I was trying to figure out if I could fit all the “Spectre” Rebels (the core Ghost crew of Hera, Kanan, Zeb, Chopper, Sabine, and Ezra) into a list, and as I fiddled with it, figured that it actually was starting to look not terrible, so I figured I’d see if you all could help me hone it into something halfway decent.

I’ll post what I have below. The only rules are that all six of the Spectre characters listed above must be present in the list in some capacity, and the list must use the Ghost and at least one of the two dockable ships (Attack Shuttle or Sheathipeade; my list uses both). Big bonus points if we can fit Sabine’s TIE in the list as well. I’ve done these things, but I’m not sure if I’ve made all the optimal choices as far as which characters to use as pilots, which to use as crew, which of the two dockables gets the Phantom title, etc.

Spectres

(29) Sabine Wren [TIE/ln Fighter]
(1) Crack Shot
Points: 30

(72) Hera Syndulla [VCX-100 Light Freighter]
(12) Kanan Jarrus
(1) "Zeb" Orrelios
(0) Ghost
Points: 85

(40) Ezra Bridger [Attack Shuttle]
Points: 40

(32) AP-5 [Sheathipede-class Shuttle]
(2) "Chopper"
(6) Afterburners
(3) Elusive
(0) Phantom
Points: 43

Total points: 198

My initial idea is to start with Ezra docked, and the Sheathipeade flying free, and if things start looking dicey for AP-5, I launch Ezra and let AP-5 dock (though as I think about it, this stuff happens in initiative order during Systems Phase, right? Which could get awkward or require a lot of forward planning...).

So yeah, help a Rebel out! I’ve spent lots of time tinkering with other corners of the faction, but I’ve never flown any of these particular ships or crew; they sort of feel like their own subfaction. So if there are any must-have inclusions on any of these, I don’t know about them yet.

A more beefier VCX version, keeping the ships and characters:

Rebels!

(72) Hera Syndulla [VCX-100 Light Freighter]
(12) Kanan Jarrus
(14) Ezra Bridger
(3) Shield Upgrade
(0) Ghost
(5) Ion Cannon Turret
Points: 106

(32) "Zeb" Orrelios [Attack Shuttle]
Points: 32

(32) AP-5 [Sheathipede-class Shuttle]
(1) "Chopper"
Points: 33

(29) Sabine Wren [TIE/ln Fighter]
Points: 29

Total points: 200

Going for theme I don't think both shuttles should be in the list.

VCX-100 Light Freighter - •Hera Syndulla - 102
•Hera Syndulla - Spectre-2 (72)
Dorsal Turret (3)
•“Chopper” (1)
•Kanan Jarrus (12)
• Ghost (0)
•Ezra Bridger (14)

Attack Shuttle - •“Zeb” Orrelios - 32
•“Zeb” Orrelios - Spectre-4 (32)
• Phantom (0)

TIE/ln Fighter - •Sabine Wren - 29
•Sabine Wren - Spectre-5 (29)

RZ-1 A-wing - Phoenix Squadron Pilot - 36
Phoenix Squadron Pilot - (29)
Proton Rockets (7)

Total: 199/200

2 minutes ago, Frimmel said:

Going for theme I don't think both shuttles should be in the list.

VCX-100 Light Freighter - •Hera Syndulla - 102
•Hera Syndulla - Spectre-2 (72)
Dorsal Turret (3)
•“Chopper” (1)
•Kanan Jarrus (12)
• Ghost (0)
•Ezra Bridger (14)

Attack Shuttle - •“Zeb” Orrelios - 32
•“Zeb” Orrelios - Spectre-4 (32)
• Phantom (0)

TIE/ln Fighter - •Sabine Wren - 29
•Sabine Wren - Spectre-5 (29)

RZ-1 A-wing - Phoenix Squadron Pilot - 36
Phoenix Squadron Pilot - (29)
Proton Rockets (7)

Total: 199/200

True... Maybe they got a replacement Attack Shuttle at some point?

Or maybe more stolen TIEs?

15 minutes ago, LUZ_TAK said:

True... Maybe they got a replacement Attack Shuttle at some point?

Or maybe more stolen TIEs?

What I do know is how frustrated I get when looking at VCX lists and Hera pilot doesn't also have the Hera crew ability.

7 hours ago, Frimmel said:

Going for theme I don't think both shuttles should be in the list.

VCX-100 Light Freighter - •Hera Syndulla - 102
•Hera Syndulla - Spectre-2 (72)
Dorsal Turret (3)
•“Chopper” (1)
•Kanan Jarrus (12)
• Ghost (0)
•Ezra Bridger (14)

Attack Shuttle - •“Zeb” Orrelios - 32
•“Zeb” Orrelios - Spectre-4 (32)
• Phantom (0)

TIE/ln Fighter - •Sabine Wren - 29
•Sabine Wren - Spectre-5 (29)

RZ-1 A-wing - Phoenix Squadron Pilot - 36
Phoenix Squadron Pilot - (29)
Proton Rockets (7)

Total: 199/200

OK... but isn’t Zeb much, much worse than Ezra on the Shuttle? And I imagine his text is actually okay on the Ghost. I’m not trying to make this bad, I’m trying to see if it can be good but loosely themed. And yeah, I get that the shuttles existed sequentially, but I like the better gun on the Attack Shuttle, and the Coordinate from the Sheathipede.

Maybe you are right about Ezra vs Zeb on the attack shuttle. With Zeb on the Ghost, you might as well give it intimidation; with init 5 and Hera ability, crashing into someone should happen often. Also, Chopper needs some charge based upgrade to make sense, so elusive might be a good talent for AP5.

In your face Hera and Rebels:

(72) Hera Syndulla [VCX-100 Light Freighter]
(12) Kanan Jarrus
(1) "Zeb" Orrelios
(3) Intimidation
(0) Ghost
(5) Ion Cannon Turret
Points: 93

(40) Ezra Bridger [Attack Shuttle]
(0) Phantom
Points: 40

(32) AP-5 [Sheathipede-class Shuttle]
(1) "Chopper"
(3) Elusive
Points: 36

(29) Sabine Wren [TIE/ln Fighter]
(1) Crack Shot
Points: 30

Total points: 199

Good stuff. How’s this for an improvement?

Spectres

(29) Sabine Wren [TIE/ln Fighter]
(1) Crack Shot
Points: 30

(72) Hera Syndulla [VCX-100 Light Freighter]
(12) Kanan Jarrus
(1) "Zeb" Orrelios
(3) Intimidation
(0) Ghost
(5) Ion Cannon Turret
Points: 93

(40) Ezra Bridger [Attack Shuttle]
Points: 40

(32) AP-5 [Sheathipede-class Shuttle]
(2) "Chopper"
(3) Elusive
(0) Phantom
Points: 37

Total points: 200

Rings a bell...

15 hours ago, Cpt ObVus said:

OK... but isn’t Zeb much, much worse than Ezra on the Shuttle? And I imagine his text is actually okay on the Ghost. I’m not trying to make this bad, I’m trying to see if it can be good but loosely themed. And yeah, I get that the shuttles existed sequentially, but I like the better gun on the Attack Shuttle, and the Coordinate from the Sheathipede.

Well you said this was meant to be a "fun list" and I don't think a thematic list for the Spectres would include both shuttles. So we are coming at this from slightly different premises. I went at it from only having one shuttle to choose from. I consider what you've done "tribal" which to me while similar is different than "theme."

I am not putting Zeb out on his own. I'm going to fly him docked. I want to make the most of Hera's ability to change her move. To me that means wanting three dice out the back arc as a primary. I have a huge 0-agility points sink that needs to do work and that means two attacks per turn and that means Ezra to me. You have to take Ezra, Bistan, or Vet. Turret Gunner. Ezra gunner also synergizes with Hera and Chopper. I also think getting shot at range zero is not the way to do work.

I have tried Zeb-Intimidation VCX and Zeb crew in other ships. He isn't as great as he sounds. Zeb crew unlike Captain Oicunn works both ways and you are putting him on a 0-agility large-base ship. Swarms are already an issue for ships like the VCX. Letting them block you and shoot you is... sub-optimal.

Edit: My list would probably be better dropping the proton rockets and adding Shield Upgrade and Fire-Control System to Hera.

I haven't really played with the Rebels ships myself, so most of my experience with them is second hand from playing against them or watching streams (ie. take anything I say on the subject with a large sack of salt).

But I'd probably be looking to get Sabine in the Attack Shuttle if all possible. The extra attack die and linked evade action coupled with her repositioning ability make her a dangerous little ship.

The problem I have is that building the Ghost and and Attack Shuttle out in their 'optimum' version doesn't leave much room left over, and your third ship usually ends up with elements of ant-synergy, strangely. Basically, Chopper crew is bad on anything except the Ghost, because nothing else has the health to make him worth using.

But AP-5 basically does what Chopper does but better, because you can use it on any ship and because it doesn't cause damage. So if AP-5 is in the list, Chopper crew becomes irrelevant. And Chopper astro can only go on AP-5, which only works with the Elusive build and on the Sheathipede..... ehhh. You don't really want to doing too many reds to keep Elusive topped up. I guess that makes Chopper + Elusive a bit like a 4 point Shield Upgrade, which isn't terrible value.

It's a shame Sabine's TIE lost anything that made it unique vs a standard TIE, because it just isn't very good.

The Zeb crew/Hera/Dorsal Turret/Ezra/Intimidation stack is pretty great, though. I'd be tempted to make a very fat Ghost and try and support it as best you can. I like Sabine in the Attack Shuttle, and I like @Frimmel 's idea that a theme list shouldn't include both Phantoms, because they never existed at the same time.

The only option that leaves, therefore, is Rex in Sabine's TIE.

I kinda like this:

Sabine Wren (41)
Debris Gambit (4)
"Chopper" (Crew) (1)
Shield Upgrade (6)
Ion Cannon Turret (5)
Phantom (0)

Ship total: 57 Half Points: 29 Threshold: 3

Hera Syndulla (VCX-100) (72)
Intimidation (3)
Fire-Control System (2)
Dorsal Turret (3)
Kanan Jarrus (12)
"Zeb" Orrelios (1)
Ezra Bridger (14)
Ghost (0)

Ship total: 107 Half Points: 54 Threshold: 7

Captain Rex (30)
Targeting Computer (3)

Ship total: 33 Half Points: 17 Threshold: 2


Total: 197

Though to be honest Hera and Sabine are way overloaded on upgrades, and Chopper is basically just along for the ride. Keep the Dorsal pointed forward on Hera, and go for the double taps on anyone foolish enough to get in your front arc. You're 'immune' to blocking, and Hera can deliberately ram into targets with her maneuver change if needed, though. Rex helps keep Hera alive, in theory. Keep the ICT to the side on Sabine, it's there for extra arc coverage only. This list is going to struggle to get shots on target and focus fire. It needs all the coverage help it can get.

Alternatively, this is probably better overall, but is a 'worse' Hera build for not having Ezra gunner.

Sabine Wren (41)
Debris Gambit (4)
Phantom (0)

Ship total: 45 Half Points: 23 Threshold: 2

Hera Syndulla (VCX-100) (72)
Intimidation (3)
Kanan Jarrus (12)
"Zeb" Orrelios (1)
Ghost (0)

Ship total: 88 Half Points: 44 Threshold: 7

Ezra Bridger (TIE Fighter) (31)
Targeting Computer (3)

Ship total: 34 Half Points: 17 Threshold: 2

AP-5 (32)
"Chopper" (Crew) (1)

Ship total: 33 Half Points: 17 Threshold: 3


Total: 200

Depending on how you feel about it, you can drop AP-5 from that and add a Phoenix Squadron A-Wing instead. Leaves enough room to put Dorsal Turret back on the Ghost for more arc coverage.

It's probably what I would do, but obviously the Phoenix A-Wing is a little bit more outside the core Rebels group.

44 minutes ago, GuacCousteau said:

The problem I have is that building the Ghost and and Attack Shuttle out in their 'optimum' version doesn't leave much room left over, and your third ship usually ends up with elements of ant-synergy, strangely.

Yes, the VCX can not be the be all and end all of your list but it takes too many points to do it as "support." You can strip Hera down and giver her Ap-5 shuttle and three I1 A-wings but getting the whole crew on the board with not getting crushed too badly as a goal means both shuttles. The Ghost didn't get a proper re-design for 2nd Edition.

I can’t believe they didn’t give it any agility dice. That really hurts. Even if you effectively reinforce, you’re still taking at least one damage from any attack that doesn’t completely blank.

14 minutes ago, Cpt ObVus said:

I can’t believe they didn’t give it any agility dice. That really hurts. Even if you effectively reinforce, you’re still taking at least one damage from any attack that doesn’t completely blank.

Kallus as a pilot does likely mean you get to roll one die most of the time, unless your opponent rolls constant natties. But then you lose Initiave 5 amd Hera's cool ability.

Which seems not really worth it.

Interesting, couple weeks ago i also tried to builde a spectres list.

I still think saw on he ghost is fluffy!

I wish they would edit capt. Rex to;

After you perform an attack, the defender receives a deplete token.

Ain't that simpler? And while we are at it, can we give the Cap a Talent slot? He is a war veteran! (Snapshot would be nice)

Oh, if they only had the Spectres flying A-wings ,Y-Wings or even X-Wings. (Sigh)) 😥

18 hours ago, Captain Mayhem said:

Oh, if they only had the Spectres flying A-wings ,Y-Wings or even X-Wings. (Sigh)) 😥

I think that would be cool but it wouldn't be the buff the VCX needs.

The Ghost though really needs a few straight-up buffs. On Hera a Hull Upgrade is 2 points and Shield Upgrade is 3 points. Veteran Tail Gunner on ships that can take it is 4 points. You pay at least 32 points for a shuttle. For those points you should be able to count the shuttle's hull and shields towards the Ghost while retaining the bonus attack and getting the shuttle pilot's ability at the cost of not being able to undock and the Ghost then not being able to equip Hull or Shield Upgrade. 3 Hull Upgrade, One Shield Upgrade, one Vet. Tail gunner is only 13 points. It doesn't seem out of line to almost double that to break the modification rules on a 0-agility ship.

And I keep saying Hera pilot should also get Hera crew ability. Maybe that Hera crew ability could be a VCX only talent.

I guess that would just be broken or something at 140 (mostly because of those 4 dice out the front) which would let you take a pair of I1 A-wings or an A-wing and Sabine's TIE and come in at 198.