A little melodramatic. Apologies. I've been looking for ways to get my gunboats back on the table but I've never flown a deci and I don't know if my build is a good one, or even if Oicunn could be a better fit. The gunboat loadout is tried and tested, but easily trimmed by 2 points to give them ion missiles instead of torps, so the deci can easily be fattened by 4 points, but if you've a better gunboat build feel free to suggest it! Critique and suggestions please!

Quote

(76) Rear Admiral Chiraneau [VT-49 Decimator]
(14) Darth Vader
(5) Proton Bombs
(3) Shield Upgrade
(4) Dauntless
Points: 102

(32) Nu Squadron Pilot [Alpha-class Star Wing]
(0) Os-1 Arsenal Loadout
(3) Advanced SLAM
(2) Fire-Control System
(6) Adv. Proton Torpedoes
(6) Ion Torpedoes
Points: 49

(32) Nu Squadron Pilot [Alpha-class Star Wing]
(0) Os-1 Arsenal Loadout
(3) Advanced SLAM
(2) Fire-Control System
(6) Adv. Proton Torpedoes
(6) Ion Torpedoes
Points: 49

Total points: 200

Oof. That list is tough to execute effectively (IMHO only).

Partly becuz you’re fly ships that need locks but are init 2, partly becuz of the gunboats awkwardness.

Deci is fine and good. But he’s got a lot of heavy lifting to do in this list. A LOT of things can just outfly ps2 gunboats.

IMO, you need something agile to help cover RACs blind spots.

Maybe.... this?

New Squadron

(76) Rear Admiral Chiraneau [VT-49 Decimator]
(14) Darth Vader
(4) Dauntless
Points: 94

(41) Major Vynder [Alpha-class Star Wing]
(6) Ion Cannon
(0) Xg-1 Assault Configuration
(3) Advanced SLAM
(2) Fire-Control System
(6) Adv. Proton Torpedoes
Points: 58

(43) Seventh Sister [TIE Advanced v1]
(5) Sense
Points: 48

Total points: 200

IDK.... maybe I’m just not skilled enough with boats. RAC Vader Title is GOOD tho.

11 minutes ago, JBFancourt said:

Oof. That list is tough to execute effectively (IMHO only).

Partly becuz you’re fly ships that need locks but are init 2, partly becuz of the gunboats awkwardness.

Deci is fine and good. But he’s got a lot of heavy lifting to do in this list. A LOT of things can just outfly ps2 gunboats.

IMO, you need something agile to help cover RACs blind spots.

Maybe.... this?

New Squadron

(76) Rear Admiral Chiraneau [VT-49 Decimator]
(14) Darth Vader
(4) Dauntless
Points: 94

(41) Major Vynder [Alpha-class Star Wing]
(6) Ion Cannon
(0) Xg-1 Assault Configuration
(3) Advanced SLAM
(2) Fire-Control System
(6) Adv. Proton Torpedoes
Points: 58

(43) Seventh Sister [TIE Advanced v1]
(5) Sense
Points: 48

Total points: 200

IDK.... maybe I’m just not skilled enough with boats. RAC Vader Title is GOOD tho.

The gunboats work, don't worry about them . For background used to fly three as above but with ion missiles rather than torps, and whisper. The art is in the approach.

Upgrading one to Vynder is very tempting. Slimmer deci is probably a good idea.

Find the points for 0-0-0?

I'd be keeping RAC as skinny as possible...I usually say GrInky crew and call it a day. If you want Vader crew, I would include Dauntless and/or Minister Tua too. Bombs and SU? Nah

I tend to think that Nus want to be XG-1s, not OS-1s. Locks can be tough

Honestly, looks like a solid enough Decimator.

• Bombs are optional, but I've seen them used effectively sometimes.
• I'd stick will Hull over Shield (save a point, and the chance that exactly that one shield prevents a crit is slim).
  • I think Hull is generally worthwhile on any Decimator. 2 points is so cheap, and the extra health can matter (plus pushes the breakpoint by a health).
• I think, if possible, any named Decimator should have either Dauntless or Tua or Grand Inquisitor.
  • My preference is probably for Tua, but her higher cost would mean compromises elsewhere (switch to Seismic Charges, Shield to Hull).

It's not a gunboat I've got much interest in, but if you trust them, great and go for it.

7 hours ago, theBitterFig said:

Honestly, looks like a solid enough Decimator.

• Bombs are optional, but I've seen them used effectively sometimes.
• I'd stick will Hull over Shield (save a point, and the chance that exactly that one shield prevents a crit is slim).
  • I think Hull is generally worthwhile on any Decimator. 2 points is so cheap, and the extra health can matter (plus pushes the breakpoint by a health).
• I think, if possible, any named Decimator should have either Dauntless or Tua or Grand Inquisitor.
  • My preference is probably for Tua, but her higher cost would mean compromises elsewhere (switch to Seismic Charges, Shield to Hull).

It's not a gunboat I've got much interest in, but if you trust them, great and go for it.

Tell me about the gunboats you trust! I struggle to get anything else to perform as well.

Thanks for the input, guys. Very helpful!

6 hours ago, Estarriol said:

Tell me about the gunboats you trust! I struggle to get anything else to perform as well.

Oh, I don't really have anything going on with them. I think OS-1, Passive Sensors, DBM seems solid since it's rather cheap, and I've tried a little with XG-1, Autoblasters, Proton Torpedoes, Passive Sensors, but I'm not convinced they're any better than anything else. Plus they just got hit with the cannon price readjustment.

Here’s my Vader carrier of choice. I love the prox mines, they seem to come in handy:

Darthimator

(67) Patrol Leader [VT-49 Decimator]
(14) Darth Vader
(5) 0-0-0
(9) Admiral Sloane
(6) Proximity Mines
(2) BT-1
(3) Shield Upgrade
(4) Dauntless
Points: 110

(22) Academy Pilot [TIE/ln Fighter]
Points: 22

(22) Academy Pilot [TIE/ln Fighter]
Points: 22

(22) Academy Pilot [TIE/ln Fighter]
Points: 22

(22) Academy Pilot [TIE/ln Fighter]
Points: 22

Total points: 198

1 hour ago, fantomenos said:

Here’s my Vader carrier of choice. I love the prox mines, they seem to come in handy:

Darthimator

(67) Patrol Leader [VT-49 Decimator]
(14) Darth Vader
(5) 0-0-0
(9) Admiral Sloane
(6) Proximity Mines
(2) BT-1
(3) Shield Upgrade
(4) Dauntless
Points: 110

(22) Academy Pilot [TIE/ln Fighter]
Points: 22

(22) Academy Pilot [TIE/ln Fighter]
Points: 22

(22) Academy Pilot [TIE/ln Fighter]
Points: 22

(22) Academy Pilot [TIE/ln Fighter]
Points: 22

Total points: 198

That looks wicked good.

Why not shield upgrade? Don't think 2 pt bid does much for this list.

2 hours ago, LUZ_TAK said:

That looks wicked good.

Why not shield upgrade? Don't think 2 pt bid does much for this list.

Oh it’s on there! I wish I had a use for those 2 points, because as you said, the bid isn’t relevant. Honestly, if my ships didn’t move first, I wouldn’t know how to fly this thing!

You are right, my mistake.

Too bad no talent to get ruthless.

I would argue that the bid does matter. Being able to move your academies first against a full swarm can make all the difference. Being able to jam in there and get your actions while hopefully forcing them into bump city and denying half or more of their actions can set you up to win the game from the first joust.

15 hours ago, Jaysnipesinc said:

I would argue that the bid does matter. Being able to move your academies first against a full swarm can make all the difference. Being able to jam in there and get your actions while hopefully forcing them into bump city and denying half or more of their actions can set you up to win the game from the first joust.

I tend to think Sloane swarm wants 2nd player fairly badly. You want to be able to retaliate against someone who gets double-stressed by killing one of your ships, which means you need to attack 2nd at Init 1. If a Sloane list is attacking first against same-init ships, they won't get any rerolls, and that'll severely weaken the offense.

59 minutes ago, theBitterFig said:

I tend to think Sloane swarm wants 2nd player fairly badly. You want to be able to retaliate against someone who gets double-stressed by killing one of your ships, which means you need to attack 2nd at Init 1. If a Sloane list is attacking first against same-init ships, they won't get any rerolls, and that'll severely weaken the offense.

In most cases I agree, except against true swarm lists. I've found 8 ship swarms to be 1 of the harder matchups for this list. Even with simultaneous fire getting the crack back against their stressed ships doesnt win the trade game in the long run. Ive found it's more important to neuter their offense as much as possible, and even then it's an uphill battle.

The variant I've been primarily using die to expecting swarm lists has been RAC w/ Ruthless, Sloan, and Death Troopers with 4 Blacks w/ crackshot. Its much better for long term survivability to remove 1 and often 2 vultures before they have a chance to shoot. Then I'll still get those reroll shots on their stressed ship(s) the following turn, I'd much rather have that first alpha strike as opposed to letting them hit first just so I can have some rerolls. I haven't got against Focho yet though, I dont know if there is a DeciSloan list that can deal with that. 😕