Head to head: CR90 v Raider

By Cpt ObVus, in X-Wing Epic Play

Is this a fair match? Just like, in a vacuum, with a similar number of points spent for upgrades, coin flip for first player. Anyone tried this?

Raider probably has Missiles, Torps, Ordnance Tubes to sling them off very energy-efficiently, and like, Ion Cannon Battery. Primary and Missile/Torp cap out at Range 3.

CR-90 is probably equipping a Turbolaser, probably another long-range Hardpoint (again, probably Ion), and has Range 1-4 primary weapon.

If the raider gets within range, it can probably also line up the bullseye against an Epic ship, and it'll be a beastly lot of firepower. However, it's going to take a solid drubbing from the superior range of the CR-90 first.

What I don't know is how easy it is to get close. If there's no other ships and an open board, the Raider might be able to get close enough to lay in the hurt. However, I think I'd probably favor the CR-90.

My vote is for the Raider. The CR90 can't run forever, and eventually will have to turn so as not to run off the board edge, allowing the Raider to close to range to use its ship ability and do a 5-dice primary followed by a 5-dice Proton Torpedoes shot in bullseye. Add in Targeting Battery for action economy, and it's a real threat.

The question I have is how much damage the CR90 can realistically dish out with the Turbolaser Battery before the Raider gets in range.

My hypothetical builds:

Alderaanian Guard (146)
Turbolaser Battery (13)
Ion Cannon Battery (5)
Saw Gerrera (9)
Magva Yarro (8)
Damage Control Team (3)
Bombardment Specialists (6)
Tibanna Reserves (3)
Liberator (5)

Ship total: 198 Half Points: 99 Threshold: 13

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Rebel Alliance&d=v8ZeZ500Z368XW273W269W58W51WW277W275W285W292&sn=Unnamed Squadron&obs=

Outer Rim Patrol (146)
Proton Torpedoes (13)
Ordnance Tubes (1)
Targeting Battery (6)
Agent Kallus (5)
Damage Control Team (3)
Ordnance Team (4)
Boosted Scanners (8)
Instigator (6)
Bombardment Specialists (6)

Ship total: 198 Half Points: 99 Threshold: 14

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZeZ500Z369XW136WW271W270W15W277W280W283W300W275&sn=Unnamed Squadron&obs=

In a vacuum, the raider probably beats a cr 90 one on one.

But in a battle, the Raider is kinda forced to get in close range, allowing fighter wings to tear it apart.

The CR-90 is able to just cruise on the edges and pump damage from a safe distance, so I think it's better in a real game

On 7/29/2020 at 5:56 AM, Parakitor said:

My vote is for the Raider. The CR90 can't run forever, and eventually will have to turn so as not to run off the board edge, allowing the Raider to close to range to use its ship ability and do a 5-dice primary followed by a 5-dice Proton Torpedoes shot in bullseye. Add in Targeting Battery for action economy, and it's a real threat.

The question I have is how much damage the CR90 can realistically dish out with the Turbolaser Battery before the Raider gets in range.

My hypothetical builds:

Alderaanian Guard (146)
Turbolaser Battery (13)
Ion Cannon Battery (5)
Saw Gerrera (9)
Magva Yarro (8)
Damage Control Team (3)
Bombardment Specialists (6)
Tibanna Reserves (3)
Liberator (5)

Ship total: 198 Half Points: 99 Threshold: 13

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Rebel Alliance&d=v8ZeZ500Z368XW273W269W58W51WW277W275W285W292&sn=Unnamed Squadron&obs=

Outer Rim Patrol (146)
Proton Torpedoes (13)
Ordnance Tubes (1)
Targeting Battery (6)
Agent Kallus (5)
Damage Control Team (3)
Ordnance Team (4)
Boosted Scanners (8)
Instigator (6)
Bombardment Specialists (6)

Ship total: 198 Half Points: 99 Threshold: 14

View in Yet Another Squad Builder 2.0: https://raithos.github.io/?f=Galactic Empire&d=v8ZeZ500Z369XW136WW271W270W15W277W280W283W300W275&sn=Unnamed Squadron&obs=

For that Raider, even if it's just Ion Missiles, get a missile on there. You've already got Ordnance Tubes, so the bonus attack is free. I know you're trying to make them the same price, but still.

2 hours ago, theBitterFig said:

For that Raider, even if it's just Ion Missiles, get a missile on there. You've already got Ordnance Tubes, so the bonus attack is free. I know you're trying to make them the same price, but still.

Actually making them the same price was a happy accident, but I did want them in the same ballpark. Consider the Ion Missiles added!

Swap Proton Torpedoes for Plasma, functionally identical in terms of damage dealt due to regenerating shields.

Concussion Missiles are really good too.

So if you want the full breakdown of my thoughts on the CR-90 go check out what is basically a small essay I posted on the wiki. In summary I have found the CR-90 to be really fun but extremely underpowered compared to its Raider counterpart. While the CR-90 does have better range capabilities it has a lot of flaws that almost all originate from its primary being a side arc. So far every game the CR-90 has participated in in our group it has lost. Not only that but it has lost terribly.

On the wiki someone did post a good list that we haven't been able to fly yet but we have flown lists pretty similar to it.

If a ship has to be built in one specific way to be effective its not a good ship. The CR-90 is basically that problem. It has 1 good build (with slight modifications) and thats it. Almost anything you do to the raider will work wonderfully.

In summary the CR-90 is a lot of fun because it feels cinematic, but in our games it fails do deliver.