Looking at the newly spoiled Major Rhymer card, I am a bit disappointed on the point cost. More specifically, I'm dissappointed on the jump from Captain Jonus to Major Rhymer.

Jonus PS6 cost 22 pts

Rhymer PS7 cost 26 pts

4 point jump from one to the next? I believe that is unheard of in this game. Especially when the only difference between the 2 is there special ability and 1 single PS level.

The jump ffrom luke to Wedge, 1 pt. Arvel to Tycho cost 3 pts. Dutch to Horton, 2 pts. Lando to Han, 2 pts. Steele to vader, 2 pts. Phennir to Fel, 2 pts. Scarlet to Fett, 1 pt.

And most of these superior pilots, while costing less, still give you more than a 1 Level Pilot skill bump. So why so expensive for Rhymer? Does FFG think his ability is that awesome? Frankly, I'm a bit underwhelmed by it. If i understand it correctly, he basically makes any missile/torpedo usable from any range, 1-3, except the adv Torps, which become range 1-2. Neat, but not that devastating. I'm sure players can find a creative use for it, but I think in general i would prefer Jonus and his ability which lets allies reroll 2 dice on there secondary weapons. He is the Howlrunner of secondary weapons as the article said. I can think of lots of great ways to use Jonus, especially for 4 points less than the top pilot.

It's certainly an expensive jump, but range limitations on secondaries (especially on Range 2-3 weapons) is a major inhibitor to their utility. Pulling those off turns Rhymer into a ship that can effectively be throwing 4-5 dice, with rerolls and/or changes, consistently for a few turns without any real limitation.

Remains to be see if the overall effect is worth it - by the time you load him up he's going to be a VERY expensive ship. But I think his ability is quite impresive.

Edit: Another way to look at this is as an increased point cost on the secondaries he's using. His ability is 3 points. So 1 secondary costs 3, 2=1.5, 3=1. Would a Range 1-3 Proton Torpedo be worth 5.5 points? A Range 2 APT worth 7? I tend to think they would.

I think it is a fair price. This guy has a lot of build options that can make him over powered and his price reflects that IMO.

I think he will see a lot of play in my lists as a solo bomber. Jonus needs several other ships that specifically use secondaries to fly with him to be worth it, Rhymer can be plopped in almost anywhere and do his thing.

To illustrate points wise:

Jonus (22)

Scimitar Squadron pilot w/ cluster missile x2 (24)

or

Rhymer w/ cluster missile x2 (34)

Thats 46pts to use jonus, or 34 pts to use rhymer. Obviously jonus gets better with more ships to aid but I don't know how often we will see him in lists that arent spamming bombers (which I coincidentally fully intend to do).

I guess i think of it differently. That 4 points pays for the concussion/cluster/proton on Jonus. I can park my jonus in the back with another bomber and my firespray with HLC and lob shots in, passing out rerolls. When the ships close to range 1, one of them shoots the advanced torp they were carrying, the other drops the Proton Bomb, and they all bolt away at speed 4 and do K-turns (assuming bombers have them) or fire from the back arc in the case of the firespray while everyone is turning around.

I'm sure it won't play out exactly like that every time but i see myself taking that list way more often then Rhymer.

Now if his card said any secondary weapon could be fired at any range 1-3, I'd be a little more on board with the Adv prot being able to fire from a distance.

I know everybody plays differently, but for me, secondary weapons (other then HLC and turrets)) are a little bit of a hard sell to begin with. The range of said weapons and therefore Rhymers ability has never been a major factor that effected my decision on whether or not to take missiles/torps. I've never said "Ooo, proton Torpedos... oh wait, they are useless at range 1. Never mind." Its more about damage inflicted for the points it will cost me. So personally, Jonus ability that increases the possible damage of these ordinance appeals to me way more. And lucky me its cheaper.

And true, Jonus ability is worth nothing if nobody else has any secndary weapons, but in that case I'm gonna take one of the generic pilots instead of spending more points for Rhymer.

Maybe I'll like him more once i get to play with him. Everybody's MMV I guess

My biggest worry is the dirty player that flies five bomberswith bombs. DIRTY.

I also like the idea of jonus supporting another ship shooting cluster missiles at a yt or y-wing and allowing both cluster attacks to reroll 2 dice.

Actually rhymer and jonus working together to do this at range 3 sounds pretty sweet, even if its expensive

I also like the idea of jonus supporting another ship shooting cluster missiles at a yt or y-wing and allowing both cluster attacks to reroll 2 dice.

Actually rhymer and jonus working together to do this at range 3 sounds pretty sweet, even if its expensive

Jonus flying with 3 scimitars with a cluster missile and proton torp each. First round of shooting you clear out the big ships shields the missiles, second round you drop the crits down with the torps. You will clear out some big ships fast. Though throwing rhymer in there will be some serious added fun.

I think the 6 and 7 ps TIE Bomber pilots, if paired, will slaughter the falcon. I'm going to be very wary of TIE Bombers if I see them in groups.

Doubling the range of Advanced Proton Torpedoes is a scary proposition indeed. Maybe the four points are warranted after all.

I think the pricing is fair. Jonus has the better skill but suffers the handicap of all support pilots, he can't boost himself and needs an ally to make good on it. Given the he's an imperial with an ability that only effects secondaries it hits him especially hard. It's actually in a players best interest to fly him without any weapons so that they can put more on the bombers, firesprays, and even advances he'll probably be escorting. Rhymer you can just plop down and go to town. I especially like the thought of cluster missiles on him. Two three dice attacks at three without the defense boost might be worth it.