Good Afternoon, Pilots!
So, I have been noticing something lately with my recent squad building and games played (casually) online that I don’t know if it is new or just “new” to me. Feel free to comment, and if I’ve missed it thus far then I’m finally now on board.
It is the rise of the Minion or Swarmet List Archetype. Basically, it is Ace + some sort of support/tech element + 3 “sturdy” minions (so not TIE/ln fighters or drones).
I think this is arising from recent ship releases (especially Xi and LAAT), aces/toys going up, generic efficiency coming down, the general rise of a higher count ship meta making 2-die guns more prevalent.
Now there are still all of your other classic list archetypes, too, but I feel this may be the new kid on the block. Here’s some examples:
First Order
Kylo + Malarus (Xi) + 3 TIE/fos (won a little store even with this recently)
Holo/Vonreg + Malarus (Xi) + 3 TIE/sfs
Republic
7B Jedi + Warthog + 3 Torrents (Vwings?)
ETA Ace + LAAT + 3 Torrents
Imperials
Vader + Lyttan Dree + 3 BOTE V1s
Soontir + Named Striker + Lyttan Dree + 2 BOTE V1s
Rebels
Unsure, but definitely using the Awing as your 3 ship generic efficiency? Still seems a bit expensive compared to FO, Scyk, Torrent and V1.
Luke + Hawk/Title + 3 As?
Seppies..... 🤷♂️ Sorry don’t own any.
Resistance.... 🤷♂️ Just the Fireball here... idk... stick to As and T70s maybe
Scum
Fenn Rau + Drea/dorsal + 3 Scyks w/ Autoblasters
Clearly not an exhaustive list but centering around those 25 pt sturdy generics.
My thoughts: I really like the multiple elements of the game is this archetype! I’d say it’s very cancer free/good clean Xwing fun at its purest, good for new players both to pilot and fight against. Has a fun blend of just general beefiness and ship numbers, but still having the fun and interesting decisions of aces and support.
Can be flown really well, but you don’t instantly die if you make a mistake. Five arcs for good coverage.
Also, turns out that the 3 agility works pretty good in the general meta right now with lots of 2 die attacks.
Anyway.... bored at work. What do you think.