My youngest son is nine and will play x-wing with me occasionally (I try not to ask him too much, he's my last hope for a family member who might like it once they've grown up). In first edition he used to play Ryad with a generic TIEv1 and a Firespray. Imperials don't have Firesprays anymore, but he also has an Alpha-class star wing that he likes. He tried this out on Fly Casual the other day (well - using 7th Sis as 5th Bro's not available yet) and it seemed to be ok.

Countess Ryad (82)
Predator (2)
Jamming Beam (0)

Ship total: 84 Half Points: 42 Threshold: 4

Major Vynder (41)
Marksmanship (1)
Fire-Control System (2)
Proton Torpedoes (13)
Advanced SLAM (3)
Os-1 Arsenal Loadout (0)
Adv. Proton Torpedoes (6)

Ship total: 66 Half Points: 33 Threshold: 4

Fifth Brother (42)
Fire-Control System (2)
Homing Missiles (5)

Ship total: 49 Half Points: 25 Threshold: 2


Total: 199

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZsZ200Z195X127WW12WY161X125W113W136WW104W139W134WY394XW113W100&sn=Ryad %2F Vynder %2F Fifth Bro&obs=

These are ships that he really likes, I'm wondering whether it could be a list for him to try out for real next time we play a game (or if I let him come along to game night with me).

On the plus side, all the ships can do damage, and they are all fairly survivable. All I4s which is neat from a planning perspective.

On the downside, I think Vynder's kind of tricky to fly. He'd probably be better off flying 5X but try telling him that.

Any suggestions on how to improve it? (He's pretty adamant about Marksmanship which I'd have probably left off)

You could swap out Vynder for Grand Inq or 7th sister. Maybe easier to fly and the points saved add juke to Countess. Overall it's solid if he can hit and run effectively

1 minute ago, Amc879 said:

You could swap out Vynder for Grand Inq or 7th sister. Maybe easier to fly and the points saved add juke to Countess.

Thanks - I think we're pretty set on wanting to use the three ships (Defender, TIEv1, Star Wing). Would consider different pilots upgrades. I agree Juke would be nice.

Countess is a good beginner ship because you can decide to kturn after setting a straight move. I would keep her in

M̶y̶ ̶f̶i̶r̶s̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶o̶u̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶p̶u̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶l̶a̶s̶t̶ ̶p̶o̶i̶n̶t̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶o̶ ̶s̶w̶i̶t̶c̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶M̶a̶r̶k̶s̶m̶a̶n̶s̶h̶i̶p̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶P̶r̶e̶d̶a̶t̶o̶r̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶n̶y̶ ̶d̶i̶c̶e̶ ̶b̶e̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶r̶o̶l̶l̶e̶d̶ ̶I̶ ̶w̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶r̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶e̶x̶t̶r̶a̶ ̶c̶h̶a̶n̶c̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶r̶o̶l̶l̶ ̶a̶n̶o̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶h̶i̶t̶ ̶o̶v̶e̶r̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶c̶h̶a̶n̶g̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶ ̶h̶i̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶r̶i̶t̶.̶.̶.̶ ̶B̶u̶t̶ ̶{I always forget that predator is primary only!} if he's fixated on marks then so be it, making your opponent draw an extra face-up card is a good feeling!

Overall it's a solid trio that I would say, "go for it!" with. If competitive minded, it would be worth experimenting with load outs and maybe trade Vinder for 7sis as suggested above, but I would not discourage putting this on the table at a weekly game

13 hours ago, nitrobenz said:

Marksmanship to Predator

Predator is primary attack only and Vynder wants to shoot his torps. We played a game at home last night and it can lead to a funny amount of crits. Well, funny for him!