So played with a pair of these yesterday with Autoblaster Cannon. Was fairly effective, certainly still mindful of range restrictions. At 34 for a Nu squadron and 37 with A-Slam, they seem super points efficient if unspectacular. Passive Sensors was equipped but if you’re using your Slam it’s usually just wasted points. The Ion Cannon doesn’t seem helpful enough to warrant its use. Tractor Beams and Jamming Beams Being what they are seem a bit meh.

what would anyone say to a generic cannon range 1-3 with no other special effects? Obviously Sycks would love those as well. But not something many other ships would want or need at least at this point.

obviously the Vynder Torp build is know but haven’t seen or heard from such a hyped up ship since 2.0 dropped.

Cannons are meh in 2.0. And I don't think we are going to get the "Mangler" cannon (a 3 attack 1-3 range cannon) in 2.0 since it would become what it became in 1.0: must have, brainless upgrade to all 2-dice primary cannon carriers.

The gunboat was greatly debuffed in 2.0 (along with many other ships, of course) when cannons became meh (especially HLC), Advanced Slam assigned stress, reload only reloaded a single charge, XG-1 added a single cannon slot, Linked Battery was removed from the game. The only buff was the addition of the systems (or sensor) slot, that allows for more interesting utility. But as you say, some of these systems don't really play well with the gunboat's mechanics like SLAM or Advanced SLAM.

50 minutes ago, Azrapse said:

And I don't think we are going to get the "Mangler" cannon (a 3 attack 1-3 range cannon) in 2.0 since it would become what it became in 1.0: must have, brainless upgrade to all 2-dice primary cannon carriers.

I would agree. Especially since we already have the ion cannon - which whilst it 'tops out' at 1 damage is a 3-dice range 1-3 cannon, and frankly:

1. getting multiple uncancelled hits isn't that easy off 3 dice when you have often either no modifiers or just a single die reroll from Fire Control System
2. If you do get 2+ hits 'through', ionizing a target is no bad thing since they made ionization much harder to 'sidestep' with rubbish like Fine Tuned Controls , meaning an ionized target is then ripe for massed range 1 primary fire.

Rho Squadron gunboats with autoblasters and marksmanship could be cool. Might have a go at that...

but you’re right. The xg-1 is not in a good place. I still like my os-1 build of a Nu, fcs, as, ion Missiles and APT. I can pretend the ion Missiles are a cannon for fluff reasons, slam gives them range control and the apt gives them teeth. Used to fly three of them with a Juke Whisper but sadly that’s now too expensive.

20 minutes ago, Estarriol said:

I still like my os-1 build of a Nu, fcs, as, ion Missiles and APT. I can pretend the ion Missiles are a cannon for fluff reasons, slam gives them range control and the apt gives them teeth.

I've seen a similar version using XG-1s; Ion Cannon, Advanced SLAM, and Proton Rockets. 50 points on the dot allowing a formation of 5, and anyone hit by massed ion fire is subjected to proton rocket fire.

No, you can't SLAM and fire rockets (which is why the narrow-arc-but-longer-range rockets were chosen over advanced protons) but it works surprisingly well. Plus, targets resilient to ion tokens are usually on larger bases and hence much easier to hit with rocket fire even without ionizing them.

the statline of the Nu is insane for the 32 points it costs

4 hours ago, Magnus Grendel said:

I've seen a similar version using XG-1s; Ion Cannon, Advanced SLAM, and Proton Rockets. 50 points on the dot allowing a formation of 5 , and anyone hit by massed ion fire is subjected to proton rocket fire.

I think you typo'd there, or mathed wrong.

5 minutes ago, svelok said:

the statline of the Nu is insane for the 32 points it COSTs

QFT. They're an extreme bargain.

Also I think the Os-1 version of the ion/proton 4 of list is superior to the XG-1.

EG:

4x Nu Squadron Pilot (32)

Fire-Control System (2)
Proton Rockets (7)
Advanced SLAM (3)
Os-1 Arsenal Loadout (0)
Ion Torpedoes (6)

Ship total: 50 Half Points: 25 Threshold: 4

Total: 200

You can't ion at range 1 and need target lock, but you get 4 dice instead of 3. And then if you don't spend the TL you can double mod proton rockets next turn.

Best use of XG-1?

Nu Squadron Pilot (32)
Xg-1 Assault Configuration (0)
Autoblasters (2)

Ship total: 34 Half Points: 17 Threshold: 4

Nu Squadron Pilot (32)
Xg-1 Assault Configuration (0)
Autoblasters (2)

Ship total: 34 Half Points: 17 Threshold: 4

Nu Squadron Pilot (32)
Xg-1 Assault Configuration (0)
Autoblasters (2)

Ship total: 34 Half Points: 17 Threshold: 4

Nu Squadron Pilot (32)
Xg-1 Assault Configuration (0)
Autoblasters (2)

Ship total: 34 Half Points: 17 Threshold: 4

Nu Squadron Pilot (32)
Xg-1 Assault Configuration (0)
Jamming Beam (0)

Ship total: 32 Half Points: 16 Threshold: 4

Nu Squadron Pilot (32)
Xg-1 Assault Configuration (0)
Jamming Beam (0)

Ship total: 32 Half Points: 16 Threshold: 4


Total: 200

Ion canons are legit

Given the difficulty of pushing more than two damage through, they're basically the cheapest 3 die primary you could ever hope for

Add on the recent ion buff and they're even legit...er

2 minutes ago, ficklegreendice said:

Ion canons are legit

Given the difficulty of pushing more than two damage through, they're basically the cheapest 3 die primary you could ever hope for

Add on the recent ion buff and they're even legit...er

Ion buff?

23 minutes ago, Estarriol said:

Ion buff?

In the most recent Rules Reference update they added a line to the Ion section that says:

" • An ionized ship cannot perform any action except the [focus] action. "

This prevents ships using tricks like Fine Tuned Controls to boost away after the 1-straight ion maneuver, as well as stopping other things like Coordinates and Advanced Sensors before the maneuver.

8 hours ago, Ronu said:

what would anyone say to a generic cannon range 1-3 with no other special effects? Obviously Sycks would love those as well. But not something many other ships would want or need at least at this point.

It shouldn't exist.

Just look at the problems with balancing TIE Bomber and TIE Aggressor prices because they can equip Barrage Rockets. Changing a 2-red ship into a semi-legit 3-red ship messes everything about balance up.

8 hours ago, Ronu said:

So played with a pair of these yesterday with Autoblaster Cannon. Was fairly effective, certainly still mindful of range restrictions. At 34 for a Nu squadron and 37 with A-Slam, they seem super points efficient if unspectacular. Passive Sensors was equipped but if you’re using your Slam it’s usually just wasted points.

I've flown a bit of a different oddball XG-1: Passive Sensors and Proton Torpedoes, along with XG-1 and Autoblasters. 50 points. I kinda like it for whatever odd reason, but it's not necessarily amazing. I figure that OS-1 doesn't really synergize with Passive Sensors too well, nor does Advanced SLAM, but getting a weapon you can shoot more easily while reloading or SLAMing could be good. It also beefs up the Range 1, with potential 4-dice shots (depending on position and disarm-status).

My issues with it have been general Gunboat issues: SLAM is often not nearly as good as a K-Turn. Gunboats just fly so odd that I don't really have a great handle on them.

Flying bare-bones XG-1 seems like it could be fun. It's really different from the 1e version, but might have legs in the right list. Less of a heavy-handed bruiser, more of a cheap tank.

Hrm...

• Nu (Autoblasters, ASLAM, XG-1) 37
• Nu (Autoblasters, ASLAM, XG-1) 37
• Duchess (Predator) 44
• Vader (Sense, Passive Sensors, Advanced SLAM) 81

24 minutes ago, Estarriol said:

Ion buff?

The rules broadened a little to prevent ionized ships from taking any action other than Focus, which will shut off stuff like Fine Tuned Controls or Pinpoint Tractor Array, or an Ionized ship being coordinated before it clears it's ion tokens. Not a huge buff, but it exists.

I am offended this conversation is not in the glorious gunboat thread of yor.....

There is a thread for the Gunboat stuff . Feel welcome to post there.

40 minutes ago, Odanan said:

There is a thread for the Gunboat stuff . Feel welcome to post there.

But also feel free to continue posting here!

59 minutes ago, AngryAlbatross said:

I am offended this conversation is not in the glorious gunboat thread of yor.....

Don't get me wrong, I have followed Ye ol' Glorious Gunboat thread for years, but I also enjoy seeing a new thread where newer players examine what's new to them, unencumbered by 400 pages of history, precedent, theorycrafting, and "known" conclusions. It's easy to get lost in all of that.

@Ronu , @svelok , @Cerebrawl (and anyone else) please don't feel obligated to read the whole Gunboat superthread linked above (unless you want to of course!) Fresh perspective can be just what an underutilized ship needs and hopefully good ideas will cross pollinate. Bring your best and join the enthusiastic hoard

Yes, as Nitro posted, please do not take my banter negatively! We are all enthusiastic to see more gunboats on the table. Welcome!
I for one will try out those ion/proton rocket combo's tonight. That looks nasty!

TIE/sk Striker - Planetary Sentinel - 34
Planetary Sentinel - (34)

TIE/sk Striker - Planetary Sentinel - 34
Planetary Sentinel - (34)

TIE Reaper - Scarif Base Pilot - 50
Scarif Base Pilot - (41)
•Admiral Sloane (9)

Alpha -class Star Wing - Nu Squadron Pilot - 40
Nu Squadron Pilot - (32)
Passive Sensors (3)
Advanced SLAM (3)
Xg-1 Assault Configuration (0)
Autoblasters (2)

Alpha -class Star Wing - Nu Squadron Pilot - 40
Nu Squadron Pilot - (32)
Passive Sensors (3)
Advanced SLAM (3)
Xg-1 Assault Configuration (0)
Autoblasters (2)

Total: 198/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

This showed interesting potential in a 2v2 matchup. I have my battle reports here:

Let’s be honest though if I got my Flechette cannon back I would always fly Sloane with my XG-1’s....lol

5 hours ago, ficklegreendice said:

Ion canons are legit

Given the difficulty of pushing more than two damage through, they're basically the cheapest 3 die primary you could ever hope for

Add on the recent ion buff and they're even legit...er

Difficulty of pushing more than 2 damage through singly, maybe.

If you've got 2 or 3 first my at the same target it gets easier as defensive mods get spent.

And then there's the fact they get range one bonus now as well.

I remember flying against a top-heavy Vynder build at one of the System Opens with XG-1, Ion, either APT or Prockets and Outmanuever. You didn't dare let him out of your front arc, which gave his wingmen license to wreak havoc.

2 hours ago, FTS Gecko said:

I remember flying against a top-heavy Vynder build at one of the System Opens with XG-1, Ion, either APT or Prockets and Outmanuever. You didn't dare let him out of your front arc, which gave his wingmen license to wreak havoc.

Makes me really want to try this:

Major Vynder (41)
Outmaneuver (6)
Fire-Control System (2)
Advanced SLAM (3)
Xg-1 Assault Configuration (0)
Ion Cannon (5)

Ship total: 57 Half Points: 29 Threshold: 4

Rexler Brath (81)
Juke (7)

Ship total: 88 Half Points: 44 Threshold: 4

Turr Phennir (44)
Juke (7)
Targeting Computer (3)

Ship total: 54 Half Points: 27 Threshold: 2


Total: 199

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZsZ200Z161X126W113WWW104W144W11Y196X123WWWY180X123W249W&sn=Unnamed Squadron&obs=

Major Vynder (41)
Marksmanship (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Advanced SLAM (3)
Xg-1 Assault Configuration (0)
Autoblasters (2)

Ship total: 49 Half Points: 25 Threshold: 4

"Whisper" (57)
Outmaneuver (6)
Fifth Brother (9)

Ship total: 72 Half Points: 36 Threshold: 3

Darth Vader (67)
Hate (3)
Passive Sensors (3)
Afterburners (6)

Ship total: 79 Half Points: 40 Threshold: 3


Total: 200

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZsZ200Z161X125W113WWW104W144W232Y199X126WW82WY173X204W240WW105&sn=Unnamed Squadron&obs=

Ion Vynder is an absolute trucker if you can keep on SLAMing. As a lone flanker he can be a serious distraction/disruption.

I mean, he's no Nantex, but...