I am eager to see what the Hotshots and Aces Tie/SK Striker Pilot will be. Codename "Vagabond" so... * intense thinking about pilot ability * MYSTERY GAHHH!!!

I dunno that 1 sloop has caught a many an opponent off guard either on a block or setting up a shot. So I'd say it rivals the U-Wing the way it gets around.

2 minutes ago, KingmanHighborn said:

I dunno that 1 sloop has caught a many an opponent off guard either on a block or setting up a shot. So I'd say it rivals the U-Wing the way it gets around.

Agreed, and compared to the "no white turn" lambda or the "no stop or loop" decimator, it's genuinely pretty manoeuvrable.

Indeed it's pretty good compared to most things with multiple crew slots . My only comment is that compared to a bunch of strikers, that's not an terribly high bar.

If you're continuously using red moves it's less of an issue, but then you're stuck dealing with stress and a lack of actions.

If not, then the reaper's minimum forward speed is equivalent to a small base ship doing a speed 4 straight , and that's where in my experience it has problems; it's like trying to keep a ship with Full Throttle on target whilst still getting your free evade.

My "Duchess" has failed me yesterday... 5 shots into Luke... With Force and Predator... 17 Attack Dice... 1 Hit went through. 1!!! Fifth Brother and Targeting Computer a must have from now on... No excuses.

On 11/13/2019 at 8:03 PM, Rossetti1828 said:

I'm also looking forward to seeing what Vagabond brings to the party.

...also totally forgot that this was a thing.
Yeah... going to rejoin the Aileron Clubhouse when this drops....

So.... Jendon.

Jendon + Targeting Sabaac is 93 points.

That's a lot of wiggle room.

Thoughts include:
- Targeting Duchess and Soontir + 6 points. (feels weird... but ?Swarm Tactics on Soontir to basically guarantee at least one High Powered Sabaac shot?, or Swarm on Duchess to fly together)
- Snap Targeting Sabaac + 100 points (can fit Soontir and Duchess, with Targeting on one and Predator/Crack on the other)
- Targeting Duchess, Afterburner Maarek + 10 points
- Can fit all named Strikers with Targeting comfortably. 15 points.... Krennic/ST321 and two Swarm Tactics?

Probably not Good.... but could be amusing.

If you want to tool up Duchess, she makes an ok partner for Jendon/Krennic and Rexler Brath.

I already ordered myself a Tie V1 so will fly her alongside Vader and Grand Daddy. With Fifth Brother and Targeting Computer. Also... Lambda with named Strikers? *intense thinking* Huh... What if...

1. Colonel Jendon: Targeting Computer, Emperor Palpatine
2. "Duchess" - Targeting Computer
3. "Countdown" - Targeting Computer
4. "Pure Sabacc" - Targeting Computer

Or...

1. Colonel Jendon: Fire-Control System, Director Krennic, Grand Moff Tarkin
2. "Duchess" - Crack Shot, Targeting Computer
3. "Countdown" - Crack Shot, Targeting Computer
4. "Pure Sabacc" - Crack Shot, Targeting Computer

On 11/13/2019 at 10:50 AM, Schanez said:

I am eager to see what the Hotshots and Aces Tie/SK Striker Pilot will be. Codename "Vagabond" so... * intense thinking about pilot ability * MYSTERY GAHHH!!!

i expext a thing like: when you use ailerons you can use the 1 hard template istead of the 1 bank.

does anybody know what is vagabond's initiative?

21 minutes ago, Manolox said:

i expext a thing like: when you use ailerons you can use the 1 hard template istead of the 1 bank.

does anybody know what is vagabond's initiative?

There have been no information about any of the card packs pilots so far. Other than the Bosk and K2S0 that were visible during the initial presentation. I honestly expect an I5, as Empire already has two I6es. And then an I4 from the Fifth Brother pilot.

"Vagabond"sounds like a decent codename for a 1 Hard Aileron user... Maybe he will get an option to gain Stress to instead use a 2 Bank or 2 Straight?

Okay I used this tonight for our store's game night and went 2-0

TIE Advanced x1 - •Darth Vader - 78
•Darth Vader - Black Leader (67)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)
Hate (3)

TIE Advanced x1 - •Maarek Stele - 55
•Maarek Stele - Servant of the Empire (46)
Marksmanship (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)

TIE/sk Striker - •“Duchess” - 64
•“Duchess” - Urbane Ace (42)
Predator (2)
Proton Bombs (5)
Afterburners (6)
•Fifth Brother (9)

Total: 197/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

This....this turned into a literal glass cannon list, played against a Fang/Viper list first and got crazy lucky when Vader one shot Kad Solus on the first round of shooting and that game snowballed for my opponent. The other was a tweaked list with Dalan Viper/Kad in the Fang and Talonbane which was a much tighter fight, with Maarek getting blown away, but Vader was able to arc dodge and Duchess 'plinked' away. Kad again had a bad day, picking up an ion token from a crit card, drifted over a gas cloud and wasn't able to get back into the fight before Vader and Duchess killed the Viper.

Proton Bombs did surprisingly well. Keeping my opponent from getting where he needed to be, and even putting some crit damage on Talon. But at the end Duchess had two hull and Vader was full strength. And Talon only had a hull left, so my opponent conceded.

Honestly I think the afterburners on Duchess was the only thing that didn't click. Shield or Hull upgrade might be worth it a lot more.

A second I5 striker pilot would be awesome.

I also agree they wouldn't be likely to put in an I6 - I6 is 'special' enough that I would be surprised to see an 'unknown' pilot created by FFG get it (in fact the same three individuals make up over half the I6 pilots!)

I was surprised to see Quickdraw and Midnight get I6, though, so could be wrong.

20 hours ago, Schanez said:

"Vagabond"sounds like a decent codename for a 1 Hard Aileron user

That'd be awesome, but might be a bit too good on an I5-6 pilot. Chaining speed 1 banks is scary but chaining hard turns could be ridiculous (imagine speed 1 turn, speed 2 segnor - essentially a speed 3 'sideslip' with a 45 degree turn back toward your starting point). I guess it's just a balancing act of price, but you'll note most of the 'stupid manouvres' pilots (Echo, Kare Kun, etc) tend not to also be 'top initiative pilots'.

20 hours ago, Schanez said:

Maybe he will get an option to gain Stress to instead use a 2 Bank or 2 Straight?

Remember that you're looking at manoeuvre-on-manoeuvre with a striker - if you dial in a blue move, you'd receive and then instantly remove your stress. That's not inherently a problem as it basically boils down to 'extra manoeuvrability on blue moves' but it's a bit less effective a trigger 'price' than normal 'increase difficulty to' abilities like Countess Ryad.

28 minutes ago, KingmanHighborn said:

Okay I used this tonight for our store's game night and went 2-0

TIE Advanced x1 - •Darth Vader - 78
•Darth Vader - Black Leader (67)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)
Hate (3)

TIE Advanced x1 - •Maarek Stele - 55
•Maarek Stele - Servant of the Empire (46)
Marksmanship (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)

TIE/sk Striker - •“Duchess” - 64
•“Duchess” - Urbane Ace (42)
Predator (2)
Proton Bombs (5)
Afterburners (6)
•Fifth Brother (9)

Total: 197/200

I have been flying an almost similar list. Although my "Duchess" was using Outmaneuver, Shield Upgrade and Fifth Brother. I really felt the need for dice rerolls. But I don't trust myself enough to house Predator. Maybe in the future. For now my plan is to outfit her with Fifth Brother and Targeting Computer only.

On 11/14/2019 at 1:09 PM, Schanez said:

I honestly expect an I5

Maybe, but we could get a nicely-priced I3, I2 or even I1 with a good ability, which I would also be happy with. We already have two I4s so I think another of those is not likely, and I think I6 is highly unlikely.

On 11/13/2019 at 3:22 PM, Magnus Grendel said:

the reaper's minimum forward speed is equivalent to a small base ship doing a speed 4 straight

That's why red co-ordinate on or just before the first round of engagement can be your friend!

So update?

TIE Advanced x1 - •Darth Vader - 78
•Darth Vader - Black Leader (67)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)
Hate (3)

TIE Advanced x1 - •Maarek Stele - 55
•Maarek Stele - Servant of the Empire (46)
Marksmanship (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Afterburners (6)

TIE/sk Striker - •“Duchess” - 63
•“Duchess” - Urbane Ace (42)
Outmaneuver (6)
Seismic Charges (3)
Targeting Computer (3)
•Fifth Brother (9)

Total: 196/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

Im having my 1st tournament tomorow and im trying this.

TIE/ln Fighter - •“Mauler” Mithel - 33
•“Mauler” Mithel - Black Two (32)
Crack Shot (1)

TIE Advanced x1 - •Maarek Stele - 49
•Maarek Stele - Servant of the Empire (46)
Marksmanship (1)
Fire-Control System (2)

TIE/sk Striker - •“Duchess” - 44
•“Duchess” - Urbane Ace (42)
Predator (2)

TIE/ln Fighter - •“Scourge” Skutu - 33
•“Scourge” Skutu - Seasoned Veteran (32)
Crack Shot (1)

TIE/ln Fighter - •“Howlrunner” - 41
•“Howlrunner” - Obsidian Leader (40)
Crack Shot (1)

Total: 200/200

View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

Last night i went 1-1 with it. First game i lost because of bad manoeuvring on my part and kept forgetting crack shot. The second one wasnt my faut if i won, just got lucky at dice and the other wasnt

Sorr about my english

5 hours ago, shodan1972 said:

Sorr about my english

That is ok, we understand

5 Imperial Fives has seen a bit of success, worth a shot. How do you fly them?
Remember your Crack/Predator/Marksman, and let us know how it goes.

****
Unrelated, thoughts about Strikers as blockers?
For 68 points, you get two rapid agile blockers who also throw 3+ Dice when able to shoot. They can sprint forward a little better to catch those obvious 1 Straight/Bank/Turn.
The unfortunate comparison is that you can get 3 Academy TIEs for 69... and they tend to fly better with most Imperial Ships (the Strikers being too fast and a bit awkward in most situations).
But, if running an aggressive list/style, it could be useful.

1 hour ago, Vespid1311 said:

How do you fly them

Yesterday in the 1st game i put the three tie in front with howlrunner in the middle and duchess and marek behind. Close enough to get the bonus from howl but spread enough so they dont bump each other.

I try to move fast to block my opponemy with the tie and do damage with the other two.

Didnt work that well in the first game but went great in the second( again, i was bless with the dice:))

Tomorrow i was thinking same formation but with duchess breaking from the group and trying to hit from the flank or back.

22 hours ago, Vespid1311 said:

let us know how it goes.

Pure ****. Nothing else to say...

6 hours ago, shodan1972 said:

Pure ****. Nothing else to say...

More practice, perhaps?

****
Vagabond Speculation:
How cool would it be to have the choice between Ailerons before or after your move? (Totally not thinking of Aileron/Afterburner boost At All)
They have some unexplored design space with Ailerons.

I'm thinking I4 or I5 (though I5 repositioning shenanigans is really powerful....).

****

I have just realised that you can stick Duchess, Sabaac, Grand Inquisitor and Soontir in a list together, with 9 points to spare (so... Hate Inquisitor, Targeting Soontir, Crack for all?).
Sabaac bludgeons if left alone, or makes solid bait. Duchess can Dance. Inquisitor could be pretty good as a damage sponge and/or bait. Soontir is Soontir.

I think I am going to toy with Strikers in my regular game night/s this week.
It's this, Ruthless Blacks/Duchess or Soontir/Duchess/Sabaac and Jendon, I think.

15 hours ago, Vespid1311 said:

More practice, perhaps?

No, another squad and new dice!!!

On 11/13/2019 at 4:05 AM, KingmanHighborn said:

What about the generics? I never see them get used at all.

This is still one of my favorite Imperial lists.

Sloane Swarm

Lambda -class T-4a Shuttle - Omicron Group Pilot - 52 Omicron Group Pilot - (43) •Admiral Sloane (9)

TIE/ln Fighter - Academy Pilot - 23 Academy Pilot - (23)

TIE/ln Fighter - Academy Pilot - 23 Academy Pilot - (23)

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

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

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

Total: 200/200 View in the X-Wing Squad Builder

On 11/14/2019 at 5:09 AM, Schanez said:

There have been no information about any of the card packs pilots so far. Other than the Bosk and K2S0 that were visible during the initial presentation. I honestly expect an I5, as Empire already has two I6es. And then an I4 from the Fifth Brother pilot.

"Vagabond"sounds like a decent codename for a 1 Hard Aileron user... Maybe he will get an option to gain Stress to instead use a 2 Bank or 2 Straight?

Maybe after aileron he can do a free barrel roll action.

The 2 bank would be crazy good. He would have to be an i4 or lower though with these super maneuvers

21 minutes ago, wurms said:

Maybe after aileron he can do a free barrel roll action.

The 2 bank would be crazy good. He would have to be an i4 or lower though with these super maneuvers

Probably... I just feel like the I2-4 is the Rebel area of Beef Expertise. Imperial Aces are from I4-6. I am really expecting an I5 to be honest, with a skill that lets him eat stress for some fancy movement. Although I am more holding my breath for the Fifth Brother pilot card. The conflict with the great Gunner slot for him will require some very good Pilot Ability to be convenient for an Imp player.

Couldn't get a hold of a Targeting Computer, so I went with the following instead:

Soontir Fel - Predator
Grand Inquisitor - Hate
Duchess - Crack Shot
Sabaac - Crack Shot

198.
Two large rocks and a large debris.

Preliminary remark: I am Not an Ace player. I have a preference for mid-level generics with some form of chunk or I1/2s... and anything with movement shenanigans (Cloaking, Ailerons and Vipers). I find it hard to get my head around Arc dodging consistently.

Game One was:
Maarek Steele - Marksman, Fire Control
Soontir - Afterburners, Predator
Rexler Brath - Predator
(I think)

I set up with Sabaac in one corner, with Duchess about a third of the way in and Grand Inquisitor just past halfway.
He set up Maarek on Sabaac's corner and Rex on the other, so I set down Soontir on Rex's corner to keep him interested and/or honest, but with the intention of pounding Maarek.

Turns out that I should have just fully loaded Maarek's side.
Thumped Maarek (with poor defense dice on his behalf) whilst not losing the magic 2 Hull on Sabaac (did take a Damaged Engine for it though... and that Hurts). Also Rex didn't try engaging at all.
Sabaac disengages, and I start wailing on the False Soontir after breaking Maarek. Ended up trading Duchess for Soontir before Rex enters the fight...
Turns out Rex is really hard to kill if you forget how to fly/Double Stress regular Strikers (Sabaac took one turn over debris on a Sloop, and later millimetred onto a Rock just as I managed a kill box of sorts).
Fortunately, it also turns out that Grand Inquisitor is Really Difficult to take down with just one gun.

We both miscalculated who had what points, and I ended up winning with a burning Sabaac and a halved Grand Inquisitor vs half a Rex.
Full credit to the opponent though: Flew Rex like a Boss (Defenders apparently have Hard 1s).
I fully believe that if he had not tried playing coy with Rex early on that he would have won somewhat convincingly.

Game Two:
Wedge
Jake
Cavern Angel XWing
Luke with Sense

He sets Jake and Cavern Angel in opposite corners, so I load everything up on the Angel's side... aiming to Wipe Luke. Then, after the first turn, realised that Wedge is a bigger threat with his I6 and my comparatively flimsy ships.

Because Ailerons, I managed to fool his Luke/Angel block and sweep in for Wedge... who managed to jump over my Grand Inquisitor's block.
Lost Duchess basically immediately because of it. Then Sabaac took an unexpected 3 Hits when he tried disengaging... leading to his demise on re-entry.
Couldn't quite get the kill on Luke in the end game, but it took him the rest of the game to eliminate the Inquisitor (leaving only Soontir alive vs Luke/Angel). Also made a lot of dumb decisions early on, though Soontir almost managed to recover from them. Turns out that I6 Double Repositioning is Good. Rolling Natties is also Good.

Specific to the Strikers:
I feel that a Sabaac that is Targeted early is probably the best way to go for me. He also can disengage pretty well against a disorganised squadron, so if he still has his bonus he can sweep back around as a threat.
Duchess.... ugh.... needs to be a genuine flanker or genuine bait... not a bit of both. The ability is pretty cool though.
As with my previous learnings on Strikers, a tokenless Striker is usually a Useless Striker.

Need to re-learn how this works again... so... maybe 5 Strikers next time, or a Sloan Swarm

I find I often loose my Strikers too quickly. After the first engagement I'm usually tempted to do airelons/2-sloop moves off to the side or behind the enemy ships, as this always looks like a really good position to be in. (As well as being difficult for the opponent to predict - with 3 turnaround and 3 airelon options, that's 9 potential positions to be in.) However - staying in a close dogfight does not favour Strikers in the long run. I think I should learn to be more patient and disengage/re-engage more frequently, unless I'm confident of getting the kills I need.

Black Squadrons with Elusive might be tolerably good for that flying style though. I'll wait for that inevitable points drop so I can fly five of them.

(It is the points drop we are looking for.)