synergizes well. Having A's ability is nice but I feel its not necessary. Especially when you can swap A for C. This allows for defensive mods when boosting and room for an additional 3pt cannon. D's ability makes Brobots shine. Having those extra options to turnaround helps outmaneuver your opponent.

Only reason I think a pair is better than 3 is then you can take A&D, contraband, fcs or passive sensors and elusive

4 hours ago, KingmanHighborn said:

Only reason I think a pair is better than 3 is then you can take A&D, contraband, fcs or passive sensors and elusive

Those upgrades help. Same can be said about Advanced Sensors, devices, etc. But those loadouts can only fit Brobot lists (2x IG-2000s). I opened this thread to discuss 3x IG-2000s. Hence the list's and thread's name of Tricepticons.

Reason why I am looking for lists with 3x IG-2000s is because I have 4 in my fleet. So why not field as many IGs as I can? Flying three is really fun. Plus, I do like having 3 guns instead of 2 in a generic-heavy meta.

You got me thinking about the upgrades you mentioned. B+C+D w/ title & Jamming Beams gives me 7 points to play with. Which upgrades are better for Tricepticons?

1. 2x Tractor Beams + Crack Shot
2. 2x Passive Sensors + Crack Shot
3. 3x FCS + Crack Shot
4. 1x Tractor Beam + 2x FCS
5. 2x Autoblasters + Crack Shot

I've been enjoying, BCD, everyone has the Title, Contraband cybernetics and Jamming beam.

I really like CC as the ships want their actions if they do a red maneuver or enables a turn + action when stressed.

Yes its only once per ship per game, but still great as it isnt moving a token, around.

Just now, Scum4Life said:

I've been enjoying, BCD, everyone has the Title, Contraband cybernetics and Jamming beam.

I really like CC as the ships want their actions if they do a red maneuver or enables a turn + action when stressed.

Yes its only once per ship per game, but still great as it isnt moving a token, around.

Kept the 1 pt bid to occasionaly help me move last.

But have also used it with crack on D

21 hours ago, Scum4Life said:

I've been enjoying, BCD, everyone has the Title, Contraband cybernetics and Jamming beam.

CC is a good option. When timed right, CC can win the game.

I'll have try both and see which list is more successful.

A) 2x Tractor Beams for offense

= OR =

B) 3x Contraband Cybernetics for turning around shenanigans

23 hours ago, FastWalker said:

CC is a good option. When timed right, CC can win the game.

I'll have try both and see which list is more successful.

A) 2x Tractor Beams for offense

= OR =

B) 3x Contraband Cybernetics for turning around shenanigans

Dont discount the jamming beams.

Token stripping if you miss a shot is a great consolation prize, especially if you strip a token from two ships (remember B's ability doensn't have to target the same ship)

9 hours ago, Scum4Life said:

Dont discount the jamming beams.

Jamming Beams are pretty much an auto include at zero points. Hope FFG doesn't change their prices in June.

Point changes gave some room for some upgrades. Now, which of these lists (ABD vs BCD) do you think is better? Or do you have a better list with 3 IG-2000s?

Is Passive Sensors better than Contraband Cybernetics? Having IG-A helps pass a calculate token to those performing red maneuvers and can be used multiple times as long as IG-A lives. Contraband Cybernetics allows you to do any action when performing a red maneuver but it is a one-time use.

=== OPTION ABD ===

IG-88A (66)
Passive Sensors (2)
Jamming Beam (0)
IG-2000 (1)

IG-88B (62)
Passive Sensors (2)
Jamming Beam (0)
IG-2000 (1)

IG-88D (62)
Passive Sensors (2)
Jamming Beam (0)
IG-2000 (1)
Total: 199

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

=== END OPTION ABD ===

= OR =

=== OPTION BCD ===

IG-88B (62)
Passive Sensors (2)
Jamming Beam (0)
Contraband Cybernetics (2)
IG-2000 (1)

IG-88C (63)
Jamming Beam (0)
Contraband Cybernetics (2)
IG-2000 (1)

IG-88D (62)
Passive Sensors (2)
Jamming Beam (0)
Contraband Cybernetics (2)
IG-2000 (1)
Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0

=== END OPTION BCD ===

ABD And I'd go Contraband just because the action after the red is invaluable. Shame you can't get FCS AND Contraband in one of these lists.

I’d get a tractor in there and not worry about passives